AMG Review of Hits 1

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

Prince's two-part Hits collection includes enough necessary items to illustrate why he was one of the most influential and gifted musicians of the '80s, as well as providing a reasonable introduction and compilation for casual fans. Hits 1 contains a good cross section of his biggest hits -- "When Doves Cry" (presented in an edited version), "When You Were Mine," "Let's Go Crazy," "1999," "Sign 'O' the Times," "Alphabet Street," "Diamonds and Pearls," "7" -- plus new items like "Pink Cashmere" and "Nothing Compares 2 U" (a Prince song that Sinéad O'Connor took to number one) that are nearly as good as the familiar tracks.