Prince, Adore | Throwback Vibez

In the fourth edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we recollect and reflect on “Adore” by iconic singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Prince.

Can you feel those vibes, those surefire Throwback Vibez?! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. Ah, there is nothing like a good oldie to get you fired up! The records featured in this column feature gems from the 20^th century, with a few exceptions. All genres of music are welcome. In the fourth edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we recollect and reflect on “Adore” performed by Prince.

Aww, the feels! The adoration! Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson, 1958 – 2016) was one of the most creative, prolific, and talented musicians ever. He released a whopping 39 albums during his lifetime 🤯. Let that set in! Among his most high-profile projects was his 1987 platinum-certified album, Sign O’ the Times, which was nominated for the Grammy for Album of the Year.  One of the most renowned songs from that album that wasn’t a single is the sixteenth track, “Adore”. Prince wrote and produced the six-and-a-half-minute ballad, which marks one of the strongest and most captivating vocal performances of his illustrious career.

“Adore” is a pure R&B song.  Where Prince crosses over into many genres, “Adore” leans more soul. The instrumentation contributing to the soulful vibes includes organ and horns. Adding to the sophisticated nature of the accompaniment is the harp. Is there any more instrument classier than the harp? No! The instrumental riffs kick ass. The arrangement and production are fantastic – it’s giving chef’s kiss! Beyond the backdrop, Prince’s vocal performance is nothing short of magnificent.  His falsetto is stunning on one of his most high-flying performances. As always, The Purple One exhibits plenty of personality, particularly in the most rhythmic moments from his performance, as well as when his falsetto is ripest.  The adoration is locked in throughout.  “From the first moment I saw you / Ooh, I knew you were the one,” Prince asserts in the first verse, and adds, “In a word, you were ‘sex’.” Can you guess what they did 🤭? “When we be makin’ love / I only hear the sounds,” he sings in the second verse, and continues, “Heavenly angels cryin’ up above / Tears of joy pourin’ down on us.” Ooh-wee!  For extra emphasis, we get an f-bomb: “I ain’t fuckin’ just for kicks, no.” Fuck yeah! The chorus is the cat’s meow, particularly with the harmonized vocals:

“Until the end of time
I’ll be there for you
You own my heart and mind
I truly adore you
If God, one day, struck me blind
Your beauty, I’d still see
Love is too weak to define
Just what you mean to me.”

The breakdown section is epic, with Prince continuing to show incredible versatility vocally. There are bigger, more renowned songs in The Purple One’s catalog, but “Adore” marks another damn good one. Prince does his big one on this one, NO CAP!

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Prince » Sign O’ the Times » NPG / Legacy » 1987

Prince, Adore: Throwback Vibez No. 4 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; NPG / Legacy; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson, schubinger from Pixabay]

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