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Thread started 05/28/16 9:33pm

ufoclub

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Prince’s Own Liner Notes On His Greatest Hits

https://medium.com/@anild....7sn13lnq4

Prince’s Own Liner Notes On His Greatest Hits

When Prince’s first greatest hits collection was released, Prince made private comments as a guide for the liner notes. Later briefly posted on his website thedawn.com in 1996, Prince’s comments have been lost for the last 20 years, but now provide a rare first-person insight into how he saw some of his most famous songs.

In 1993, just as Prince had changed his name and began wrangling with his record contract, he agreed to his first-ever collection of greatest hits, released as a 3-disc set, The Hits/The B-sides. Prince’s longtime manager Alan Leeds wrote the liner notes for the box set; already an industry legend for his work with James Brown, Leeds had won a Grammy for his extraordinary work on the liner notes for Startime, the definitive James Brown box set released in 1991.

But Leeds’ notes on Prince’s work included a number of mentions of anecdotes and inspirations that Leeds couldn’t have been privy to first-hand, and a few that only Prince himself could have known. When liner notes for The Hits were posted on thedawn.com three years later, fans were shocked to see that, rather than simply replicating Leeds’ writing, the notes on the site were clearly Prince’s own thoughts. The notes omit many tracks, include mention of songs that weren’t included in the box set at all, and include what appear to be editorial suggestions for Leeds.

Prince often refers to himself as “PRN” (Prince Rogers Nelson) throughout. This was likely both reflective of his longtime habit of trying to issue his pronouncements as coming from a larger, vague collective rather than just himself, and the fact that the notes were likely captured as recited to an assistant. However, it could also have been a deliberate stylistic choice in reference to his then-recent name change; at the time this was published, his public position was that “Prince” was dead.

LINER NOTES

“I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER” -

originally recorded as a demo 4 Patrice Rushen’s album. PRN had a mad crush on her at the time and the song is about her.

“HEAD” -

was only used as a concert tune. This song was picked as Lisa Coleman’s initiation into the band. Gayle Chapman quit because the material of the Dirty Mind period got 2 strong 4 her. Prince figured if Lisa could sing the lyrics to head she could handle anything. The song as a demo as was all the Dirty Mind LP.

“DO ME BABY” -

the 1st time Prince turned the control room into a bedroom. Candles were lit, chiffon veils were hung and all the doors were locked.

“Controversy” -

write about the first time U heard reflective notes

“LITTLE RED CORVETTE” -

after another marathon all-night recording session PRN wrote this in the front seat of Lisa’s pink car (brand of car can be gotten from her) whom PRN drove when she was in LA. PRN always considered the song a dream because it was written between 3 or 4 catnaps and he was never fully awake.

“DIRTY MIND” -

Dr. Fink came up with the original keyboard line which PRN heard and wrote lyrics 2 that same night. PRN and Dr. Fink came 2 rehearsal the next day proud of their creation. The band flipped when they heard it. The centerpiece was in place.

“WHEN DOVES CRY” -

originally recorded with bass, backing 2 sets of keys and guitar. Frustrated with the mix, PRN sat discouraged in the studio (Sunset Sound). Jill Jones came 2 visit, saw the long face and asked what was wrong. PRN was said to have said, “if. had my way the song would sound like this.” He then shoved down the bulk of the instrument faders and left up only the drums and the xylophone, when the voices began to sing the chorus. Jill then asked PRN why he thought he couldn’t have his way with the mix. There was no reply. Everyone who passed by the studio was enthralled by the strange sound coming out of Studio 3 that day. The next time Jill heard the song it was on the radio and it was bassless and stark. PRN had his way.

“KISS” -

PRN after recording this shelved it because he thought it 2 strange a production 4 human consumption. It was included in the Parade album was an afterthought. PRN thought it never quite worked on that album. Every time he plays it live he changes the arrangement. Probably still feels the same about the public’s acceptance of the sound. It concert it’s never sounded like the record.

“U GOT THE LOOK” -

a friend of PRN used 2 jump up and dance whenever Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” came on. As a test this song was recorded to find out of the friend would dance 2 a similar groove or just chill because it wasn’t a hit. Sure enough the friend didn’t like the song until it was in the Top 10.

“SEXY M.F.” -

the song that made PRN abandon computers just before he retired. Proof that nothing beats the feel of a live band of funky M.F.’s.

“CREAM” -

PRN wrote this standing in a mirror.

“DAMN U” -

one of the songs PRN is most proud of; he adores it. Used to play it live even fore it was released. Through the years this has been the indication of his feelings about a new composition.

“I FEEL 4 U” -

another demo written 4 the Patrice Rushen project. PRN tended 2 write more Top 40 when writing 4 other artists.

