MomSkoop
Most people know Prince as a rock and funk superstar who owned the stage, but his real secret weapon was his pen.
Behind the scenes, he crafted some of the most memorable songs of the 1980s and 1990s for other artists.
From pop radio staples to deep cuts, these songs prove that Prince’s genius went far beyond his own albums.
Get ready to look at 13 unforgettable hits that Prince wrote or co-wrote for someone else.
1. Manic Monday — The Bangles
Few songs capture the Monday morning struggle better than this one.
Prince wrote “Manic Monday” for The Bangles and handed it over under the pseudonym Christopher, keeping his involvement a secret at first.
The song shot to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986, just one spot below his own “Kiss.”
That means Prince was competing with himself on the charts — and nearly winning both sides.
The Bangles brought a fresh, jangly pop energy to the track that made it feel totally their own.
It remains one of the most beloved pop songs of the entire decade.
2. Nothing Compares 2 U — Sinead O’Connor
When Sinead O’Connor released this song in 1990, it became one of the most emotionally raw ballads in pop history.
Prince actually wrote it back in 1984 for his side group The Family, but it never became a hit until Sinead got her hands on it.
Her stripped-down delivery turned a good song into an unforgettable one.
The music video, featuring Sinead’s tear-streaked face, became iconic worldwide.
Prince later performed his own versions of the song in concert.
Still, most fans agree that Sinead’s version carries a heartache that is almost impossible to match.
It is a true masterpiece of modern pop.
3. I Feel for You — Chaka Khan
Prince originally recorded “I Feel for You” on his 1979 self-titled album, but Chaka Khan transformed it into something completely different.
Her 1984 version added a hip-hop intro featuring Grandmaster Melle Mel and a harmonica riff by Stevie Wonder — making it one of the most layered pop productions of its era.
The song won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, cementing its place in music history.
Chaka’s powerhouse vocals gave the track a bold confidence that matched her larger-than-life personality.
Prince was reportedly thrilled with what she did to his song, and honestly, it is hard to argue with the results.
4. The Glamorous Life — Sheila E.
Sheila E. and Prince had one of the most creatively electric partnerships in 1980s music.
“The Glamorous Life” was her debut single in 1984, and it announced her arrival in style.
The song blended funk, pop, and percussion in a way that felt both polished and wild at the same time.
Prince wrote and produced it, but Sheila’s personality made it undeniably hers.
She played nearly every instrument on the track, showing off her extraordinary musical talent.
The song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining sound of the era.
It still sounds fresh and fun today.
5. Jungle Love — The Time
The Time was essentially Prince’s funk alter ego — a band he created, produced, and largely wrote for while staying behind the curtain.
“Jungle Love” appeared in the 1984 film “Purple Rain” and became one of the most electrifying moments in that entire movie.
Morris Day’s charisma made the song explode off the screen.
Prince wrote and produced the track but let The Time own it completely in the public eye.
The groove is tight, the horns are punchy, and the whole thing feels like a party you never want to leave.
It showed how Prince could write in someone else’s voice without losing any of his signature fire.
6. 777-9311 — The Time
Released in 1982 on The Time’s second album “What Time Is It?”, this track is a funk masterpiece hiding in plain sight.
The phone number in the title was reportedly a real Minneapolis number, which caused quite a bit of chaos for whoever owned it at the time.
Only Prince could turn a prank into a chart hit.
The song reached number two on the R&B charts and showcased Prince’s ability to write irresistibly catchy funk grooves.
Morris Day delivered the lyrics with his trademark cool swagger.
Even decades later, “777-9311” sounds like it was made to fill a dance floor and refuse to let anyone leave.
7. Nasty Girl — Vanity 6
Vanity 6 was one of Prince’s boldest creative experiments — a trio of women he styled, produced, and wrote for as part of his ever-expanding musical universe.
“Nasty Girl” was their biggest hit, released in 1982, and it pushed boundaries with its playful, provocative lyrics.
