Forty-four years ago today, Prince released an album that would transform his career. But the song that gave 1999 its name almost wasn’t part of the record.

Released October 27, 1982, 1999 became Prince’s first top-10 album on the Billboard 200 and eventually landed at No. 130 on Rolling Stone’s 2020 greatest-albums ranking . Yet the title track reportedly emerged only after manager Bob Cavallo challenged Prince to deliver a stronger lead single.

Related: 1980 Talking Heads Classic, Ranked Among the Greatest Albums of All Time

Prince’s Manager Thought Something Was Missing

Photo by Getty Images

Prince had already assembled much of the ambitious double album when Cavallo heard an early version.

According to music historian Zachary Hoskins’ account of the recording sessions , Cavallo believed the material was strong but lacked a song capable of reaching a massive international audience.

“This is a great album, but we don’t have a first single,” Cavallo recalled telling Prince.

The musician wasn’t…