Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1958. As he progressed through his career in music and film, he adopted many other aliases, from The Artist to Joey Coco and Alexander Nevermind. The Purple One was also, for a time, known as simply unpronounceable symbol. Over the course of his time in music, which spanned five decades, he produced smash hits such as Purple Rain, Kiss and Raspberry Beret.
But Prince was a prolific songwriter, also providing a number of other artists with songs.
Here’s a list of tracks which wouldn’t be were it not for Prince.
Vanity 6 – Nasty Girl (1982)
Prince put together Vanity 6 reportedly after years of wanting to mentor a girl group.
While their self-titled debut album didn’t live up to the promise of the single, Nasty Girl is just another in a long line of bangers penned by the pop legend.
Stevie Nicks – Stand Back (1983)
Prince co-wrote Stand Back with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks after she called to tell him she was writing a song inspired by his Little Red Corvette.
READ MORE: HOW STEVIE NICKS TURNED DOWN PRINCE’S PURPLE RAIN
Chaka Khan – I Feel for You (1984)
Another song which Prince put out first, on his self-titled debut album, I Feel For You really hit the big time with Chaka Khan gave it a new lease of life five years later, sending it to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Sheena Easton – Sugar Walls (1985)
Writing under the alias of Alexander Nevermind, Prince took Sheena Easton to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 with Sugar Walls.
The Bangles – Manic Monday (1986)
As Christopher, Prince provided American pop rock girl band The Bangles with their first big hit with Manic Monday, which has gone on to be covered by a number of other artists.
Kenny Rogers – You’re My Love (1986)
Islands in the Stream hitmaker was given Prince’s ballad You’re My Love, which was originally intended to go to The Family, in 1986.
Prince’s own version with The Revolution was released last year as part of his posthumous album Originals.
DON’T MISS…
Elvis Presley: Lisa Marie says he ‘masked’ pill addition from her [INTERVIEW]
Freddie Mercury’s WARNING to Mary Austin before his death [UNCOVERED]
Queen and Adam Lambert tour: WATCH stunning performance [VIDEO]
Patti LaBelle – Yo Mister (1989)
Prince wrote and produced Patti LaBelle’s Yo Mister, which would go on to be one of her best-charting songs.
Madonna – Love Song (1989)
As well as co-writing Love Song for Madonna’s Like a Prayer album, Prince also has his vocals feature on the song.
Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U (1990)
Nothing Compares 2 U was originally written for The Family, who were formed by the Purple Rain hitmaker and signed to Prince’s label.
However, it would only go on to be recorded and fulfil its destiny as a hit with Sinead O’Connor years later.
The Time – Jerk Out (1990)
Prince is credited, by some, with helping write The Time’s Jerk Out alongside Jimmy Jam, Jesse Johnson and Terry Lewis, though it is officially a product of The Time.
Martika – Love… Thy Will Be Done (1991)
Though the song started life as a hymn she had written down, Prince helped transform it into a top 10 single.
Kate Bush – Why Should I Love You (1993)
The pair weren’t actually able to make an in-personal session happen, so instead shared demo tapes, with Prince sending the track back with a number of vocal, guitar and keyboard ideas.
Though their tastes and styles were vastly different, they managed to find a middle ground, resulting in Why Should I love You.
Alicia Keys – How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore (2001)
When Alicia Keys was just 19-years-old, she had a nerve-wracking phone call with Prince during which she had to ask for his permission to cover his song, How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore.
The song was original a B-side to his single 1999.
