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PrintableOldFriends4Sale said: ernestsewell said: I'm not saying there was a song that references a tiger. I'm saying that in the song, Paisley Park is a place in your heart, where there's peace. The guy w/ the tiger is a reflection of that. There's not a reference to a clown juggling either, or waves, or a black child being naked, or doves, or a mountain the shape of a reclining woman, etc. It's an idea, over all. Ernest I know what your saying, I'm not disputing that, I'm just asking generally is there a song that we know of... I know. I don't believe there is a song from this era referencing a tiger. The tiger is random. Could have been a lemur, or a lion, or a puppy. | |
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OldFriends4Sale said: ^^ that one looks kinda familiar 
 seems that i was busy doing something close to nothing, but different than the day before   | |
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prb said: OldFriends4Sale said: ^^ that one looks kinda familiar
Prince's hair was really quite different here. This may be his shortest lived 'do, other than the Musicology look. Any yohrt photos circulating from this era - post Purple Rain tour, pre-MTV interview? I don't think there are any. Any shots from the 1985 birthday show? Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths...(Jeremiah 6:16) www.ancientfaithradio.com
dezinonac eb lliw noitulove ehT |
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fms said: prb said: ^^ that one looks kinda familiar
Prince's hair was really quite different here. This may be his shortest lived 'do, other than the Musicology look. Any yohrt photos circulating from this era - post Purple Rain tour, pre-MTV interview? I don't think there are any. Any shots from the 1985 birthday show? I posted some others a few posts back | |
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OldFriends4Sale said: I posted some others a few posts back
Aren't these from the 27 October 1985 show at Théâtre de Verdure in Nice? Thomas Can you help me expand my collection?
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Cover painting: Doug HendersLP Design & Assembly: Laura Li Puma Prince: The cover art came about because I thought people were tired of looking at me. Who wants another picture of him? I would only want so many pictures of my woman, then I would want the real thing. What would be a little more happening than just another picture [laughs] would be if there was some way I could materialize in people's cribs when they play the record. How do you feel about people calling the record "psychedelic" ? Prince: I don't mind that, because that was the only period in recent history that delivered songs and colors. Led Zeppelin, for example, would make you feel differently on each song. | |
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June 7. 1985
Prom Center St Paul 27th Birthday Concert 1.Love Bizzare 2.Sometimes It snows In April 3.Irresistible Bitch 4.Possessed 5.The Bird 6.Burn It 7.Holly Rock [Edited 4/8/10 16:39pm] | |
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Condition of the Heart
There was a girl in Paris Whom he sent a letter 2 Hoping she would answer back Now wasn't that a fool Hardy notion on the part of a Sometimes lonely musician Acting out a whim is only good 4 a condition of the heart There was a dame from London Who insisted that he love her Then left him 4 a real prince From Arabia, now isn't that A shame that sometimes money Buys U everything and nothing Love, it only seems 2 buy a Terminal condition of the heart Ooh-ooh Thinking about U driving me crazy Ooh-ooh My friends all say it's just a phase, but Ooh-ooh Every day is a yellow day I'm blinded by the daisies in your yard There was a woman from the ghetto Who made funny faces just like Clara Bow, how was I 2 know That she would wear the same Cologne as U and giggle the same Giggle that U do? Whenever I would act a fool, the fool With a condition of the heart Ooh-ooh Thinking about U driving me crazy Ooh-ooh My friends all say it's just a phase, but Ooh-ooh Every day is a yellow day I'm blinded by the daisies in your yard There was a girl (There was a girl in Paris) whom he sent a letter to (Whom he sent a letter 2) (Hoping she would answer back) She never answered back and now (wasn't that a foolhardy) He's got a condition of the heart  [Edited 4/10/10 20:25pm] | |
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Pop Life rocks [Edited 4/8/10 17:17pm] Fuck the funk - it's time to ditch the worn-out Vegas horns fills, pick up the geee-tar and finally ROCK THE MUTHA-FUCKER!! He hinted at this on Chaos, now it's time to step up and fully DELIVER!!
