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Thread started 07/06/16 7:20pm

sro100

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"Diamonds and Pearls" song question?

I've asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer.

Is this song just an example of lazy songwriting when he says "would you be a happy boy or a girl?"

If not, why is he asking if the person he's singing to is a "boy or a girl?"

Thoughts?

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Reply #1 posted 07/06/16 7:27pm

inovio

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1) When has P ever been a lazy songwriter?

2) He's not asking for the person's gender.

Eye wanna make Love to U,
2 times maybe 3,
If u want to go 4 or 5,
Baby that's alright with me,
eye will be your little baby,
eye can be your big strong man....
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Reply #2 posted 07/06/16 7:37pm

controversy99

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He's having fun playing around with gender and sexuality. This line offers a lot:

1. It suggests that the singer could be bisexual or questioning. He's willing to offer his love to a boy or a girl. This harkens back to the Controvery.

2. It allows for a listener of any gender and sexuality to sing along, making the song more universal. A straight woman can sing it and the "boy" part resonates, a lesbian "girl", straight male "girl", gay man "boy."

3. The question mark doesn't indicate that he's asking the listener if s/he is a boy or girl. He's asking if the diamonds and pearls make s/he happy. He could've written "Would you be a happy girl?" and just slowed down the delivery to make it fit the melody, but that would be a much less interesting line.

4. Using boy or girl, instead of man or girl, is a great piece of gender equality. So many grown women are called girls, that it's cool to see it balanced out.

I think it's one of Prince's particularly good pieces of songwriting. Not all Prince lyrics are good, but this is one many of examples that is very well done.
"Love & honesty, peace & harmony"
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Reply #3 posted 07/06/16 7:45pm

SoulAlive

I never liked that particular lyric.
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Reply #4 posted 07/06/16 7:46pm

TrivialPursuit

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Lazy? Would you say the same about "Anna Stasia?" He uses the "boy or a girl" analogy there, too.

I don't think he's necessarily playing with sexuality or gender here. It's an easy answer, but seems too simple. Moreover, Prince encompasses everyone in his music. He has addressed everything, especially by 1988, and then by 1991. He plainly says he has nothing to give, but his love for a person. "All I can do is just offer you my love".

It's more of a "I don't care who you are, I accept my love". And isn't that what life's all about anyway?

While it's not meant to be an ode to his fans, it can certainly be taken that way.

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #5 posted 07/06/16 7:47pm

SoulAlive

I also dislike the lyric "I'm good to cream every boy and girl" which appears elsewhere on this album.
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Reply #6 posted 07/06/16 7:47pm

journalism16

This song is a beautiful one, but I have never equated it with sexuality as controversy has stated, however I agree. This song does not have lazy songwriting written in it's context at all.
Erin Smith
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Reply #7 posted 07/06/16 7:50pm

sro100

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TrivialPursuit said:

Lazy? Would you say the same about "Anna Stasia?" He uses the "boy or a girl" analogy there, too.

I don't think he's necessarily playing with sexuality or gender here. It's an easy answer, but seems too simple. Moreover, Prince encompasses everyone in his music. He has addressed everything, especially by 1988, and then by 1991. He plainly says he has nothing to give, but his love for a person. "All I can do is just offer you my love".

It's more of a "I don't care who you are, I accept my love". And isn't that what life's all about anyway?

While it's not meant to be an ode to his fans, it can certainly be taken that way.

Actually I was going to use "Anna Stesia" as an example of when it does make sense. He's singing out to everyone.

But D and P is a romantic song sung to someone specific. So then why "boy or girl?"

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Reply #8 posted 07/06/16 7:51pm

sro100

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SoulAlive said:

I also dislike the lyric "I'm good to cream every boy and girl" which appears elsewhere on this album.

That line i do get. He's "Cream" Ruling over all the public that is now digging his pop sound.

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Reply #9 posted 07/06/16 7:52pm

sro100

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inovio said:

1) When has P ever been a lazy songwriter?

2) He's not asking for the person's gender.

I would say this is to try to make "pearl" rhyme with " boy or a girl."

Unless there's a reason for it?

