Long live the purple one. Legendary music icon Prince died at age 57 on Thursday, April 21, at his Paisley Park studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. But his legacy will continue forever through his unforgettable songs, influential fashion sense and groundbreaking music videos.
Here are five of his generation-defining, envelope-busting tunes. And click here to see celebrities’ messages about his passing.
“1999” (1982)
Changing millennia has never sounded so sexy. The title track from Prince’s 1982 album peaked at No. 12 in the U.S. but has endured over the years. It also became an anthem in the late 1990s, as Y2K neared.
“Purple Rain” (1984)
An ode to his favorite hue! The song, which was featured on the 1984 album of the same name, along with the soundtrack for the autobiographical 1984 film that starred the singer, won the Oscar for Best Original Song Score.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=EsRUAoUvP10
“When Doves Cry” (1984)
This is what it sounds like! Possibly his most enduring hit, “When Doves Cry” was the first single from his 1984 album Purple Rain, becoming his first song to hit No. 1 in the U.S. Rolling Stone ranked it at No. 52 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=pYVOrzv61Yg
“Raspberry Beret” (1985)
This was no secondhand tune. Prince & the Revolution’s song about teenage love — from their 1985 album Around the World in a Day — hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Kiss” (1986)
You don’t have to be rich to love this song. The plea for an innocent peck — from Prince & the Revolution’s 1986 album Parade — was the singer’s third tune to hit No. 1 in the U.S. It ranked at No. 4 on NME‘s list of the 150 Greatest Singles of All Time.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m5A0ruOJs0Q%3Flist%3DPL4CDF30338954C25F
Tell Us: Which Prince tune is your favorite?