Call me a dummy but I never got the meaning of that song: sold by whom, to whom, why, what does it have to do with anything? I mean I understand what the song's other lyrics are about but that whole thing about selling a romance, that's always been beyond me.

After 14 years I think it's about time I ask

ala "7"

-our love is stronger than the 'impending' apocolypse-

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"The Greatest Romance Ever Sold"

"the greatest story ever told'

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discuss

no big whoop

-

Prost!

databank said:

Call me a dummy but I never got the meaning of that song: sold by whom, to whom, why, what does it have to do with anything? I mean I understand what the song's other lyrics are about but that whole thing about selling a romance, that's always been beyond me.

After 14 years I think it's about time I ask

It's an analogy of Adam and Eve. But except for the sexual and spiritual references, he is quite vague about it, asking mostly questions, not really asserting much on wat he actually means with this "greatest romance".

The b-side was a remix of the track known as the "Adam and Eve" remix, featuring a rap by Eve.

So whadda ya know U and me
Finally face 2 face
Checkin' each other up and down
In all the obvious places
Was there ever a reason
4 us 2 be apart?
The air that fills up this room
Say's not hardly

So this is where u end
And U and I begin
(This is where U and I, U and I begin)
The greatest romance thats ever been sold
The greatest romance that's ever been sold

Baby, baby. Now ur mind is open
2 poetry seldom heard
Ur heart has never been broken
Until u've heard these words
"Ur body was designed 2 respond 2 mine
In spite of ur desire to mold me"

And in the middle of it all
We kiss and like rain we fall (Like rain, we fall)

Into the greatest romance that's ever been sold
Baby. Oh baby, baby.
The greatest romance that's ever been sold.

Oh, oh I know U feel me, I know that U can dance (Help)
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
Not what U think but what U believe (Tell me)
What was the real reason that Adam never left Eve?
And if the truth sounds like a memory
Then U know it was meant 2 be (meant 2 be)
Leave ur inhibitions behind
Come on, come on let's see (What? Why?)
So this is where U end (This is where U end)
And U and I begin (U...)

The greatest romance that's ever been sold
The greatest romance that's ever been sold
(Uh huh, Uh huh)

I know U can feel me (I know), I know u can dance
But what do U know about the greatest romance?
(The greatest romance that's ever been sold)
Not what U think but what U believe
Can U tell me the real reason that Adam never left Eve?

The greatest (greatest) romance (romance) Listen 2 me
Uh, U brought me the grapes from the vine (oh yes U did)
The greatest romance (can I talk 2 U?) that's ever been sold
Listen, if U help me 2 remember the secrets of time
And U, U, U. U offer me ur love, ur love, ur love so devine
And in return girl, In return I will surrender
Oh yeah. I will surrender, Oh yes I will.

4 me it ain't about Adam & Eve it's just a love song where the man and woman r being compared to A&E. So the "greatest romance" I can understand, basically their affair was so great that it was the greatest or among the greatest romances ever, and I could understand if he'd sing "ever trashed" or "ever betrayed" or "ever given up" or "ever + any verb that goes with putting an end to a love affair", but SOLD??? How do u even "sell" a romance in the first place? And once again, sold by whom and to whom and why???

"sell" --what we r made to believe

luvsexy4all said:

SpiritOtter said:

SpiritOtter said:

luvsexy4all said:

"sell" --what we r made to believe

Yes, I thought the actual title referred to the media spin (i.e. selling a make believe story) placed on a less than ideal relationship, which coincides with many of the themes of Mayte and Prince parting ways at that time, explored predominantly on the Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic album e.g. I Love U, But I Don't Trust U Anymore, Silly Game, The Greatest Romance Ever Sold, Man Of War, Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do etc

Media spin created by Prince himself I would also add.

The media themselves certainly didn't start all the guff about them divorcing because they have spiritual marriage and don't need contracts - and all the rest of it. Imagine if that caught on, what a get out clause!

Mmmh... So u guys r saying it's the greatest romance ever sold 2 the media:general public, and of course if it's him and Mayte that indeed means he sold it himself...

Interesting

databank said:

Mmmh... So u guys r saying it's the greatest romance ever sold 2 the media:general public, and of course if it's him and Mayte that indeed means he sold it himself...

Interesting

I think he's wrapping all up in the Adam & Eve mythos too as well. Kind of like Muse 2 The Pharoah on TRC.

.

The title is a play on The Greatest Story Ever Told btw for anyone who didn't know. The movie/book about the life of some dude called Jesus.

[Edited 10/4/13 6:59am]

I have also been confused by this song as well. "Sold" can have a number of meanings:

- The romance is sold as a farce to the public

- The romance was real, but it was given away/sold for money, fame, etc.