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Reply #10 posted 07/06/16 8:37pm

BlackSweat86

I just always thought he was singing to children like in the video. shrug

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Reply #11 posted 07/06/16 8:52pm

cb70

It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.

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Reply #12 posted 07/06/16 9:35pm

gandorb

controversy99 said:

He's having fun playing around with gender and sexuality. This line offers a lot: 1. It suggests that the singer could be bisexual or questioning. He's willing to offer his love to a boy or a girl. This harkens back to the Controvery. 2. It allows for a listener of any gender and sexuality to sing along, making the song more universal. A straight woman can sing it and the "boy" part resonates, a lesbian "girl", straight male "girl", gay man "boy." 3. The question mark doesn't indicate that he's asking the listener if s/he is a boy or girl. He's asking if the diamonds and pearls make s/he happy. He could've written "Would you be a happy girl?" and just slowed down the delivery to make it fit the melody, but that would be a much less interesting line. 4. Using boy or girl, instead of man or girl, is a great piece of gender equality. So many grown women are called girls, that it's cool to see it balanced out. I think it's one of Prince's particularly good pieces of songwriting. Not all Prince lyrics are good, but this is one many of examples that is very well done.

5. All the above!

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Reply #13 posted 07/06/16 10:02pm

sro100

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cb70 said:

It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.

This is the only one that kind-of makes sense but does the rest of the song really equal that?

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Reply #14 posted 07/06/16 10:08pm

RodeoSchro

sro100 said:

I've asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer.

Is this song just an example of lazy songwriting when he says "would you be a happy boy or a girl?"

If not, why is he asking if the person he's singing to is a "boy or a girl?"

Thoughts?



Thoughts? OK.

"Lazy" is the absolute last word I would ever use to describe any aspect of this song. It has five - FIVE - different time signatures. It changes keys sublimely. The resolution between keys is absolute musical genius. And the lyrics are incredibly deep.

I know art is subjective but if you think any portion of this song is anything but world-class, I just don't know what to say.

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Reply #15 posted 07/06/16 10:20pm

TrivialPursuit

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cb70 said:

It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.


No, it's not.

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #16 posted 07/06/16 10:26pm

TrivialPursuit

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sro100 said:

Actually I was going to use "Anna Stesia" as an example of when it does make sense. He's singing out to everyone.

But D and P is a romantic song sung to someone specific. So then why "boy or girl?"


I'm going to give you the story about Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. They were setting to record "The Girl Is Mine", and Paul questioned Michael's use of "the doggone girl is mine". (This is all in Moonwalker, by the way.) Paul thought it was a fluff line, and wasn't taking "doggone" seriously. MJ stuck to this guns, and wanted the line in there. MJ explained that sometimes it's not about every single word, but rather the sentiment, or the groove. Not every single word has to be deep and meaning full. It's often about the turn of the phrase, or the rhythm.

Prince understood that as well. There's a list of what could be considered fluff Prince lyrics in otherwise great songs. It doesn't make it lazy. So to nitpick a song like "Diamonds and Pearls", with this is missing the point.

Plus it rhymes.

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #17 posted 07/06/16 10:26pm

sro100

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RodeoSchro said:

sro100 said:

I've asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer.

Is this song just an example of lazy songwriting when he says "would you be a happy boy or a girl?"

If not, why is he asking if the person he's singing to is a "boy or a girl?"

Thoughts?



Thoughts? OK.

"Lazy" is the absolute last word I would ever use to describe any aspect of this song. It has five - FIVE - different time signatures. It changes keys sublimely. The resolution between keys is absolute musical genius. And the lyrics are incredibly deep.

I know art is subjective but if you think any portion of this song is anything but world-class, I just don't know what to say.


But you didn't answer the question...

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Reply #18 posted 07/06/16 10:52pm

PeteSilas

sro100 said:

I've asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer.

Is this song just an example of lazy songwriting when he says "would you be a happy boy or a girl?"

If not, why is he asking if the person he's singing to is a "boy or a girl?"

Thoughts?