Radio programmers were shocked, but listeners were hooked.
Prince crafted the song to be deliberately cheeky and fun, with a synth-funk groove that was impossible to resist.
Lead vocalist Vanity brought a seductive confidence to the track that matched its daring spirit.
The song peaked at number seven on the R&B charts and remains a cult favorite among fans of early 1980s funk and pop.
8. Sex Shooter — Apollonia 6
After Vanity left Prince’s camp, he quickly assembled a new girl group called Apollonia 6, fronted by Apollonia Kotero, who also starred in “Purple Rain.”
“Sex Shooter” was their signature song, featured prominently in the film.
The moment Apollonia performs it on screen is one of the most memorable scenes in the whole movie.
Prince wrote and produced the track, giving it that same sleek, synth-driven funk feel he used across all his side projects.
The song has a playful, tongue-in-cheek energy that keeps it from feeling overly serious.
Apollonia’s star power in the film helped push the song into the hearts of an entire generation of fans.
9. Love… Thy Will Be Done — Martika
Not many people connect Martika with Prince, but this 1991 single is proof of just how wide his creative reach was.
Martika is best known for her 1989 hit “Toy Soldiers,” but “Love…
Thy Will Be Done” showed a completely different, more spiritual side of her artistry.
Prince co-wrote the song with her, giving it a gospel-tinged soul that felt deeply personal.
The song reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most underrated collaborations of the early 1990s.
Its message of surrender and faith gave it an emotional weight that stood out in pop music at the time.
Prince’s fingerprints are all over the lush, layered production.
10. Stand Back — Stevie Nicks (co-written)
The story behind this song is almost too good to be true.
Stevie Nicks was on her honeymoon in 1983 when she heard Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” on the radio and was immediately inspired.
She hummed a melody into a tape recorder, and when she got home, she called Prince to play it for him.
Prince came to the studio, laid down the synth line in about an hour, and that was that — “Stand Back” was born.
He declined a songwriting credit initially, though he is officially listed as a co-writer.
The song hit number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Stevie’s signature solo tracks.
11. How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore — Alicia Keys cover
Prince originally recorded this song as a B-side to “1999” back in 1982 — meaning it almost got lost in the shuffle of one of his biggest albums.
Alicia Keys discovered it years later and recorded a stunning piano-driven version that introduced the song to a whole new generation.
Her 2001 cover appeared on her debut album “Songs in A Minor” and stopped listeners in their tracks.
Keys stripped everything back to just voice and piano, which let Prince’s heartfelt lyrics breathe in a completely new way.
The raw emotion in her delivery matched the song’s theme of longing and disappointment.
It is a beautiful reminder that great songwriting never truly ages or loses its power.
12. You’re My Love — Kenny Rogers
Prince writing a song for Kenny Rogers sounds like the setup to a joke, but it actually happened — and it worked beautifully.
“You’re My Love” appeared on Rogers’ 1986 album “They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To” and showed that Prince’s songwriting could cross genre lines without any trouble at all.
The song has a warm, tender quality that fits Rogers’ country-pop style like a glove.
Prince reportedly admired Rogers and wanted to challenge himself by writing outside his usual funk and rock comfort zone.
It remains one of the most surprising collaborations in both of their careers, and a fun piece of music history trivia.
13. Baby, You’re a Trip — Jill Jones
Jill Jones was one of Prince’s most loyal collaborators, working as a backup singer and recording artist under his Paisley Park label for years.
“Baby, You’re a Trip” appeared on her 1987 self-titled debut album, which Prince largely produced and wrote.
The record is a hidden gem that never got the mainstream attention it deserved.
The song showcases Prince’s knack for writing characters with full personalities — Jill’s vocals bring a playful, slightly dangerous edge to the track.
Her album has since gained a devoted cult following among Prince fans who enjoy exploring the outer edges of his creative world.
It is quirky, fun, and totally unlike anything else from that era.