KrystleEyes 22/03/05 | |
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Adding to the discussion - my original post from the A Celebration threads.
AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY Today is Around the World in a Day. After the massive success of Purple Rain I guess many were hoping for Purple Rain 2. And let's face it, it would have been easy for Prince to repeat the formula. But rather than just trot out another rock pop crossover album, Prince looked to expand his musical horizons. Labelled as his psychedelic Sgt Peppers inspired album, you can see why most would have thought it. The album cover alone is as far removed from Purple Rain as you could get. And opening the gatefold to look a the artwork while the record played was a trip. Trying to spot all the characters the songs talked about. And split by the ladder, Prince's metaphor for spiritual enlightenment, almost beckoning you to climb. And all you had to do was place the needle on the record, and let the music take you away. Arranged around a percussive rhythm and arrangement by Lisa's brother David Coleman. AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY this track was unlike anything you had heard Prince do before. The track is more world music influenced than Parliament showing Prince's broadening musical horizons. Starting with that swirling flute intro and Prince's scream - you are swept off onto a new musical journey. The rhythm seems more middle eastern with the Turkish Darbuka drum and tambourine clangs, yet there's that Princely handclap almost reassuring you that while he is exploring the musical landscape, he has still packed the funk. Even the use of the drum pattern seems warmer, less clinical, more organic. Lyrically calling you to take part in this journey, both spiritual and musically it sets the tone for the album - almost telling people to leave their expectations behind of what a Prince album should sound like, and just enjoy the music. Of course there are still Princely elements like the synth bridge that brings the funk after the call of "i think i want to dance". From a world music feel to a Beatle-esque vibe, PAISLEY PARK simultaneously plods along with the grounded drum pattern and floats with the organ bubbling during the verses. A truly joyous song Paisley Park has one of Prince's most beautiful choruses that just makes me smile when i (attempt) to sing it. I remember when I first listened to this song, I felt like i was in the clouds looking down on the song rather than being emersed in it. And let me tell you the view was pretty spectacular. and still is. It was around this time that i began to notice Prince had these weird little "experimental songs" that popped up every now and then (and more increasingly on post ATWIAD releases). Not to dismiss or lessen the value of these "experimental songs" but it seemed like Prince felt if he was going to have filler in between the killer songs they may as well challenge the listener. As his musical sophistication in composition and arranging grew it was only natural that he would want to challenge the conventions and break new ground, and for me CONDITION OF THE HEART is such an example. Musically the 2 minute intro is almost classical, and the haunting melody of the main song stirs all the emotions the title requires, but the vocal delivery seems a little bit tongue of cheek in part. As if Prince is challenging you to take on what you expect from an r&b ballad. and just when you think he has lost he pulls out the bridge and those powerful "oooooh oooooh's". Funny, as i listen to it now it seems less quirky than i remember thinking it was way back when. And maybe that is the beauty of the so called "experimental songs" that you are almost quick to write them off, and then after a few listens you discover the beauty within. If Condition of the Heart is lovelorn, then RASPBERRY BERET is its joyous opposite. Originally written during 1999, RB has the classic Prince trademarks - the Linn drum machine inspired beats, the flanged rim shots, and the popping handclap i love so much. The song seems to saunter along with a gleeful step. You can almost hear the smile in Prince's vocals, and backed by Wendy's sweet vocals and the beautiful string arrangement Wendy and Lisa brought to it the song beams like a glorious summer day - despite the overcast days. Ohhhh TAMBOURINE. I love Prince when he jumps on the drums. His style is just funky, laying a steady pattern and then punching off beat accents here and there. Once again it's a fairly sparse track consisting predominately of drums, synth bass, and vocals - oh yeah and a tambourine. Gotta love a man who can make guilty pleasures sound so joyously inviting. Today this is still one of my all time favourite Prince songs to drum to, especially all those rolls at 1:55. And here once again the Prince backing vocals hit in classic structure, sitting ahead of some lines, accompanying others and then offering running commentary to the lead. A great song in my books. and funky is as funky does, and funky does just fine on AMERICA. A funk party jam in the vein of Baby, I'm a Star and socially aware Party Up, you can see how this song built out of an all band jam. And despite what some may say - the 21 minute 12" version is a total experience to listen to. I use to put it on over and over, filling up an hour on the one vibe and loved every minute of it. The Beatlesesque POP LIFE grabbed me from the get go. The duelling basslines, the plucked and the synthed, the straight ahead