Prince often wrote songs very quickly, I think I heard that he did the whole album in like a week. I've always thought he could have often given more time to revision, especially with those great b-sides. Sometimes it was obvious that he got a song done without going over it again. Also, pop songs don't need to be deep or even really good, i'm sure that had something to do with it. It was a hit afterall.

[Edited 7/6/16 23:12pm]

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Reply #19 posted 07/06/16 11:05pm

inovio

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I'm not trying to be mean but I don't have the mental energy to go into a lecture and extrapolation on the song, right now, but some of the responses abouve are spot on.

Eye wanna make Love to U,
2 times maybe 3,
If u want to go 4 or 5,
Baby that's alright with me,
eye will be your little baby,
eye can be your big strong man....
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Reply #20 posted 07/07/16 4:13am

controversy99

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sro100 said:



TrivialPursuit said:


Lazy? Would you say the same about "Anna Stasia?" He uses the "boy or a girl" analogy there, too.

I don't think he's necessarily playing with sexuality or gender here. It's an easy answer, but seems too simple. Moreover, Prince encompasses everyone in his music. He has addressed everything, especially by 1988, and then by 1991. He plainly says he has nothing to give, but his love for a person. "All I can do is just offer you my love".

It's more of a "I don't care who you are, I accept my love". And isn't that what life's all about anyway?

While it's not meant to be an ode to his fans, it can certainly be taken that way.




Actually I was going to use "Anna Stesia" as an example of when it does make sense. He's singing out to everyone.



But D and P is a romantic song sung to someone specific. So then why "boy or girl?"


Are you purposely being obtuse or perhaps just lazy? The Anna Stesia "boy or girl" line has a lot in common with the D&P line. In both lines, he seems to be talking about a romantic/physical relationship. It's not the only interpretation, but it's one that he leaves open.

Also, you haven't responded to the point inovio and I made that he's not asking the listener what his/her gender is. You complained a couple of times that others supposedly didn't answer your question, you're ignoring many of the answers you do get.
"Love & honesty, peace & harmony"
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Reply #21 posted 07/07/16 4:55am

BillieBalloon

"Have you ever wanted to play
With someone so much you'd take
Any one boy or girl?"

Prince - Anna Stesia


For me the above line is simple, you're so lonely that you would take any gender to ease your loneliness.

So " girls and boys love god above" again straightforward.

D&P is slightly more confusing and I think it may have elements in common with annastesia but only in the chorus not the rest of the song. The idea of universal love is there I think. In Princes mind diamonds and pearls obviously represents material posessions and a lifestyle that he could lavish on a person but he has something much more important to offer. He wants you to love him for him and not his wealth and fame. Boy or girl might refer to his fans of both gender. It's confusing because in the verses he is addressing one person and in the chorus many.
[Edited 7/7/16 4:57am]
Baby, you're a star.

Meet me in another world, space and joy
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Reply #22 posted 07/07/16 5:03am

BillieBalloon

Girl rhymes with pearl but he could have substituted any word other than boy..for example..would you be a happy "baby' girl..(I know that's not good but I'm not prince and it's just an example!) I think he wanted that part of the song to appeal to everyone..maybe crowd at a show. There's also children of both genders in the video.
Baby, you're a star.

Meet me in another world, space and joy
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Reply #23 posted 07/07/16 5:15am

Bunsterdk

BillieBalloon said:

"Have you ever wanted to play
With someone so much you'd take
Any one boy or girl?"

Prince - Anna Stesia


For me the above line is simple, you're so lonely that you would take any gender to ease your loneliness.

So " girls and boys love god above" again straightforward.

D&P is slightly more confusing and I think it may have elements in common with annastesia but only in the chorus not the rest of the song. The idea of universal love is there I think. In Princes mind diamonds and pearls obviously represents material posessions and a lifestyle that he could lavish on a person but he has something much more important to offer. He wants you to love him for him and not his wealth and fame. Boy or girl might refer to his fans of both gender. It's confusing because in the verses he is addressing one person and in the chorus many.
[Edited 7/7/16 4:57am]


I agree. Also I think he often wrote songs that were not necessarily just about one thing or person.

