Although most of the song is sung in falsetto with Prince reaching some extremely high notes, the spoken word bridge has him using his regular voice as well as a lower baritone range in one small segment.
[5] The outstanding success of the single released in the UK on 1994 March 28 via Grapevine Distribution is solely based on the sales and marketing campaign put together by the late Mr. Nigel Reveler.
AllMusic editor Daniel Browne complimented the song as a "dreamy slice of soul-pop" in the style of Delfonics mastermind Thom Bell.
He also said, "Already making waves at urban and top-40 radio, this keyboard-heavy, lushly produced track breaks no new ground for Prince, but looks like a sure bet for chart success.
[10] Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian complimented it as "rather wonderful", writing further, "The glossy, propulsive funk beat and falsetto vocal are the infectious mainspring of an unusually romantic celebration of femalekind.
"[11] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton felt that this "gorgeous ballad" is "probably his most MOR recording since "Diamonds and Pearls" [and] proving that behind all the raunch and funk lies a soul talent that is second to none.
A love song which he renders in his prettiest falsetto, it's all over radio already, and is likely to make a huge impact on the main chart, as well as topping the indie listings.
Prince [...] returns with a shivery pop delight that's one of his sweetest records yet, ditching his usual perviness for some totally corny lyrics about lurve."
He added that everything about the song "is well crafted perfection", remarking that it "easily seduces the listener, it's at once romantic and passionate, and manages to just swirl around you, sweeping you away with its beauty.
"[21] Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger described it as a "high, heady, perfume-drunk ballad drawing from the well of Thom Bell's work with the Delfonics and Stylistics."
He added further, "Prince disciplines himself, staying almost throughout at the absolute top of his register, a high-wire act he pulls off without a hitch but also without any moment which completely sells the decision.
An editor noted that "the gorgeous falsetto-steeped ballad has clean funk guitar touches and keyboards, but Prince lets his gift for melody do most of the work.
"[25] The accompanying music video for "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" was directed by Prince and American film director and producer Antoine Fuqua[26] on January 29, 1994.
It depicts a collage of girls and women, that are watching footage of themselves living their fantasies mixed with Prince performing the song for them in a special room.
In December 1993, Prince had an ad placed in US, British, a Dutch and Spanish publication reading: “Eligible bachelor seeks the most beautiful girl in the world to spend the holidays with” and encouraged all interested to send videos and/or pictures to Paisley Park Studios.
Originally scheduled to be shot in Los Angeles City Hall on January 23, it was rescheduled to place in Minneapolis 6 days later, due to an earthquake in California.
American educator Marva Collins makes a cameo appearance, as an elderly woman watching her black and white students interact peacefully.
[31][33] In 2022, Prince’s estate and the songwriters reached an agreement over "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", which allowed the song to be reissued on streaming and physical media.