Around the World in a Day

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 respective 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:

"The influence wasn't the Beatles. They were great for what they did, but I don't know how that would hang today. The cover art came about because I thought people were tired of looking at me. Who wants another picture of him? I would only want so many pictures of my woman, then I would want the real thing. What would be a little more happening than just another picture would be if there was some way I could materialize in people's cribs when they play the record. I don't mind [the album being called psychedelic], because that was the only period in recent history that delivered songs and colors. Led Zeppelin, for example, would make you feel differently on each song."

Reception

Despite the low-key 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, selling seven million copies worldwide. It was met with mixed critical reception.

"I talked to George Clinton, a man who knows and has done so much for funk," Prince told Rolling Stone. "George told me how much he liked Around the World in a Day. You know how much more his words mean than those from some mamma-jamma wearing glasses and an alligator shirt behind a typewriter? . . . I've heard some people say I'm not talking about anything on this record. And what a lot of other people get wrong about the record is that I'm not trying to be this great visionary wizard. Paisley Park is in everybody's heart. It's not just something that I have the keys to. I was trying to say something about looking inside oneself to find perfection. Perfection is in everyone. Nobody's perfect, but they can be. We may never reach that, but it's better to strive than not."

In a positive retrospective review, Pitchfork Media 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

All tracks written by Prince except where indicated.

Prince – lead vocals and various instruments, cello

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"

Wendy Melvoin – background vocals on "Around the World in a Day", "Paisley Park", "Raspberry Beret", guitars and background vocals on "America", "Pop Life", "The Ladder"

Lisa Coleman – background vocals on "Around the World in a Day", "Paisley Park", "Raspberry Beret", keyboards and background vocals on "America", "Pop Life", "The Ladder"

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"

Bobby Z. – drums and percussion on "America", "Pop Life", "The Ladder"

Brown Mark – bass guitar and background vocals on "America", "Pop Life", "The Ladder"

Dr. Fink – keyboards on "America", "Pop Life", "The Ladder"

Brad Marsh – tambourine on "America"

Sheila E. – drums on "Pop Life"

Eddie M. – saxophone on "The Ladder" and "Temptation"

Suzie Katayama – cello on "Raspberry Beret" and "The Ladder"

Sid Page – violin on "The Ladder"

Marcy Dicterow-Vaj – violin on "The Ladder" (as "Vaj")

Denyse Buffum – viola on "The Ladder"

Laury Woods – viola on "The Ladder"

Tim Barr – stand-up bass on "The Ladder"

Annette Atkinson – stand-up bass on "The Ladder"

Taja Sevelle – background vocals on "The Ladder" (as "Taj")

Singles and Hot 100 chart placings

"Raspberry Beret" (#2 US, #4 US R&B, #25 UK)

1. "Raspberry Beret"
2. "She's Always in My Hair" (US)
3. "Hello" (UK)

"Paisley Park" (#18 UK) No US release

1. "Paisley Park"
2. "She's Always in My Hair"

"Pop Life" (#7 US, #8 US R&B, #60 UK)

1. "Pop Life"
2. "Hello" (US)
3. "Girl" (UK)

"America" (#46 US, #35 US R&B) No UK release

1. "America"
2. "Girl"