Sometimes I wonder if some songs are actually written to himself like Cream, and not all of them as flattering. I can't remember specific songs right now, but I have thought this on more than one occasion.
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Reply #24 posted 07/07/16 5:22am

jaawwnn

TrivialPursuit said:

cb70 said:

It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.


No, it's not.

It might be!

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Reply #25 posted 07/07/16 5:28am

BillieBalloon

Bunsterdk said:

BillieBalloon said:

"Have you ever wanted to play
With someone so much you'd take
Any one boy or girl?"

Prince - Anna Stesia


For me the above line is simple, you're so lonely that you would take any gender to ease your loneliness.

So " girls and boys love god above" again straightforward.

D&P is slightly more confusing and I think it may have elements in common with annastesia but only in the chorus not the rest of the song. The idea of universal love is there I think. In Princes mind diamonds and pearls obviously represents material posessions and a lifestyle that he could lavish on a person but he has something much more important to offer. He wants you to love him for him and not his wealth and fame. Boy or girl might refer to his fans of both gender. It's confusing because in the verses he is addressing one person and in the chorus many.
[Edited 7/7/16 4:57am]


I agree. Also I think he often wrote songs that were not necessarily just about one thing or person.

Sometimes I wonder if some songs are actually written to himself like Cream, and not all of them as flattering. I can't remember specific songs right now, but I have thought this on more than one occasion.


The only song I think he obviously wrote about himself is My Name is Prince. Do you know of others? Can't think right now.. Cream I think is not about him.
Baby, you're a star.

Meet me in another world, space and joy
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Reply #26 posted 07/07/16 5:31am

BillieBalloon

jaawwnn said:



TrivialPursuit said:




cb70 said:


It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.




No, it's not.



It might be!




Prince sang about God but never professed to BE god. So I don't think it is.
Baby, you're a star.

Meet me in another world, space and joy
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Reply #27 posted 07/07/16 5:42am

jaawwnn

BillieBalloon said:

jaawwnn said:

It might be!

Prince sang about God but never professed to BE god. So I don't think it is.

I would Die 4 U is from God's (or Jesus') perspective as well though...

I'm not saying there's a definitive answer but I see it as a possibility.

[Edited 7/7/16 5:43am]

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Reply #28 posted 07/07/16 5:42am

Bunsterdk

BillieBalloon said:

Bunsterdk said:



I agree. Also I think he often wrote songs that were not necessarily just about one thing or person.

Sometimes I wonder if some songs are actually written to himself like Cream, and not all of them as flattering. I can't remember specific songs right now, but I have thought this on more than one occasion.


The only song I think he obviously wrote about himself is My Name is Prince. Do you know of others? Can't think right now.. Cream I think is not about him.


He said it was although he may well have been joking. But it fits.

I can't think of specific songs right now, but I've started to be a little more free with my understanding of the songs. I think they changed meaning for him also over the years. Maybe not every line fit, some just sounded good? It's an important part of songwriting too.

But the line about boy or girl in D and P to me is definitely not to a lover. He's asking us all, and he had reason to as he was no doubt overrun by people wanting money and things. But would it make you happy if I gave it to you, or would my love make you happier? In the end, all he could really give of any real value was his love. And he did give that freely in a non-romantic way to both sexes.

And he could sing a song from the perspective of God without thinking he was himself God. It's a song, and I've heard many religious songs do that.

Thinking of D and P as a song from God to us is kind of interesting too. Of course not everything fits, but much does.
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Reply #29 posted 07/07/16 6:00am

benni

Actually, I like the explanation of it being sung from the perspective of God or Christ. That does not mean he is proclaiming himself to be such, but rather that God is singing through him. Just because people interpret the "love" being sung about as being about romantic love, does not mean it is. There are all kinds of love, the love for your fellow man, the love for your children and family, the love for friends, the love for God. "Love is meant for two" love is an energy that flows between the two people involved, whether they are your children, your spouse, your family members, or friends. It doesn't necessarily mean between lovers.

It would be like Christ to ask, "If I gave you everything you wanted, riches galore, would you be happy? But all I can give you is my love, is that not enough? My love is worth more than all jewels, gold, and money."

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