Hey, sorry if this has been discussed long ago. My question is: Who really wrote 'Slow Love' -- Carol Davis or Prince, or both?

On the 1987 Prince album, it's credited to both of them. But I think on Carol Davis's own 1989 album, it's credited to her alone.

According to Davis herself in Matt Thorne's recent book, she essentially wrote the song alone, Prince liked it, Prince asked her if he could have it, she said okay, and finally it was suggested that they share co-writing credit (although he didn't write it) -- to which Davis agreed so that she could have credit on a Prince album. Again, this is just what Carol Davis told Matt Thorne.

Further complicating this is that Prince isn't credited on her version on her album, which apparently has different lyrics and maybe other different parts (I haven't heard it).

It's also curious that Prince hasn't performed the song (I believe) since 1988. It makes me wonder if there was some sort of legal dispute about who wrote it, and as a result Prince just pensioned off the song forever. (Then again, there are other great songs from this era that he basically pensioned off...).

Anyone know?

I am under the impression this happens with prince quite often.

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Wasn't there numerous issues with Emancipation whereby he didn't give song writing credits where due?

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ThePanther said:

On the 1987 Prince album, it's credited to both of them. But I think on Carol Davis's own 1989 album, it's credited to her alone.

Look into this first, or this whole post is pointless.

http://www.discogs.com/Ca...ase/312709

Carole Davis' singing career was brief, but a highlight was working with Prince, co-writing the Sign "O" The Times track "Slow Love" and recording her own version.

Credits

Carole Davis wrote the lyrics. More information about her.

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Matt Thorne's Prince bio claims:

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Carole Davis wrote the song and Prince wanted to buy it. His lawyers offered her $25000. She refused. Then they offered 50% of the rights. This time she accepted.

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breakdown2k14 said:

^ really? It isn't that great of a song .I never listen to the song unless I listen to the whole album .

I don't think the OP is talking about it being great, just background info on who actually wrote it/create it etc

darkroman said:

I am under the impression this happens with prince quite often.

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Wasn't there numerous issues with Emancipation whereby he didn't give song writing credits where due?

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He writes and has written so many other songs that are not in dispute as to who wrote them that I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on songs like Slow Love or Soul Sanctuary. Also, given the, what, thousands of songs he has written, great songs at that, it's hard to believe he'd be so narcissistic as to deny credit where credit is due. But having said that, it is Prince, so...fuck it.

It's a great song.I can see why he wanted it for his album.

she looks a little like kate bush....he mustve tried /banged her

BlackandRising said:

Fantastic song. Didn't know this. Let's lynch him.

smokeverbs said:

BlackandRising said:

You must be a new fan. Taking credit for other people's work is one of the things Prince does best.

lol no, I have been there since hearing "Soft and Wet" on the radion when it came out.

Sorry, I was wrong in the OP -- Davis's album clearly gives her credit alone for it.

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So, it's clear that Carol Davis "thinks" she wrote it alone, both on her album credits and according to what she told Matt Thorne. I just wonder, then, if Prince has ever commented on it?

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(I hadn't realized they may have dated at some point. Maybe the song was conceived in a moment of intimacy, and neither can remember the details...?)

BlackandRising said:

darkroman said:

I am under the impression this happens with prince quite often.

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Wasn't there numerous issues with Emancipation whereby he didn't give song writing credits where due?

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He writes and has written so many other songs that are not in dispute as to who wrote them that I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on songs like Slow Love or Soul Sanctuary. Also, given the, what, thousands of songs he has written, great songs at that, it's hard to believe he'd be so narcissistic as to deny credit where credit is due. But having said that, it is Prince, so...fuck it.

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Yes, let's ignore the MULTIPLE instances where Prince ripped of Sandra St. Victor and failed to properly credit the people invovled in writing those songs.

BartVanHemelen said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Carole Davis wrote the lyrics. More information about her.

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Matt Thorne's Prince bio claims:

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Carole Davis wrote the song and Prince wanted to buy it. His lawyers offered her $25000. She refused. Then they offered 50% of the rights. This time she accepted.

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If this is true Princevault doesn't reflect this (yet)

ThePanther said:

Sorry, I was wrong in the OP -- Davis's album clearly gives her credit alone for it.

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So, it's clear that Carol Davis "thinks" she wrote it alone, both on her album credits and according to what she told Matt Thorne. I just wonder, then, if Prince has ever commented on it?

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(I hadn't realized they may have dated at some point. Maybe the song was conceived in a moment of intimacy, and neither can remember the details...?)

