Parade (Prince album)
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| Parade (Prince album) | |
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| Name | Parade |
| Type | studio |
| Artist | Prince and the Revolution |
| Released | March 31, 1986 |
| Recorded | 1985–1986 |
| Studio | Skyline Studios; Sunset Sound; Electric Lady Studios |
| Genre | Pop, Funk, Psychedelia |
| Length | 36:58 |
| Label | Warner Bros. Records |
| Producer | Prince |
| Prev title | Around the World in a Day |
| Prev year | 1985 |
| Next title | Sign o' the Times |
| Next year | 1987 |
Parade (Prince album) is the eighth studio album by Prince released with his backing band the Revolution through Warner Bros. Records in 1986. Serving as the soundtrack to the Under the Cherry Moon film directed by Prince, the album marked a stylistic shift from the psychedelic pop of Around the World in a Day toward polished pop, funk and orchestral arrangements. Parade features the international hit single "Kiss" and showcases collaborations with key figures from Prince's circle and the Minneapolis music scene.
Background and recording
Across sessions in 1985 and 1986, Prince reconvened members of the Revolution following the commercial and critical responses to Purple Rain and Around the World in a Day. Recording took place at Sunset Sound and other Los Angeles studios during pre-production for the film Under the Cherry Moon, and sessions involved arrangers and string players influenced by Quincy Jones production techniques and the orchestral work of George Martin. The Revolution personnel, including Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Dr. Fink, Brownmark, and Bobby Z., contributed to rhythm, keyboards, and backing vocals while Prince maintained primary control over songwriting and production. Additional musicians from the Minneapolis sound milieu and session arrangers augmented the album's horn and string sections.
Music and lyrics
Parade blends stripped-down guitar and drum-machine grooves with lush string arrangements and art-pop touches reminiscent of David Bowie and Stevie Wonder. Lyrically, Prince explores themes of romance and romantic idealism tied to the film's narrative, invoking cinematic tropes akin to Frank Sinatra standards and French New Wave sensibilities. Tracks range from the minimalist funk of "Kiss"—with its stark guitar and falsetto delivery—to baroque-pop and orchestral passages that recall work by The Beatles producer George Martin and the chamber-pop of Scott Walker. The album also incorporates elements of Latin music and film-score techniques similar to composers like Ennio Morricone.
Release and promotion
Warner Bros. issued the album in 1986 to coincide with the premiere of Under the Cherry Moon, which Prince directed and starred in alongside Kristin Scott Thomas and Jerome Benton. Promotional efforts included music videos aired on MTV and televised performances; the minimalist video for "Kiss" became a staple on video rotation. Prince and the Revolution staged select live appearances and interviews to support both the film and the soundtrack, and the single release strategy mirrored contemporary practices employed by artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson.
Critical reception
Initial critical response was mixed to positive: some reviewers praised Prince's adventurous production and songwriting while others criticized the album's association with the film and the perceived eccentricity of its aesthetic. Contemporary coverage in music publications compared the work to the art-pop experiments of David Bowie and the sophisticated funk of Stevie Wonder. Over time, retrospective appraisals have reassessed Parade as a cohesive soundtrack work with standout singles, often cited in discographies alongside Prince's mid-1980s artistic peak exemplified by Purple Rain and Sign o' the Times.
Commercial performance
The album reached strong positions on international charts, bolstered by the success of "Kiss," which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved high placement on charts in United Kingdom, Australia, and across Europe. Parade attained multi-platinum certification in several territories through sales driven by single performance and soundtrack tie-ins, though it did not quite match the blockbuster sales of Purple Rain. Chart performance reflected Prince's global profile and the crossover appeal enjoyed by contemporaries like Michael Jackson and Madonna during the 1980s.
Track listing
All songs written by Prince unless noted.
1. "Christopher Tracy's Parade" – 2:02 2. "New Position" – 4:08 3. "I Wonder U" – 2:41 4. "Under the Cherry Moon" – 3:49 5. "Girls & Boys" – 4:38 6. "Life Can Be So Nice" – 3:12 7. "Venus de Milo" – 3:29 8. "Mountains" – 3:00 9. "Do U Lie?" – 3:31 10. "Kiss" – 2:46 11. "Anotherloverholenyohead" – 3:42
Personnel and production
- Prince – lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drum programming, producer, arranger - Wendy Melvoin – guitar, backing vocals - Lisa Coleman – keyboards, backing vocals - Dr. Fink – keyboards - Brownmark – bass (select tracks) - Bobby Z. – drums, percussion (select tracks) - Additional string players and horn sections contracted for orchestral arrangements; session musicians from the Minneapolis sound and Los Angeles studios participated. - Recording engineers and mixing personnel at Sunset Sound and associated studios; mastering by industry engineers active on 1980s pop and funk releases.
Artwork and packaging
The album's visual presentation tied closely to the film's black-and-white aesthetic and romanticized Parisian imagery, echoing stylistic references to French New Wave cinema and classic Hollywood publicity stills. Cover photography and design were coordinated with Warner Bros. marketing and featured Prince in period attire, conveying the album's fusion of modern pop and cinematic pastiche. Packaging included liner notes crediting the Revolution and selected session personnel.
Category:1986 albums Category:Prince albums Category:Warner Bros. Records albums