This song has had some real estate in my brain for the last couple of weeks. Anybody else digging this track? Got on a PlectrumElectrum and 3rdEyeGirl kick and dug this one back up. I havent listened to the original, just his cover.

I dig it until the chorus starts. Then it's grating to my ears.

Here is a link for Nichole Nordeman's response to Prince covering her song:

http://www.wayfm.com/content/music/prince-sings-a-lovely-old-song-by-nichole-nordeman-this-is-odd/

Sorry, don't know how to post an actual link.

I also heard her interviewed on KTIS, Minneapolis' Christian Contemporary station, the day Prince died. I couldn't find that interview online but both Nichole and the interviewer had nothing but good things to say about Prince. (I work in Christian radio and can tell you KTIS is one of the major Christian stations in the US )

[Edited 11/30/16 13:54pm]

FunkOnTheOne said:

NorthC said:

FunkOnTheOne said:

Really like the sound of the song. The strange thing for me is the lyrics. I know the writer of the song is a Christian and that Prince was and yet I hear it in a very Atheistic way. What if Jesus was just a wise man etc. Really think this song can be viewed both ways.

But what if you're wrong?

Hannah's vocals kind of ruined it for me.

live version better

I'm guessing that by the time Prince's management called Nordeman in 2010 to ask for permission for the cover Prince had already recorded it, so probably there's a 2010 version of the track in the Vault.

Pure speculation of course, but we know how impatient he could be to transform inspiration to tape. I don't think his first thought was "let's ask my assistant to get permission". He didn't actually need permission to record it anyway, it's just a gesture.

KaresB said:

motherfunka said:

Hannah's vocals kind of ruined it for me.

This is what happened for me too.

rogifan said:

KaresB said:

I'm guessing that by the time Prince's management called Nordeman in 2010 to ask for permission for the cover Prince had already recorded it, so probably there's a 2010 version of the track in the Vault.

Pure speculation of course, but we know how impatient he could be to transform inspiration to tape. I don't think his first thought was "let's ask my assistant to get permission". He didn't actually need permission to record it anyway, it's just a gesture.

We know what he thought about that.

Chakka mad.

But what if you're wrong?

But what if YOU'RE wrong?

If we're both wrong, does it mean we're both right?

NouveauDance said:

But what if you're wrong?

But what if YOU'RE wrong?

If we're both wrong, does it mean we're both right?

Two wrongs don't make a right Hehehe

The sound of the track is actually quite nice, but it's a Godawful song.

It's preachy, aloof, smug, the definition of holier-than-thou.... the very worst standpoint of almost any of Prince's music.

Fixurlifeup has a simillarly shitty attitude. Fix your own life up, MF, leave me to mine.

Unfortunate, as it makes Prince seem juvenile and simple-minded, the former of which he often was (in a good way!), but the latter of which he rarely was.

Maybe there was a certain amount of projection happening with these type of songs in the latter part of his career.

Rimshottbob said:

The sound of the track is actually quite nice, but it's a Godawful song.

It's preachy, aloof, smug, the definition of holier-than-thou.... the very worst standpoint of almost any of Prince's music.

Kind of like Lovesexy? (The song "what if": isn't any of those things).

Fixurlifeup has a simillarly shitty attitude. Fix your own life up, MF, leave me to mine.

Unfortunate, as it makes Prince seem juvenile and simple-minded, the former of which he often was (in a good way!), but the latter of which he rarely was.

Odd you find "What if" preachy but "Fix Your Life Up" you say isn't preachy enough. (Though I suspect you haven't actually paid that much attention to the lyrics).

It never ceases to amaze me how people frown on any song that mentions god from 2000 onwards. Maybe on Lovesexy he's talking about a different Jesus? (but we all know he isn't).

yes, I love the song

I'm sorry, I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about. I'm not sure that you actually read what I wrote.

At no point did I say I had a problem with the mention of God in a Prince song, or anywhere. The Rainbow Children is one of my favourite of Prince's albums, and while some would call it preachy, I don't believe it to be.... throughout the album the singer states what they believe to be a truth, which, whether you agree with that truth or not, is very different to mocking the listener for not knowing about and/or believing in what the singer knows/believes in.

