Introduction
On July 4, 2025, The Prince Estate released the Extended Version of America on streaming services. Finally the full version, remastered and all!
Prince & The Revolution – America
America
In my article on the Around The World In A Day album I wrote about America:
Just the intro alone, the four times start/stop, followed by the glorious boom-tchak funk of America! A ridiculously good song, one I can listen to on repeat. On July 23rd, 1984, the song was recorded at the Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse in Eden Prairie with the entire band. The song was played and recorded live. After 21 minutes the tape was full and the band were still playing.
On October 2nd the song was released as the last single to be culled from Around The World In A Day. Girl was placed on the B-side, and was only available as a single.
The single cover showed a naked young boy holding the American flag, that was also part of the album cover. In some parts of the world the cover was censored, either because of prudishness or because of very strict laws concerning children and nudity in the countries the single was released in.
Prince And The Revolution – America – Single ad
Best 12-inch?
When the A Pop Life Panel compiled the list of the best Prince remixes the Extended Version was the list’s undisputed number 1. The full 21:46 minutes on the recording tapes were released as the 12-inch version, which was called “Terrifying” 21-Minute 12″ Maxi-Single in the marketing campaign at the time.
This version (remarkably the song lasts 21:41 instead of 21:46) was released to streaming services on July 4, 2025, finally making the Extended Version available again. All those years it was only available on the original 1985 12-inch. It was never released on cd and has never been part of a greatest hits compilation. So this release was more than welcome.
Prince – America – Single & Maxi-single labels
Patriotism?
Is the song patriotic or not? Is it truly a bitter attack on the United Stated mid 1980s with its references of communism, minimum wage and fear of nuclear war? In 1986, when Prince was asked what the true meaning of America was, he replied “straightforwardly patriotic”. Engineer Susan Rogers agrees. According to her Prince was politically conservative, with a firm belief in America and the ‘American dream’.
However, in the Heat Rocks podcast, broadcast on January 9, 2020, where Wendy & Lisa guested to talk about Around The World In A Day, Wendy adamantly stated the song was meant as sarcastic commentary, because of the focus on the downside to the capitalist system that favors “aristocrats” over “little sister” and “jimmy nothing”.
I am personally inclined to agree with Susan Rogers. Politically, Prince was a typical product of the 1980s America. With songs like Party Up, Ronnie Talk To Russia and Free Prince had shown he was againt war and violence, but the American message still stands strong.
The critique of the American system is way less direct than on Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The U.S.A., which was wrongfully interpreted as a pro-American hymn by many. America is a song that many want to view as a critical note on America, which is more wishful thinking than routed in fact. I suspect Prince wasn’t joking when he stated that America was “straightforwardly patriotic”.
Prince And The Revolution – America – Single
Lyrics
Yeah
(Shotgun)
Peace!Aristocrats on a mountain climb
Makin’ money, losin’ time
Communism is just a word
But if the government turn over
It’ll be the only word that’s heardAmerica, America
God shed His grace on thee
America, America
Keep the children freeLittle sister make minimum wage
Livin’ in a one-room jungle monkey cage
Can’t get over, she almost dead
She may not be in the black
But she happy she ain’t in the redAmerica, America
God shed His grace on thee
America, America
Keep the children freeFreedom – Love – Joy – Peace
Jimmy Nothing never went 2 school
They made him pledge allegiance
He said it wasn’t cool
Nothin’ made Jimmy proud
Now Jimmy live on a mushroom cloudAmerica, America
God shed His grace on thee
America, America
Keep the children freeFreedom – Love – Joy – Peace
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! (Oh Lord)
And the bomb go
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! (Oh Lord)
And the bomb go
Boom!Teacher, why won’t Jimmy pledge allegiance?
© 1985 Prince
Next to some extra choruses, the first verse and the Boom! chant, the Extended Version contained a number of een shout-outs like “That’s enough”, “Drums!”, “Purple mountain majesty”, “U gonna stand in my way? Hey!” and the screaming of “yeah”. The last ones in particular are goosebump moments.
Prince – America – Email campaign 07/04/2025
Musicians
Prince – vocals and instruments, helped by
- Wendy Melvoin – guitar, background vocals
- Lisa Coleman – keyboards, background vocals
- Brownmark – bass, background vocals
- Dr. Fink – keyboards
- Bobby Z. – drums, percussion
- Brad Marsh – tambourine
Prince And The Revolution – America – Video
Video
Because Prince was filming his movie Under The Cherry Moon in France and he wanted to use live recordings for his final Around The World In A Day single America, Prince And The Revolution performed in Nice on October 27th, 1985. A week earlier the mini show was announced on radio station Radio de la Côte and the 2,000 tickets were passed out to fans on October 22nd, 1985. The Revolution, who were flown in with saxophone players Eric Leeds and Eddie M., played an hour long set, including two takes of America.
The video for this song is one of the best video’s by Prince (And The Revolution). The song was recorded live in France and shows Prince And The Revolution at their absolute peak and is considered to be a prelude to the Parade tour of 1986. Extreme excitement, pumping music, Prince giving his all. Phenomenal clip!
Prince & The Revolution 08/18/1986 concert ticket
Live
During my very first Prince concert (with The Revolution) on August 18, 1986, America was played as an encore (which was highly exceptional). Prince freaking on guitar and playing the drums. Such bliss!
In closing
America is placed at position 33 in my Prince songs top 50. What’s your opinion? Let me know!
Spotify
The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated.
3 comments
Wow, did truly forget that we had this 12” on number 1 in our top 15.
Still very current, the lyrics, actually. More than ever.
Author
Very current indeed, unfortunately.
Had it for about 35 years……