Prince wrote or co-wrote hundreds of songs, and a meaningful subset were recorded and released by other artists. There is no single, universally agreed count of exactly how many songs he wrote for others, but verified credits, session documentation, and authoritative discographies indicate at least several dozen finished tracks with confirmed writing involvement. This evergreen explainer breaks down how those credits are documented, why estimates vary, and highlights notable performances by artists such as Madonna, Sinead O’Connor, and The Bangles that rely on Prince’s songwriting.
How writing credits are documented for Prince
Because Prince wrote, performed, and produced across multiple careers, the way credits are tracked differs by source. Key points include:
- Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and other performing rights organizations list writer splits for registered songs.
- Official discographies, liner notes, and databases such as AllMusic, Discogs, and MusicBrainz append writing credits when publishers or artists submit them.
- Prince typically retained publishing and master ownership, so licensing filings and label press releases often provide corroboration.
Why the count of songs Prince wrote for others varies
Estimates differ for several operational reasons, including demo versus final release, posthumous publishing updates, and differing registry practices. Common factors include:
- Demos and outtakes may be registered but never commercially released under another artist’s name.
- Co-writes can appear under multiple names or split across databases, complicating aggregation.
- Reissues and remix packages sometimes add or reattribute credits years after original release.
Because of this, publicly reported numbers can shift as new metadata or publishing records are standardized.
Notable songs Prince wrote for other artists
Several well-known tracks are widely credited to Prince based on songwriter registrations, interviews, and label documentation. Examples include performances where his writing is explicitly listed, either wholly or in part:
| Song | Artist | Writing credit details | Release year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like a Virgin | Madonna | Co-written with Madonna and Stephen Bray; BMI lists Prince as co-writer | 1984 |
| Nothing Compares 2 U | Sinead O’Connor | Prince-written demo, lyrics and music wholly credited to Prince | 1990 |
| Manic Monday | The Bangles | Credit listed as ©, written by Prince under pseudonym | 1986 |
| I Feel for You | Chaka Khan | Writing credited to Prince; later covered by others | 1984 |
| Sugar Walls | Sheena Easton | Co-writing with Prince listed on official release and databases | 1984 |
| The Glamorous Life | Sheila E. | Written and produced by Prince; credited on releases and BMI | 1984 |
How many songs is a reliable lower bound
Published discographies and performance rights society registrations support at least a few dozen distinct compositions recorded by artists other than Prince. For public discussion and reference, a conservative yet evidence-backed range is 30–60 finished songs with verified writing credits for non-Prince releases. This range reflects:
- Tracks officially credited to Prince on commercial releases.
- Database entries from BMI, ASCAP, and mechanical licensing bodies.
- Documented sessions and outtakes that were licensed to other artists.
Session, demo, and posthumous contributions
In addition to released tracks, Prince left behind session notes and demo recordings that were completed and issued by others after his passing. These include:
- Archived recordings finished by collaborators and published under another artist’s name.
- Instrumental stems and lyrics licensed for use in soundtracks or covers.
- Updated metadata on streaming and retail platforms that sometimes add or adjust credits retrospectively.
Because these materials are discovered or reissued years later, the count of songs Prince wrote for others can increase over time as documentation becomes clearer.
How this differs from songs he kept to himself
Many of Prince’s own recordings were written, performed, and produced solely by him, and some were held back as unreleased material. The songs he wrote for other artists are distinguished by:
- A separate writing credit on at least one authoritative music database or license.
- Commercial release under another act, even if Prince retained publishing.
- Public statements, liner notes, or broadcast documentation confirming the transfer of writing rights.
Common misconceptions about Prince’s catalog
Several myths persist about the breadth of his external writing, so clarifying these helps set accurate expectations:
- Not every song he recorded appears under other artists’ names; many remained in his vault.
- He occasionally allowed collaborators to co-write without public attribution at the time.
- Cover versions and remixes may reference Prince, but only original compositions or distinct arrangements are counted as new writing credits.
Why estimates will continue to evolve
Metadata standardization, label reissues, and ongoing research by archivists mean new writing credits for Prince and others are regularly identified. For any list or count, it is best to:
- Check primary sources such as BMI, ASCAP, and official discography updates.
- Distinguish between a song being recorded by another artist versus merely inspired by or influenced by Prince.
- Treat outtake and demo claims with caution unless they appear in published or database records.