"Darling Nikki" is a song produced, arranged, composed, and performed by American musician Prince, originally released on his sixth studio albumPurple Rain. Though the song was not released as a single, it gained wide notoriety for its sexual lyricsin particular an explicit reference to female masturbationand was responsible for the creation of the infamous Parental Advisory sticker. The song tells the story of a "sex fiend" named Nikki who seduces the singer. In the film Purple Rain, for which the album serves as the soundtrack, the song is directed toward Apollonia Kotero's character when she decides to work with Prince's character's rival. Compared with the slick production of the other songs on the album, "Darling Nikki" was deliberately engineered to have a raw and live feel. Near the end of the song, the music stops into the sound of rain and wind. There is singing, but it is played in reverse. Played forward, the vocals are Prince singing: During the Purple Rain Tour performances of "Darling Nikki", the recording at the end was played forward. This can be heard in the 1985 live video .
American social issues advocate Tipper Gore reportedly co-founded the Parents Music Resource Center in 1985 because she witnessed her daughter Karenna, who was 11 years old at the time, listening to "Darling Nikki". As examples of what they meant, PMRC published a list of 15 popular "filthy" songs, with "Darling Nikki" first. The PMRC would later become known for leading to the use of the well-known Parental Advisory sticker on album covers.
Charts
Cover versions
In 1997, Three 6 Mafia sampled it on their song "The End" from their album .
In 2003, alternative rock bandFoo Fighters recorded a cover of the song, which they included as a B-side on their single "Have It All". Though their version of "Darling Nikki" was never officially released as a single, it found success at American modern rock radio, peaking at NO. 15 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. This version was performed on the MTV Video Music Awards with Cee Lo Green guesting on vocals. This version was later released on the vinyl-only compilation albumMedium Rare.
Tech N9ne's song "Freaky", on his 2005 album Vintage Tech, interpolates "Darling Nikki".
Model/actress Rebecca Romijn recorded a cover of "Darling Nikki" for the 2006 compilation album, Electro Goth Tribute to Prince.
A cover by electro music group Chairlift was included on the 2009 tribute compilation Purplish Rain. A free download of the song was offered by Spin magazine.
Rapper Tupac Shakur used a sample of "Darling Nikki" for the song "Heartz of Men" on his 1996 album All Eyez on Me.
The song "Blow Ya Mind", appearing on the album Pink Friday by rapper Nicki Minaj, contains an interpolation of "Darling Nikki".
Hard rock band Talisman recorded a version for their 1998 album Truth.
