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Cream (Prince song)

Summary

"Cream" is a song by American singer-songwriter Prince and his backing band the New Power Generation, released in September 1991 by Paisley Park and Warner as the second single from Prince's 13th studio album, Diamonds and Pearls (1991). In a 2004 MTV special, Prince joked that he wrote the song while looking at himself in the mirror.[7][8] "Cream" became Prince's fifth and last number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top for two weeks. The song entered the top 10 in 15 other countries worldwide, peaking within the top three in Australia, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland. Its music video was directed by Rebecca Blake.[9]

"Cream"
UK 7-inch single
Single by Prince and the New Power Generation
from the album Diamonds and Pearls
B-side
  • "Horny Pony"
  • "Gangster Glam"
ReleasedSeptember 9, 1991 (1991-09-09)[1]
RecordedDecember 3, 1990[2]
StudioPaisley Park (Chanhassen, Minnesota)
Genre
Length4:12
Label
Songwriter(s)Prince
Producer(s)Prince
Prince and the New Power Generation singles chronology
"Gett Off"
(1991) 		"Cream"
(1991) 		"Insatiable"
(1991)
Music video
"Cream" on YouTube

The single's B-side, "Horny Pony", a rap song that 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 is notable for including several prank telephone conversations. In the UK, "Gangster Glam" is an additional B-side on the 12-inch maxi maxi-CD 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.

Chart performance edit

In the United States, "Cream" hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1991; however, it did not make the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart because it was not sent to urban radio; "Insatiable" was sent to urban stations instead. The song made the top 20 in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 15, while entering the top 10 in Austria (4), Belgium (10), Denmark (6), France (5), Ireland (7), Italy (4), the Netherlands (4), Norway (3), Portugal (7), Spain (8), Sweden (6) and Switzerland (3). On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Cream" climbed to number six,[10] while reaching number two on the European Dance Radio Chart.[11] It was also a top-10 hit in Australia, and New Zealand, peaking at number two and five, respectively.

Critical reception edit

Upon the single release, Larry Flick from Billboard remarked that after the risque "Gett Off" "comes an equally sexy pop/rocker" that recalls "Bang a Gong". He added, "Militaristic drum beats, an unshakable chorus, and snakey guitar and keyboard lines add up to a pretty good bet for multiformat acceptance."[12] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly described it as "a standard-issue funk workout with oh-so-daring lyrics like U got the horn so why don't U blow it!".[4] George Caplan from Melody Maker complimented it as an "excellent" single, "with its ghostly, Hendrix guitars transcending mere pastiche."[13] Another Melody Maker editor, Everett True, wrote, "'Cream' is drab run-of-the-numbers funk, with only the occasional smoothed-out vocal to recommend it."[14] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "Could this second single from the new album Diamonds and Pearls be a leftover composition of the never-realised Prince/Bonnie Raitt collaboration?" They also concluded, "This basic R&B song is definitely his best single since 1989's "Alphabet Street"."[15] A reviewer from People Magazine deemed it as "tart and bluesy".[16] David Fricke from Rolling Stone described it as "Kiss" "with a garagey funkadelic kick".[17] Another Rolling Stone editor felt the song is "impossibly slinky".[18] Scott Poulson-Bryant from Spin viewed it as "poppy glam-rock".[19] Neil McKay from Sunday Life complimented it as "irresistible pop".

Retrospective response edit

In an 2016 retrospective review, Patrick Corcoran from Albumism stated that the oft-repeated tale of "Cream"'s composition "doesn't lessen the impact of its swaggering braggadocio years later".[20] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called it a "sexy T. Rex groove" and a "terrific" pop single.[3] Mike Diver for the BBC said in his 2010 review, that it is "quite simply a song about getting it on, and a brilliant one at that".[21]

Music video edit

A music video was made to accompany the song, directed by Rebecca Blake.[9] It was filmed in Los Angeles on May 31 and June 1, 5 and 6, 1991.[22]

Influence and legacy edit

In 2020, Cleveland.com ranked "Cream" at number 33 in their list of the best Billboard Hot 100 number-one song of the 1990s, stating that it "fully realizes the sultry funk odyssey Prince was going for on his 13th studio album."[23] The Guardian ranked it number 18 in their list of "Prince's 50 Greatest Singles – Ranked!" in 2019. Alexis Petridis viewed the song as a "glorious, loving homage to "Get It On", complete with lyrical echoes (the object of Prince's affections is "filthy-cute" as opposed to "dirty-sweet")." He added, "Never given to underestimating his own importance, Marc Bolan would doubtless have adored it."[24] NME ranked "Cream" number 34 in their list of "Singles of the Year" in December 1991.[25]