drums played by Sheila E, and those wonderful lyrics. I think this is one of Prince's most underrated songs. Maybe including Pop in the title made people see it as disposable, but to me it's one of his finest moments ever on record. Yeah that's me making the big call. Unfortunately for me, it was here that the album used to end. I never really got into THE LADDER. It was perhaps the song i felt most trying to be a Purple Rain follow up. As much as i appreciate the lyrics the song just failed to move me in the way that Purple Rain did. And TEMPTATION, ok I don't like it. To me it sounded like a seedy show tune. And even today I can't listen to more than half of it before pressing stop. To many this was a disappointing follow up to Purple Rain. But I think he could have released Purple Rain again and some would have been disappointed. Personally i loved that he was pushing the boundaries of music, and making the music the focus. Sure it was a more laid back album, less frenetic and energised than its predecessor but I liked that aspect of it. Maybe some wanted Prince by the numbers, but invariably it's when he paints outside the lines that he creates something exciting and new. Swa "I'm not human I'm a dove, I'm ur conscience. I am love" | |
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fms said: prb said: ^^ that one looks kinda familiar
Prince's hair was really quite different here. This may be his shortest lived 'do, other than the Musicology look. Any yohrt photos circulating from this era - post Purple Rain tour, pre-MTV interview? I don't think there are any. Any shots from the 1985 birthday show? everytime i went into chat for ages i got called Liza  seems that i was busy doing something close to nothing, but different than the day before | |
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Swa said: Adding to the discussion - my original post from the A Celebration threads.
AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY Today is Around the World in a Day. After the massive success of Purple Rain I guess many were hoping for Purple Rain 2. And let's face it, it would have been easy for Prince to repeat the formula. But rather than just trot out another rock pop crossover album, Prince looked to expand his musical horizons. Swa I love this review, love reading from people who appreciate this album Like Prince said he could have down 1999 again could have opened with Let's Go Crazy like guitar solos, but he wanted to try something else | |
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fms said: prb said: ^^ that one looks kinda familiar
Prince's hair was really quite different here. This may be his shortest lived 'do, other than the Musicology look. Any yohrt photos circulating from this era - post Purple Rain tour, pre-MTV interview? I don't think there are any. Any shots from the 1985 birthday show? His his hair is not that short here. imo...His shortest cut was during the Emancipation era I believe. Some people think I'm kinda cute
But that don't compute when it comes 2 Y-O-U. | |
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Drums Bass Tambourine & Finger Cymbals
Oh my God here U are Prettiest thing in life I've ever seen Close my eyes what's it like, What's it like inside your tamborine? Oh my God, there I go Falling in love with the face in a magazine (uh oh, not again) All alone by myself Me and I play my tamborine Tamborine Tamborine Tamborine Tamborine Long days, lonely nights Tamborine Long days, lonely nights Tamborine I don't care 4 1 night stands With trolley cars That juggle 17 I just want 2 settle down and Play around My baby's tamborine Tamborine what are U Why are U the star of All my dreams (Star of all my dreams, are U a good tamborine) Are U good, are U bad Are U just unnecessary means Tamborine Tamborine Tamborine Trolley cars Long days, lonely nights 2 bad we're not allowed 2 scream (yeah, yeah, too bad) Guess that I'll stay at home All alone and play my tamborine (aww) Tamborine Tamborine Tamborine Tamborine The tamborine | |
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The 2nd song that 'touched' me from this album. Without the words, something about the music just pulled me in and connected me emotionally. I think I enjoy the album cut just as much or more than the extended version. POP LIFE Whats the matter with your life Is the poverty bringing u down? Is the mailman jerking u round? Did he put your million dollar check In someone elses box? Tell me, whats the matter with your world Was it a boy when u wanted a girl? (boy when u wanted a girl) Dont u know straight hair aint got no curl (no curl) Life it aint real funky Unless its got that pop Dig it Pop life Everybody needs a thrill Pop life We all got a space 2 fill Pop life Everybody cant be on top But life it aint real funky Unless its got that pop Dig it Tell me, whats that underneath your hair? Is there anybody living there? (anybody living there) U cant get over, if u say u just dont care (dont care) Show me a boy who stays in school And I'll show u a boy aware! Dig it Pop life Everybody needs a thrill Pop life We all got a space 2 fill Pop life Everybody cant be on top But life it aint real funky Unless its got that pop Dig it What u putting in your nose? Is that where all your money goes (is that where your money goes) The river of addiction flows U think its hot, but there wont be no water When the fire blows Dig it | |
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another favorites... the masses started tunning out... I turned it up!
Shes Always in My Hair would have been killer on the album too Honestly the breath of material Prince covered between 1999 and the Black Album is stunning Dance... Let me see you dance | |
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Mico Weaver: Yeah, actually we did the Purple Rain Tour. It was like 100 shows in the States. The last show was in Florida so everybody was chillin'. Now the tour was over, 'what are we gonna do right after this?' So he called me and said 'Hey come up to my room, and he showed me "Around The World In A Day", the cover and all that stuff. He said 'this is the new thing'. I thought 'this is cool' -- it showed his own label and then he told me 'I want you to play in The Family'. | |
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motherfunka said: The album was released without any publicity, simply turning up in record stores to the surprise of fans.
Not sure what you mean by that statement, but I believe most people knew when it was coming out. The Purple Rain tour had just finished a couple weeks prior and he made the statement he would no longer tour and was looking for the Ladder. It was released with no single ahead of time, but as we all know Raspberry Beret was released and a video made about a month later. [Edited 4/1/10 13:10pm] I remember a week or so before it came out HMV ran a competition in the UK where you could win a Cloud guitar. It was something like if you bought the album in a HMV shop on the day of purchase you were entered into a prize draw. Clearly there was some publicity then, if only a little. Still probably my second favourite Prince album, after "Parade". |
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Rinluv said: fms said: Prince's hair was really quite different here. This may be his shortest lived 'do, other than the Musicology look. Any yohrt photos circulating from this era - post Purple Rain tour, pre-MTV interview? I don't think there are any. Any shots from the 1985 birthday show? His his hair is not that short here. imo...His shortest cut was during the Emancipation era I believe. I said shortest-lived 'do, as in he didn't keep it that way for long, not shortest. Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths...(Jeremiah 6:16) www.ancientfaithradio.com
dezinonac eb lliw noitulove ehT |
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muirdo said: Pop Life rocks
[Edited 4/8/10 17:17pm] best song on the album  | |
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Electrifying Mojo Interview with Prince 1985 MOJO: Let's talk about the album, Around The World In A Day... which I think was one of the greatest albums. PRINCE: My favorite! MOJO: It's absolutely my favorite, without question. Tunes like "Around The World In A Day," "Paisley Park." What type of mood were you in when you recorded that album? PRINCE: Yeah, I sorta had an f-you attitude, meaning that I was making something for myself and my fans. And the people who supported me through the years -- I wanted to give them something and it was like my mental letter. And those people are the ones who wrote me back, telling me that they felt what I was feeling. MOJO: What's a day like, in the life of Prince? Prince: Not long ago I talked too George Clinton, a man who knows and has done so much for funk. George told me how much he liked Around the World in a Day. You know how much more his words meant than those from some mamma-jamma wearing glasses and an alligator shirt behind a typewriter? | |
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America - Girl [Bside] The Warehouse, St. Louis Park; 1984 12" single: 21:46 2 October 1985 America" was the final U.S. single off Prince and The Revolution's 1985 album, Around the World in a Day. The song is appreciative of the mid-1980s United States, condemning Communism, and worrying about nuclear war. The song begins as if it is a record being spun by a DJ. This leads into a guitar solo and a rising keyboard line. The main tune is standard rock and roll and fades out at 3:40. The 12-inch single extended version is notable for being over 20 minutes and including various instrumental solos. The song even fades in this version; in the original extended version the listener can actually hear the audio tape run out, being that Prince and the Revolution had jammed the song out until there was no more room on the tape. The video for this song was shown on MTV during an entire segment dedicated to the single. Prince refused to speak during the