Prince and The Revolution Released ‘Parade’ on March 31, 1986

Release Date

March 31, 1986

Backstory

Coming off the critical disappointment of the psychedelic-tinged album “Around the World in a Day,” Prince released “Parade “in the spring of 1986 and was suddenly back in the good graces of music critics everywhere — although we are quite sure he couldn’t care less.

“Parade,” the soundtrack to his second movie, “Under the Cherry Moon,” had a funky, jazzy, energetic, and sexy feel to it. It was named one of the best albums of 1986 by The Village Voice and ranked high on several other year-end lists. Its lead single, “Kiss,” garnered heavy rotation on R&B and pop radio stations across the globe (who didn’t love the line “act your age mama, not your shoe size”?), sat at No. 1 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 for two weeks, and won a GRAMMY Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal. “Kiss” is also ranked No. 464 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Equipped with a full orchestra, “Parade” featured other popular tracks, and though they did not see the same success as “Kiss,” the songs still managed to land on major charts. The sonically rousing “Mountains,” with its soulful trumpets and Prince’s signature falsetto, debuted at No. 23 on Billboard’s Hot 100, followed by the kinetic third single, “Anotherloverholenyohead,” which debuted and stayed at No. 63. The track “Girls & Boys,” a frisky, rhythmic piece with a seductive French monologue, was not released as a single in the US but peaked at No. 11 on the UK charts.

From the vociferous and spry tracks “New Position” and “Life Can Be So Nice” (featuring longtime friend and collaborator Sheila E. on the drums) to the intoxicating ballad “Sometimes It Snows in April,” it’s no wonder “Parade” appeared on many best album lists that year.

“Parade” is an unforgettable, festive, and celebratory album (hence its name) that showcases Prince’s undeniable genius and exquisite creativity. “Under the Cherry Moon” may have been a flop (don’t say that to a Prince fan), but 30 years later, its eclectic, flashy soundtrack is still an incredible piece of work and one of Prince’s countless treasured gems.

On the Charts

“Parade” peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s R&B album chart, No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart.

The album was certified Platinum on June 3, 1986, by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Credits

Prince (lead vocals, composer, instruments)

Lisa Coleman (background vocals, keyboards, composer)

Wendy Melvoin (background vocals, guitar, composer)

Dr. Fink (keyboards)

Brown Mark (bass)

Bobby Z. (drums and percussion)

Eric Leeds (saxophone)

Sheila E. (background vocals, drums)

Atlanta Bliss (trumpet)

Jonathan Melvoin (drums)

Miko Weaver (rhythm guitar)

Clare Fisher (orchestra arrangements)

Susannah Melvoin (background vocals)

John L. Nelson (composer)

Track List

Side One: Intro

1. Christopher Tracy’s Parade

2. New Position

3. I Wonder U

4. Under the Cherry Moon

5. Girls & Boys

6. Life Can Be So Nice

7. Venus de Milo

Side Two: End

8. Mountains

9. Do U Lie?

10. Kiss

11. Anotherloverholenyohead

12. Sometimes It Snows in April