5 More Songs Written By Prince & Performed By Others, From Chaka Khan To Tevin Campbell

Robbie Daw | April 22, 2016 11:15 am
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Following yesterday’s shocking, sudden death of Prince at the age of 57, we, like the rest of the world, began to reflect back on the prolific musician’s staggering catalog of recorded material. We initially rounded up five great songs Prince had written that were performed by artists, including Cyndi Lauper‘s “When You Were Mine,” Sheila E.‘s “The Glamlorous Life,” The Bangles‘ “Manic Monday,” Sinead O’Connor‘s “Nothing Compares 2 U” and Martika‘s “Love… Thy Will Be Done.”

We’ve now had time to both sift through our own music collections and scour the online archives — and so below we present you with five more Prince-penned songs made famous by other acts. Read (and listen) on!

13 Essential Prince Proteges
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Vanity 6, “Nasty Girl” (1982)

Perhaps there was no other pop song that was too hot for the airwaves in 1982 than Vanity 6’s “Nasty Girl,” a funk-filled tour de moan that was written and produced by Prince. Sure, the song is a staple of ’80s playlists now, but at the time of its release the girl group’s sassy song was virtually given the cold shoulder by Top 40 radio due to its naughty lyrics.

Vanity 6 were put together by Prince, and they split a year after the release of “Nasty Girl.” Sadly, lead singer Vanity died just two months ago, also at the age of 57, from kidney disease following her early days of drug use.

Chaka Khan, “I Feel For You” (1984)

Prince probably never guessed in 1979, when his version of “I Feel For You” appeared on his self-titled sophomore album, that the song would end up winning a Grammy six years after the fact. Chaka Khan recorded a funky rendition of the track that was released in 1984 and featured no less than the following: rapping by Melle Mel, harmonica playing by Stevie Wonder, production by Arif Mardin and, of course, lyrics written by Prince.

It’s no surprise that “I Feel For You” went on to land at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and win the Grammy for Best R&B Song in 1985.

Sheena Easton, “Sugar Walls” (1985)

If you though Prince hit the limit of his sexual innuendo with the “Nasty Girl” lyrics, then take a listen to “Sugar Walls.” Scottish pop kitten Sheena Easton was the recipient of this synth-pop hit written by the Purple One, and, well, just give it a listen — we’re pretty sure you can deduce what’s being implied here.

“Sugar Walls” effortlessly became another Prince-related Top 10 single during the era of the musician’s Purple Rain reign.

The Time, “Jerk Out” (1990)

The Morris Day-led band The Time, comprised of several Minneapolis musicians, was originally put together by Prince to serve as yet another creative outlet for the prolific artist’s output. They’re perhaps best known for two things: Launching the career of group members and production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and appearing in the Prince films Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge.

The latter movie produced “Jerk Out,” the highest-charting single by The Time. And while they never replicated that success after 1990, the group’s founding members still perform occasionally on various talk and award shows as The Original 7ven.

Tevin Campbell, “Round And Round” (1990)

“Jerk Out” wasn’t the only hit off the Graffiti Bridge soundtrack. In addition to Prince’s single from the project “Thieves In The Temple” soaring in the charts, the album also boosted young crooner Tevin Campbell’s visibility by showcasing the 13-year-old’s debut cut “Round And Round.” Prince wrote and produced the Gold-certified song, which peaked at #12 on the Hot 100 in fall 1990.

An effort in minimalist new jack swing, “Round And Round” kicked off a streak of early ’90s hits for Campbell that included “Tell Me What You Want Me To Do,” the fantastic “Can We Talk” and “I’m Ready.”

Do you have a favorite Prince song or album? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Twitter and Facebook.

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