10 Funky Songs From His Purple Majesty
One of the greatest musical geniuses of all time, Prince left us with some of the best jams for running—and for life.
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There’s more to Prince than you can fit in a book, let alone an article. So rather than trying to encapsulate his full genius, I’d like mention just one example: the credits from his debut album.
Released when he was just 19, For You features Prince on all vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, Orr bass, bass synth, singing bass, fuzz bass, Fender Rhodes electric piano, acoustic piano, Minimoog, Polymoog, ARP String Ensemble, ARP Pro Soloist, Oberheim 4-voice, clavinet, drums, syndrums, water drums, slapsticks, bongos, congas, finger cymbals, wind chimes, orchestral bells, wood blocks, brush trap, tree bell, hand claps and finger snaps—wow!
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During an appearance on American Bandstand shortly thereafter, Dick Clark asked Prince if it was true that he turned down a record deal when he was 15. Prince affirms, explaining that he declined because the label wouldn’t let him produce the record himself. Eventually, Warner Brothers offered him the deal he wanted. So in addition to playing every instrument on his debut, he’s also credited as the producer.
When folks write about Prince, the focus is often on his immeasurable talent, but his commitment to a particular vision is equally striking. If there’s a takeaway here, it’s the value in deciding what kind of person you want to be and sticking with your ideals—even when they take years to pay off. Running provides an easy parallel, as it pays dividends over time. At the same time, it’s just one of the many opportunities in your own life to cultivate a clear—but challenging—idea of who you want to be and what you want to do.
To that end, the playlist below touches on a variety of Prince’s finest moments. They’re at turns fun, wild, and mesmerizing. They’ll serve you well in a workout and beyond. But, more importantly, each is a reminder of his—and your—capacity for greatness.
Here’s the full list:
Prince – Let’s Go Crazy – 99 BPM
Prince – I Wanna Be Your Lover – 116 BPM
Prince – I Could Never Take the Place of Your Main – 148 BPM
Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL – Fixurlifeup – 122 BPM
Prince – U Got The Look – 123 BPM
Prince – Raspberry Beret – 120 BPM
Prince – Screwdriver – 138 BPM
Prince – When Doves Cry – 126 BPM
To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.