inteview and thus bandmates spoke for him. He did appear playful and introduced his use of the phrase "Good God!" (inherrited from The Godfather of Soul James Brown), a phrase which would soon be adopted by his entire band and all of his protogee's during this prolific era in his career. Clocking in at nearly 22:00 long, this "original version" of "America" was the version Prince and bandmates wanted to include on "Around The World In A Day," but agreed to instead use a less lengthy, edited version for the LP at Warner Brothers' request. Warner Brothers desire to truncate the song on the LP stemmed from concern that putting a 20+ minute jam session version of one song would be great for die-hard fans, but as "Around..." was the follow-up to the "Purple Rain" soundtrack, WB wanted to keep as many people coming back to buy "Around..." as possible. Original version or not, WB didn't want to risk a 21:46 song possibly putting off critics and consumers alike. So Prince and crew released it as the 3rd single from "Around The World In A Day" - all 22 minutes of it and nowhere on it or in WB's catalogue was it listed as an "Extended Version"... instead the 7" version was promoted as the "Edit." America (Extended Version) Yeah (Shotgun) Peace! Eh, yeah, eh Aristocrats on a mountain climb Makin' money, losin' time Communism is just a word But if the government turn over It'll be the only word that's heard CHORUS: America, America God shed His grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Little sister make minimum wage Livin' in a one-room jungle monkey cage Can't get over, she almost dead She may not be in the black But she happy she ain't in the red CHORUS Freedom - Love - Joy - Peace Jimmy Nothing never went 2 school They made him pledge allegiance He said it wasn't cool Nothin' made Jimmy proud Now Jimmy live on a mushroom cloud CHORUS {x2} Freedom - Love - Joy - Peace Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! (Oh Lord) And the bomb go Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! (Oh Lord) And the bomb go Boom! Teacher, why won't Jimmy pledge allegiance? That's enough {5:35 mark} CHORUS Drums! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! And the bomb go Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! ([...]) And the bomb go Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! (And the bomb go... Boom!) {x2} CHORUS {x2} Freedom - Love Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Purple mountain majesty Aristocrats on a mountain climb Makin' money, losin' time Communism is just a word But if the government turn over It'll be the only word that's heard U gonna stand in my way? Hey! [Come on, they said, can I sing ...] Yeah Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! And the bomb go  | |
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The B-Side of the track was "Girl", a light pop number which speaks of Prince's lust for a woman. Featuring a minimal drum loop and sparse synthesizer lines, Prince's lust is in such force that he declares that "all I have to do is think about you and i can have an orgasm" as he invites her to feel how sweaty his hands have gotten from their meeting. The full length version from the 12" features backmasking of Wendy Melvoin reciting the lyrics with the word "boy" replacing "girl". Girl (Extended Version) Girl, U excite me so Ooh wee baby, your body's like no other Girl, it's U I gotta know Ooh wee baby, I bet U're quite a lover Ooh girl, I wanna take U home Ooh wee baby, U're dreaming I scream inside U I want U in the worst way U make me... Girl {x2} Girl, won't U kiss me? Ooh wee baby, my lips they want U so Girl, how can U resist me? The smell of animal lust is all, all over me Oh girl, if I could hold your hand I'd make U touch my body until U understand I'm your man all night, all day I want U in the worst way U make me... Caress the flower Warm, warm Bring it 2 the garden The garden? Be poetic Tell me what it feels like A sea of electricity? Now that's wonderful Talk 2 U? Talk 2 U? What do U wanna hear? If I was anything else I'd be the water in your bath, darling Mmm (Girl) Girl, U excite me so Ooh wee baby, my flesh is on fire (Girl) Girl, the way U play with it Ooh wee baby, I think U desire me Girl Make a wish, baby Anything We'll make it come true Me and U I want U in the worst way U make me... Ooh girl (Girl) {x2} U like the dreaming I scream... Girl, your lips are so wet (Girl) Feel my hands, they're all sweaty (Girl) I don't know, I... I