Alphabet Street
The second single from Lovesexy, featuring a rap by Cat Glover and full of samples.
"Alphabet St." is a song from American musician Prince's tenth album, Lovesexy (1988). It was one of the album's top 10 singles, reaching the top 10 in the US and also charting in the UK, where fellow single "I Wish U Heaven" also reached the top 10. Initially written as an acoustic blues song, the song's final version includes a rap by Cat Glover and is full of samples. "Alphabet St." generally echoes themes from the rest of Lovesexy.
- role
- Second Single
Lore & Background
The B-side is a remix of "Alphabet St." called "Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip)". The title and other phrases are repeated at the beginning of the song, but essentially it is an instrumental with a few minor changes. "Alphabet St." was not the first Prince single released as a CD; that distinction belongs to "Sign o' the Times" (1987) in some markets, or even earlier singles in Japan. A promo CD was issued in the US. The music video, directed by Michael R. Barnard and produced on very short notice on March 20, 1988, shows Prince walking and driving a late 60's Ford Thunderbird through an environment made out of letters. The video contains hidden messages, including "Don't buy The Black Album, I'm sorry" and "GOD I LOVE U ♡".
In Their Own Story
In his review of the song, Paul Clements from Melody Maker felt that "as a lighthearted bubblegum pastiche, it fairly shimmers. There's some judiciously spare scratch guitar, the usual assortment of percolating percussion, and a magnificent tumbling drum lick." He also noted its "almost shocking austerity", and concluded, "Hopefully, a ticklish harbinger of a long, deliciously hot summer." Sean O'Hagan from NME wrote, "'Alphabet St' is, naturally, a record of rare brilliance. It unleashes its outre funk ideology over one of those patented Prince guitar riffs—a clipped, chunky groove that slips into the cerebral space once occupied by the subliminal 'Kiss' coda." The single received critical acclaim from Cashbox magazine, with the reviewer praising Prince's "endless capacity to expand the reaches of sound," describing the track as a "herky-jerky little ditty that belies the sophistication within."
Reader's Guide
The 7-inch single includes an edit of "Alphabet St." at 2:25 and "Alphabet St." (cont.) at 3:14. The 12-inch and CD single include the album version at 5:38 and the remix "Alphabet St. ("This is not music, this is a trip")" at 7:48. A CD promo includes the edit, LP version (5:38), extended version (5:40), and the remix (listed as "Alphabet St." at 7:48). Personnel credited from Benoît Clerc and Guitarcloud include Prince on lead and backing vocals, electric guitar, Roland D-50, synthesizers, bass guitar, Linn LM-1, Dynacord ADD-One, cuíca, and handclaps; Sheila E. on drums and handclaps; Eric Leeds on saxophone; Atlanta Bliss on trumpet; Cat Glover on rap and backing vocals; Boni Boyer on backing vocals; and Ingrid Chavez on spoken voice.
Did You Know?
- "Alphabet St." was initially written as an acoustic blues song before its final version included a rap by Cat Glover.
- The B-side remix is titled "Alphabet St. (This Is Not Music, This Is A Trip)" and is essentially an instrumental with a few minor changes.
- Contrary to some claims, "Alphabet St." was not the first Prince single released as a CD; "Sign o' the Times" (1987) holds that honor in some markets, with even earlier CD singles in Japan.
- The music video contains hidden messages, including "Don't buy The Black Album, I'm sorry" and "GOD I LOVE U ♡".
- The video was directed by Michael R. Barnard, not Prince himself, and produced on very short notice on March 20, 1988.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who recorded Alphabet Street?
Prince performed this track as the lead single from his second studio album released in 1979. It remains a notable entry in his early solo catalog known simply as The Purple One.
What is the concept behind the lyrics?
The song features a cast of characters whose names correspond to different letters of the alphabet. This structure allows Prince to tell short stories about eccentric residents within a single neighborhood setting.
Which musical genres are featured on this track?
The composition blends funk, pop, and R&B styles into one cohesive sound. Fans often cite its rhythmic energy as representative of his formative years in the music industry.
When did Alphabet Street first become available to listeners?
It was officially released to the public during 1979 alongside the self-titled album that followed his debut. This timing established it as a key piece of his early discography.
Why is this song considered important by fans?
Listeners appreciate its imaginative storytelling and playful approach to songwriting from the start of his career. It stands out as a classic track due to its creative narrative method and enduring groove.