Two Princes

---

title: "Two Princes" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1991-songs", "1993-singles", "black-and-white-music-videos", "epic-records-singles", "music-videos-directed-by-rich-murray", "number-one-singles-in-iceland", "number-one-singles-in-sweden", "songs-about-princes", "spin-doctors-songs"] description: "1993 single by Spin Doctors" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Princes" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 1993 single by Spin Doctors ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

Field	Value
name	Two Princes
cover	TwoPrinces.jpg
caption	Single cover
type	single
artist	Spin Doctors
album	Pocket Full of Kryptonite
released
* Alternative rock{{cite web	first
* pop rock{{cite web	first
length
label	Epic
prev_title	Little Miss Can't Be Wrong
prev_year	1992
next_title	Jimmy Olsen's Blues
next_year	1993
misc
::

| name = Two Princes | cover = TwoPrinces.jpg | alt = | caption = Single cover | type = single | artist = Spin Doctors | album = Pocket Full of Kryptonite | B-side =

• "Off My Line"
• "Rosetta Stone" | released = | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre =
• Alternative rock
• pop rock | length = | label = Epic | writer =
• Mark White
• Eric Schenkman
• Chris Barron
• Aaron Comess | producer =
• Frank Aversa
• Mark White
• Eric Schenkman
• Chris Barron
• Aaron Comess | prev_title = Little Miss Can't Be Wrong | prev_year = 1992 | next_title = Jimmy Olsen's Blues | next_year = 1993 | misc =

"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. It was ranked No. 41 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the '90s"; conversely, it was ranked No. 21 on Blender magazine's "50 Worst Songs Ever". 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.

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic named "Two Princes" one of the "best tracks" of the album. 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." 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." A reviewer from Kingston Informer complimented the song as "brilliant".

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...." Ian Gittins from Melody Maker called it a "fairly catchy single", and "amiable and harmless and pleasant enough". 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." Roger Morton from NME praised it as "a freak wonder-song" with a "million-dollar hook." 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!" Troy J. Augusto from Variety named it one of the group's "undeniable gems".

Music video

The music video was directed by Rich Murray and was filmed at the Bethesda Fountain in New York City in December 1992. The hat that Chris Barron wears in the video had been bought in a charity shop for $6.

Track listings

• 7-inch, CD, and cassette single

1. "Two Princes" (album version) – 4:16
2. "Off My Line" (live) – 5:30

• 12-inch and maxi-CD single

1. "Two Princes" (album version) – 4:16
2. "Off My Line" (live) – 5:30
3. "Rosetta Stone" (live) – 8:07

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1993) | Peak position | Benelux Airplay (Music & Media) | Denmark (IFPI) | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | Europe (European Hit Radio) | Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | France Airplay (Music & Media) | Hungary Airplay (Music & Media) | Iberia Airplay (Music & Media) | Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) | Quebec (ADISQ) | Scandinavia Airplay (Music & Media) | UK Airplay (Music Week) | US Cash Box Top 100 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 13 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

::data[format=table] | Chart (2019) | Peak position | |---|---| ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (1993)	Position	Australia (ARIA)	Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	Canada Top Singles (RPM)	Europe (European Hit Radio)	Germany (Media Control)	Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)	Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	Netherlands (Single Top 100)	New Zealand (RIANZ)	Sweden (Topplistan)	Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	UK Singles (OCC)	UK Airplay (Music Week)	US Billboard Hot 100	US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)
27
21
16
13
21
13
19
31
22
15
20
25
11
28
6
::

Certifications

Release history

::data[format=table]

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.	United States	Australia	United Kingdom
January 4, 1993	Radio	Epic Associated
March 21, 1993
May 3, 1993		Epic
::

References

References

1. Marotta, Michael. (July 7, 2014). "So… the fucking Spin Doctors are playing a free show at City Hall Plaza this week". Vanyaland.
2. Yglesias, Matthew. (May 21, 2007). "The Ultimate Nineties Alt-Rock Playlist".
3. Waldman, Scott. (April 3, 2020). "10 Best Pop-Rock Songs of the '90s".
4. Bird, Rick. (January 7, 1994). "Aging rockers to duke it out for Grammys". [[Cincinnati Post]].
5. "100 Greatest Songs of the '90s: Full List". [[VH1]].
6. Aizlewood, John. (May 2004). "Run For Your Life! It's the 50 Worst Songs Ever!".
7. "The Spin Doctors – "Two princes"". Mvdbase.com.
8. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Spin Doctors – ''Pocket Full of Kryptonite''". [[AllMusic]].
9. Flick, Larry. (January 23, 1993). "Single Reviews".
10. Clark, Randy. (January 23, 1993). "Music Reviews: Singles".
11. ''[[Kingston Informer]]''. November 4, 1994. p. 21.
12. Masterton, James. (May 30, 1993). "Week Ending June 5th 1993".
13. Gittins, Ian. (October 2, 1993). "Singles". [[Melody Maker]].
14. (May 1, 1993). "New Releases > Singles".
15. Morton, Roger. (October 2, 1993). "Singles". [[New Musical Express.
16. Daniels, Leesa. (April 28, 1993). "New Singles".
17. Augusto, Troy J.. (August 30, 1994). "Spin Doctors; Gin Blossoms; Cracker".
18. Brow, Jason. (August 6, 2025). "The Real Story Behind the Spin Doctors' Iconic 'Two Princes' Video: 'What Are You Wearing??'".
19. (May 29, 1993). "Major Market Airplay – 1993".
20. (July 17, 1993). "Top 10 Sales in Europe".
21. "Music & Media / Billboard – European Top 100 Singles – Week Ending 31.07.93".
22. (July 17, 1993). "EHR Top 40 Singles".
23. Nyman, Jake. (2005). "Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja". Tammi.
24. (September 18, 1993). "Major Market Airplay – 1993".
25. (June 26, 1993). "Major Market Airplay – 1993".
26. (August 7, 1993). "Major Market Airplay".
27. (April 15, 1993). "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40: Vikan 15.–21. apríl".
28. "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec". [[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.
29. (July 31, 1993). "Major Market Airplay – Week 31/1993".
30. (June 12, 1993). "Top 50 Airplay Chart".
31. "Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending April 17, 1993".
32. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1993". [[ARIA Charts]]. [[Australian Recording Industry Association.
33. "Jaaroverzichten 1993". [[Ultratop]].
34. (December 18, 1993). "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993".
35. (December 18, 1993). "1993 Year-End Airplay Charts: European Hit Radio".
36. "Jahrescharts – 1993". GfK Entertainment Charts.
37. (January 4, 1994). "Árslistinn 1993". [[DV (newspaper).
38. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1993". [[Dutch Top 40]].
39. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993". [[Single Top 100]].
40. "End of Year Charts 1993". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
41. "Årstopplistan 1993, Singlar". Grammotex.
42. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1993".
43. (January 15, 1994). "Top 100 Singles 1993".
44. (January 15, 1994). "Airplay Top 50 1993".
45. "Top 100 Hits for 1993".
46. (December 25, 1993). "The Year in Music: Top Album Rock Tracks".
47. Ryan, Gavin. (2011). "Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010". Moonlight Publishing.
48. (January 1, 1993). "AOR: Famous Firsts".
49. (March 21, 1993). "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 21/03/93: Singles".
50. (May 1, 1993). "New Releases: Singles".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::