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Prince smarter and more brilliant than I thought (Superbowl anti-war message) There is broad speculation around the internet that the All Along the Watchtower/Best of You cover is a not-so-subtle anti-war protest.
The Largest Minority blog writes: Prince’s Subtle Anti-War Statement During Halftime Posted by: Manila Ryce Posted Monday, February 5th, 2007 at 1:59 am Filed under: US Politics, Videos, Society & Culture, World Issues, Entertainment, Personal Posts, War, Civil Unrest, Music, Political, Asia The clip below is only half of the halftime show (making it a quartertime show?). While I only took Prince’s performance of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You” to have an anti-war message, I left the end of his performance in as well. Why? Well, because there’s an extremely suggestive silhouette of Prince behind a giant sheet showing us exactly how excited he was to be performing at the Superbowl. Intentional or not, I had to include it for hilarity sake. At about the midpoint of Prince’s halftime performance, the artist performed a mixed cover of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You”. Prince starts “All Along the Watchtower” at its proper beginning, with the two riders (the joker and the thief) approaching. Dylan, who wrote the lyrics in ’68, placed the middle of the story at the beginning of the song to throw the listener into a conversation which had already begun. “All Along the Watchtower” is generally considered to be a statement about social reform in the 60’s, with the watchtower representing an established power structure guarding itself from those who have a true, yet unaccepted view of human worth. The story is largely uneventful, and the only confrontation taking place is between value systems. Biblical references are also plentiful, leading some to believe that the Joker and the Thief are Jesus and the crucified man next to him, respectively. Without analyzing every line, the song originally described the growing resistance to the Vietnam War and the establishment which made it possible. Why would Prince play this song at the Superbowl? In my opinion, he was making an anti-war statement about the current resistance to the Iraq War. After the one verse, Prince transitions into “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters. I believe this song is originally about a failed relationship between a man and a woman, but coupled with “All Along the Watchtower” it takes on a different meaning. In this case, we might think of the administration as the one getting the best of us as we fight its restraints on our freedom. Again, Prince does not start at the beginning of the song, but transitions in at “Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head, without your noose.” This may have been a convenient place to open the song, as the lyric could refer to Saddam’s execution, and the persecution anyone might face for opposing the establishment. After confirming the pain we feel as a society, Prince asks over and over again, “Is someone getting the best of you?” At the end he defiantly states, “I ain’t no fool”. Perhaps I drank too much during the game, and am simply reading into this. Then again, they do seem like odd song choices for Prince to cover without having a specific reason. Your thoughts and interpretations are appreciated. Lyrics to the performance: All along the watchtower, Princes kept the view, While all the women came and went — Barefoot servants too. Outside in the cold distance, A wildcat did growl. Two riders were approaching, and The wind began to howl. Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head Without your noose You gave me something that I didn’t have But had no use I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose My heart is under arrest again But I break loose My head is giving me life or death I will choose I swear I’ll never give in I refuse Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel You must Confess Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Oh… Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? I’ve got another confession my friend I ain’t no fool It makes perfect sense to me. [Edited 2/7/07 15:03pm] | |
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I thought there was definately something more to it, mainly because of the sheer fact he was doing something left-field like that on a world stage, it was a bit of a risk, but I adored it. He was in strong voice and sang it with passion and conviction.
Oooh listen to me, I'm coming over all 'fammy'. Quick, someone twat me one. | |
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CinisterCee said:  | |
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 I think this is another case of trying to find something that isn't there. What a week we are having in the purple world!  I'm not a fan of "old Prince". I'm not a fan of "new Prince". I'm just a fan of Prince. Simple as that | |
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 Interesting theory, but I think this is just another case of reading too much into Prince's actions.
Besides, any fan worth their salt could tell you that when the Purple One is trying to make a point, he's more likely to hit you over the head with it in some absurdist fashion than slip it subtly into the mix. "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar (and this is just a cigar) |
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meow85 said: any fan worth their salt could tell you that when the Purple One is trying to make a point, he's more likely to hit you over the head with it in some absurdist fashion than slip it subtly into the mix.
Can I get an AMEN on that one! | |
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What I wanna know is...
How come Prince gets all pissy when someone covers one of his songs, but he can cover other people's songs and it's ok?? That's just something I've often wondered when he performs covers. | |
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Nikster said: What I wanna know is...
How come Prince gets all pissy when someone covers one of his songs, but he can cover other people's songs and it's ok?? That's just something I've often wondered when he performs covers. Because the dude's a hypocrite. Welcome to Prince.  "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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meow85 said: Nikster said: What I wanna know is...
