Please excuse if this has been discussed/answered before, but does anyone have any idea into the meaning/symbolism of 7?

I can't seem to find anything official or unofficial out there.

Seems to me like the Seven Deadly sins is the easiest answer, but all the verses don't seem to jive with that. Also, the latter verses (which are usually not played on the radio) seem to get rather symbolically heavy, what's up with those?

revelations.

There are a couple of variations on this issue, but if you look in your lyric book, by the lyrics to this song it says "Revelations - The Book". And Revelations uses the number seven a lot, with a seven headed beast, etc.

Actually, a lot of the lyrics directly relate to the text in Revelations.

But, I don't think he's actually referring to the apocalypse in this song. He seems to be singing about the end of the present day music industry, but this is just speculation. At one point in my life I spent a really long time studying the lyrics in this song and the video and the book of revelations to better understand the song. But, the time is past, and I don't remember many of the conclusions I made anymore.

I remember reading a, quite detailed, thesis which outlined the references to Revelations.

I dunno, I don't think I care, eitherway, it's just a cracking song - one of those moments where Prince bridges both commmercial-sense with artist-sense, and comes up with something shit-hot!


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[Edited 10/21/04 16:10pm]

Thanks, I figured that's what it was, the visuals just didn't seem to jive when I referenced it though, but I guess it depends on what "version" you're looking at, while adding a little leeway for artistry.

At any rate, you've all helped settle an inter-office debate!

I the song is definitely referring to the Book of Revelations. I also thought that he might be talking about the 7 deadly sins. Its a brilliant song. One my absolute faves from the guy.

..the 7 days, and other references in the bible, God's number.

It may refer specifically to Revelations (there is a previous post with the text), but I think within the concept of the album that it refers simply to good overcoming evil, 7 representing evil (deadly sins or whatnot)

Prince has always struggled with himself (he is the Gemini), and I believe that this is what the album is about.
There are direct references to 7 in I Wanna Melt With U, which seems to represent his more negative side.
My Name is Prince, Arrogance, I Wanna Melt, The Flow, & maybe 3 Chain's 'o' Gold, all seem to represent either the evil in Prince or the evil in the world.

The video to 7 shows the "evil" Prince (with chains on his face) dying. I think it's about an internal struggle as much as about the end of the world depicted in Revelations.