The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (Prince song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Most Beautiful Girl in the World"
PrinceTheMostBeautifulGirlInTheWorld.jpg
Single by Prince
from the album The Beautiful Experience and The Gold Experience
B-side
  • "Beautiful"
  • "Beautiful" (Extended Club Mix by Simon Harris) (UK 12")
  • "Beautiful Beats" (UK 12")
ReleasedFebruary 24, 1994
Recorded1993
Genre
Length4:07 (Single Edit)
4:37 (Original Mix)
4:25 (Gold Experience Version)
LabelNPG, Bellmark, Edel
Songwriter(s)Prince
Producer(s)Prince, Ricky Peterson
Prince singles chronology
"Peach"
(1993) 		"The Most Beautiful Girl in the World"
(1994) 		"Pope"
(1994)
Music video
"The Most Beautiful Girl in The World" on YouTube
Prince (UK) singles chronology
"Controversy"
(1993) 		"The Most Beautiful Girl in the World"
(1994) 		"Letitgo"
(1994)

"The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" is the lead single from the 1994 EP The Beautiful Experience by American musician Prince, and his 1995 album, The Gold Experience. In his singles chronology, it was his third major release since changing his stage name to an unpronounceable "Love Symbol" (also known as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince). In his albums chronology, it along with the EP was his second release after changing his name. With the consent of Prince's usual record distributor Warner Bros. Records, "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" was released by NPG Records in North America and Edel Music in the rest of the world and independently distributed by Bellmark Records in the USA, under the control and guidance of Music of Life, as a one-off single, topping five different charts. The outstanding success of the single released in 1994 March 28th in the United Kingdom via Grapevine Distribution, is solely based on the sales and marketing campaign put together by the late Mr. Nigel Reveler, and remains Prince's only number one single on the UK Singles Chart,[1] and was shortly followed by an EP of remixes titled The Beautiful Experience that also charted on No. 18 in the chart in the United Kingdom. The version that was released on The Gold Experience is a different mix of the song.

There has been a long running copyright dispute since 1995 and a court in Italy ruled that Prince had plagiarized the song, giving writing credit to those other than Prince. The outcome of this dispute resulted in the removal of the song from all digital storefronts and streaming platforms.[2]

Development[]

The original track is a slow-grooving ballad that serenades a beautiful woman, his soon-to-be fiancé, Mayte Garcia. The song was played during the Miss USA pageant in 1994, but not in full. It was widely advertised in news and trade magazines that a new song from Prince would be premiered at the pageant. The ads had Prince sitting in a chair with a hat pulled down over his face, and Garcia standing next to his chair. The song was officially released on February 24, 1994. It later appeared on The Gold Experience.

The version on The Gold Experience is remixed. The drums are more crisp in the mix, and there are slight instrumental changes. There are also added sound effects and instrumental breaks in the second version. The bridge is slightly more robust as well. The song is still based in light guitar, keyboards and live drums. Although most of the song is sung in falsetto with Prince reaching some extremely high notes, the final bridge has him using his regular voice as well as a lower baritone range in one small segment. This version on The Gold Experience was performed live during the 1994 World Music Awards ceremony.

The song was a worldwide hit and established Prince's ability to succeed commercially under his new name, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified gold by the RIAA and sold 700,000 copies domestically.[3][4] However, the song was his last top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 during his lifetime.[5]

It became his first and only United Kingdom No. 1 single under any name as a performer.[1] He did have two other United Kingdom number ones as a songwriter: the 1984 hit single "I Feel for You" covered by Chaka Khan and Sinéad O'Connor's 1990 cover of "Nothing Compares 2 U". Prince danced to his own song "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" after the World Music Awards at an after show event with Kylie Minogue in 1994.

Critical reception[]

Andy Healy from Albumism noted the song's "lush, rich serving of '70s soul and '90s pop." He stated that "everything about this song is well crafted perfection", noting that it "easily seduces the listener, it's at once romantic and passionate, and manages to just swirl around you, sweeping you away with its beauty."[6] AllMusic editor Daniel Browne called it a "dreamy slice of soul-pop" in the style of Delfonics mastermind Thom Bell.[7] Another editor, Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the song has a "more immediate" melody, describing it as a "Philly soul tribute".[8] Troy J. Augusto from Cashbox commented, "Never one to sit idly by. Prince returns after a short sabbatical with this new funky single, released through a new deal with Al Bell's Bellmark Records". He also noted, "Already making waves at urban and top-40 radio, this keyboard-heavy, lushly produced track breaks no new ground for Prince, but looks like a sure bet for chart success. Expect to hear this song of female worship at the junior prom come June."[9] Greg Sandow from Entertainment Weekly called it "buoyant".[10] Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger described it as a "high, heady, perfume-drunk ballad drawing from the well of Thom Bell's work with the Delfonics and Stylistics." He added further, "Prince disciplines himself, staying almost throughout at the absolute top of his register, a high-wire act he pulls off without a hitch but also without any moment which completely sells the decision. The music is opulent boudoir funk, the best line – "How can I get through days when I can't get through hours?" – is very good, and there's a casual classiness to the record."[11]

