Those of you who are following the album polls conducted here in the org will have noticed that, in the Emancipation poll, which finished yesterday, The Love We Make was a tough rival to The Holy River, being actually the winner during the first day and finally losing but retaining an excellent 2nd place.

I was surprised with the ranking of the song. I like it a lot, but I didn't know so many people also did.

Have you been surprised too?

And do you think this song can be considered a Prince classic? Not in terms of sales, of course, but of significance for the fans, and considering also that Prince is playing the song live recently. I don't think so, but it can become a classic in the near future, who knows?

Another question: how do you think the song compares with other "similar" tunes, like The Ladder, Still Would Stand All Time or Last December?

I like the song a lot, is it a classic? I don't give a shit.

The Holy River is in my opinion miles ahead of Gold, Purple Rain and so on...it is one of the few times that Prince manages to do a Bono/U2 on it, without sounding like a cliche, if ya know what i mean...

The love we make is a beautiful song....wicked is the witch...i like that alot.....put down the needle put down the spoon.....What a bloody song....

I absolutely love this song. I didn't really notice the album version until I heard it live and then revisited it. Live, this song definitely has some power. One of my favs.

Love it, after Sleep Around it's my favourite on the album.

Is it a classic? It's certainly far better than any of the other tracks you compared it to.

I don't know what classifies a classic when Prince hasn't had a hit since 1994 and this was released in 96.

just listening to the studio version of "the love we make", it is brilliant, but over produced, will have to cop me a live version...and defo not a classic

BlackCandle said:

Agree w/ spinlight, don't know what constitutes classic anymore but I've always thought it was a powerful song and one that he ought to play live. I was over the moon when he started playing this in '09, but I don't think it's as good live as the studio version. Also, I worry if Prince is running out of aces to pull live. Sure, he's got a huge back catalogue, and there's plenty hes either never played or not played in ages, but how much of it do you really wanna hear? Having played The Love We Make, I Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore and even Gold again, I'm not sure there's a great many songs left that I've never/rarely heard live that I want to.

You listen to a song once live and that is it???

Spinlight said:

I don't know what classifies a classic when Prince hasn't had a hit since 1994 and this was released in 96.

For example, I consider The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker and Joy In Repetition are classics, obviously not because they were hits, but because there is a "consensus" about their excellence between Prince fans. That's what I meant with my question about The Love We Make. Adding that he is revisiting it live currently. Maybe this question could also be discussed about other recent Prince songs, like Colonized Mind or Black Sweat.

Javi said:

Spinlight said:

I don't know what classifies a classic when Prince hasn't had a hit since 1994 and this was released in 96.

For example, I consider The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker and Joy In Repetition are classics, obviously not because they were hits, but because there is a "consensus" about their excellence between Prince fans. That's what I meant with my question about The Love We Make. Adding that he is revisiting it live currently. Maybe this question could also be discussed about other recent Prince songs, like Colonized Mind or Black Sweat.

Well, with that, I would suggest that it is a classic, then. A deep cut, for sure, but a classic deep cut.

I would not consider the other 2 classics. In fact, I think there's many Prince fans out there who don't even know what album Colonized Mind is on.

BlackCandle said:

Also, I worry if Prince is running out of aces to pull live. Sure, he's got a huge back catalogue, and there's plenty hes either never played or not played in ages, but how much of it do you really wanna hear? Having played The Love We Make, I Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore and even Gold again, I'm not sure there's a great many songs left that I've never/rarely heard live that I want to.

You can't be serious. I could easily sit here and list at least a hundred songs i would like Prince to perform live.

Javi said:

Spinlight said:

I don't know what classifies a classic when Prince hasn't had a hit since 1994 and this was released in 96.

For example, I consider The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker and Joy In Repetition are classics, obviously not because they were hits, but because there is a "consensus" about their excellence between Prince fans. That's what I meant with my question about The Love We Make. Adding that he is revisiting it live currently. Maybe this question could also be discussed about other recent Prince songs, like Colonized Mind or Black Sweat.

I consider both of these song classics, but not coz other Prince fans have a consensus about it...thats defeatism

Whitnail said:

Javi said:

For example, I consider The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker and Joy In Repetition are classics, obviously not because they were hits, but because there is a "consensus" about their excellence between Prince fans. That's what I meant with my question about The Love We Make. Adding that he is revisiting it live currently. Maybe this question could also be discussed about other recent Prince songs, like Colonized Mind or Black Sweat.

