Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Two Princes
View on Wikipedia
| "Two Princes" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Single cover | ||||
| Single by Spin Doctors | ||||
| from the album Pocket Full of Kryptonite | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | January 4, 1993 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers |
| |||
| Spin Doctors singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Two Princes" on YouTube | ||||
"Two Princes" is a song by American rock group Spin Doctors. Epic Records serviced the song to US radio in January 1993 as the second single from the group's debut album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite (1991). The song was a major commercial success, peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Cash Box Top 100. Outside of the US, it topped the charts in Iceland and Sweden and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in 13 other countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The song earned the band a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.[4] It was ranked No. 41 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the '90s";[5] conversely, it was ranked No. 21 on Blender magazine's "50 Worst Songs Ever".[6] Two different music videos were filmed for "Two Princes", with one of them in black-and-white. One of the videos was directed by Richard Murray and premiered in February 1992.[7]
Critical reception
[edit]Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic named "Two Princes" one of the "best tracks" of the album.[8] Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "The Doctors' growing legion of fans will devour this treat from Pocket Full of Kryptonite within seconds." He explained further, "Percolating rhythm section, courtesy of Aaron Comess and Mark White, propels Eric Schenkman's scratchy guitars and a pure-pop hook. Engaging vocals by Christopher Barron and lively instrumentation assure instant album-rock and alternative play, with visions of successfully crossing into the pop arena realistically dancing in everyone's heads."[9] Randy Clark from Cash Box commented, "This crunchy rock/funk groove hints of the same raw, unpolished but infectious street quality of the early Rolling Stones except with an unspoiled and urgent alternative style."[10] A reviewer from Kingston Informer complimented the song as "brilliant".[11]
In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton noted, "Leaping just as dramatically into the Top 10 come the Spin Doctors, almost 18 months after the track was first heard by the American public. It touches a chord with many as well. Marry him or marry me, I'm the one who loves you baby can't you see...."[12] Ian Gittins from Melody Maker called it a "fairly catchy single", and "amiable and harmless and pleasant enough".[13] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Although the album [...] was released about two years ago, the singles of the medicals are still doing fine. Put your faith in this one too, as the funky guitar rock of this 'royal' track is as infectious as you could wish for."[14] Roger Morton from NME praised it as "a freak wonder-song" with a "million-dollar hook."[15] Leesa Daniels from Smash Hits gave "Two Princes" a full score of five out of five and named it Best New Single, saying, "This is their second bash at the UK charts and it's just marvellous. A thumping drum beat with guitars rocking all over the place, it makes you want to jump onto the nearest table and dance and twirl and swing your head around until you eventually, er, pass out!"[16] Troy J. Augusto from Variety named it one of the group's "undeniable gems".[17]
Track listings
[edit]- 7-inch, CD, and cassette single
- "Two Princes" (album version) – 4:16
- "Off My Line" (live) – 5:30
- 12-inch and maxi-CD single
- "Two Princes" (album version) – 4:16
- "Off My Line" (live) – 5:30
- "Rosetta Stone" (live) – 8:07
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[64] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[65] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Germany (BVMI)[66] | Gold | 250,000^ |
| Italy (FIMI)[67] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[68] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[69] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | January 4, 1993 | Radio | Epic Associated | [70] |
| Australia | March 21, 1993 |
|
[71] | |
| United Kingdom | May 3, 1993 |
|
Epic | [72] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Marotta, Michael (July 7, 2014). "So… the fucking Spin Doctors are playing a free show at City Hall Plaza this week". Vanyaland. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ Yglesias, Matthew (May 21, 2007). "The Ultimate Nineties Alt-Rock Playlist". The Atlantic. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
- ^ Waldman, Scott (April 3, 2020). "10 Best Pop-Rock Songs of the '90s". Loudwire. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
- ^ Bird, Rick (January 7, 1994). "Aging rockers to duke it out for Grammys". Cincinnati Post. p. 1C.
- ^ "100 Greatest Songs of the '90s: Full List". VH1. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007.
