The long-awaited release of “With This Tear” offers a new chapter in the celebration of the life and legacy of Prince Rogers Nelson, bringing a deeply personal recording out of the late musician’s hallowed vault.
Released on the 10th anniversary of his death, “With This Tear” reveals a softer, reflective side of Prince, anchored by intimate lyricism and layered instrumentation he crafted entirely on his own. The song’s emotional core is unmistakable, with impassioned vocals capturing a sense of longing and vulnerability.
The unveiled track’s accompanying visuals deepen that sentiment, opening with a clip from his Purple Rain era in which Prince reflects on his artistic aspirations in relation to Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for equality: “When I was younger, I always said that one day I would play all types of music, and not be judged for the color of my skin, but the quality of my work. Hopefully that will continue.”
The video continues with a montage of personal photographs and footage spanning his life and career, including black-and-white images of his mother from October 1958 and of Prince himself from May 1960, alongside performance clips and music video highlights.
“With This Tear” was originally recorded in November 1991 at Paisley Park, with Prince handling production, arrangement, composition, and all instrumentation. Though he initially intended the song for Jevetta Steele, it was later offered to Céline Dion, who recorded her own version in 1992. A brief sample of the track surfaced in 1993 on Carmen Electra’s self-titled album, but Prince’s original recording remained unreleased until now.
The newly issued version has been mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Chris James, a longtime collaborator who worked with Prince on projects including Art Official Age and HITnRUN Phase Two. The track also marks the beginning of a broader initiative to release previously unheard material tied to a shelved album project, which is scheduled for release later in 2026. Notably, “With These Tears” had once been considered for inclusion on the proposed Diamonds & Love album in 2022, but was ultimately withheld.
Prince died on April 21, 2016, at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota, at the age of 57, due to an accidental fentanyl overdose. A decade later, the unveiling of “With This Tear” stands as both a tribute to the late icon’s musical legacy and a sign of what’s to come.
Eric Rojas*
