Prince Charts A Hit With A Song He Wrote, But Another Artist Recorded

Only a few days ago, Prince fans marked the tenth anniversary of his death, as the celebrated musician passed away unexpectedly on April 21, 2016, due to an accidental overdose. In the years since then, Prince’s legacy has only continued to grow, and he remains revered and respected by millions around the world and the music industry as a whole.

Prince can almost always be found on charts thanks to some of his biggest hits and perhaps his greatest album, Purple Rain, which regularly lands on at least one tally or another in many Western markets. This week is special when it comes to Prince’s catalog, as the singer-songwriter posthumously scores a new, if minor, hit.

Prince’s “With This Tear” Debuts on the Downloads Chart

“With This Tear” earns Prince a new bestseller on two rosters in the United Kingdom. The track opens highest on the Official Singles Downloads chart, where it begins at No. 46. The cut barely manages to land on the Official Singles Sales tally, which takes into account all forms of purchases and not just digital downloads. “With This Tear” arrives at No. 99 on that 100-space rundown.

Prince Earns His First Chart Debut in Years

Prince scores his first debut on the Official Singles Downloads chart in nearly three years. The last time one of his compositions arrived on the list was back in July 2023, when “All a Share Together Now” kicked off its time at No. 90 and then immediately disappeared.

It’s only been a little less than half a year since the Grammy and Oscar winner debuted a cut on the Official Singles Sales chart. Last November, “Purple Rain” – one version of that classic, at least – soared all the way to No. 11 shortly after launching.

Prince’s “Purple Rain” Remains a Major Hit

Another take of “Purple Rain,” one which credits both Prince and The Revolution, earned the superstar his first hit on the Official Singles Sales roster in April 2016. In the same chart week, seven tracks by Prince debuted simultaneously, and “Purple Rain” nearly conquered the list, surging all the way to the runner-up space.

At the same time, several other fan favorites, such as “Kiss,” “When Doves Cry,” and “1999 / Little Red Corvette,” broke onto the roster for the first time as well.

“With This Tear” Went to Celine Dion

“With This Tear” was released by Prince’s estate, seemingly to honor the anniversary of his death. His version had been recorded in the early 1990s but had never been released to the public, although millions are already familiar with the composition. Prince shared the track, which he produced and wrote, with Celine Dion, and the French-Canadian superstar included it on her self-titled full-length, which dropped in 1992.

The Very Best Of Prince Returns to the Albums Downloads Chart

As “With This Tear” debuts, Prince doubles up on the Official Singles Downloads chart. “Purple Rain” – the take that names both Prince and The Revolution – breaks back in at No. 74.

A pair of albums by Prince also chart in the U.K. this week, and as is the case when it comes to songs, one of them is a comeback. The Very Best of Prince reenters the Official Album Downloads ranking at No. 67. In the 30 weeks it has spent as a top seller, the compilation has pushed all the way to No. 2.

Prince’s Purple Rain Recently Reached 1,000 Weeks

Purple Rain can be found once again on both the Official Soundtrack Albums and Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums charts. Last frame, Purple Rain sat in second place, and this frame it declines only two pegs to No. 4, shortly after celebrating 1,000 weeks as one of the most popular soundtracks in the U.K.

ForbesOne Of Prince’s Most Notable Billboard Records Has Been TiedBy Hugh McIntyre