Around the World in a Day is the seventh studio album by American recording artistPrince, and the third to feature his backing bandThe Revolution. It was released on April 22, 1985, by Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records. Departing somewhat from the commercial sound of his previous release, the massively successful Purple Rain, the album instead saw Prince experimenting with psychedelic styles and more opulent textures. In compliance with Prince's wishes, the record company released the album with minimal publicity, withholding accompanying singles until almost a month after the album's release. Around the World in a Day was released to notably mixed reception after the success of Purple Rain, though it nonetheless sold relatively well and became Prince and the Revolution's second number-one album on the Billboard 200. Two of its four singles reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100: "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life". Following Prince's death, "Raspberry Beret" re-charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as a top 40 hit, reaching number 33. Around the World in a Day was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 2, 1985.
Background
Recording for Around the World in a Day was begun in sessions dating back before that of Purple Rain. Following six months of touring behind that bestselling album, Prince returned to recording. An initial inspiration for the album's sound came in the form of a demo, recorded by David Coleman, the brother of Revolution band member Lisa Coleman, which would ultimately become the title track. The album pursued a dense, psychedelic style that made use of unconventional instruments and cryptic lyrics. Its sound and album cover drew numerous comparisons to The Beatles'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Prince spoke in an interview about the album's cover art, its psychedelic sound, and the comparison:
Reception
Despite the muted promotion and the material on the album being overall not as radio-friendly as Purple Rain, it still had two American top 10 hits, and went double platinum. It was initially met with mixed critical reception. According to Prince, George Clinton was a fan of the album. In a positive retrospective review, Pitchfork described the album as "a brave and deeply personal project, exploring sounds and ideas that were almost shocking coming from a pop icon at his peak."
Track listing
Credits are adapted from Prince Vault
Personnel
Prince – lead vocals, guitars, assorted instruments, all instruments on "Condition of the Heart" and "Tamborine"
Brown Mark – bass guitar and background vocals on "Around the World in a Day", "Paisley Park", "Raspberry Beret", "America", "Pop Life" and "The Ladder"
Wendy Melvoin – guitars and background vocals on "Around the World in a Day", "Paisley Park", "Raspberry Beret", "America", "Pop Life" and "The Ladder"
Lisa Coleman – keyboards and background vocals on "Around the World in a Day", "Paisley Park", "Raspberry Beret", "America", "Pop Life" and "The Ladder"
Dr. Fink – keyboards on "Around the World in a Day", "Paisley Park", "Raspberry Beret", "America", "Pop Life" and "The Ladder"
Bobby Z. – drums and percussion on "Around the World in a Day", "Paisley Park", "Raspberry Beret", "America", "Pop Life" and "The Ladder"
David Coleman – cello, oud, fingercymbals, darbuka and background vocals on "Around the World in a Day", cello on "Raspberry Beret" and "The Ladder"
Jonathan Melvoin – tambourine and background vocals on "Around the World in a Day", "Pop Life"
Susannah Melvoin – background vocals on "Around the World in a Day", "Raspberry Beret" and "The Ladder"
Novi Novog – violin on "Paisley Park" and "Raspberry Beret"
