Okay, I may be a big fan of the man but I do not understand the times in which Prince has either chosen to use "rape" within his lyrics or within his other work (the deleted scene from "Purple Rain".) Did Prince really expect Paula Abdul to sing about girls being driven to rape in "U"? It just seems really strange. Any thoughts?

most prominently "Extra Lovable" ...this stuff wont get acknowledged freely...

Wait? Ok Im lost...guess I'll have to wait for more responses on this thread. But, there was a deleted scene of rape in Purple Rain?????

CherrieMoonKisses said:

Check out the thread that cites it:

http://www.prince.org/msg/7/116971

I always thought that the scene in which Prince pushes Apples to the ground at night after messing with her was borderline weird.

Averett said:

My Goooood!! I've gotta get the PR special edition.

OK, how much of the 'Rape' referencing stuff you're refering to has actually been released?

Averett said:

Averett said:

I don't think the rape scene was actually filmed. It was in the script of course, but there were a lot of scenes that had to be changed because WB deemed them to be too controversial.

rstokey2 said:

As a matter of fact, check this out.

http://www.housequake.com...adid=29804

I think the rape scene would have ruined the whole tone of the movie

thekidsgirl said:

Yea, that was an insanely bad idea

CalhounSq said:

Thank god they left that one out.

The reference to rape in the song Xtraloveable is horrible in what is a very good unreleased song. He says something like "I may have to come and rape you" when professing his lust for this girl. I'm certain that it is not meant literally and is supposed to show how desperately he wants this girl but it was a very immature lyric by a young Prince at that time.



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[Edited 10/10/04 17:21pm]

bkw said:

He says, "I guess I'm gonna have to rape you." I'll probably get for this but the reference in that song doesn't bother me all that much I know it's bad, makes me think every single time I hear it, it's a bit uncomfortable. BUT it doesn't ruin the song for me. I know, I'm a horrible woman

It's just that he sounds so sarcastic when he mentions it in Extralovable. Like you can't really take it seriously.

As much as I love Prince and the song Extrlovable(my favorite), there has never been a time that I thought the verse about rape was sarcastic. Arousing--yes.. Scary--Yes!! Women don't take that word likely.

If the rape scene had been in "Purple Rain"....big deal! Prince is playing a character in a movie. Not that Prince is a real actor, but other actors play all types of roles, including villians.

What about "i hate U"? I get the impression he has his girlfriend tied and gagged. "nod your head if you hear me or I'll have to use the rod". Kind of a wild song, but sadly, I am sure that scenario has played out many times for departing couples.

In many songs Prince plays with the 'having Power over a woman' thing.

Can I point out that rape fantasies are rather common?

As long as you keep the play between you and your partner I guess it is alright. I know the word 'rape' immediately irks people the wrong way, which is logically, but the Xtra Loveable lyrics do not seem an invitation to go out and rape the person you fancy. It's Prince singing lustfully, applying his fantasies. The reason the song was not released says enuf indeed.
And if the song ever will be released, which I doubt, it will certainly will be edited to exclude that remark.

dualboot said:

So true. Prince like to play dominator often, lyricwise.

Well he's definitely a womaniser, but I think in "Extra loveable" he's just trying to punctuate the fact that he really, really wants to fuck this girl. Yeah, it's vulgar, but it isn't to be taken literally.

prodigalfan said:

Maybe I'm strange Eye Hate U SO doesn't bother me I never thought of it in a hurtful, threatening way.

Averett said:

I'm guessing it's just for the controversy the word and subject brings. Like W.A.S.P. wearing seatless pants and buzzsaws on their codpieces. Or KISS spitting up blood. Or whatever. Artists bring attention to themselves by saying outrageous things.

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Remembering Christopher Reeve

One thing that strikes me when I read discussions like this, is that it looks as though as far as people's songwriting-skills are concerned, no distinction is ever made between the artist and the persona. If Prince had written a book, and there would have been a rape-scene (let alone rape-allusions), no one would like the book less for this single quality. When these ideas appear in a song, it all seems so different. I'm not saying it is different, it's just so clear that songs are always put on another level, much closer to the artist's life, and what gives us the right to do so?

I agree that if the scene would have been in PR, it would have been strange for several reasons, mainly because it would make the film even worse as it is nog (sorry guys). As far as the songs are concerned, I don't see any problem, even if he would sing about raping someone. I like Prince so much for all the different alter-ego's, or personae he creates...

I mean, I wrote a poem about a girl getting nearly killed, and this really doesn't mean I had the desire to be killed. Let's forget about Freud in this way...

I'm still curious about the song "U". Did Prince "change" the lyric about rape or did Paula's people somehow finesse the lyrics to her liking?

Seems that you can just compare the prince version with hers. They both exist. (don't know if the lyrics match all the way)
[Edited 10/11/04 22:03pm]

MarieLouise said:

I've also made that observation. Where it's really apparent is at Wal-Mart (eww!). They won't sell a CD with a single curse word, but you can turn to the right of the music section and buy a mega-violent, profanity-laden book by Stephen King or to your left and pick up the UNRATED "Bad Santa" film.

Makes ya go

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Remembering Christopher Reeve

dualboot said:

with all your infinite genius, why don't you point us to the readily available Prince album with the song on it so we can compare. boots don't count. to make your snide comment work Prince's version has to be readily available for comparisson, not have to be tracked down.

dumbass said:

Google it and relax. If I view your posts in the past I would think you have a serious hamroid problem.[/quote]
[Edited 10/12/04 10:49am]

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[Edited 10/12/04 10:50am]