And Lovesexy is an entirely differnet animal. Come on. That album is brilliant because the singer is excited about something and spends the album sharing its riches with you. At no point is there finger-pointing or a holier-than-thou attitude. It's nothing to do with 'God' per se, and to suggest it's that simple is incredibly simplistic.

In contrast to Lovesexy and The Rainbow Childre, What If? is absolutely a smug, self-satisfied song, again, for me, the worst kind art. It is humorless and charmless and leaves no room for any discussion whatsoever. The question in the title is rhetorical and sarcastic... the lyric may be asking 'What if you're wrong?' but the tone of the song is screaming 'You are wrong, I am right'. THAT is what makes it such a weak song.

And where you got that I think FixUrLifeUp isn't preachy enough, I have no idea. "It has the same shitty attitude", is what I said. In the same way, I prefer my Prince to be preaching 'you got to be free' as he has done through so much of his catalogue, rather than 'you need to match your standards with mine, or you are unacceptable'. That kind of exclusionary nonsense has very little to do with the attitude that has permeated Prince's 'Uptown' sensibility from the get go, and a large part of why it is so out of character, not to mention unwelcome in Fix Ur Life Up.... apart from all that, it's just a weak-ass pop song with guitars trying to make it sound loud and full of an unearned 'attitude'.

I don't believe I misheard the lyrics or misread the intentions of these songs and albums. This narrow-minded exclusionist attitude weirdly seemed to creep into Prince's work in the later years, perhaps from too much hanging around with Christians. Fortunately, it seemed to be ebbing right at the end, and some of his old inclusive attitude seemed to return.

Noodled24 said:

Rimshottbob said:

The sound of the track is actually quite nice, but it's a Godawful song.

It's preachy, aloof, smug, the definition of holier-than-thou.... the very worst standpoint of almost any of Prince's music.

Kind of like Lovesexy? (The song "what if": isn't any of those things).

Fixurlifeup has a simillarly shitty attitude. Fix your own life up, MF, leave me to mine.

Unfortunate, as it makes Prince seem juvenile and simple-minded, the former of which he often was (in a good way!), but the latter of which he rarely was.

Odd you find "What if" preachy but "Fix Your Life Up" you say isn't preachy enough. (Though I suspect you haven't actually paid that much attention to the lyrics).

It never ceases to amaze me how people frown on any song that mentions god from 2000 onwards. Maybe on Lovesexy he's talking about a different Jesus? (but we all know he isn't).

fyi, I dont care either way about the message. I like the track.

This might also come as a shock, but I like Hannah's voice. Its limited, but I like her tone. White Caps is my favorite track on PE.

Rimshottbob said:

I'm sorry, I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about. I'm not sure that you actually read what I wrote.

At no point did I say I had a problem with the mention of God in a Prince song, or anywhere. The Rainbow Children is one of my favourite of Prince's albums, and while some would call it preachy, I don't believe it to be.... throughout the album the singer states what they believe to be a truth, which, whether you agree with that truth or not, is very different to mocking the listener for not knowing about and/or believing in what the singer knows/believes in.

At no point does the song "what if" mock the listener. Feel free to prove me wrong by posting lyrics...

And Lovesexy is an entirely differnet animal. Come on. That album is brilliant because the singer is excited about something and spends the album sharing its riches with you. At no point is there finger-pointing or a holier-than-thou attitude. It's nothing to do with 'God' per se, and to suggest it's that simple is incredibly simplistic.

Hang on... The album "Lovesexy" - the one ALL about god. You're saying it's not actually about god? It totally is "Save me Jesus I've been a fool, How could I forget you are the rule" ...

In contrast to Lovesexy and The Rainbow Childre, What If? is absolutely a smug, self-satisfied song, again, for me, the worst kind art. It is humorless and charmless and leaves no room for any discussion whatsoever. The question in the title is rhetorical and sarcastic... the lyric may be asking 'What if you're wrong?' but the tone of the song is screaming 'You are wrong, I am right'. THAT is what makes it such a weak song.

Of course the lyrics don't actually say that. Your projecting that onto the lyrics...

