Thieves in the Temple

Infobox Single
Name = Thieves in the Temple


Caption = UK 7" single
Artist = Prince
from Album = Graffiti Bridge
B-side = "Thieves in the Temple (Part II)"
"Thieves In the House" (12")
"Temple House Dub" (12")
Released = 17 July, 1990
Format = 7" single
12" single
CD Maxi single
Recorded = Paisley Park Studios, January, 1990
Genre = Pop
Length = Album/7": 3:20
12" Remix: 8:08
Label = Paisley Park Records/Warner Bros. Records
Writer = Prince
Producer = Prince
Certification = Gold - (2 October, 1990)
Chart position =
*#1 R&B
*#6 U.S.
*#7 UK
Last single = "Scandalous"
(1989)
This single = "Thieves in the Temple"
(1990)
Next single = "New Power Generation"
(1990)
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Prince (UK)
Type = singles
[Background = #ffff00]
Last single = "The Future"
(1990)
This single = "Thieves in the Temple"
(1990)
Next single = "New Power Generation"
(1990)

"Thieves in the Temple" is a song by Prince from the 1990 soundtrack album, "Graffiti Bridge". Added at the last minute, it was the last song recorded for the album, and became a #6 hit in the U.S., and a #7 hit in the U.K.. It also topped the U.S. R&B chart.

The track has a unique sound, starting quietly with echoed keyboards and vocals before the main section of the song booms in with a pulsating synth bass, syncopated drum machines, Middle Eastern melodies and opera-like layered vocals. Prince also samples a harmonica solo from a recording by The Chambers Brothers. The vocals are emotional, and accuse the subject of rejecting Prince and lying to him. The "temple" in the title recalls the ever-present spirituality in many of Prince's songs. The maxi-single contains extended lyrics that continue the theme before diverging into more dance-oriented material.

The maxi-single also contains a remix called "Thieves In the House," which is distinctly more dance oriented. It also contains samples from earlier Prince songs "Eye No" and "Batdance," as well as a dub version of the house track. The music video for the song was pulled from the movie, but an extended video exists which mirrors the extended remix.

Track listing

7": Paisley Park / 7-19751 (US)

#"Thieves in the Temple" – (3:20)
#"Thieves in the Temple" (Part II) – (1:41)

12": Paisley Park / 0-21598 (US)

#"Thieves in the Temple" (Remix) – (8:03)
#"Thieves In the House Mix" – (6:50)
#"Temple House Dub" – (5:06)

* also available on UK 12" picture disc (W9751TP)
* also available on CD (9 21598-2)

Cover versions

*Herbie Hancock recorded an instrumental version of "Thieves in the Temple" on his 1996 album "The New Standard", implicitly nominating the song as a contemporary jazz standard.
*A version was also recorded by experimental band Ulver, in the style of their album "Shadows of the Sun" with guest vocals by Siri Stranger.

External links

* "Thieves in the Temple" [http://www.dtt-lyrics.com/albums/graffiti.html#temple lyrics]