Hear Prince's original solo version of "With This Tear," a vaulted 1991 piano ballad later recorded by Celine Dion. A rare, intimate release.
- April 21, 2026
AceShowbiz - The estate of Prince has released a never-before-heard version of the song With This Tear, originally penned by the iconic artist and later recorded by Celine Dion in the early 1990s.
This newly revealed track, issued through NPG Records and Legacy Recordings, features Prince's original solo rendition of the piano-driven ballad. He wrote, produced, and performed the song himself during a recording session at Paisley Park in November 1991. Until now, this intimate version had remained locked away in the vault.
Dion's interpretation of With This Tear appeared on her 1992 self-titled album, representing one of several occasions where Prince contributed compositions to other artists while keeping his own versions unreleased. The estate’s release offers a more stripped-back and personal perspective on the song, with Prince's vocals and piano arrangement front and center.
The track has been enhanced with a fresh mix by Grammy-nominated producer Chris James, who has an extensive history working on Prince-related projects. This release is part of a larger initiative by the estate aimed at gradually opening Prince's vast archive of unreleased material to the public.
The timing of this launch is significant, arriving just ahead of the 10th anniversary of Prince's passing in 2016. Since then, a continuous flow of archival releases—including deluxe editions, vault recordings, and previously unheard collaborations—has helped sustain Prince's influence in modern music discussions and provided deeper insight into his prolific creativity.
With This Tear also highlights Prince's longstanding role as a songwriter for other performers. Throughout his career, he crafted and produced songs recorded by a wide array of artists, often offering compositions that took on new life beyond his own recordings.
Interest in Prince's archive has surged in recent years. Earlier in 2024, a demo of Baby Doll, a previously unheard collaboration between Prince and Kylie Minogue, surfaced online, emphasizing the depth of material still stored in the vault.
While there has been no official confirmation of a larger vault project, reports suggest additional archival releases may be on the horizon, promising more rare insights into Prince's extensive catalog.
