Being so close it's funny to see Prince use lyric sheets for many of the songs, even his most popular ones. Wonder why, age, too many songs written or is this relaxed, friendly , superfunky Prince an imposter! -You decide. Seriously though hope he's OK, i find it strange that someone with a reputataion for having such an amazing memory needs these.

javed said:

F**k me, he's 44 years old and has written around a 1,000 songs. I'm not suprised he needs lyric sheets bearing in mind he's also had to remember the music !

I've seen the lyric book too, but i've never seen him actually look at it while he's singing. Maybe you're right--after 1,000+ songs and 44 yrs, you need a lyric book nearby.

mrchristian said:

no, actually he rarely takes a look at it, sometimes in the piano section

"Too many hits, too little time..."

Gav said:

Well put GAV - I but would like 2 add -

And on top of this maybe his head is accepted with new ideas.

With a 1000 songs 2 show 4, I can Imagine how many idees...

wow - what a "free visionary creative soul"...
always on the move seeking inspiration.

Besides the man is a perfectionist...

From watching him up close (sometimes only 4 feet away at the Marquee aftershow) he hardly ever looks at it. It is obviously just a prompt 'in case' he forgets.

Nothing wrong with that in my book?

or perhaps he like seeing Takumi run

Gav said:

I'm sure that's the reason!
the oly lyrics he mistook in 3 nights were Pink Cashmere

Personally, I think its just a prop for his new image, stage show, and for the new setlists!!
Actually, I think its very classy and adds style to the whole performance!!
It kinda reminds me of the jazz clubs and lounges of the past, where you saw jazz bands and solo performers with their sheet music on those music stands!!!
Maybe, hes trying 2 bring back that era and show 2days audiences, what real music was all about??

He fudged the words to Joy in Repetition on Saturday - he sang one of the verses twice. I think it's understandable considering how many songs he has written!

David Bowie actually joked about the lyric book thing. He said having it there gives him a sense of security and he rarely ever needs to use it. But on the times it's been gone then he can't even remember his name. I think that Prince and Bowie have so many songs rehearsed to put in their setlist that sometimes there's just too much to think about. This is their way of ensuring that they don't fuck up.

I was on stage dancing at the 3rd London gig and when looking at the lyrics sheets I saw the lyrics of "Purple Rain"! Now this makes me wonder, he must have sung this a 1,000 times, why need a lyric sheet???

I think it makes him even more adorable!

i'm pretty sure he told 2,500 people off in Manchester on Monday night ("y'all need a lyric sheet?").Seems we got some words wrong near the beginning of HCUDCMA.or at least sang the wrong line.

I could be wrong though.It might have been Prince.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 9 12:32:03 PDT 2002 by Thecherryloon]

I feel so sorry for Takumi, he does everything, stage usher, book turner, crowd controller, Prince pacifier, guitar cleaner, guitar table, and he set the whole stage of the Marquee up on his own and had to pack it up again.

Gold319 said:

I think you may well have hit the nail on the head there.

(Or if you are wrong perhaps poor Prince had a nail hit on his head hence the amnesia !)

When he was asked about, during a US sndchk, he answered that he never played some of these song in his life.

Last time i saw him was in april. At this time, he was looking the sheets quite often.
I think that after a complete US tour, the celebration, and all the rehersals with the band, he is beginning to know the songs, and doesn't need the sheets anymore.