It's the song I always play to people who think of Prince as a one-trick pony. And people do say it!

I know Eric Leeds said he had goosebumps when they recorded it, and I can see (hear) why.

Absolutely beautiful, in so many ways.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Huh?!

clbrooks said:

(The lights go out)
The lights go out, the smell of doom
Is creepin' into your lonely room
The bed's on fire, your fate is sealed
And U're so tired and the reason is Camille-mille


The lights go out, the smell of doom
Again is creepin' into your lonely room
Is this a dream or is this real? (Or is this real?)
Or is this just a mirage U feel?
Shockadelica

The lights go out, the smell of doom is in my room
Is this a dream or is it real?
Is this loneliness I feel?
Shockadelica, Shockadelica

Shockadelica is a feeling, the lonely cold
Sleepin' alone will bore ya and.. and soon U grow old
In lust we will suffer, but in love we will grow
Shockadelica is a feeling nobody should know
I'm talkin' about the lonely cold mama

Everybody got the feeling, the lonely cold
Come on, everybody got the feeling, the lonely cold
Come on (Shockadelica)

The lights go out, the smell of doom
Again is creeping into your lonely room
Is this a dream or is this real?
Or is this just a mirage U feel?

Late at night when the world's a-sleepin'
U are frightened cuz the power's creepin'
In your room, it's something U're afraid of
Life of doom is what this feeling's made of

Power fantastic is in your life at last
U're a little apprehensive
Cuz what it is, is what U want and need

Minor G is the chord of pleasure
It will be played 11 measures
U will see fire, but U're cool as ice
U are a liar, huh, if U say this isn't nice Power fantastic is in your life at last
U're a little apprehensive
What it is, is what U want and need Power, power Power fantastic is in your life at last
U're a wee bit apprehensive
Cuz what it is, is what U want and need Power, power
A power fantastic

I fell in love with it after picking up the bootleg "Crucial" (which erroneously gives credit to Miles Davis). It became a favorite for a long time. By the time it was released officially, I had listened to it so many times, I wasn't all that excited. I may have to revisit it now though.

Pretty much the pinacle of the Revolution era.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Damn!! They are similar I just love it

Pretty much the pinacle of the Revolution era.

... love this song

NouveauDance said:

And that's why SOTT and the Revolution break was/is so bittersweet. Prince was on the verge of a creative peak that he still hadn't reached a plateau even with 1999-Purple Rain-ATWIAD-Parade. Listening to Dream Factory music you can hear a maturity to his sound and vibe, it was broadend and you can hear all of his previous album in that music.

To have what happened with Power Fantastic, showed a connection and a dedication by the band that I just don't think he's ever had with any of the following.

And it's not even about wither someone likes the songs or not, the quality and direction was just on a whole nother plain. Power Fantastic, In A Large Room with No Lights, and all the outtakes and songs that the SOTT band sorta got credit for. most of the SOTT album was made during the DF years, as well as the Camille album, some of the Black album, Make Yo Mamma Happy, Crucial,Sheila E's album, Jill Jones album, Madhouse etc etc
[Edited 5/14/10 8:12am]

So, what's the songs meaning? I heard someone say it was about suicide

Just listening to this song again-Gawd! What a beautiful song I've always thought the music was unbelievable Simply Fantastic Any Power Fantastic lovers out there

nursev said:

I love it. Obscure beauties like this amaze me. The vocals, music, melody and lyrics are fabulous.

funkycat00 said:

Some say its about masturbation others say it's about 'God'
some say because it's Prince, it might be both, because Prince does equate sex/sexuality as something 2 be enjoyed from God

1.Shocadelica talks about this thing creeping in your lonely room, it's dark/night time
Lust,
the lonely cold no one should know
smell of doom, being afraid of it
No one should have to feel that kind of need or loneliness

2. PowerFantastic talks about this thing creeping in your room, it's late at night
being cold but soon being on fire
life of doom
being afraid of it or apprehensive
the opposite of Shocadelica in saying this is what you need
(almost sounds like someone masturbating for the 1st time lol)

OldFriends4Sale said:

What?

I remember the first time I heard this off of the 'Crucial' bootleg. I was floored by the beauty this song radiates. It is definitely one of my favorite ballads by Prince. I was wowed again when Prince played it live at the ONA Tour soundcheck in NYC. Pure beauty and bliss!

nursev said:

lol It's sorta clear, but U know Prince that's one of his favorite subjects