- ^ Aizlewood, John; et al. (May 2004). "Run For Your Life! It's the 50 Worst Songs Ever!". Blender. Archived from the original on May 8, 2004.
- ^ "The Spin Doctors – "Two princes"". Mvdbase.com. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Spin Doctors – Pocket Full of Kryptonite". AllMusic. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
- ^ Flick, Larry (January 23, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 4. p. 80. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ Clark, Randy (January 23, 1993). "Music Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 5. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ Kingston Informer. November 4, 1994. p. 21.
- ^ Masterton, James (May 30, 1993). "Week Ending June 5th 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ Gittins, Ian (October 2, 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ "New Releases > Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 18. May 1, 1993. p. 15. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ Morton, Roger (October 2, 1993). "Singles". NME. p. 14. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ Daniels, Leesa (April 28, 1993). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 49. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ Augusto, Troy J. (August 30, 1994). "Spin Doctors; Gin Blossoms; Cracker". Variety. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay – 1993" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 47. May 29, 1993. p. 29. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1734." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 29. July 17, 1993. p. 24. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ "Music & Media / Billboard – European Top 100 Singles – Week Ending 31.07.93". World Charts. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013.
- ^ "EHR Top 40 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 24. July 17, 1993. p. 12. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
- ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay – 1993" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 47. September 18, 1993. p. 29. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay – 1993" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 47. June 26, 1993. p. 29. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay" (PDF). Music & Media. August 7, 1993. p. 25. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40: Vikan 15.–21. apríl". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). April 15, 1993. p. 21. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Two Princes". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes". VG-lista. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 31/1993" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 47. July 31, 1993. p. 29. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Spin Doctors – Two Princes". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Top 50 Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. June 12, 1993. p. 16. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Spin Doctors Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Spin Doctors Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Spin Doctors Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Spin Doctors Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending April 17, 1993". Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1993". ARIA Charts. ARIA. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1993" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Vol. 58, no. 23. December 18, 1993. Retrieved July 18, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Jahrescharts – 1993". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015.
- ^ "Árslistinn 1993". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 4, 1994. pp. 16–17. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 1993". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
- ^ "Årstopplistan 1993, Singlar" (in Swedish). Grammotex. Archived from the original on February 16, 2001. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993". Hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 24.
- ^ "Airplay Top 50 1993" (PDF). Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 41. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1993". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "The Year in Music: Top Album Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 52. December 25, 1993. p. YE-39.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Spin Doctors – Two Princes". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Spin Doctors; 'Two Princes')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Spin Doctors – Two Princes" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Spin Doctors – Two Princes". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Spin Doctors – Two Princes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "AOR: Famous Firsts". Radio & Records. No. 973. January 1, 1993. p. 44.
- ^ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 21/03/93: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 163. March 21, 1993. p. 18.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. May 1, 1993. p. 23.
