Raspberry Beret

"Raspberry Beret"
Japanese vinyl cover
Single by Prince and the Revolution
from the album Around the World in a Day
B-side	"She's Always in My Hair" (US) "Hello" (UK)
Released	May 15, 1985
Recorded	Sunset Sound (Studio 2), April 27, 1982 (basic tracking of unreleased 1982 version) Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse (Eden Prairie, Minnesota), September 7 or 12, 1984 (basic tracking of album version)
Genre	Neo-psychedelia[1] psychedelic pop[2]
Length	3:31 (7" Single/Album Version) 6:36 (New Mix) 4:18 (Video Version)
Label	Paisley Park, Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Prince
Producer(s)	Prince
Prince and the Revolution singles chronology
"Take Me with U" (1985) "Raspberry Beret" (1985) "Pop Life" (1985)
Music video
«Raspberry Beret» on YouTube
Prince (UK) singles chronology
"Paisley Park" (1985) "Raspberry Beret" (1985) "Pop Life" (1985)

"Raspberry Beret" is a song written by Prince and the lead single from Prince & the Revolution's 1985 album Around the World in a Day.

Background[]

The sound of the song expanded upon previous Prince arrangements, incorporating stringed instruments, Middle Eastern finger cymbals, and a harmonica on the extended version. The song was also more in the pop vein than before, though the 12-inch single and video of the song feature a funky intro.

The song tells of a teenage romance and first sexual experience with a girl who wears a raspberry-colored beret. The video for the song was directed primarily by Prince, with animation created by Colossal Pictures co-founder Drew Takahashi. The extended version was included on the compilation album Ultimate in 2006. While the song hit number 1 in Cash Box and reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. (behind "A View to a Kill" by Duran Duran), it only reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.^[3]

Releases[]

The U.S. B-side, "She's Always in My Hair", is a rock and roll number, with guitar and organs and emotional lyrics screamed toward the end. The UK B-side was "Hello", which was included on the U.S. release of "Pop Life". "Hello" was written in response to those who criticized Prince for his lack of participation in the We are The World event. He did however, contribute 4 the Tears in your Eyes for that album.

Following Prince's death, "Raspberry Beret" re-charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 33 on the chart dated the week of May 14, 2016. As of April 30, 2016, it has sold 691,421 copies in the United States.^[4]

Track listings[]

US 7″ single

• A. "Raspberry Beret" – 3:31
• B. "She's Always in My Hair" – 3:27

US 12" single

• A. "Raspberry Beret (New Mix)" – 6:34
• B. "She's Always in My Hair (New Mix)" – 6:32

UK 7" single

• A. "Raspberry Beret" – 3:31
• B. "Hello" – 3:23

UK 12″ single

• A. "Raspberry Beret (New Mix)" – 6:34
• B. "Hello (Extended Remix)" – 6:23

Personnel[]

• Prince – lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars^{[citation needed]}, harmonica
• Brown Mark – bass guitar and background vocals
• Wendy Melvoin – acoustic guitar and background vocals
• Lisa Coleman – keyboards and background vocals
• Dr. Fink – keyboards
• Bobby Z. – drums and percussion
• David Coleman – cello, oud, fingercymbals
• Susannah Melvoin – background vocals
• Novi Novog – violin
• Suzie Katayama – cello

Charts[]

References[]

External links[]

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics