Back to the topic (y'know, the actual SONG), I DO think that the song's primary function was to shock. That doesn't immediately invalidate it as an artful tune, though. The song is presented, lyrically, in a format that wouldn't be out of place in the Penthouse Forum. The rather lewd descriptions of his sister not wearing underwear because of its way of "stopping the juice" has more in common with pornography than it does any great social statement. At this point in his career, Prince was trying to make a name for himself. In 1980, no one DREAMED of singing about being seduced by their sibling. Keep in mind, the track is preceded by "Head", which is not only about oral sex, but also about seducing a virgin on her wedding day. Prince was pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable for even rock stars to sing about and do. In "Sister", the straightforward approach of the song is a pornographic tale of a young man being introduced to his sexuality by an older woman. The lyrics are shocking enough for the time period, even if all references to the sibling nature of the older woman are removed. Prince takes this a step further by making his seducer into his sister. The primary intention is to stun the listener.

Dirty Mind has often been described as Prince's "punk" album, not for the musical stylings, but for the lyrics and attitude that run throughout. It aggresively attacks societal mores and attitudes, and has an anti-authoritarian stance throughout. Primarily, it is adversarial to mainstream America's views on sex and sexuality. This doesn't necessarily mean that Prince is advocating seducing virgin brides or screwing sisters, but rather that he is challenging the listener to question what is right and wrong with sexuality as viewed by Middle America. In "Sister", there is a definite negative connotation that is paired with the salacious descriptions, and overall there is a sense that the woman in the song is taking advantage of her brother's naivette. In our typical culture, a younger man being taught the ways of sex by an older woman would be viewed as a boast-worthy affair, elevating the young man into the status of a sexual conqueror. Prince twists this concept with his sister theme, making it into an uncomfortable, rather repugnant idea. It is simealtaneously a titillating fantasy, and a nauseating tale of innocence lost.

Prince has hinted before that he wrote the song in a fit of anger, perhaps at one of his actual sisters (or at least a woman to whom he felt a bond on par with that of a sibling). The song certainly has an angry under-current. Does this mean that the sister in question actually had sexual relations with him under the threat of making him homeless if he didn't comply? It is certainly possible, but is just as likely that Prince was metaphorically describing some other slight, in which he felt taken advantage of and "screwed", so to speak. It is highly probable that Prince was giving this song the double purpose of shocking his audience, and excorcising some sort of anger at someone whom he felt betrayed by.

This tune is always one that sparks debate, and it says something about it that it can still cause a stir some 28 years later. Incest is not generally something that any sane individual views as a good, or exciting, act. It is morally repugnant, and generally viewed as a vile act. This aspect is certainly present in this song, strangely combined with a sense of guilty arousal. As I mentioned earlier, on this album the song is juxtaposed with a tale of a virgin being seduced on her wedding day. One song depicts Prince as the sexual conqueror, taking advantage of an innocent young woman, whilst the other presents him as the victim of an older woman. This is, in my opinion, no accident. The duality of Prince's psyche is first being displayed here, and his conflicted feelings regarding sex and sexuality are on full display. In many ways,this album was the building block to the passion plays of Love vs Lust that would be so prevelant in his later work.

IWouldDie4U666 said:

You're exactly the type of fan I'm talking about!

Why freak the fuck out about it, if there's nothing wrong with it? Prince isn't crying himself to sleep because someone, somewhere thinks he might like pole, so why are you? The dude doesn't need you to defend him.

And how do you think you know so conclusively he is straight, anyways? Because he writes songs about girls? Because he's been married twice? I'm sorry, but neither of those facts actually prove anything. Plenty of gay and bisexual men have girlfriends, get married, father children. By your logic, they can't possibly be anything but beer-swilling pussy-chasers.

Sister the song is a Fart that cries gently
from the ass of His Angel
And stinks up the Place to High Heaven.

Thanks, JustErin! Glad to know my thoughts on the matter are appreciated!

JediMaster said:

You truly are the JediMaster.

Christopher said:

I love how people reveal their homophobia by taking so much offense to how gay Prince is.

bunch of stuff

Imago said:

I am gay, not homophobic, and I actually think people who think Prince is gay are homophobic themselves. They think hes gay because hes camp, wears make up, is strange, wears frocks occasionally and sings graphic songs about sex, some which are possibly interpreted as gay. But to me these are reinforcing stereotypes of gay people, thinking that becauses hes camp, wears makeup/dresses and sings falsetto, he must be gay because gays do that.

WRRROOOONNNNNGGGG!!!!! .

Look its clearly obvious that hes a straight man, hes an inveterate womaniser, loves to control women, sings graphic songs about sex with ladies and their private parts (Machine, Good Pussy, Tambourine etc ). It would be great if Prince was gay, but hes not, hes all red blooded American male.

Would you believe me if I told you 'sister' was actually a 'half-brother'?
Peace, y'all.

The jungle love scene would be especially hilarious with Larry and his sidekick, Kirky J. holding a mirror to Larry's face, while Larry combs his bigass mustache

tane1976 said:

Actually, all that which you mentioned in the second paragraph leads me more to think he might not be straight than most of the girly stuff above does.

So if people who think Prince is gay or bi are homophobic themselves, and you seem to think that one can't be gay and homophobic ("I am gay, not homophobic") then I guess most of those who think Prince might be gay or bi are set to implode from the contradiction.

Oh, and that bolded phrase above? What the fuck does that even mean?

. Whats the next wifes name gonna be Conchita, Mexicanna la Discotitta Maria de Jose lupevado guato guato loco perez?

JustErin said:

The force is with you

tane1976 said:

lol i love your stereotypes they're always so casual like "what did i do, what?"..

meow85 said:

. Red blooded American male, phrase meaning lusty heterosexual man from the United of America. Stop assuming I ma homphobic, because you missed the point completely, what I was saying is just because Prince conforms to a few so called gay stereotypes, that does not make him gay.
I ma gay and proud (Smince around 18-20 Tijuana style latina barbie dolls like Prince doeso there) but do not wear make up or dresses, sing in aa high pitched voice and . Whats the next wifes name gonna be Conchita, Mexicanna la Discotitta Maria de Jose lupevado guato guato loco perez?

Would you believe me if I told you 'sister' was actually a 'half-brother'?
Peace, y'all.

JediMaster said:

Jedi you know so much!!!! Thanks!! I have a question...What do you think about the fact that when a man/boy is enticed by a woman/girl (sister in this case), that the male is more apt to act or "feel" something much stronger and out of their control in this situation and may act out with regret in the end in comparison to a woman being enticed by a male???....I wouldn't be surprised if Prince then wrote a song of a conquest and putting himself in a controlling position with a female.....in retaliation...weather it be in creative form or in reality to gain the control he felt was taken from him in the "sister" situation.????

I'm just curious....I haven't heard the songs...thanks!

The force is with you