10 Prince Albums Every Record Collector or Audiophile Should Own
A career-spanning rundown of the Purple One's best.
Before his passing at age 57, Prince Rogers Nelson had gifted music lovers with an eye-popping amount of recorded material.
Not counting the numerous compilations highlighting his biggest hits, Prince released 39 studio albums (including four soundtracks) and five live albums. Since his death, several records, consisting of completed vault tracks and demo material, have also seen the light of day.
He was, in a word, prolific.
However, with so many releases to sift through, it can be difficult for those who aren't Purple One die-hards like me to know where to start. And trust me—if there was ever a discography worth exploring beyond the handful of classics everyone knows—it's this one.
This article will walk you through the 10 essential Prince recordings every music fan or audiophile should own. Spanning his entire career, I've tried to mix the well-known staples with the lesser-known gems to keep this list interesting.
Like my Rolling Stones starter pack, this list isn't a tiered ranking of Prince's work. All these albums are excellent. Beyond that distinction, I'll let you decide which ones deserve the title of spectacular.
In chronological order, let's dive in!
Dirty Mind (1980)
More than his self-titled 1979 release, which I also like quite a bit, Dirty Mind marks the turning point in Prince's career. Everything he'd become known for throughout his peak period is present in its infancy, from the deep funk grooves and high-pitched screeches to the sexually-charged, purposely androgynous persona. You can also hear his facility with genre-mashing, with new wave and rock influences on songs like “When You Were Mine” and the title track. It's an essential album for anyone interested in the evolution of funk and rock in the early-80s.
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1999 (1982)
1999 isn't just the album that propelled Prince to stardom. Depending on the day, you can easily convince me this is the best record he ever released. The pop-rock hooks on tracks like “Little Red Corvette” and “Delirious” are undeniable, while “D.M.S.R.” and the eponymous opener are among his funkiest party tracks. The pristine production value, which relies heavily on then-niche drum machine technology, is also present in the ballads, especially the ultra-sexy closer, “International Lover.” Simply a must-have for any serious music collector.
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Purple Rain (1984)
So, you've heard of this one before, right? Its well-earned reputation as a timeless classic has been written about extensively online, so I won't belabor the point too much more here. It's Prince's commercial peak, and, if you don't already own a copy, stop what you're doing and order one now. If you already have one and are interested in deepening the experience, the recently reissued 1985 live album and concert film are spectacular and worth your time if you want to hear these songs—especially an epic 16-minute version of the title track—in new, arresting ways.
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Parade (1986)
Most casual fans will know Parade as the Prince album featuring “Kiss,” the stripped-down funk anthem that remains a floor-filler. However, the entire soundtrack merits a listen for its deft blend of rock, soul, jazz, and classical influences. Standouts include opener “Christopher Tracy's Parade,” “Venus de Milo,” and the absolutely exquisite “Sometimes It Snows in April.”
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Sign O' the Times (1987)
Okay, scratch what I said earlier … this may be the best record Prince ever dropped. An impressive double album, Sign O' the Times is a pop music masterpiece that showcases Prince's unparalleled songwriting, production, and musicianship. Behind the irresistable pop hooks, some darker themes and more socially conscious lyrics add emotional depth to an already winning formula. Clocking in at almost 90 minutes, it's a beast of a record, but as the front-loaded funk tracks give way to a handful of exceptional ballads, it'll become clear Sign deserves a place in your collection.
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Lovesexy (1988)
Contrary to what some may say, some of Prince's most interesting, influential work was released post-Sign O’ the Times. Lovesexy, his concept album about a spiritual journey from sin to redemption, is one such record. Originally released without chapter markers on CD copies (which forced fans to listen to it as an uninterrupted musical suite), these songs feature some of Prince's most powerful vocals, like on standouts "Alphabet St." and the gorgeous "When 2 R in Love."
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Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
Diamonds and Pearls marked another turning point in the Purple One's career. His thirteenth LP and the first to credit his backing band, the New Power Generation, is both an update of his signature sound and a back-to-basics R&B/soul outing. Fan favorites on this one include the beautiful title track, “Cream.” and the chugging “Gett Off,” but other highlights like “Insatiable” and “Push” deserve recognition too. While not peak Prince, it's still entertaining as hell.
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[Love Symbol] (1992)
[Love Symbol] is an ambitious and experimental album showcasing Prince's willingness to take risks and push the boundaries of pop music, even though he had nothing left to prove. The album's blend of funk, rock, and hip-hop, along with its elaborate production and storytelling, makes for a fascinating listen. Tracks like "7" and “Sexy MF” highlight his sly, playful side, while "The Sacrifice of Victor" is a complex ballad that ranks among his very best pieces of songwriting. A surefire hidden gem if there ever was one.
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The Gold Experience (1995)
By the time he released The Gold Experience, Prince was on his seventeenth album and embroiled in a public spat with his label. Amid all this turmoil, it's impressive how ambitious and innovative this record is as part of his larger oeuvre. Highlights on this tracklist include "P. Control," among the funkiest and most provocative songs he ever released, “Dolphin,” and its biggest hit, “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.” Another underrated 90s entry.
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The Rainbow Children (2001)
The Rainbow Children is definitely out there, especially if you come to this record expecting the standard-issue Prince approach to songwriting. This album is far more experimental, leaning into jazz fusion more than it does strict pop or rock tropes. It's also a concept album that traces the path from darkness to enlightenment in intricate detail. I mean the latter comment literally too—the production value throughout is incredible, particularly on numbers like "The Work, Pt. 1,” “1+1+1 is 3,” and “She Loves Me 4 Me.” It's arguably the last truly great LP he released in his lifetime.
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Which Prince album is your favorite? What record that isn't here should've made this list? Sound off in the comments!