By contrast TRC does kind of mock people. "I don't know I just wish he'd play like he used to / [sound of someone being slapped] "Don't let nobody, bring you down, with an acurate knowledge of christ and the father..." - No room for discussion.

Which lyric on "What If" do you feel mocks the listener? I think you really have to try hard to be offended by someone saying "What if you're wrong and god does exist". - Especially a Prince fan who knows full well LGC is Christian Rock.

And where you got that I think FixUrLifeUp isn't preachy enough, I have no idea.

Because you said it was "Fix your own life up motherfucker"... implying Prince should be giving answers instead of asking questions. I'm not sure rock stars should ever try to give answers.

"It has the same shitty attitude", is what I said. In the same way, I prefer my Prince to be preaching 'you got to be free' as he has done through so much of his catalogue, rather than 'you need to match your standards with mine, or you are unacceptable'. That kind of exclusionary nonsense has very little to do with the attitude that has permeated Prince's 'Uptown' sensibility from the get go, and a large part of why it is so out of character, not to mention unwelcome in Fix Ur Life Up.... apart from all that, it's just a weak-ass pop song with guitars trying to make it sound loud and full of an unearned 'attitude'.

On Sexuality he recites the Lords Prayer in full. Again... if you were to stack up all the songs Prince wrote about god (and OMG there are a lot of them). "What if" is actually pretty tame.

I don't believe I misheard the lyrics or misread the intentions of these songs and albums. This narrow-minded exclusionist attitude weirdly seemed to creep into Prince's work in the later years, perhaps from too much hanging around with Christians. Fortunately, it seemed to be ebbing right at the end, and some of his old inclusive attitude seemed to return.

Again, he didn't suddenly get into Christianity post 2000. The biblical and Christian references run through every album.

What are the songs you feel Prince "leaves it open"... I mean, when has he ever written about god but said "though I could be wrong"? Prince was always 100% into god/jesus.

Your response is so bizarre and you have missed the point of what's being discussed by such a distance and so many times, that I'm even starting to question if we're both using Engish.

Example: when I said "It's nothing to do with 'God' per se", I was talking about the attitude. The meaning. Of course the lyrics discuss God, and overall Lovesexy is 'about' God if you want to be blindingly obvious about it.... and look no further than face value.

Example: when I said 'Fix your own life up motherfucker', I was detailing my own response to the self-righteous attitude of another shitty 3rdEyeGirl song... at no point did I even suggest that rock stars should ever provide answers, however that's what Prince is doing in FixUrLifeUp, definitively, and in What If?, though in the latter it's sly and surreptitious. The title of the song is dressed up as a question, when really it's another 'answer', shadily disguised to try and trick the listener. Again, the singer providing answers.

It should all be clear from what I've written here and previously.

Yes, I've listened to the lyrics. The idea of 'digging down deeper than your simple-minded friends' could be an interesting one, if it were applied to life in general, regarding exploring the world, looking for more meaning, etc, but in this context, it amplifies the Christian idea that has always infuriated me, that, as a Christian that person has tapped into something and has got a better handle on life, and the person who is not a Christian is lacking somehow. That by not being a Christian, they must be shallow or simple-minded, or unhappy or unfulfilled. That one line alone is full of self-righteousness. The writer of that can shove that up their arse and fuck off while they're doing it.

Finally, it's nothing to do with who is right or wrong... nothing to do with times that Prince said 'but I could be wrong'... it's about removing those 'sides' and simply celebrating life and existence and God and whatever the hell it is you want to celebrate. That spirit of CELEBRATION is why Lovesexy isn't 'really' about God, it's about the joy of being alive, like a lot of great art. We feel the ATTITUDE more than the literal details of the lyrics, and are able to share in that. When the singer starts delineating a specific lifestyle or set of criteria for how our communication or shared experience must work, the experience is reduced exponentially. It's no longer about the joy of living, it's now about HOW ONE SHOULD LIVE. And we are never all going to agree on that one.

Additionally, nothing in music offends me. I never mentioned being offended even once. There are several points where you've made assumptions about how I feel or what I think, rather than look at what I've actually written.

