condensed from Wikipedia: “17 Days (the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose.)” (usually referred to as “17 Days”) is one of the most famous of Prince‘s B-sides. It appeared on the flipside of his most successful single “When Doves Cry” (1984), as well as the double 7″ version of the “Girls & Boys” single in 1986.

Written, produced and performed by Prince, the song was originally written and recorded as a demo for the second album by his protégé girl-group Vanity 6. Upon Vanity’s departure from the Prince camp in 1983, Prince retained the song for his own use, rather than give it to the newly-formed Apollonia 6 for their debut album. Background vocals on the track were performed by Vanity 6 member Brenda Bennett and remain on the final version of the song (she can clearly be heard as the song fades at the end).

The dance-oriented track begins with a psychedelic electric guitar loop and continues with Prince’s signature synthesizer and drum machine sound, incorporating funk and R&B elements used throughout his 1999 and Purple Rain albums. The lyrics refer to the number of days that have gone by since Prince’s lover left him for someone else, leaving him “with two cigarettes and this broken heart of mine.” ->BUY