Two Princes
View on GrokipediaBackground and recording
Songwriting process
The song "Two Princes" originated from lead singer Chris Barron's personal experiences in 1987, while living in Princeton, New Jersey, where he drew on the dynamics of romantic rivals to craft the central "two princes" metaphor symbolizing suitors competing for a woman's affection. Barron penned the initial lyrics on a yellow legal pad using a Sheaffer fountain pen, reflecting a near-romantic entanglement that highlighted feelings of inadequacy and rivalry in love. This personal inspiration infused the song with themes of yearning and humility, setting the foundation for its emotional core.[7] The track's early development included an initial demo recorded in 1990 as part of the band's "Piece of Glass" sessions, captured in a rudimentary home studio setup that captured its raw essence before wider exposure. Guitarist Eric Schenkman contributed key early guitar riffs and structural elements, transposing the song from its original key of G to D to better suit Barron's vocal range and introducing a minor chord that added emotional depth to the progression. These contributions marked the beginning of the song's transformation from a simple folk-rock sketch—rooted in Barron's acoustic lyric-writing style—into a fuller band arrangement blending rock energy with improvisational flair.[7] Collaborative writing sessions between Barron, who handled vocals and primary lyrics, and Schenkman focused on refining the melody and structure through repeated live performances in New York clubs, allowing the song to evolve organically over time. Barron's improvisational approach was pivotal, particularly in crafting specific lyric drafts; the chorus line "Just go ahead now" emerged from a spontaneous moment of encouragement by a friend, silencing his self-doubt and embodying the song's theme of bold vulnerability. This process honed the track for inclusion on the band's debut album, Pocket Full of Kryptonite, where it solidified as a standout piece blending personal storytelling with communal band input.[7][8]Studio production
The recording sessions for "Two Princes" occurred between August and December 1990 at several New York-area studios, including The Power Station and RPM Studios in New York City, as well as ACME Recording Studios in Mamaroneck.[9] The track was produced by the Spin Doctors alongside Peter Denenberg and Frankie LaRocka, with Denenberg handling engineering duties to oversee the capture of the band's improvisational style.[10] These sessions built directly on the song's origins in the band's live repertoire, prioritizing a straightforward translation of their club performances into the studio environment.[11] Central to the track's sound is Eric Schenkman's prominent guitar work, featuring a driving riff and energetic solo played on a 1989 Pensa-Suhr Custom Stratocaster, which provides the song's bluesy, hook-driven backbone.[12] Aaron Comess laid down the rhythm section with a simple, propulsive 4/4 drum beat using a standard kit setup, emphasizing groove over complexity to evoke the band's jam-band roots.[13] Mark White contributed bass lines that lock tightly with the drums, while Chris Barron's raspy vocals were recorded with minimal processing to retain their raw, conversational delivery.[10] The mixing, also led by Denenberg and LaRocka, focused on preserving the organic, live-band energy of the performances, with overdubs kept to a minimum to avoid over-polishing the sound and instead highlight the group's spontaneous interplay.[11] This approach resulted in a production that mirrored the Spin Doctors' reputation for unpretentious, high-spirited rock, distinguishing it amid the era's more slickly produced albums.[13]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"Two Princes" incorporates a blend of alternative rock, pop-rock, and jam band elements, resulting in an upbeat, accessible track that emphasizes groove and live energy. The song operates at a tempo of 104 beats per minute in the key of D major, contributing to its danceable rhythm suitable for radio play and live performances.[14][15][16][17] The structure adheres to a conventional verse-chorus format, opening with a distinctive drum fill and guitar riff intro that sets an energetic tone, followed by two verses, pre-choruses building tension, multiple choruses, a bridge highlighted by a kazoo solo, and a fade-out conclusion, with the full recording lasting 4:18. This arrangement allows for dynamic builds and releases, enhancing its replay value.[18][19] Harmonically, the song relies on straightforward progressions centered around the chords D, Bm, A, and G—equivalent to I-vi-IV-V in D major—which promote broad appeal through their simplicity and familiarity. These choices draw from blues-rock traditions, echoing the raw, riff-driven style of acts like The Rolling Stones while maintaining pop accessibility.[20][21] Distinctive instrumental touches include handclaps during the chorus, which provide rhythmic propulsion and amplify the song's communal, participatory feel. Lead vocalist Chris Barron's raspy delivery adds a gritty, narrative edge reminiscent of folk storytelling, grounding the track's exuberance in personal expression.[22][23]Lyrical themes