What it comes down to is that What If? is just shitty Christian rock with a narrow and self-satisfied world view. It never wants to share the 'joy' of its worldview, because it doesn't seem to find any in it. All it does is preachify about how right it is and how wrong the listener is. If it came right out and did that openly, I could forgive it and just dislike it. But the fact that it does this surreptiously, in a cowardly way, makes this just plain bad music. I never said I was offended by it. I'm offended by how shit it is.

Noodled24 said:

Rimshottbob said:

I'm sorry, I'm not entirely sure what you're talking about. I'm not sure that you actually read what I wrote.

At no point did I say I had a problem with the mention of God in a Prince song, or anywhere. The Rainbow Children is one of my favourite of Prince's albums, and while some would call it preachy, I don't believe it to be.... throughout the album the singer states what they believe to be a truth, which, whether you agree with that truth or not, is very different to mocking the listener for not knowing about and/or believing in what the singer knows/believes in.

At no point does the song "what if" mock the listener. Feel free to prove me wrong by posting lyrics...

On Sexuality he recites the Lords Prayer in full. Again... if you were to stack up all the songs Prince wrote about god (and OMG there are a lot of them). "What if" is actually pretty tame.

I don't believe I misheard the lyrics or misread the intentions of these songs and albums. This narrow-minded exclusionist attitude weirdly seemed to creep into Prince's work in the later years, perhaps from too much hanging around with Christians. Fortunately, it seemed to be ebbing right at the end, and some of his old inclusive attitude seemed to return.

Again, he didn't suddenly get into Christianity post 2000. The biblical and Christian references run through every album.

What are the songs you feel Prince "leaves it open"... I mean, when has he ever written about god but said "though I could be wrong"? Prince was always 100% into god/jesus.

[Edited 12/1/16 8:38am]

[Edited 12/1/16 8:41am]

Rimshottbob said:

Your response is so bizarre and you have missed the point of what's being discussed by such a distance and so many times, that I'm even starting to question if we're both using Engish.

So to be clear, you're not going to post examples of the lyrics you're talking about?

Example: when I said "It's nothing to do with 'God' per se", I was talking about the attitude. The meaning. Of course the lyrics discuss God, and overall Lovesexy is 'about' God if you want to be blindingly obvious about it.... and look no further than face value.

If I was to look further than face value what would I see? If not an album about god then what?

Example: when I said 'Fix your own life up motherfucker', I was detailing my own response to the self-righteous attitude of another shitty 3rdEyeGirl song... at no point did I even suggest that rock stars should ever provide answers, however that's what Prince is doing in FixUrLifeUp, definitively, and in What If?, though in the latter it's sly and surreptitious. The title of the song is dressed up as a question, when really it's another 'answer', shadily disguised to try and trick the listener. Again, the singer providing answers.

You're not making any sense. First you claimed "what if" is blatent mocking... now you've backtracked to saying it's "Sly" ... he's sly in saying he believes in god?

There is only one line in the song that could be seen to be mocking, but only if you completely remove all context.

It should all be clear from what I've written here and previously.

Yes, I've listened to the lyrics.

Additionally, nothing in music offends me. I never mentioned being offended even once. There are several points where you've made assumptions about how I feel or what I think, rather than look at what I've actually written.

Yes, you used terms like "Smug, charmless & sarcastic" But those things don't offend you? My mistake.

What it comes down to is that What If? is just shitty Christian rock with a narrow and self-satisfied world view. It never wants to share the 'joy' of its worldview, because it doesn't seem to find any in it. All it does is preachify about how right it is and how wrong the listener is. If it came right out and did that openly, I could forgive it and just dislike it. But the fact that it does this surreptiously, in a cowardly way, makes this just plain bad music. I never said I was offended by it. I'm offended by how shit it is.

Fair enough... although in your last post you said TRC is one of your favorite albums... even though it's far more religious and preachy than the song "One of us" "What if"

[Edited 12/1/16 9:20am]

NouveauDance said:

But what if you're wrong?

But what if YOU'RE wrong?

If we're both wrong, does it mean we're both right?

no..if i agree with u ..then we both wrong