Do u actually have the booklet? I used to have it on CD and don't remember this, I think it would have stuck me but that was so long ago maybe I forgot about it...

Discogs lists Prince alone as composer, which makes it all the more confusing.

Thing is legally Carold Davis couldn't get away with giving Prince his 50% of the official copyright. But she may have gotten away with giving "unproper" credits on her booklet.

smokeverbs said:

jdcxc said:

BartVanHemelen said:

BlackandRising said:

He writes and has written so many other songs that are not in dispute as to who wrote them that I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on songs like Slow Love or Soul Sanctuary. Also, given the, what, thousands of songs he has written, great songs at that, it's hard to believe he'd be so narcissistic as to deny credit where credit is due. But having said that, it is Prince, so...fuck it.

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Yes, let's ignore the MULTIPLE instances where Prince ripped of Sandra St. Victor and failed to properly credit the people invovled in writing those songs.

right here, you're simply compounding rumor and innuendo with more rumor and innuendo. I've yet to see anything that proves what you state here. So while I'm not ignoring what you speak of, I do, at the end of the day, understand that it is simply rumor and innuendo.

jdcxc said:

BartVanHemelen said:

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Yes, let's ignore the MULTIPLE instances where Prince ripped of Sandra St. Victor and failed to properly credit the people invovled in writing those songs.

I didn't know Bart was present during the whole songwriting process. There are also plenty of examples where Prince gave credit to musicians who had minimal participation in songs. I doubt that P had NO role in the final version of Slow Love.

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Sandra St. Victor knows what she's written, but I guess you don't think she's reliable.

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Also loving your defense of Princey, as if it's a math equation. "Well, Sandra St. Victor got shafted, but Prince's dad got some retirement money, so no harm done."

BlackandRising said:

BartVanHemelen said:

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Yes, let's ignore the MULTIPLE instances where Prince ripped of Sandra St. Victor and failed to properly credit the people invovled in writing those songs.

right here, you're simply compounding rumor and innuendo with more rumor and innuendo. I've yet to see anything that proves what you state here. So while I'm not ignoring what you speak of, I do, at the end of the day, understand that it is simply rumor and innuendo.

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Sanctuary, I'll Never Open My Legs Again, Love Is: that's three SSV songs Prince took WITHOUT HER PERMISSION. Go check the albums those songs appear on and compare the credits to the ones at ASCAP and BMI. There's also How We Livin'. Again, this is well known. She talked about this on TV.

BartVanHemelen said:

BlackandRising said:

right here, you're simply compounding rumor and innuendo with more rumor and innuendo. I've yet to see anything that proves what you state here. So while I'm not ignoring what you speak of, I do, at the end of the day, understand that it is simply rumor and innuendo.

.

Sanctuary, I'll Never Open My Legs Again, Love Is: that's three SSV songs Prince took WITHOUT HER PERMISSION. Go check the albums those songs appear on and compare the credits to the ones at ASCAP and BMI. There's also How We Livin'. Again, this is well known. She talked about this on TV.

Songs or lyrics?

BartVanHemelen said:

BartVanHemelen said:

BlackandRising said:

right here, you're simply compounding rumor and innuendo with more rumor and innuendo. I've yet to see anything that proves what you state here. So while I'm not ignoring what you speak of, I do, at the end of the day, understand that it is simply rumor and innuendo.

.

Sanctuary, I'll Never Open My Legs Again, Love Is: that's three SSV songs Prince took WITHOUT HER PERMISSION. Go check the albums those songs appear on and compare the credits to the ones at ASCAP and BMI. There's also How We Livin'. Again, this is well known. She talked about this on TV.

This is not a defense of Prince, but statistically, the odds of Prince stealing songs from someone is kinda not with in the realm of reality; I have no idea how many songs he's written, but I think it's safe to say that it is a lot. And not just for himself, but countless songs for others, from various perspectives. Add to that, he's solidly imbedded in the music world due to this talent. So why lie about 3 or 4 songs when you've written thousands? That's just laughable.

So, your mention of three songs here that are in dispute, and not based on anything factual, just a comparison of credits and that she talked about it on TV, is a little incredulous. I mean, come on. I know you don't like the man, but, numbers kinda tell a different story here.

luvsexy4all said:

she looks a little like kate bush....he mustve tried /banged her

I wonder if Prince did the whole "sleep-with-me-and-I'll-make-you-a-star" routine with her? LOL

SoulAlive said:

BartVanHemelen said:

What was the saying in Minneapolis in the early 80s? "Watch what you play, or it might end up on Warner Brothers." It was something like that...