Raspberry Beret - Prince (1985) 6/29/23

The song title references a hat. The story revolves around teenage sex. Can you guess the title and artist?

Since we're highlighting a Great Song of 1985, there can only be one answer:

"Raspberry Beret" by Prince.

The song was originally recorded in 1982, but Prince reworked it after he put together his new backing band, The Revolution.

The release date was then held back a bit, primarily because he was under fire by Tipper Gore and the Parents Music Resource Center for some of his other blatantly sexual songs, listed on their "Filthy 15."

IMHO, in 2023, you can hear A LOT worse on some radio stations.

When it was finally released as a single from the album, "Around the World in a Day," critics called it a perfect example of the Minneapolis Sound, using finger-cymbals, a string section, and a harmonica to create a unique groove.

Of course, Prince fans ate it up, sending "Raspberry Beret" to #2 c on the Hot 100 and #3 on the Rhythm & Blues Chart.

Some fans, however, were confused by the coughing Prince did near the beginning of his vocals. They knew that he was fond of adding hidden messages to his songs, and wondered what it meant.

Prince's answer (as told to Rolling Stone Magazine): "I just did it to be sick, to do something no one else would do."

All righty then!

Note #2: Following Prince's death, "Raspberry Beret" re-charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 33 for the week of May 14, 2016.

A boy, a girl, a hat, and sex: "Raspberry Beret" by Prince: a Great Song of 1985. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7vRSu_wsNc

Tomorrow: Patti & Michael break up.