Picture this: it’s 1984, you’re flipping through MTV, and suddenly this diminutive figure in purple appears on your screen, riding a motorcycle, singing about purple rain. Your world just shifted on its axis, and you didn’t even realize music could sound like that. Welcome to the Prince revolution.
If you’re searching for the ultimate Prince 1980s hits that showcase why he was the most innovative artist of the decade, you’ve found musical nirvana. These Prince 1980s hits didn’t just dominate the charts – they rewrote the rules of what pop, rock, funk, and R&B could be when filtered through the mind of a genius. From Minneapolis to the world stage, Prince turned the ’80s into his personal musical laboratory.
As someone who witnessed Prince’s meteoric rise through the neon-soaked decade, I can tell you that these songs represent more than just hits – they’re glimpses into the mind of an artist who refused to be categorized, controlled, or contained. Prince didn’t just make music; he created sonic universes that we’re still exploring today.
1. Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution (1984)
The song that transformed Prince from Minneapolis sensation to global phenomenon. “Purple Rain” wasn’t just a track – it was a six-minute epic that proved rock, pop, and soul could coexist in perfect harmony. That guitar solo still gives us chills four decades later.
The combination of spiritual longing, romantic yearning, and pure musical virtuosity created something that transcended genre boundaries. When Prince wailed “I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain,” he wasn’t just singing – he was channeling something divine.
2. When Doves Cry – Prince (1984)
The most audacious pop song of the decade had no bass line. Let that sink in – Prince created one of the biggest hits of 1984 by removing the foundation most songs are built on. The result was something that sounded like nothing else on radio.
The track’s exploration of family dysfunction and romantic confusion over that hypnotic rhythm created something both deeply personal and universally relatable. Prince proved that pop music could be experimental and commercially successful simultaneously.
3. Kiss – Prince and the Revolution (1986)
Minimalism has never sounded so sexy. “Kiss” stripped everything down to the essentials – a guitar lick, a drum machine, and Prince’s falsetto delivering pure seduction. Sometimes less really is more, especially when you’re a musical genius.
The song’s celebration of attraction beyond physical appearance was revolutionary for its time. Prince made intellectualism sound irresistibly funky while creating one of the most instantly recognizable grooves in pop history.
4. 1999 – Prince (1982)
The song that announced Prince as a force of nature. “1999” was both a party anthem and an apocalyptic meditation – only Prince could make the end of the world sound like the best dance party ever thrown.
The track’s themes of living for today while the world burns around you felt prophetic in the Reagan era. Prince captured the decade’s mix of hedonism and anxiety in one irresistible four-on-the-floor groove.
5. Little Red Corvette – Prince (1983)
Prince’s breakthrough into mainstream rock radio proved he could write a classic car song while actually singing about something completely different. The metaphors were not subtle, but the musicianship was absolutely stunning.
The track showcased Prince’s ability to craft perfect pop hooks while maintaining his artistic integrity. That guitar work and those harmonies created something that was both radio-friendly and musically sophisticated.
6. Sign O’ the Times – Prince (1987)
Prince’s masterpiece of social commentary wrapped in an irresistible groove. “Sign O’ the Times” tackled AIDS, drug addiction, and social decay while somehow remaining hopeful and danceable. Only Prince could pull off that balancing act.
The minimalist production allowed Prince’s lyrics and melody to shine while that drum machine provided the perfect rhythmic foundation. This was Prince at his most mature and socially conscious.
7. Let’s Go Crazy – Prince and the Revolution (1984)
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” With those spoken words, Prince delivered one of the most electrifying opening lines in pop history. “Let’s Go Crazy” was pure rock euphoria disguised as a spiritual sermon.
The track’s combination of religious imagery with unbridled celebration created something uniquely Prince. That guitar solo was pure fire, and the song’s message of finding joy despite life’s struggles resonated with anyone who’d ever needed music as salvation.
8. Raspberry Beret – Prince and the Revolution (1985)
Pure storytelling magic set to a psychedelic pop confection. “Raspberry Beret” proved Prince could craft perfect narrative songs that felt both nostalgic and timeless. The tale of teenage romance was told with cinematic detail and musical sophistication.
The track’s blend of rock, pop, and folk influences showed Prince’s incredible range while maintaining his distinctive musical personality. It was Prince doing Americana better than most American artists.
9. Delirious – Prince (1983)
Rockabilly filtered through Prince’s Minneapolis sound created something that was both retro and futuristic. “Delirious” was pure joy – a celebration of the intoxicating power of attraction set to an irresistible backbeat.
The song’s playful energy and vintage feel showed Prince’s deep understanding of music history while proving he could update any genre for the MTV generation.
10. I Would Die 4 U – Prince and the Revolution (1984)
Spiritual devotion disguised as a love song, or maybe the other way around. “I Would Die 4 U” was Prince at his most mystical, blending religious imagery with romantic passion in ways that would influence artists for decades.
The track’s hypnotic groove and Prince’s passionate vocals created something that felt both earthly and transcendent. It was the perfect encapsulation of Prince’s ability to make the sacred and profane dance together.
The Artist Who Owned the Decade
These Prince 1980s hits represent just a fraction of his incredible output during the decade when he basically reinvented what it meant to be a pop star. Prince didn’t just release albums – he created alternate realities where funk, rock, pop, R&B, and new wave could coexist in perfect harmony.
What made Prince so revolutionary wasn’t just his musical ability (though that was otherworldly) – it was his complete artistic vision. He controlled every aspect of his artistry: the music, the videos, the fashion, the performances, even the sexual and spiritual imagery. Prince understood that in the MTV era, you needed to be a complete multimedia artist.
The ’80s were the perfect storm for Prince’s talents. MTV needed content, audiences were ready for something different, and technology finally caught up with his musical imagination. Multi-tracking, drum machines, and synthesizers became extensions of Prince’s creativity rather than replacements for traditional instruments.
Musical Genius in Action
Prince’s approach to these hits was unlike anyone else’s. While other artists specialized in single genres, Prince treated musical boundaries like suggestions. He could go from rock god to R&B crooner to pop perfectionist within the same song, often within the same verse.
His prolific output during this period was legendary – while other artists spent years crafting albums, Prince was reportedly recording constantly, sometimes completing multiple albums per year. The hits we know represent just the tip of an incredibly deep iceberg of creativity.
Cultural Impact Beyond Music
These Prince 1980s hits didn’t just change music – they changed culture. Prince challenged gender norms, racial categories, and sexual taboos in ways that paved the path for countless artists who followed. He made it okay to be weird, wonderful, and completely uncompromising in your artistic vision.
From his androgynous fashion choices to his explicit lyrics to his spiritual mysticism, Prince used these hits as vehicles for broader cultural conversations. He proved that pop music could be a force for social change while still making people dance.
Which Prince hit from the ’80s still stops you in your tracks? Share your favorite Purple One moment in the comments below, and if this tribute brought back some serious Prince nostalgia, pass it along to your fellow music lovers. Let’s keep the legend’s legacy alive!