When Prince and Bonnie Raitt Almost Made Magic: The Tracks You’ve Never Heard

Prince’s musical genius knew no bounds, and Bonnie Raitt’s bluesy, heartfelt voice was a perfect match for his innovative spirit. Their paths crossed in the mid-1980s, and though the full collaboration never came to fruition, the moments they shared in the studio are stories of what could have been—musical magic that remained largely unheard until recent years.

Here’s a look at the fascinating moments when the Purple One and the Red Hot Raitt almost created musical history, with tracks that still linger in the ether, occasionally surfacing to remind us of their unrealized potential.

The 1986 Meeting: Two Musicians, Different Worlds

It all began in 1986 when Prince, having seen Bonnie Raitt perform at The Beverly Theater in Los Angeles, was inspired to reach out. A few months after the performance, Prince called Raitt, inviting her to work together. At the time, she had recently parted ways with her label, Warner Bros., and was open to exploring new avenues. Prince, ever the enigmatic force in the music industry, was looking to expand his sonic universe and thought Raitt could be a perfect fit.

Their personalities couldn’t have been more different. As Raitt recalled in a 1987 interview with the Chicago Tribune, “He’s shy, and I’m not shy; I’m political, and he’s not. But we both do R&B, and after hearing the songs, it made sense to me. It worked out really well.”

The pair met up several times before heading to Paisley Park Studios in Minnesota, where Raitt would record two tracks for an album that never came to be. The sessions were unlike anything she had ever experienced. She added vocals and guitar to Prince’s already recorded instrumental tracks, bringing her own style to his ideas. “It was nice to be working with another singer and guitarist,” Raitt said, acknowledging the mutual respect that flowed between them. “There isn’t any danger of his steamrolling me into his own image. I’m strong enough personality-wise that I’m not going to be told how to sing.”

Yet, despite the chemistry in the studio, the collaboration didn’t last. Raitt entered rehab shortly afterward, and Prince was preparing for his Sign o’ the Times tour. Their time together at Paisley Park ended up being a brief but intriguing glimpse at what could have been a groundbreaking partnership.

The Songs They Never Released

In 1987, Prince handed Raitt a selection of songs to choose from. Among the tracks were “Jealous Girl,” a song he had previously pitched to The Bangles, and “I Need a Man” and “There’s Something I Like About Being Your Fool,” both of which Prince had written years earlier. Raitt recorded two of these tracks, but neither of them would ever make it onto her album Nick of Time, which became a huge success in 1989.

“I Need a Man” (1987)

“I Need a Man” was an older Prince track, originally recorded in 1981 for the female trio The Hookers, which later evolved into Vanity 6. It’s a song that reflects a longing for a lover with something more to offer than wealth and materialism, a theme that aligned with Raitt’s own sentiments about love and relationships. “If money’s all you got, I don’t want it,” sings the narrator. “I need a lover that is strong, ain’t got time to fool around.”

Though Raitt’s version of “I Need a Man” was never officially released, a recording of it surfaced in 2020, and Prince’s original version also saw the light of day on the 2020 Sign o’ the Times remaster and 2023’s Vault Tracks Part 3. The track’s raw emotion and bold sentiments showcased Prince’s ability to blend social commentary with sensuality, a hallmark of his style.

“There’s Something I Like About Being Your Fool” (1987)

The second song Raitt recorded during her Paisley Park sessions was “There’s Something I Like About Being Your Fool,” a track about the complexities of being in a one-sided relationship. The lyrics express the confusing mix of pain and pleasure that comes from being involved with someone who doesn’t reciprocate the same feelings.

Prince had originally recorded the song for his 1981 album Controversy, but it didn’t make the final cut. Like “I Need a Man,” Raitt’s version of the song remains unreleased, though Prince’s version was later included in the 2020 Sign o’ the Times remaster and 2023’s Vault Tracks Part 3. It’s a track that perfectly encapsulates Prince’s gift for crafting songs that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Prince Covers Bonnie Raitt: “I Can’t Make U Love Me” (1996)

Although their direct collaborations never fully materialized, the two musicians did leave their mark on each other’s careers. In 1996, Prince covered one of Raitt’s most iconic songs, “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” which had been a massive hit for Raitt in 1991. Prince’s version, titled “Can’t Make U Love Me,” was released on his Emancipation album, showcasing his ability to reimagine another artist’s work while staying true to the emotional core of the original.

Raitt’s original version of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” has been covered nearly 300 times by a range of artists, from George Michael to Adele, further solidifying its place in the musical canon. But Prince’s rendition adds a layer of sensuality and soul that is uniquely his own.

The Legacy of Their Connection

Though their collaborations never reached the level of fame they might have deserved, the moments that Prince and Bonnie Raitt shared in the studio remain a testament to their mutual respect and shared love for soul, R&B, and meaningful songwriting. Their interactions, marked by differences in personality and musical approach, nevertheless led to a fusion of ideas that would have been a fascinating addition to both of their legacies.

As the years pass and unreleased tracks continue to surface, it’s clear that the magic between Prince and Bonnie Raitt was never fully realized—but it certainly left an indelible mark on the world of music.