The lyrics of "Two Princes" center on a central metaphor depicting two suitors as rival "princes" competing for a woman's affection, drawing on traditional fairy-tale tropes of royalty and courtship while subverting them through a modern, ironic lens where the narrator positions himself as an underdog lacking wealth or status.[24][25] This imagery evokes medieval elements like kings, queens, and chivalric pursuits but applies them to contemporary romantic rivalry, inspired by Barron's personal experiences of adolescent crushes. Key themes include unrequited love, where the narrator professes deep, genuine emotion despite his disadvantages; materialism, highlighted by references to the rival's "diamonds in his pockets" and promises of "rockets," which contrast superficial wealth with heartfelt devotion; and youthful naivety in romance, reflecting Barron's own experiences of adolescent crushes and hesitation in pursuing a love interest.[24][1] The song's portrayal of the narrator's self-aware limitations—admitting he has "no future or family tree"—underscores a naive yet optimistic belief in emotional authenticity over material gain.[24] A pivotal line, "Just go ahead now," repeated as an encouraging refrain amid the rivalry, serves as the narrator's urging to the woman to choose freely, embodying a 1990s slacker optimism that prioritizes laid-back persistence over aggressive pursuit.[26] This phrase, delivered in the song's upbeat, repetitive structure, reinforces the lyrics' stream-of-consciousness flow and the narrator's endearing, non-possessive plea.[26] Interpretations often view the lyrics as a humorous take on gender dynamics in romance, with the two male suitors vying passively for female attention in a "sweetly pathetic" manner that highlights male vulnerability without resolution on the woman's agency.[26] Critics have noted the song's lack of elaborate metaphors, instead relying on straightforward, dopey declarations that parody traditional courtship narratives.[26]Music video
Concept and filming
The music video for "Two Princes" was directed by Rich Murray and released in 1992 as the first promotional video for Spin Doctors' debut album Pocket Full of Kryptonite.[2] Drawing from the song's fairy-tale-inspired lyrics about rival suitors, the core concept centered on a whimsical narrative where the band performs while a princess figure interacts with them in a park setting.[2] The primary version was filmed in color primarily at Bethesda Terrace and Fountain in New York City's Central Park during December 1991 in freezing conditions, which prompted lead singer Chris Barron to wear his signature wool hat and sweater; the princess is portrayed by model Lori Talley, who runs through park paths, dances with the group, and ultimately sits on the fountain as the musicians play around her.[27][28][29] An earlier black-and-white promotional version exists, but the color Central Park shoot became the iconic one aired on MTV. Shot to capture a playful, fairy-tale aesthetic typical of early '90s alternative rock visuals, the production emphasized simple live performance and narrative elements.[30] Cinematographer Anghel Decca handled the shooting, with Joseph Uliano serving as executive producer, reflecting the band's rising but still modest profile at Epic Records.[30] A second version of the video was later produced, maintaining a similar narrative but with variations in editing and presentation.[31]Visual style and reception
The "Two Princes" music video adopts a quirky, rom-com-esque visual style characteristic of early 1990s MTV, blending live-action band performance footage with a playful, goofy aesthetic that emphasizes whimsy through the park setting and lighthearted interactions, including lead singer Chris Barron's wool hat and sweater ensemble.[26][24][28] Iconic elements include the band's energetic stage antics intercut with narrative vignettes that heighten the comedic distortion and lighthearted tone, evoking the cartoonish exuberance of the era's rock videos.[26] The video saw heavy rotation on MTV throughout 1993, which greatly amplified the song's exposure and propelled the Spin Doctors to mainstream prominence amid the alternative rock boom.[32][33] It received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards but did not secure a win.[32] Contemporary reception lauded the video's whimsical charm and infectious energy as a quintessential '90s artifact, though it faced criticism for its perceived cheesiness, particularly the eccentric costuming and over-the-top silliness.[26][24] By the 2020s, the video had cemented its place in online culture through widespread meme usage, including parody compilations and references in shows like South Park, underscoring its lasting humorous appeal.[26]Commercial performance
Chart success