Personnel edit

Personnel are from adapted from Benoît Clerc and Guitarcloud[26][27]

Track listing edit

7-inch
No.TitleLength
1."Cream"4:12
2."Horny Pony"4:17
UK CD and 12-inch
No.TitleLength
1."Cream"4:12
2."Horny Pony"4:17
3."Gangster Glam"5:06
US CD maxi single (9 40197-2)
No.TitleCreditsLength
1."Cream" (album version) 4:12/0:33
2."Cream" (N.P.G. Mix) 4:52/0:51
3."Things Have Gotta Change" (Tony M. Rap) 3:57
4."2 the Wire" (Creamy Instrumental) 3:13
5."Get Some Solo" 1:31
6."Do Your Dance" (KC's Remix)Special guest vocal by Jevetta Steele; mixed and co-produced by Keith "KC" Cohen; Assisted by Dave Aron and Eric Anset at Larrabee West5:58
7."Housebangers"Additional production and Mix by Junior Vasquez; keyboard programming by Joseph Moskowitz; Remix engineer: Curt Frasca4:23
8."Q in Doubt" (instrumental)Edits by Dave Friedlander4:00
9."Ethereal Mix"Edits by Dave Friedlander3:56/0:48

Several tracks on this release include unlisted telephone segues, and are listed with separate lengths on this page.

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Certifications for "Cream"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59] Platinum 70,000^
United States (RIAA)[60] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. September 7, 1991. p. 21.
  2. ^ "Cream". Prince Vault.
  3. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Prince & the New Power Generation / Prince – Diamonds and Pearls". AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Browne, David (October 4, 1991). "Diamonds and Pearls". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  5. ^ Poulson-Bryant, Scott (November 1991). "SPINS". Spin. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  6. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. October 5, 1991. p. 10. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  7. ^ Prince (April 22, 2019), Prince – Cream (Live At Webster Hall – April 20, 2004), archived from the original on December 22, 2021, retrieved April 19, 2020
  8. ^ Susman, Gary. "Prince show will simulcast on five channels". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Cream (1991) by Prince feat. The New Power Generation". IMVDb. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 50. December 14, 1991. p. 37. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  11. ^ a b "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 42. October 19, 1991. p. 38. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  12. ^ Flick, Larry (September 28, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 77. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  13. ^ Caplan, George (October 5, 1991). "Albums". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  14. ^ True, Everett (September 21, 1991). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 31. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  15. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. October 5, 1991. p. 10. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  16. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Diamonds and Pearls". People. October 21, 1991. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  17. ^ Fricke, David (December 12, 1991 – December 26, 1991). "The year in records". Rolling Stone. Issue 619/620.
  18. ^ "25 Essential Prince Songs". Rolling Stone. April 15, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  19. ^ Poulson-Bryant, Scott (November 1991). "Spins". Spin. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  20. ^ Corcoran, Patrick (September 27, 2016). "Prince & The New Power Generation's 'Diamonds and Pearls' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  21. ^ Diver, Mike (2010). "Prince & The New Power Generation Diamonds and Pearls Review". BBC. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  22. ^ "Video: Cream". Prince Vault.
  23. ^ Smith, Tony L. (October 21, 2020). "Every No. 1 song of the 1990s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  24. ^ Petridis, Alexis (September 12, 2019). "Prince's 50 greatest singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  25. ^ "Singles of the Year". NME. December 21, 1991. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  26. ^ Clerc, Benoît (October 2022). Prince: All the Songs. Octopus. ISBN 9781784728816.
  27. ^ "Diamonds and Pearls". guitarcloud.org. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  29. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  30. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  31. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1690." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  32. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1693." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  33. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 43. October 26, 1991. p. 31. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  34. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  35. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  36. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  37. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Cream". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  38. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 45. November 9, 1991. p. 36. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  39. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 42, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  40. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  41. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  42. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream". VG-lista. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  43. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 46. November 16, 1991. p. 29. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  44. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  45. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  46. ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Cream". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  47. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  48. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. September 21, 1991. p. 22. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  49. ^ "Prince Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  50. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  51. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  52. ^ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  53. ^ "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  54. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1991". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  55. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  56. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1991". Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  57. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1992" (in German). Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  58. ^ "End of Year Charts 1992". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  59. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1992 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 152)". ARIA. Retrieved September 29, 2023 – via Imgur.
  60. ^ "American single certifications – Prince & The New Power Generation – Cream". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 25, 2019.

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