7 (song)

Infobox Single
Name = 7


Caption = UK 7" single
Artist = Prince
Album = Love Symbol
B-side = "7" (various mixes)
"2 Whom It May Concern" (US maxi-single)
Released = 17 November, 1992
Format = 7" single
12" single
Picture disc
Cassette single
CD single
CD maxi-single
Recorded = Paisley Park Studios, September 1991 to March 1992
Genre = Pop, Rock
Length = 7" edit: 4:23
Album: 5:09
Acoustic Version: 3:54
After 6 Edit: 4:20
After 6 Long Version: 5:15
Label = Paisley Park Records/Warner Bros. Records
Writer = Prince
Lowell Fulsom
Jimmy McCrackin
Producer = Prince
Certification = Gold - (10 March, 1993)
Last single = "My Name Is Prince"
(1992)
This single = "7"
(1992)
Next single = "Damn U"
(1992)
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Prince (UK)
Last single = "My Name Is Prince"
(1992)
This single = "7"
(1992)
Next single = "The Morning Papers"
(1993)

"7" is a song by Prince and the New Power Generation, from the 1992 "Love Symbol" album. The 7" B-side was an acoustic version of "7." The 12" single included several remixes of "7," as well as a non-album track called "2 Whom It May Concern." "7" also appeared on two compilation albums: "The Hits 1" in 1993, and "Ultimate", in 2006. There have been various conjectures on the meaning of the song, and which "7" Prince is in fact referring to.

Many people weal agree that the lyrics describe apocalyptic events, and favour the view that the seven is either geographical, referring to the Continents or Countries with nuclear weapons (before North Korea); or religious, referring to the Seven churches of Asia Minor (to whom the Book of Revelation is addressed), or the seven Major World Religions. Other possible sevens have included days of the week, Deadly sins, Wonders of the world, the seven cycles of events in the Book of Revelation, or possibly combinations of any or all of the above.

Chart Performance

The most successful single from the album in the U.S., "7" was most successful on the Top 40 Pop/Mainstream charts, where it earned a #3 placement. It also performed respectably on the Rhythmic charts (#19). However, it was considerably less popular with R&B/Hip Hop radio, stalling at #61.

The single also performed well in the U.K., rising as high as #27, but falling short of the success of the previous two releases.

Coincidentally, the single peaked at #7 on the Hot 100 chart and stayed there for seven weeks.

Charts

External links

* "7" [http://www.dtt-lyrics.com/albums/symbol.html#7 lyrics]