Thieves in the Temple

Bill Coleman from Billboard magazine wrote, "Latest release finds the elusive Purple One returning to fine form with a catchy, solid rock-n-funk-textured pop number that bodes well for the forthcoming Graffiti Bridge package." Paul Lester from Melody Maker named it Single of the Week, commenting, "'Thieves in the Temple' is a good Prince single. Not as brilliant one (like 'If I Was Your Girlfriend', 'When Doves Cry'), not really a great one ('Pop Life', 'Alphabet Street'), but a good one all the same. Taut, muscular funk with splashes and layers and just enough detail to ensure you'll want to return to it again and again." David Giles from Music Week felt the song "contains few musical surprises, consisting of the usual polite funk motifs and massed harmonies." ==Retrospective response==

In a 2020 retrospective review, Andy Healy from Albumism stated that the song is arguably one of Prince's "strongest moments on record" and a "haunting dance track", that "hits hard with its inventive drum programming (just pay attention to the hi-hat pattern) and the layered vocals hook you straight away." He added, "Concise and packing a punch, the album version is an absolute masterpiece that is unbelievably improved upon in the extended 12" cut." Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called "Thieves in the Temple" "sinewy", picking it as one of the songs that "make Graffiti Bridge a thoroughly enjoyable listen." In 2019, Alexis Petridis from The Guardian noted that "its sound is slinky and luscious, the chorus is great – but it's no When Doves Cry." In 2020, Rolling Stone described it as a "brooding, spiritual meditation on lies, rejection and soul-searching", stating that "with a Middle Eastern flavor, almost operatic vocals and an agitated feel, it was a decidedly new vibe for Prince." A reviewer from Sunday Tribune stated that "it's a great title, the song is well catchy after a few plays and Prince sings beautifully." ==Track listing==

• 7", Paisley Park / 7-19751 (US) • "Thieves in the Temple" – 3:20 • "Thieves in the Temple" (Part II) – 1:41 • 12", Paisley Park / 0-21598 (US) • "Thieves in the Temple" (Remix) – 8:03 • "Thieves in the House" – 6:50 • "Temple House Dub" – 5:06 • also available on UK 12" picture disc (W9751TP) • also available on CD (9 21598-2) ==Personnel==

Credits from Benoît Clerc and Guitarcloud • Prince – lead and backing vocals, Roland D-50, electric guitar, Dynacord ADD-One, LinnDrum • Lester Chambers – harmonica (sampled from "I Can't Stand It" (1967) by The Chambers Brothers) ==Charts==

Weekly charts Year-end charts ==See also==

• Herbie Hancock recorded an instrumental version of "Thieves in the Temple" on his 1996 album The New Standard, implicitly nominating the song as a contemporary jazz standard. • Renée Geyer covered the song on her album, Tenderland (2003). • A version was also recorded by experimental band Ulver, in the style of their album Shadows of the Sun with guest vocals by Siri Stranger. • Prince's scream at the end of the song was sampled for the 1993 Eddie Murphy and Michael Jackson duet, "Whatzupwitu". ==References==