I consider both of these song classics, but not coz other Prince fans have a consensus about it...thats defeatism

I'm defining "classic" as something that goes beyond individual tastes, whether it is a big hit or a song that's a favourite between a majority of fans. But, of course, it can be defined differently.

I love it. I can see how some can look at it as a classic...

Not sure if it's a classic, but I love it. It's a powerful song and much better than The Ladder.

Javi said:

Whitnail said:

I consider both of these song classics, but not coz other Prince fans have a consensus about it...thats defeatism

I'm defining "classic" as something that goes beyond individual tastes, whether it is a big hit or a song that's a favourite between a majority of fans. But, of course, it can be defined differently.

ok, i see your point, apologies if I came across rude

Whitnail said:

Javi said:

I'm defining "classic" as something that goes beyond individual tastes, whether it is a big hit or a song that's a favourite between a majority of fans. But, of course, it can be defined differently.

ok, i see your point, apologies if I came across rude

Don't worry.

It's easily a classic imo, one of his most memorable tunes, lyrics etc... sounds like an outtake from the revolution era wrapped in a new 90s package and production. I would like to hear a demo version. I absolutely love it.

Without a doubt a GREAT song! LOVED it form the very 1st time I heard it!!

Yes...it's one of his best ever songs and one of the last songs I truly feel he wrote from the heart.

All his best songs are written from the heart.

Favourite line: "Sacred is the prayer that asks for nothing....Instead we should be giving thanks for every breath we take"

This line really touches the soul.

[Edited 8/18/11 10:36am]

"Classic" implies a sense of timelessness - and an appeal to the broadest possible audience. So while The Love We Make is (I think) timeless, not enough people know of it for it to truly be a classic.

It might be a classic among hardcore fans, but not in general.

I really can't stand this track. The pathetic lyrics turn me off big time and the music is not half as good as its musical predecessor "Baby, you're a trip" from the Jill Jones album.

TheFreakerFantastic said:

Yes...it's one of his best ever songs and one of the last songs I truly feel he wrote from the heart.

All his best songs are written from the heart.

Favourite line: "Sacred is the prayer that asks for nothing....Instead we should be giving thanks for every breath we take"

This line really touches the soul.

[Edited 8/18/11 10:36am]

Beautiful song, fab lyrics...its a classic to my ears.

[Edited 8/18/11 12:18pm]

funkomatic said:

I really can't stand this track. The pathetic lyrics turn me off big time and the music is not half as good as its musical predecessor "Baby, you're a trip" from the Jill Jones album.

... and how is "Baby, You're A Trip" the "musical predecessor" of "The Love We Make"?

novabrkr said:

funkomatic said:

I really can't stand this track. The pathetic lyrics turn me off big time and the music is not half as good as its musical predecessor "Baby, you're a trip" from the Jill Jones album.

... and how is "Baby, You're A Trip" the "musical predecessor" of "The Love We Make"?

I was thinking that too....but actually thinking about it there are some musical similarities, although quite tentative.

I remember when I first heard 'Baby You're A Trip' I thought I could imagine it on Emancipation, maybe that's why I thought that.

[Edited 8/18/11 13:49pm]

Genesia said:

"Classic" implies a sense of timelessness - and an appeal to the broadest possible audience. So while The Love We Make is (I think) timeless, not enough people know of it for it to truly be a classic.

It might be a classic among hardcore fans, but not in general.

I agree. I used the term classic in a broad, loose sense, including being a classic only among hardcore fans.

If somebody made a version of this track and it were a success, the problem would be solved. The song deserves to be known among more people, although Prince's own version is brilliant, of course.

naaa.

Javi said:

[...]

Another question: how do you think the song compares with other "similar" tunes, like The Ladder, Still Would Stand All Time or Last December?

Ah, missed this part of the original post.

I think "The Love We Make" is better than any of these tracks. Like "The Latter" it can be thought of as one sort of a "sequel" to "Purple Rain" (or at the very least as a song that revisits some musical ideas of "Purple Rain"). I wouldn't place it as high as "Anna Stesia" on the list of Prince anthems - with "Purple Rain" being #1 -, but it deserves a position in the TOP5.