"Two Princes" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 85 on January 30, 1993.[3] The song climbed steadily, reaching its peak position of number 7 on April 10, 1993, and ultimately spending 29 weeks on the chart.[3] On the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, it achieved a peak of number 2.[34] Internationally, the single performed strongly in several markets, peaking at number 2 on Canada's RPM Top Singles chart. In the United Kingdom, it reached number 3 on the Official Singles Chart and spent 16 weeks in the top 40.[4] The track entered the top 10 in Australia (peaking at number 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart), the Netherlands (number 2 on the Dutch Top 40), New Zealand (number 4 on the Recorded Music NZ chart), and Germany (number 3 on the Official German Charts). It also topped the charts in Iceland. The song's chart trajectory benefited from a significant increase in radio airplay after its music video premiered on MTV in early 1993, which helped propel it from rock stations to broader pop audiences. This crossover appeal contributed to its sustained presence on multiple formats, enhancing its global visibility.Sales and certifications
Globally, the single has received certifications in several countries, including Platinum status from the BPI in the United Kingdom for 600,000 units and Gold from ARIA in Australia for 35,000 units.[35][36] The track's enduring popularity has been bolstered by streaming, surpassing 640 million plays on Spotify as of 2024. Its strong chart performance in 1993 also propelled early physical sales momentum. Economically, "Two Princes" was instrumental in driving Pocket Full of Kryptonite to over 10 million copies sold worldwide, cementing its role as Spin Doctors' defining hit.[37][6]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release as a single in January 1993, "Two Princes" garnered positive press from key music outlets, highlighting its energetic appeal amid the band's rising profile. Rolling Stone praised the track as one of the "sublime underdog anthems" on the Spin Doctors' debut album Pocket Full of Kryptonite, describing the record overall as an "irrepressible bit of home-grown, funk-inflected rock" that captured the group's lively New York club roots.[38] Billboard's Larry Flick lauded the song's commercial viability, calling it a "bouncy and cleverly crafted pop/rock ditty that is loaded with radio-friendly hooks and a sly, streetwise vocal by Chris Barron," predicting that the band's expanding fanbase would eagerly embrace it as a standout cut from the album.[39] Despite this enthusiasm, responses were mixed in the broader critical landscape, particularly given the grunge era's dominance. The album had faced a "chilly reception" from alternative radio upon its initial 1991 issuance, with some outlets viewing the Spin Doctors' upbeat, jam-oriented style as out of step with heavier trends, though the singles' momentum shifted perceptions by 1993.[38] Among fans, "Two Princes" built strong grassroots buzz through robust college radio airplay and energetic early live performances at New York venues like CBGB, fostering word-of-mouth excitement that propelled its crossover success.[38]Legacy and reinterpretations
The song "Two Princes" has left a notable cultural footprint through its appearances in television shows, including an episode of The Cleveland Show (2009) where the character Cleveland sings along to it during a road trip scene.[40] It has also been featured in Family Guy (2017), where Peter Griffin plays it on his phone while driving,[41] and in South Park (2018) as part of a comedic sequence highlighting 1990s nostalgia.[42] These placements have contributed to its enduring recognition in pop culture. The track has inspired several covers, including a string quartet arrangement by the Vitamin String Quartet released in 2005, which reinterprets the original's energetic rock structure in a classical style. Retrospective assessments have highlighted the song's role in 1990s alternative rock. A 1993 Rolling Stone profile described "Two Princes" as one of the Spin Doctors' "sublime underdog anthems," praising its catchy appeal and lyrical charm.[38] In the 2020s, amid a wave of 90s nostalgia, it has been ranked among the era's top rock songs, such as at number 66 on a 2024 Loudwire list of the 75 best 90s rock tracks, underscoring its lasting influence on jam-band and alt-rock genres.[43] In recent years, "Two Princes" has seen renewed interest through online revivals and media exposure, with viral clips of live performances and lyric breakdowns circulating widely in 2023–2025, contributing to increased streaming numbers. The song maintains steady radio rotation, including multiple airings on stations like SoulCycle Radio in 2025. While no major new developments emerged by late 2025, the Spin Doctors referenced its legacy in promoting their first new album in over a decade, Face Full of Cake (released April 2025), blending it with fresh material to appeal to longtime fans.[44]Track listings and formats
Standard editions
The standard editions of the "Two Princes" single were released by Epic Records in 1993 across several physical formats, featuring the album version of the title track alongside B-sides drawn from live performances. The US 7" vinyl single (Epic 34-74804) included the following tracks:| Side | Track | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| A | Two Princes (Album Version) | 4:16 |
| B | Off My Line (Live) | 5:30 |