- Someone sells the idea of romance to another

....and the song doesn't direct you to how you should interpret it. Of course, not that it should!

databank said:

Call me a dummy but I never got the meaning of that song: sold by whom, to whom, why, what does it have to do with anything? I mean I understand what the song's other lyrics are about but that whole thing about selling a romance, that's always been beyond me.

After 14 years I think it's about time I ask

Completely agree. I love the song, but it always stumped me when it comes to interpreting it. Why sold? The CD single has stacks of gold coins in the artwork. Kind of cynical if it is supposed to refer to his and Mayte's relationship.

I get the play on "The Greatest Story Ever Told", kind of like, as one orger said, a la "7", i.e., Prince analyzing his personal situation in Biblical terms. The whole "Exodus has begun" motif does that too. It's kind of become a hallmark of Prince's writing themes.

Yeah, why "selling" a romance? By "romance" do we mean a paperback romance novel?

databank said:

Mmmh... So u guys r saying it's the greatest romance ever sold 2 the media:general public, and of course if it's him and Mayte that indeed means he sold it himself...

Interesting

No, the idea of Adam and eve got "sold".

What was the real reason that Adam never left Eve?

To me , it's like he is implying that we were sold the wrong story.

But that's just my take on it.

The real reason Adam never left Eve was because she was a HOT THANG!

Tempest said:

The real reason Adam never left Eve was because she was a HOT THANG!

Funny that you are making fun of it like that

Tremolina said:

Tempest said:

The real reason Adam never left Eve was because she was a HOT THANG!

Funny that you are making fun of it like that

*

I'm not trying to be mean or nasty. I thought the Prince connection was cute. Don't you? I love both songs.

*

Don't be a stick in the mud Tremolina.

*

Let a smile be your style.

Tempest Tremolina

*

I know I can get you to smile somehow. I'm gonna give you a little poke and see if I can get a reaction.

Tempest said:

Tremolina said:

Funny that you are making fun of it like that

*

I'm not trying to be mean or nasty. I thought the Prince connection was cute. Don't you? I love both songs.

*

Don't be a stick in the mud Tremolina.

*

Let a smile be your style.

I just thought you were all about YHWH and Jesua.


Not that I don't find it amusing, just also confusing

[Edited 10/4/13 15:29pm]

Tremolina said:

Tempest said:

*

I'm not trying to be mean or nasty. I thought the Prince connection was cute. Don't you? I love both songs.

*

Don't be a stick in the mud Tremolina.

*

Let a smile be your style.

I just thought you were all about JHWH and Jesua.

*

I do love YHWH & Yeshua. What has that to do with me finding a fun connection between Adam & Eve (TGRES) and Hot Thing? It was supposed to be cute. Not serious.

*

Are you wearing your crabby pants today?

*

[Edited 10/4/13 15:34pm]

Why don't you share some of your Biblical knowledge with me/us instead of acting as a "hot thang"

Tremolina said:

Why don't you share some of your Biblical knowledge with me/us instead of acting as a "hot thang"

*

I wasn't acting like a hot thang. Hot Thang was a reference to the song Hot Thing, not a reference to me.

Tremolina, I think you're in need of a big hug so I'm gonna give you one whether you like it or not.

The song Hot thing has nothing to do with The Greatest Romance Ever Sold.

Adam and Eve should really be your "thing", judging by your Christian/Judeo inspired sermons when it comes to Prince, but apparantly that is not the case when truly relevant.

Yes, I know that Hot Thing has nothing to do with TGRES. That wasn't the point of my post. It was meant to be cute. Not related.

*

I apologize for what you perceive to be sermons. That's never my intent.

*

Tremolina, I don't think you like me much and that's OK.

*

You take care of you.

this song would have had a chance if he changed "sold" to "so"

the greatest romance that's ever been so

"sold" makes it a meaningless song .. nobody can understand figure out or relate to the lyric

Tempest said:

Yes, I know that Hot Thing has nothing to do with TGRES. That wasn't the point of my post. It was meant to be cute. Not related.

*

I apologize for what you perceive to be sermons. That's never my intent.

*

Tremolina, I don't think you like me much and that's OK.

*

You take care of you.

Just being amused and confused by your sudden lack of Biblical virtues and teachings.

TrevorAyer said:

this song would have had a chance if he changed "sold" to "so"

the greatest romance that's ever been so

"sold" makes it a meaningless song .. nobody can understand figure out or relate to the lyric

You obviously didn't read a word on this thread, or you didn't understand a word of it.


"Sold" obviously is a way of saying that you are being sold a story.


But carry on.

Tremolina said:

Tempest said:

Yes, I know that Hot Thing has nothing to do with TGRES. That wasn't the point of my post. It was meant to be cute. Not related.

*

I apologize for what you perceive to be sermons. That's never my intent.

*

Tremolina, I don't think you like me much and that's OK.

*

You take care of you.

Just being amused and confused by your sudden lack of Biblical virtues and teachings.

*

OK. Have fun being amused and confused.