How come Prince gets all pissy when someone covers one of his songs, but he can cover other people's songs and it's ok?? That's just something I've often wondered when he performs covers. Because the dude's a hypocrite. Welcome to Prince. Hehe....yeah | |
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Nikster said: meow85 said: Because the dude's a hypocrite. Welcome to Prince. Hehe....yeah All part of his charm, I guess.  "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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Yeah, and the song sister is about a nun Wake up children, dance the dance electric... there isn't much time.... who farted?  ...was it u?  | |
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sexyAuntyFuka said: Yeah, and the song sister is about a nun
NSFW http://www.thebirdman.org...ce-Nun.jpg "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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I agree with the OP that this was a subtle anti-war message. Since he is on the "world stage" so to speak, with the Super Bowl performance, it makes sense that he would choose that venue to do it. However, from a $$$ perspective, any artist would want to keep his/her protest subtle if they were going to make one. Otherwise, they would run the risk of going the way of the Dixie Chicks and Kanye West, who were too outspoken and were derided for months in the press and by opinionated blowhards. Had they gone about it a little more subtly, they probably would not have faced the subsequent criticism they did (which was ridiculous by the way). Their wallets also presumably suffered due to lost sales. So, I could see why Prince did it this way rather than singing "War, what is it good for" or something overt like that. "Are you my Caucasian?" - L.D. | |
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Can someone decipher this meassage?
Your car got mags that be dippy dippy dope | |
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SureThing said: Can someone decipher this meassage?
Your car got mags that be dippy dippy dope But the whole damn nation got the same | |
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jus711 said: There is broad speculation around the internet that the All Along the Watchtower/Best of You cover is a not-so-subtle anti-war protest.
The Largest Minority blog writes: Prince’s Subtle Anti-War Statement During Halftime Posted by: Manila Ryce Posted Monday, February 5th, 2007 at 1:59 am Filed under: US Politics, Videos, Society & Culture, World Issues, Entertainment, Personal Posts, War, Civil Unrest, Music, Political, Asia The clip below is only half of the halftime show (making it a quartertime show?). While I only took Prince’s performance of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You” to have an anti-war message, I left the end of his performance in as well. Why? Well, because there’s an extremely suggestive silhouette of Prince behind a giant sheet showing us exactly how excited he was to be performing at the Superbowl. Intentional or not, I had to include it for hilarity sake. At about the midpoint of Prince’s halftime performance, the artist performed a mixed cover of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You”. Prince starts “All Along the Watchtower” at its proper beginning, with the two riders (the joker and the thief) approaching. Dylan, who wrote the lyrics in ’68, placed the middle of the story at the beginning of the song to throw the listener into a conversation which had already begun. “All Along the Watchtower” is generally considered to be a statement about social reform in the 60’s, with the watchtower representing an established power structure guarding itself from those who have a true, yet unaccepted view of human worth. The story is largely uneventful, and the only confrontation taking place is between value systems. Biblical references are also plentiful, leading some to believe that the Joker and the Thief are Jesus and the crucified man next to him, respectively. Without analyzing every line, the song originally described the growing resistance to the Vietnam War and the establishment which made it possible. Why would Prince play this song at the Superbowl? In my opinion, he was making an anti-war statement about the current resistance to the Iraq War. After the one verse, Prince transitions into “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters. I believe this song is originally about a failed relationship between a man and a woman, but coupled with “All Along the Watchtower” it takes on a different meaning. In this case, we might think of the administration as the one getting the best of us as we fight its restraints on our freedom. Again, Prince does not start at the beginning of the song, but transitions in at “Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head, without your noose.” This may have been a convenient place to open the song, as the lyric could refer to Saddam’s execution, and the persecution anyone might face for opposing the establishment. After confirming the pain we feel as a society, Prince asks over and over again, “Is someone getting the best of you?” At the end he defiantly states, “I ain’t no fool”. Perhaps I drank too much during the game, and am simply reading into this. Then again, they do seem like odd song choices for Prince to cover without having a specific reason. Your thoughts and interpretations are appreciated. Lyrics to the performance: All along the watchtower, Princes kept the view, While all the women came and went — Barefoot servants too. Outside in the cold distance, A wildcat did growl. Two riders were approaching, and The wind began to howl. Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head Without your noose You gave me something that I didn’t have But had no use I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose My heart is under arrest again But I break loose My head is giving me life or death I will choose I swear I’ll never give in I refuse Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel You must Confess Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Oh… Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? I’ve got another confession my friend I ain’t no fool It makes perfect sense to me. [Edited 2/7/07 15:03pm] YEAH, and when he song "proud mary" it was clearly a shot at the Democrats |
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and in one, two, three....
no. | |
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all this as well as getting it to rain!!! | |
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And that he wore Miami Dolphin colors teal and orange was a reference to his 1996 cut "Dolphin," and also that Prince is, in fact, a dolphin incarnated in human flesh, summoned from the astral dimension K-Pax to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons and bring balance to the Force.
It may sound far-fetched, but subtle minds know. They know. | |
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Don't be so quick to disregard this as over-analysis.
Why cover these two songs together otherwise? They seemingly have no musical or lyrical connection. Yes, I understand Prince digs Jimi, and I understand that the "Best of You" cover could be a slight dig at the Foo Fighters for the Darling Nikki incident, but this allows him do that and make poignant social commentary at a globally televised event. We know Prince has a social conscience (Ronnie Talk to Russia, SOTT, Money Don't Matter 2nite, Cinnamon Girl, etc), and this is a hugely topical and unpopular war. The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that this theory is spot-on. Look at the expression on his face after he sings the final line "I ain't no fool," it's almost as if he's saying "Did you get that?" | |
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kpowers said: Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar (and this is just a cigar)
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oldpurple said: all this as well as getting it to rain!!!
