"Insatiable" is a song by American musician Prince and The New Power Generation, from their 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls.[3] It is a slow, simmering ballad that often draws comparisons to 1989's "Scandalous!". The B-side was "I Love U in Me", which was originally the B-side to "The Arms of Orion". "Insatiable" was only released in the US as a 7" single, a 12" promo was sent only to Urban radio stations, and the track was not released to Pop radio stations. It performed well on the R&B chart, reaching number 3, but did not break the top 40 on the US Pop chart. Its single sales were moderate, and it received heavy airplay on Urban and UAC radio stations, but it did not make the Hot 100 Airplay (the R&B airplay chart did not appear until spring 1992).
| "Insatiable" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 US 12" promo | ||||
| Single by Prince and The New Power Generation | ||||
| from the album Diamonds and Pearls | ||||
| B-side | "I Love U in Me" | |||
| Released | November 4, 1991 | |||
| Recorded | October 8, 1990[1] | |||
| Studio | Larrabee, Hollywood, California | |||
| Genre | Soul[2] | |||
| Length | 4:01 (7" edit) 6:37 (album version) | |||
| Label | Paisley Park/Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Prince | |||
| Producer(s) | Prince | |||
| Prince and The New Power Generation singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Insatiable" on YouTube | ||||
Critical reception
editIn a retrospective review, Patrick Corcoran of Albumism wrote that "Insatiable" is "the kind of rich, lush ballad Prince has dropped since day one, dripping in desire and barely concealed lust." He stated that "showcasing the best falsetto since Curtis Mayfield's, it serves as a reminder of Prince’s vocal dexterity and prowess".[4] Upon the single release, Larry Flick from Billboard remarked that "Cream" "has just barely risen to the top of the Hot 100 and Prince has already unleashed another jewel from his Diamonds and Pearls set." He also felt that on the song, "racy lyrics are balanced by a slow'n'grinding R&B instrumental foundation and acrobatic vocals. Overall, a highly sensual listening experience."[5] A reviewer from People Magazine said it "sounds like Percy Sledge meets Peter Gabriel."[6] David Fricke from Rolling Stone viewed it as a "sumptuous ballad".[7] Scott Poulson-Bryant from Spin described it as "gliding Retro-soul balladry".[8]
Music video
editA music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Randee St. Nicholas.[9] It was published on Prince's official YouTube channel in September 2017, and had generated more than 2.1 million views as of January 2023.[10]
Personnel
editCredits from Benoît Clerc and Guitarcloud[11][12]
- Prince – lead and backing vocals, synthesizers, bass guitar, Roland R-8
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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References
edit- ^ "Insatiable". Princevault.
- ^ Poulson-Bryant, Scott (November 1991). "Prince and the New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls". Spin. Spin Media. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
- ^ "Prince and the New Power Generation – Insatiable (1991, Vinyl)".
- ^ Corcoran, Patrick (September 27, 2016). "Prince & The New Power Generation's 'Diamonds and Pearls' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
- ^ Flick, Larry (November 16, 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 81. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Diamonds and Pearls". People. October 21, 1991. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ Fricke, David (December 12, 1991-December 26, 1991). "The year in records". Rolling Stone. Issue 619/620.
- ^ Poulson-Bryant, Scott (November 1991). "Spins". Spin. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "Insatiable (1991) by Prince". IMVDb. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ "Prince & The New Power Generation - Insatiable (Official Music Video)". YouTube. September 15, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ Clerc, Benoît (October 2022). Prince: All the Songs. Octopus. ISBN 9781784728816.
- ^ "Diamonds and Pearls". guitarcloud.org. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- ^ "Prince Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Prince Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1992". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2021.