guess U frighten me Cuz I've never wanted anyone like this before 2 feel this way it's like, I don't know, it's like a sin Cuz sometimes I feel bad Sometimes I want U so much I can... God, all I have 2 do is think about U and I can have an orgasm That sounds funny, doesn't it? Ha ha Marry me Yeah that's right, marry me Girl, don't U ever get lonely sometimes? (Girl) Gir... girl, don't U ever... Don't U ever want someone... Don't U ever want someone just 2... Don't U ever want someone just 2 talk 2? Well, U can talk 2 me, baby I'm... I'm a good listener U know what? U know what else? U know what else I am? U know what else I am, I am? I'm a good kisser 2 Come here Closer Come here, closer Closer Come here, come here Your ass is so tight Shhhh Come here, come here That's it, right there Hush Darlin' I... I'll never... (Don't talk) {Backwards message is Wendy repeating lyrics using "boy"} © 1985 Controversy Music - ASCAP | |
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the America 12" looks awesome. | |
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OldFriends4Sale said: Cool bag !!! "open your heart, open your mind
A train is leaving all day..." | |
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Hey guys. Just wrote a retrospective on "Around the World in a Day" for my site. What do you think?
Prince & The Revolution
Around the World in a Day Release Date: April 22nd, 1985 Label: Paisley Park/Warner Bros. Records Genre(s): Psychedelic pop, Funk In late 1984, Prince was stuck with a dilemma. He (and The Revolution) had just released the massive Purple Rain film and the accompanying soundtrack. The album spent 24 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts. Prince reigned the charts for just under half of a year. How does an artist follow that up? Prince could have chosen to come up with material that sounded just like Purple Rain, a mixture of pop, funk and soul that changed the sound of the 80s. Apparently he could also release a psychedelic pop album. Obviously he went with option #2. Prince & The Revolution dropped Around the World in a Day less than a year after releasing Purple Rain. The LP hit store shelves on April 22nd, 1985 with very little in the way of promotion. Fans and record store owners knew about the LP, but no singles had really been planned. The album had been sent to radio stations who had been told to pick their “favorite” cut for airplay. There were two obvious choices, both of which would eventually be released as singles: the fabulous “Raspberry Beret” and rockstar lifestyle questioning “Pop Life.” The album wasn’t a “huge” success like Purple Rain had been, but it eventually went double platinum. Reviews at the time called it many things: fodder, Prince’s version of Sgt. Pepper and the Lonely Hearts Club Band, “classic,” terrible. 25 years later it’s easy to kind of step back and see that Around the World in a Day is neither perfect nor terrible, but an important step in Prince’s musical evolution. Instead of writing music that would have been “easy” to digest for fans of his previous work, he did a psychedelic about-face and released what he wanted. I suppose you could consider it his first in a long line of “fuck you” moments to the music industry. The album starts off strong with the title track, which keeps the Linn-drum sound from Purple Rain but adds in a ton of typically “world” music instrumentation to great effect. It’s an odd track but an effective opener; Listeners in general are somewhat taken off guard by Prince’s sudden style change and would probably end up wanting to hear what was coming next. Instead of keeping with the really psychedelic, world music feel, Prince drops “Paisley Park,” a seemingly innocuous pop-rock track about the then imaginary park. While he would eventually build Paisley Park as a recording studio and performance complex, the song is about a place where one can go and live how they want without interference from the “outside” world. Better yet, Paisley Park “is in your heart.” Okay, so the lyrics are kind of psychedelic, but musically the track is Linn-drum heavy with some metal sounding guitar layered under a synth riff. It’s a weird track but one that fits in perfectly on this record. “Condition Of The Heart” is next, building up with a near three minute instrumental introduction before Prince comes in with one of his most effective falsetto performances. The song is definitely a ballad, but the piano and Prince’s vocals are layered under