Prince Estate Shares a New Take on ‘With This Tear’
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The estate of Prince has unveiled a previously unheard recording of “With This Tear,” a song written by the iconic artist that he originally offered to Celine Dion in the early 1990s.
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The newly released version, made available through NPG Records and Legacy Recordings, showcases Prince’s original recording of the piano-driven ballad. The track, recorded at Paisley Park in November 1991, had remained unreleased until now.
Celine Dion’s version of “With This Tear” was featured on her 1992 self-titled album, highlighting Prince’s tendency to provide material for other artists while keeping his own recordings archived. His original rendition offers a more intimate interpretation, emphasizing his vocals and piano arrangement.
This release has been refreshed with a new mix by Grammy-nominated producer Chris James, who has collaborated on various Prince projects. It is part of a larger initiative by the Prince Estate to gradually open up the artist’s extensive archive of unreleased material.
The timing of this track’s release is particularly poignant as it precedes the 10th anniversary of Prince’s death. Since 2016, a steady stream of archival releases—ranging from deluxe editions to previously unheard collaborations—has kept his legacy alive in contemporary music discussions while providing a deeper understanding of his prolific creativity.
“With This Tear” also underscores Prince’s enduring role as a songwriter for others. Throughout his career, he wrote and produced various songs for a wide array of performers, often transforming his compositions into new interpretations outside of his own discography.
Interest in Prince’s archive has surged in recent years. Notably, in 2024, a demo of “Baby Doll,” a collaboration between Prince and Kylie Minogue, surfaced online, demonstrating the wealth of material still held within his vault.
While exact details surrounding a potential larger vault project remain unconfirmed, reports suggest that additional archival releases may soon be forthcoming.
