Surprising Hit Songs Written by Prince

When you think of hit songs written by Prince, your mind probably goes straight to classics like “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,” or “Kiss.” 

But, what if we told you that some of the biggest pop, R&B, and country hits you know and love, sung by completely different artists, actually came from the genius of Prince himself? 

These Chart-Toppers Were Actually Written by Prince

Whether credited under mysterious pseudonyms or gifted directly to fellow performers, these Prince ghostwritten songs reveal just how far his influence reached.

Together, let’s tour the lesser-known side of his legacy with a few songs you didn’t know Prince wrote – but most likely know and love.

“Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor

This one surprised us. Perhaps the most emotionally gutting ballads of the '90s was actually written by Prince in 1985 for a side project called The Family. But, it didn’t hit the mainstream until Sinéad O’Connor’s haunting cover in 1990. 

With its stripped-down arrangement and raw vocals, the track went platinum and topped the charts worldwide, just one of many artists who sang Prince songs and was met with massive success.

“Manic Monday” by The Bangles

Did you know your favorite Monday morning anthem was not a Bangles original? Prince originally wrote this perky earworm for his own girl group, Apollonia 6, but it was never released. 

Later, he handed it to The Bangles under the pen name “Christopher,” and it soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. How’s that for some Prince songwriting credits in disguise?

“With This Tear” by Céline Dion

Not every Prince creation was funky or flirtatious. Some were pure heart. In 1992, he gifted “With This Tear” to Céline Dion, who featured it on her self-titled album. It's a slow-burning ballad that showcases both her vocal power and his tender side.

“How Come You Don’t Call Me” by Alicia Keys

Prince originally released this stripped-down ballad as a B-side in 1982. Two decades later, Alicia Keys added her own soulful twist on her debut album Songs in A Minor. It became a fan-favorite and introduced a whole new generation to a hidden Prince gem.

“Stand Back” by Stevie Nicks

Here’s a fun story: Stevie Nicks said she was inspired by “Little Red Corvette” while working on “Stand Back.” When she called Prince to tell him, he showed up at the studio, laid down synth parts, and helped shape the song. 

It became one of her biggest solo hits. Though uncredited officially, it's one of Prince’s most fascinating behind-the-scenes collaborations – and another gem in the vault of Prince’s secret music contributions

“Get It Up” by TLC

Prince originally gave “Get It Up” to The Time in 1981, but it got a new lease on life when TLC covered it for the Poetic Justice soundtrack in 1993. Their funky, fierce version became a hit all over again, just another way Prince’s music evolved through generations.

“You're My Love” by Kenny Rogers

Wait... Prince wrote a country song? Indeed, he did, using the alias “Joey Coco.” He gave “You're My Love” to Kenny Rogers, and it landed on the 1986 album They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To. This is another curveball, but a heartfelt one.

“Love Song” by Madonna

Madonna and Prince together? That’s exactly what happened on “Love Song” from her 1989 album Like a Prayer. The two wrote and recorded the song long-distance – she in LA, he in Minneapolis. It’s sultry, moody, and undeniably cool.

“I Feel For You” by Chaka Khan

Prince originally recorded this track in 1979, but it was Chaka Khan who turned it into a chart-topping sensation in 1984. Her version, complete with Melle Mel’s iconic rap intro, won a Grammy and gave Prince another indirect hit under his belt..

“When You Were Mine” by Cyndi Lauper

First heard on Prince’s 1980 Dirty Mind album, “When You Were Mine” didn’t get widespread attention until Cyndi Lauper recorded it for her 1983 debut. Her take helped bring Prince’s early work to pop audiences, showing how timeless his songwriting really was.

“Yo Mister” by Patti LaBelle

By the late '80s, Patti LaBelle was already a powerhouse, and Prince gave her “Yo Mister” as a gift, writing and producing the track himself. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard R&B chart and added some Minneapolis funk to LaBelle’s repertoire.

“Round and Round” by Tevin Campbell

Remember that smooth-voiced teen who popped up in the early '90s? Prince wrote and produced “Round and Round” for a then-unknown Tevin Campbell. It became his debut solo single and a top R&B hit, helping to launch a showstopping career.

“Sugar Walls” by Sheena Easton

With a title like that, you know it had Prince written all over it. He penned this provocative track for Sheena Easton under the alias “Alexander Nevermind.” Released in 1984, it climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was classic Prince: sultry, funky, and irresistibly catchy.

“Sex Shooter” by Apollonia 6

You might recognize this from Purple Rain, but “Sex Shooter” was more than just a movie track. Written and produced by Prince for his protégé girl group, it was designed to be bold, catchy, and unmistakably his. 

“The Glamorous Life” by Sheila E.

Prince and Sheila E. had a magical musical connection, and “The Glamorous Life” is one of their most iconic collabs. Initially written for Apollonia 6, Prince ended up handing it to Sheila E., and the result? A dance-floor banger that earned Grammy nominations and hit No. 1 on the dance charts.

“Love... Thy Will Be Done” by Martika

Originally a prayer scribbled in a notebook by Martika, this track was transformed by Prince into a spiritual and soulful pop hit. It appeared on her 1991 album Martika’s Kitchen and showed just how skilled he was at elevating raw material into radio gold.

“Why Should I Love You?” by Kate Bush

Kate Bush sent Prince a song and asked him to add backing vocals. Instead, he added instrumentation, vocals, and entirely reimagined the track. It landed on her 1993 album The Red Shoes, full of mysterious and otherworldly flair, just like the man himself.

Prince’s Secret Songwriting Legacy Lives On

From girl groups to country legends, pop divas to soul queens, Prince’s fingerprints are all over the music world. 

These hit songs written by Prince prove that his genius didn’t stop with his own albums. It echoed through the voices of others. Whether he was going by Christopher, Joey Coco, or Alexander Nevermind, Prince never stopped sharing his art, even when the world didn’t know it was his.

The next time you hum along to a classic and think, "This is a bop," just think: there’s a very real chance the Purple One had something to do with it.