The man's got mad skills!  | |
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Best of You
I’ve got another confession to make I’m your fool Everyone’s got their chains to break Holdin’ you Were you born to resist or be abused? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Are you gone AND onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head Without your noose You gave me something that I didn’t have But had no use I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose My heart is under arrest again But I break loose My head is giving me life or death But I can’t choose I swear I’ll never give in No, I refuse Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel Your trust, you must Confess Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Oh... Oh Oh Oh Oh Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel The life, the love You'd die to heal The hope that starts The broken hearts Your trust, you must Confess Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? I’ve got another confession my friend I’m no full I’m getting tired starting again Somewhere new Were you born to resist or be abused? I swear I’ll never give in I refuse Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel Your trust, you must Confess Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Oh... [Edited 2/9/07 7:14am] A happy face, A Thumpin Bass, For A Lovin' Race. PEACE. | |
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All Along the Watchtower
"There must be some kind of way out of here," said the joker to the thief, "There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief. Businessmen they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth None of them along the line know what any of it is worth" "No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke "There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke But you and I, we've been through that and this is not our fate So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late" All along the watchtower Princes kept the view While all the women came and went Barefoot servants, too Outside in the cold distance A wildcat did growl Two riders were approaching And the wind began to howl A happy face, A Thumpin Bass, For A Lovin' Race. PEACE. | |
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jus711 said: There is broad speculation around the internet that the All Along the Watchtower/Best of You cover is a not-so-subtle anti-war protest.
The Largest Minority blog writes: Prince’s Subtle Anti-War Statement During Halftime Posted by: Manila Ryce Posted Monday, February 5th, 2007 at 1:59 am Filed under: US Politics, Videos, Society & Culture, World Issues, Entertainment, Personal Posts, War, Civil Unrest, Music, Political, Asia The clip below is only half of the halftime show (making it a quartertime show?). While I only took Prince’s performance of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You” to have an anti-war message, I left the end of his performance in as well. Why? Well, because there’s an extremely suggestive silhouette of Prince behind a giant sheet showing us exactly how excited he was to be performing at the Superbowl. Intentional or not, I had to include it for hilarity sake. At about the midpoint of Prince’s halftime performance, the artist performed a mixed cover of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You”. Prince starts “All Along the Watchtower” at its proper beginning, with the two riders (the joker and the thief) approaching. Dylan, who wrote the lyrics in ’68, placed the middle of the story at the beginning of the song to throw the listener into a conversation which had already begun. “All Along the Watchtower” is generally considered to be a statement about social reform in the 60’s, with the watchtower representing an established power structure guarding itself from those who have a true, yet unaccepted view of human worth. The story is largely uneventful, and the only confrontation taking place is between value systems. Biblical references are also plentiful, leading some to believe that the Joker and the Thief are Jesus and the crucified man next to him, respectively. Without analyzing every line, the song originally described the growing resistance to the Vietnam War and the establishment which made it possible. Why would Prince play this song at the Superbowl? In my opinion, he was making an anti-war statement about the current resistance to the Iraq War. After the one verse, Prince transitions into “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters. I believe this song is originally about a failed relationship between a man and a woman, but coupled with “All Along the Watchtower” it takes on a different meaning. In this case, we might think of the administration as the one getting the best of us as we fight its restraints on our freedom. Again, Prince does not start at the beginning of the song, but transitions in at “Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head, without your noose.” This may have been a convenient place to open the song, as the lyric could refer to Saddam’s execution, and the persecution anyone might face for opposing the establishment. After confirming the pain we feel as a society, Prince asks over and over again, “Is someone getting the best of you?” At the end he defiantly states, “I ain’t no fool”. Perhaps I drank too much during the game, and am simply reading into this. Then again, they do seem like odd song choices for Prince to cover without having a specific reason. Your thoughts and interpretations are appreciated. Lyrics to the performance: All along the watchtower, Princes kept the view, While all the women came and went — Barefoot servants too. Outside in the cold distance, A wildcat did growl. Two riders were approaching, and The wind began to howl. Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head Without your noose You gave me something that I didn’t have But had no use I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose My heart is under arrest again But I break loose My head is giving me life or death I will choose I swear I’ll never give in I refuse Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Has someone taken your faith? Its real, the pain you feel You must Confess Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Oh… Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you? I’ve got another confession my friend I ain’t no fool It makes perfect sense to me. [Edited 2/7/07 15:03pm] I didnt fully read your post before I reposted the lyrics. 
But I totally agree with you. Thats what I was thinking during the show. This medley is my fave part of the broadcast. [Edited 2/9/07 7:24am] A happy face, A Thumpin Bass, For A Lovin' Race. PEACE. | |
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Jus711.....I applaud U.  | |
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