"Raspberry Beret" is a song written by American musician Prince. It is the first single from Prince & the Revolution's 1985 album Around the World in a Day.
Background
The song used new musical elements that built on earlier Prince songs, including string instruments, Middle Eastern finger cymbals, and a harmonica in the longer version. The song had a more pop-style sound compared to earlier versions, although the 12-inch single and video included a funky introduction.
The lyrics describe a sexual experience with a girl wearing a raspberry-colored beret. The extended version of the song was included on the compilation album Ultimate in 2006. The song reached number one on the Cash Box chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, where it was behind "A View to a Kill" by Duran Duran. However, it only reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.
Releases
The U.S. B-side, "She's Always in My Hair," is a rock and roll song that includes guitar and organ music. The lyrics become emotional and are screamed toward the end. The UK B-side, "Hello," was included on the U.S. release of "Pop Life."
Reception
Cash Box called the single "an easy-to-listen-to song, melodic and playfully suggestive." Greg Tate of Spin described it as "a common Prince-style romantic fantasy set to music similar to the gentler parts of the album Abbey Road."
After Prince's death, "Raspberry Beret" appeared again on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 33 on the chart for the week of May 14, 2016. As of April 30, 2016, the song had sold 691,421 copies in the United States.
Music video
The music video for the song was filmed on June 5, 1985, at S.I.R. in Los Angeles. Prince directed the video, and animation was created by Drew Takahashi, a co-founder of Colossal Pictures. The video shows Prince and The Revolution performing the song with dancers, and it includes animation layered over the footage. The video uses a longer version of the song with an extended introduction. Pat Smear, a guitarist from the bands Germs and Foo Fighters, appeared as a background dancer. According to his bandmate Dave Grohl, Pat was almost fired because he struggled to perform the choreography. In the 2010 book I Want My MTV, Grohl wrote that Prince whispered to a bodyguard, who then told Pat he could stay because Prince liked his hair. The video also marks the first appearance of actress Jackie Swanson, who is shown giving Prince his guitar.
In the same book, producer Simon Fields described the video’s creation: "For 'Raspberry Beret,' we filmed a complete video, then Prince hired a Japanese animator to make a different version. We combined both videos together." Prince’s hair stylist, Earl Jones, later said that Prince’s hair was so damaged before the video that "the hairstyle in the video was all I could manage with it."
Live performances
"Raspberry Beret" was a popular favorite in Prince's concerts for many years. The song was first played in its complete form during his 1986 Hit N Run World Tour. Later performances, including those on his Lovesexy Tour, featured a simpler version of the song, played only by Prince on piano. This version was often included in a mix of songs from the same time period.
Warren Zevon performed the song on Late Night with David Letterman. Zevon had previously recorded a version of the song as part of the Hindu Love Gods album, which was released in 1990.
Legacy
In 2016, Paste placed the song number eight on their list of the 50 greatest Prince songs, and in 2022, American Songwriter placed the song number four on their list of the 10 greatest Prince songs.
Personnel
This information is from Duane Tudahl, Benoît Clerc, Guitarcloud, and the Prince Vault website.
- Prince – all vocals and instruments (assumed)
- Prince – lead vocals, 12-string acoustic guitars, Yamaha DX7, Yamaha CP-80 electric grand piano, bass guitar, Linn LM-1, percussion
- Wendy Melvoin – background vocals
- Lisa Coleman – background vocals
- Susannah Melvoin – background vocals
- Novi Novog – violin
- David Coleman – cello
- Suzie Katayama – cello