“WHEN U WERE MINE” -

written in a hotel room in North Carolina on the Rick James tour. This was not a happy period. PRN didn’t want to do this tour but he needed the exposure cuz his record was breaking R&B first. He was ready 2 headline his own tour but had 2 wait.

“UPTOWN” -

a favorite concert number during this period. The anthem 4 all the freaks and funkateers of the Dirty Mind generation. Vocal recorded in one take, no punching in after PRN in his 16 trackhome studio set up the song on the board, plugged in the mic, and left his leather coat on the chair. He went to get pumped at a movie and when it was over walked straight into the studio, donned the leather coat, and sang it straight out. He didn’t listen 2 it until the next day and then began finishing it.

“1999" -

was meant 2 be a group vocal. Lisa, Dez, and Prince actually sang the whole song every line. When Prince mixed it he made the decision 2 split up the lines. That’s why the melody keeps changing. Jill Jones 1st big vocal assignment. She does the ad libs on the vamp. Prince loved her voice. Vocally he said she was a ‘cliffdiver.’

“LET’S GO CRAZY” & “PURPLE RAIN” -

“POP LIFE” -

the jam in the ‘hood.

“ADORE” -

inspired by Patti LaBelle & Luther Vandross who Prince was digging at the time. Patti — ”if only u knew”…

“SIGN O’ THE TIMES” -

written, recorded, and mixed in one day.

“ALPHABET STREET”

Prince always called this an ‘aural cartoon.’ Recorded during the LoveSexy period.

“BATDANCE” -

originally a 12" 4 the song “200 BALLOONS.” This song with every sample just grew and grew. Listening 2 “200 BALLOONS” Prince commented “this sounds like it came from BATDANCE — not the other way around.”

“DIAMONDS AND PEARLS” -

written as a duet with Rosie Gaines. Prince vowed never 2 performs it with anyone else. As much as Prince wanted Rosie 2 go solo he hated the fact that he wouldn’t be able 2 peform one of his most prized possessions, Diamonds and Pearls, until they were 2gether again. Prince has called Rosie one of the greatest singers of all time. He most likens her 2 Ella Fitzgerald. Range, speed, and styling. Rosie’s got it all.

“7" -

Jevetta Steele asked Prince 4 an explanation of this song. He only smiled.

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Reply #1 posted 05/28/16 10:15pm

smokeverbs

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This is DOPE. Great find. A week or two before Prince passed away, someone posted that they wished someone could get Prince to do something like this - comment on a list of his songs, like the classic Lennon interview. I never thought we would get to see something like this. Very, very cool.

Keep your headphones on.
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Reply #2 posted 05/28/16 10:19pm

whipchorus

Am amused with the idea of calling Prince 'PRN' (or P.R.N.)...forever.

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Reply #3 posted 05/28/16 10:22pm

ComeHereLetMeC
utYourHair

thank u so much ufoclub!! u the man!

[Edited 5/28/16 22:23pm]

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Reply #4 posted 05/28/16 10:38pm

floralelephant
s

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Looks like Alan Leeds quoted him a few times in his liner notes. Very cool.
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Reply #5 posted 05/28/16 11:01pm

all7even

Prince dug Luther!?
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Reply #6 posted 05/28/16 11:03pm

thetimefan

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Cool find, some of the quotes look familiar so I'd imagine Alan Leeds used them in the linear notes or re wrote them a little.
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Reply #7 posted 05/28/16 11:19pm

MoBettaBliss

great stuff... cheers cool

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Reply #8 posted 05/28/16 11:52pm

CalhounSq

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Omg, loooooved reading this!!! He wrote Cream IN THE MIRROR, & wrote Lady Cab Driver half asleep!!!!! falloff clapping worship
heart prince I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it prince heart
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Reply #9 posted 05/29/16 12:12am

mailaccount63

Thank you for this.
RIP Prince. We will NEVER forget you. Thank you so much.

"Dearly Beloved:
We are gathered here today 2 get through this thing called: 'Life'."
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Reply #10 posted 05/29/16 1:43am

geetee71

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.

Very interesting - thanks for sharing.

.

'Batdance' starting life as a remix of '200 Balloons' was new information to me, but makes a lot of sense.

.

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Reply #11 posted 05/29/16 1:53am

TheFreakerFant
astic

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Very revealing.

This makes sense now, he's singing about how he always gets new ideas and has to work on them!

“DAMN U” -

one of the songs PRN is most proud of; he adores it. Used to play it live even fore it was released. Through the years this has been the indication of his feelings about a new composition.

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Reply #12 posted 05/29/16 2:02am

suomynona

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all7even said:

Prince dug Luther!?


