The Belle of St. Mark

"The Belle of St. Mark" is a song recorded by singer/percussionist Sheila E. The song was released in October 1984 in the United States and in the Netherlands, and in February 1985 in other markets. It peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1984, and No. 68 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Charts in January 1985. It reached the top 10 in the Netherlands and New Zealand as well as the top 20 in Australia, the UK and Ireland, and was an NME "Single of the Week".

Background
The song's lyrics tell of an androgynous "frail but passionate creature", referred to as "he" throughout, but called the feminine "Belle". The song implies the Belle is French (viz. the lyrics, "His Paris hair, it blows in the warm Parisian air / That blows whenever his Paris hair is there") but St. Mark is commonly known as a location in Venice, Italy. The writer of the song, Prince lived near St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral (Minneapolis) and grew fond of their bells, which are featured in the beginning of the song.

7" vinyl
Side one Side two
 * 1) "The Belle of St. Mark" – 3:38
 * 1) "Too Sexy" – 5:03

12" vinyl
Side one Side two
 * 1) "The Belle of St. Mark" (dance remix) – 7:43
 * 1) "Too Sexy" – 5:05

Personnel
Credits sourced from Duane Tudahl


 * Sheila E. – lead and backing vocals, sleigh bells, bongos
 * Prince – Oberheim OB-8, Yamaha DX7, Linn LM-1
 * Jill Jones – backing vocals