Stream Prince’s Previously Unheard ‘I Need A Man’ Recording

The Prince Estate and Warner Records shared the previously unheard Prince track “I Need A Man.” The song will appear on the upcoming expanded reissue of the iconic artist’s 1987 double album, Sign O’ The Times, due out on September 25.

“I Need A Man” follows a previously unheard rendition of Sign O’ The Times track “Forever In My Life.” Recorded at the Washington Avenue Warehouse in Edina, Minnesota — Prince’s recording headquarters as his Paisley Park Studios was in construction — in January 1987 by engineer Susan Rogers, Prince offered the song to Bonnie Raitt after seeing her perform. Originally recorded for Vanity 6 prototype band The Hookers in 1981, Prince re-tracked the song for Raitt with live drums, Fairlight and Mirage synths, sax, trumpet and a guide vocal from the Purple One himself. Ultimately, Raitt didn’t end up using the song and it headed back into Prince’s legendary vault until now.

Stream “I Need A Man” below:

Episodes 1 – 4 of the 8-part podcast miniseries Prince: The Story of Sign O’ The Times produced with Minnesota’s 89.3 The Current are out now. Head here to listen.