The best Prince albums
The top 3 according to 203 votes from people: Sign o' the Times · Purple Rain · Dirty Mind. (Updated May 2, 2021.)
Prince's studio albums ranked by the consensus of critics and fans: the 80s masterpieces first, the experiments and minor records further down.
Top 19
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1
Sign o' the Times
1987. A double album covering every style he mastered.
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2
Purple Rain
1984. The film soundtrack that made him a superstar.
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3
Dirty Mind
1980. Raw, minimal new-wave funk.
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4
Parade
1986. With "Kiss", the soundtrack of Under the Cherry Moon.
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5
1999
1982. Synth funk for the end of the world.
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6
The Gold Experience
1995. The best of his "Symbol" years.
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7
Lovesexy
1988. A spiritual, non-stop party.
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8
Around the World in a Day
1985. His psychedelic turn.
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9
Controversy
1981. Funk, politics and provocation.
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10
Emancipation
1996. Three CDs after leaving Warner.
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11
Diamonds and Pearls
1991. Big hits with the New Power Generation.
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12
Come
1994. One of his weakest in many rankings.
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13
Love Symbol
1992. The album with an unpronounceable title.
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14
Graffiti Bridge
1990. Often called his first disappointing album.
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15
Prince
1979. "I Wanna Be Your Lover" and an early peak.
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16
For You
1978. His debut, playing almost every instrument.
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17
3121
2006. His last US number-one album in his lifetime.
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18
Musicology
2004. A return to classic funk and soul.
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19
Batman
1989. Songs for Tim Burton's film.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (3)
Dirty Mind that high is a great call
Sign o' the Times first, absolutely. Purple Rain is the classic but SOTT is the masterpiece
Where's Parade? Oh it's 5th, fine, Kiss deserved better