Lars Nielsen from Gaffa declared it as a "pop-pearl".[12] Alexis Petridis from The Guardian said "it's a deft homage to the super-soft 70s soul of the Delfonics and the Stylistics".[13] Music writer James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, that this "gorgeous ballad" is "probably his most MOR recording since Diamonds and Pearls [and] proving that behind all the raunch and funk lies a soul talent that is second to none."[14] Mark Carlson from The Michigan Daily picked the song as one of the "highlights" from the album and described it as "super-sappy (yet somehow wonderful)".[15] Alan Jones from Music Week gave it five out of five, picking it as Pick of the Week. He added that it "is his most direct and accessible in ages. A love song which he renders in his prettiest falsetto, it's all over radio already, and is likely to make a huge impact on the main chart, as well as topping the indie listings."[16] John Kilgo from The Network Forty stated that it "may be Prince's strongest" since "Cream".[17] A reviewer from Perthshire Advertiser called it a "stunning tune and a massive hit too!"[18] Porcys listed it at number five in their ranking of "100 Singles 1990-1999" in 2012.[19] Rolling Stone wrote that "the gorgeous falsetto-steeped ballad has clean funk guitar touches and keyboards, but Prince lets his gift for melody do most of the work."[20] Tim Marsh from Select noted that the song "displayed a confident touch".[21]

Personnel[22][]

  • Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
  • Ricky Peterson - additional keyboards (as "Ricky P.")
  • James "Jimi" Behringer - additional guitar

Music video[]

The accompanying music video for "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" was directed by Prince and American film director and producer Antoine Fuqua[23] on 29 January 1994. It depicts a collage of girls and women, that are reminiscing about their past while watching their personal footage mixed with Prince performing the song for them in a special room. The video was filmed at Paisley Park Studios and debuted on Valentine's Day 1994. In December 1993, Prince had an ad placed in US, British, a Dutch and Spanish publication reading: “Eligible bachelor seeks the most beautiful girl in the world to spend the holidays with” and encouraged all interested to send videos and/or pictures to Paisley Park Studios. The material sent in response to the advertisement (reportedly, over 50,000 girls responded) was utilized for the video. Seven finalists were chosen to appear in the video while 30 semi-finalists were featured on the sleeve of the record.[24]

At first the video's story was going to be a competition for the "title" of most beautiful woman in the world. Later, the story was reworked to be a celebration of every type of woman. Originally scheduled to be shot in Los Angeles City Hall on January 23rd, it was rescheduled to place in Minneapolis 6 days later, due to an earthquake in California. American educator Marva Collins makes a cameo appearance, as an elderly woman watching a black woman becoming the 43rd US president.[25] Also Nona Gaye[26] and Vanessa Marcil have cameo appearances in the video. Actress Rita Worlock plays a comedian with a red wig, watching herself doing a Joan Rivers type of thing.[27] Other women appearing in the video are: a bride watching herself getting married, a curvy woman viewing her fantasy of having a singing career, a female swimmer watching herself getting a medal, a mom reliving giving birth to her child, and a girl with dreads and top hat watching herself as a director on a set.

Track listings[]

  • Single
  1. "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" (single edit) – 4:06
  2. "Beautiful" (single edit) – 3:54
  • United Kingdom 12"
  1. "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" – 4:07
  2. "Beautiful" – 3:57
  3. "Beautiful" (extended club mix by Simon Harris) – 6:25
  4. "Beautiful Beats" - 3:30

Plagiarism case[]

Bruno Bergonzi and Michele Vicin co-wrote the song "Takin' Me to Paradise", published in 1983 by Warner Chappell Italy. The session vocalist was Raynard. J, the pseudonym of Jay Rolandi. The song appeared on a number of compilations which were internationally distributed. An Italian court ruled in 2003 that Prince's 1994 hit, "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", had plagiarized the song by the two Italian writers. Bergonzi and Vicino won on appeal in 2007. The third and final sentence, by the Court of Cassation of Rome, was given in May 2015. Italian collecting society SIAE recognizes Bergonzi and Vicino as the authors of the song's music.[28]

Charts and certifications[]

Mayte version[]

This section is about the Mayte Garcia song. For the 2021 documentary about Björn Andrésen, see The Most Beautiful Boy in the World.