Anyone with ears and a brain between them dug Luther.

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Reply #13 posted 05/29/16 3:23am

BillieBalloon

Love this thanks. Could have read lots more. His description of alphabet street is perfect.
Baby, you're a star.

Meet me in another world, space and joy
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Reply #14 posted 05/29/16 3:36am

databank

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I don't think I ever knew about the Patrice Rushen project. I wonder if it was just something Prince hoped to do or if they actually began working on something together.

A COMPREHENSIVE PRINCE DISCOGRAPHY (work in progress ^^): https://sites.google.com/...scography/
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Reply #15 posted 05/29/16 3:49am

mightycow

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ufoclub this is great! thanks so much. I'm going to print this and put it inside my 'The Hits / The B-Sides' triple disc set. thanks again cool

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Reply #16 posted 05/29/16 3:58am

Aerogram

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TheFreakerFantastic said:

Very revealing.

This makes sense now, he's singing about how he always gets new ideas and has to work on them!

“DAMN U” -

one of the songs PRN is most proud of; he adores it. Used to play it live even fore it was released. Through the years this has been the indication of his feelings about a new composition.

Strange he says that, but the song wasn't included.

I guess the label said it wasn't a hit or he had to make space for some of the new songs.

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Reply #17 posted 05/29/16 4:57am

Se7en

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Imagine if Batdance and Partyman had been included!

This hits collection is so good, he could have retired then and still been one of the biggest stars of all time.
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Reply #18 posted 05/29/16 5:20am

dodger

Brilliant. Interesting what he said about Damn U and Batdance
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Reply #19 posted 05/29/16 5:31am

SPYZFAN1

Thanks for posting this. Never knew there was xylophone on "W.D.C"....Nice compliments about Rosie too.

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Reply #20 posted 05/29/16 5:40am

FUNKNROLL

.
[Edited 6/19/16 14:03pm]
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Reply #21 posted 05/29/16 5:50am

ufoclub

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FUNKNROLL said:

Thx for sharing. Noticed the uncredited drawing. Wish the public could see all of Prince's sketches. He had a long history of drawing people (NPGMC), fashion/costumes (20Ten), and text for the covers of his CDs (Gett Off). Handwriting and drawings can offer a window into a person. His sketches demonstrate the tremendous, immediate scope of his vision for his projects. RIP sad . [Edited 5/29/16 5:45am]

He drew those music club drawings?

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Reply #22 posted 05/29/16 5:53am

anildash

FUNKNROLL said:

Thx for sharing. Noticed the uncredited drawing. Wish the public could see all of Prince's sketches. He had a long history of drawing people (NPGMC), fashion/costumes (20Ten), and text for the covers of his CDs (Gett Off). Handwriting and drawings can offer a window into a person. His sketches demonstrate the tremendous, immediate scope of his vision for his projects. RIP sad . [Edited 5/29/16 5:45am]

I believe that illustration was by Debbie McGuan; it fits her style and she did all the NPGMC-era website illustrations. I'll double check and update the article to reflect credit once I know for sure.

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Reply #23 posted 05/29/16 5:55am

jdcxc

Wow...very cool.

It appears that the material he thought to be too obtuse for audiences (Kiss, WDC) are his biggest blockbusters. And I agree, Kiss never sounds "right" live.
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Reply #24 posted 05/29/16 6:03am

Musze

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What a find. Thank U.

I Love U, But I Don't Trust U Anymore...
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Reply #25 posted 05/29/16 6:04am

BillieBalloon

FUNKNROLL said:

Thx for sharing. Noticed the uncredited drawing. Wish the public could see all of Prince's sketches. He had a long history of drawing people (NPGMC), fashion/costumes (20Ten), and text for the covers of his CDs (Gett Off). Handwriting and drawings can offer a window into a person. His sketches demonstrate the tremendous, immediate scope of his vision for his projects.

RIP :-(

.
[Edited 5/29/16 5:45am]



I always thought the artwork on the gett off single was his but not seen any other sketches or drawings.
It would be great to see them if you know of any.
Baby, you're a star.

Meet me in another world, space and joy
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Reply #26 posted 05/29/16 6:08am

BillieBalloon




Found this here.
Baby, you're a star.

Meet me in another world, space and joy
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Reply #27 posted 05/29/16 6:37am

eyewishuheaven

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Great stuff, thank you!

PRINCE: the only man who could wear high heels and makeup and STILL steal your woman!
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Reply #28 posted 05/29/16 6:54am

Sander

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BillieBalloon said:




Found this here.

This looks a lot like the exodus album. I thought he drew those as well.
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Reply #29 posted 05/29/16 7:00am

FUNKNROLL

.

[Edited 6/19/16 14:03pm]

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