[3] Receiving generally positive reviews from music critics, Musicology proved to be Prince's most successful record in years, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200 and reaching top 10 in ten other countries.

By January 2005, Musicology was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

[4] At the time of release, Prince was quoted as saying he wished Musicology to provide musical education to listeners.

The title track was released as a single in Australia and Europe, where it enjoyed moderate chart success and airplay.

In his review for The Village Voice, critic Robert Christgau said that after the album's opening uptempo songs, "pleasant shocks lurk near the surface and go against the flow of the quality material, and almost everything packs payback".

The tour featured many of Prince's more famous tracks, such as "Little Red Corvette", "Raspberry Beret", "Kiss", and "Purple Rain".