Mayte Garcia later recorded her own version called "The Most Beautiful Boy in the World". The song appears on her album Child of the Sun. It has the same instrumental backing track with extra reverb, and her vocals, with a few slight ad-lib changes. It was released by NPG Records.

Cover versions[]

  • In 1994, a singer from Spain Princess Rose made a dance cover of "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World"[72]
  • In 1998, rapper Raheem the Dream sampled the song to make his own track, also titled "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World".[citation needed]
  • In 2003, pianist Alex Bugnon covered the song on his album Southern Living.[73][74]
  • In 2013, artist Bruno Mars covered the song during The Moonshine Jungle Tour.[citation needed]

Bibliography[]

  • Uptown: The Vault – The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince: Nilsen Publishing 2004, ISBN 91-631-5482-X

References[]

  1. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 565. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ^ Prince's Italian Plagiarism Case
  3. ^ "American certifications – Prince – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World". Recording Industry Association of America.
  4. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1994". Billboard. Vol. 107 no. 3. BPI Communications. January 21, 1995. p. 57. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. ^ Trust, Gary (2016-05-02). "Desiigner Holds Off Drake Atop Hot 100, Prince & Beyonce Hit Top 10". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2017-12-09.
  6. ^ Healy, Andy (2020-09-25). "Prince's 'The Gold Experience' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  7. ^ Browne, Daniel. "Prince - The Beautiful Experience EP". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  8. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Prince - Gold Experience". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
  9. ^ Augusto, Troy J. (1994-03-12). "Pop Singles: Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 11. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  10. ^ Sandow, Greg (1994-06-10). "The Beautiful Experience". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  11. ^ Ewing, Tom (2013-01-02). "THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS PRINCE – "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World"". Freaky Trigger. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  12. ^ Nielsen, Lars (1994-09-01). "Prince: Come". Gaffa (in Danish). p. 23. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
  13. ^ Petridis, Alexis (2019-09-12). "Prince's 50 greatest singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  14. ^ Masterton, James (1994-04-03). "Week Ending April 9th 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  15. ^ Carlson, Mark (1995-10-02). "RECORDS: The Artist Formerly Known as Prince - The Gold Experience". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  16. ^ Jones, Alan (1994-03-26). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 14. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  17. ^ Kilgo, John (1994-03-11). "Mainstream: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. p. 24. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
  18. ^ Perthshire Advertiser. 1994-03-22. p. 18. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  19. ^ "100 Singli 1990-1999". Porcys (in Polish). 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  20. ^ "25 Essential Prince Songs". Rolling Stone. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  21. ^ Marsh, Tim (1994-09-01). "Reviews: New Albums". Select. p. 100. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  22. ^ "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World - Prince Vault". www.princevault.com. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  23. ^ "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (1994) by Prince". IMVDb.com. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  24. ^ "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World". princevault.com. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  25. ^ "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World". princevault.com. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  26. ^ ""This Kind of Beauty ... " - Prince's "Most Beautiful" Women". apurpledayindecember.com. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  27. ^ "Prince remembered by Syracuse actress, who appeared in his popular music video". syracuse.com. 2019-03-22. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  28. ^ Mark Worden, Prince's Italian Plagiarism Case Drags On, [1], Retrieved 10 February 2019. Roger Nelson Prince, Controversy Music inc., Michele Vicino, Bruno Bergonzi, [2]. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  29. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  30. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  31. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  32. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2491." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  33. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 19. May 7, 1994. p. 13. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  34. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. May 7, 1994. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  35. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  36. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  37. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  38. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (07.04.1994 – 13.04.1994)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir – Tónlist. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  39. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  40. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 21. May 21, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  41. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  42. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  43. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  44. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World". VG-lista. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  45. ^ "Notowanie nr641" (in Polish). LP3. May 27, 1994. Retrieved November 4, 2019. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  46. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  47. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  48. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  49. ^ "The Symbol – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  50. ^ "Prince: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  51. ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. March 5, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  52. ^ "Prince Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  53. ^ "Prince Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  54. ^ "Prince Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  55. ^ "Prince Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  56. ^ "1994 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  58. ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  59. ^ "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11 no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. 12. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  60. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1994" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  61. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  62. ^ "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1995. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  63. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  64. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1994" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  65. ^ "End of Year Charts 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  66. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  67. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994" (in German). Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  68. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. January 14, 1995. p. 9.
  69. ^ "Billboard Top 100 Hits for 1994". Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  70. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  71. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Prince – Most Beautiful Girl in The World". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  72. ^ https://www.discogs.com/Princess-Rose-The-Most-Beautiful-Girl-In-The-World/release/1207118. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  73. ^ "Southern Living". Narada.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  74. ^ "Southern Living Alex Bugnon". JazzTimes.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
Retrieved from ""