Thieves in the Temple#Charts

Bill Coleman from Billboard 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."{{cite magazine|first= Bill |last= Coleman |title= Single Reviews |magazine= Billboard |date= August 4, 1990 |page= 71 |access-date= October 28, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1990/BB1990.pdf}} 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."{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Lester|magazine=Melody Maker|title=Singles|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52158968660/|date=July 28, 1990|access-date=February 24, 2023}} David Giles from Music Week felt the song "contains few musical surprises, consisting of the usual polite funk motifs and massed harmonies."{{cite magazine|first= David |last= Giles |title= Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= August 4, 1990 |page= 19 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1990/MW-1990-08-04.pdf}}

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."{{cite web|first= Andy |last= Healy |title= Prince's 'Graffiti Bridge' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective |publisher= Albumism |date= August 19, 2020 |access-date= November 15, 2020 |url= https://www.albumism.com/features/prince-graffiti-bridge-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective}}

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."{{cite web|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |title= Prince - Graffiti Bridge |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= November 2, 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/graffiti-bridge-mw0000204308 |author-link= Stephen Thomas Erlewine}} 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."{{cite web|first= Alexis |last= Petridis |title= Prince's 50 greatest singles – ranked! |work= The Guardian |date= September 12, 2019 |access-date= November 16, 2020 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/12/prince-50-greatest-singles-ranked |author-link= Alexis Petridis}} 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."{{cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/25-essential-prince-songs-72097/ |title= 25 Essential Prince Songs |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= April 15, 2020 |access-date= November 22, 2020 }} 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."Sunday Tribune. July 29, 1990. p. 26.

• 7", Paisley Park / 7-19751 (US)

1. "Thieves in the Temple" – 3:20
2. "Thieves in the Temple" (Part II) – 1:41

• 12", Paisley Park / 0-21598 (US)

1. "Thieves in the Temple" (Remix) – 8:03
2. "Thieves in the House" – 6:50
3. "Temple House Dub" – 5:06

• also available on UK 12" picture disc (W9751TP)
• also available on CD (9 21598-2)

Credits from Benoît Clerc and Guitarcloud{{cite book|last=Clerc |first=Benoît |date=October 2022 |title=Prince: All the Songs |publisher=Octopus |isbn=9781784728816}}{{cite web|title=Graffiti Bridge|url=http://guitarcloud.org/era/graffiti-bridge|access-date=2023-04-29|website=guitarcloud.org}}

• 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)

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

• List of number-one R&B singles of 1990 (U.S.)

• 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".

{{Reflist}}

{{Prince singles}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Prince (musician) songs

Category:1990 singles

Category:Songs written by Prince (musician)

Category:Music videos directed by Prince (musician)

Category:Paisley Park Records singles

Category:Warner Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Prince (musician)

Category:1990 songs

Category:Cashbox number-one singles