Released September 9, 1991 Length 4:12 | Genre Funk
glam rock | |
B-side "Horny Pony"
"Gangster Glam" (UK 12" and CD),Things Have Gotta Change, 2 The Wire,Get Some Solo, Housebangers,Q in Doubt, Etheral Mix Format 7" single
12" single
CD single
CD maxi single Recorded Paisley Park Studios, Winter, 1990 | ||
"Cream" is a song by Prince and The New Power Generation, from the 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls. Prince states that he wrote the song while standing in front of a mirror.
Contents
The single's B-side, "Horny Pony", a rap song which was replaced on Diamonds and Pearls at the last minute by "Gett Off", was re-used from the "Gett Off" single. "Cream" was also released as a maxi-single EP with remixes and songs/raps loosely based on "Cream". The EP was notable for including several prank telephone conversations.
In the UK, "Gangster Glam" was an additional B-side on the 12"/CD maxi single. In Japan, an EP was released with the tracks from the US maxi single, and four tracks from the US "Gett Off" maxi single. "Cream" was Prince's fifth and last number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and was Prince's only Hot 100 number-one single that was not associated with a movie. The song was featured in an episode of the BBC Two comedy Rev.
Chart performance
In the US, "Cream" hit number 1 for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in November, 1991, keeping "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" by Bryan Adams from reaching the top spot and it also made the Top 20 in the UK. It was very well received on American radio, peaking at number 2 on the Hot 100 Airplay. However, it did not make the R&B singles chart, because the track was not sent to Urban radio; "Insatiable" was sent to Urban instead.
Cover versions
Scottish electronica artist pomDeter recorded a cover of the song, which was available for download on the Internet.