a haunting synth line and some odd percussion sprinkled throughout in seemingly random places. It’s a beautiful track but does seem to drag on during the long introduction. Up next is “Raspberry Beret” which has since become one of Prince’s signature tracks. Everyone knows the song so there isn’t much to say, but the track was one of the strongest singles released in the 80s and still stands up incredibly well today. One can question Prince’s Liza Minnelli-ish appearance in the music video for the song, but it’s impossible to deny how catchy the track is. Prince & The Revolution did a phenomenal job on the track but credit is also due for the string instrumentalists: Novi Novog (Violin), Suzi Katayama (Cello) and David Coleman (Cello) bring truly whimsical elements to the track, setting it apart from anything Prince had done or has done since that point. The funky “Tamborine” is up next, followed quickly by the very Reaganomic “America.” “Tamborine” is my least favorite track on the album; It’s not particularly catchy and is hard for me to really “get into,” but some fans call it their favorite track on the LP. It does nothing for me, but to each his own. “America” on the other hand is a hard hitting track, and while I don’t agree with the overall lyrical tone of the track (“Jimmy Nothing never went 2 school / They made him pledge allegiance / He said it wasn’t cool / Nothibng made Jimmy proud / Now Jimmy lives on a mushroom cloud”) it’s a catchy, ridiculous funk-rock jam uniquely Prince. Bonus: search online and find the extended 21 minute version of the track. You won’t believe your ears. “Pop Life” was a modest success on the charts (#7 here in the U.S.) and is my favorite cut off the LP. It finds Prince questioning the unnecessary things that people burden themselves with; drugs, worrying about fame, …hair. The track tries to be deeper than it actually is but it’s such a unique sounding song that really defines the overall feel of Around the World in a Day. Wendy & Lisa sound great singing backup for Prince, and while the message of the track is somewhat depressing, the song ends up coming across as positive. Fun fact: Sheila E. plays drums on the song. “The Ladder” is the LP’s second ballad. Co-written by John L. Nelson (Prince’s father), the song is one of Prince’s best “ballads” and while I dislike the very Saturday Night Live-y saxophone, Prince’s vocal performance is particularly amazing. While he is just speaking for much of the song, when he does start belting things out it sounds very effortless, pure and makes the track captivating. Closing the album is the sexy, sleazy and raunchy “Temptation.” In direct conflict with the severe religious overtones of “The Ladder,” “Temptation” is Prince describing everyone’s urge for sex.The drum beat for the track is pounding, animalistic even; One can almost picture the sweat dripping off of Prince’s perfectly coifed head during sex. The song drips sex from every pore, perhaps making it the “Darling Nikki” of Around the World, and it is for sure one of the strongest cuts on the album. The track eventually starts closing, removing the pounding drum beat, taking out the guitar and turning up the piano. But then Prince starts howling. Or squeaking, or any of a dozen other vocal maneuvers that only Prince chooses to use in recordings. It’s a weird way to end the album but makes for a memorable close. As the final piano chord sounds out, it becomes apparent that Prince didn’t care about ruling the charts or keeping the massive number of record sales. He didn’t care about pleasing the fans or the critics, he wanted to release what he wanted. By doing so he made a very bold move, but luckily for fans of the purple one, Around the World in a Day contains some of Prince’s finest, essential tracks. It’s not perfect and isn’t for everyone, but Around the World in a Day was one of the finest pop records of the 80s. Give the album a listen, you’ll be glad you did. Rating: 8/10 Essential Tracks: “Temptation,” “America,” “Pop Life,” “Raspberry Beret” Original post: http://themusictionary.com/?p=3867 [Edited 4/20/10 1:47am] | |
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 [Edited 4/20/10 14:39pm] | |
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Really like this album, one of my favorites, but i just dont get it when people say it is psychedelic, or psychedelic tinged or whatever. I think it is about as psychedelic as a mouse. | |
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