OldFriends4Sale said:

SimonCharles said:

They're both "State of the Nation" social commentary.

I always see 'social commentary' as very different than 'political'

Like Controversy the song is about Prince personally, not politically, it isn't even religious

He called America a patriotic song

"Annie Christian" talks about gun control, "SOTT" discusses the Cold War.

namepeace said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I always see 'social commentary' as very different than 'political'

Like Controversy the song is about Prince personally, not politically, it isn't even religious

He called America a patriotic song

"Annie Christian" talks about gun control, "SOTT" discusses the Cold War.

But does that make it 'political'?

Annie Christian

Who/What Annie Christian represents tells more about what the song really is about

I don't think it is politics

.

She killed John Lennon, she tried to kill Reagan, everybody say gun control...

Who/what is Annie Christian

SOTT

AIDS, lost youth in gangs on drugs, people in a church who died by a hurricane, listening to the news being overwhelmed by all the death, a young lady who killed her baby because of poverty, a cousin who went from smoking weed to heroin,

.

It is another song of world commentary and mankinds mortality

Vannormal said:

1. Crystal Ball

2. Hello

3. Controversy

4. Ronnie Talk 2 Russia

5. Sign O The Times

6. The Future

7. Lady Cab Driver

8. The Same December

9. Dear Mr. Man

10. Free

I don't know ...

Crystal Ball ( a combo of what I typed for SOTT the Future and Lady Cab Driver)
Hello a political song? It is a song about paparazzi gossip and a historic moment in Prince history in Hollywood

Controversy... is about himself

Ronnie Talk 2 Russia ... definately

Sign of the Times is like reading the news paper and reflecting on mans mortality

The Future... definately apocalyptic(on his spiritual New Power lovesexy tip)...New world needs spirituality that will last

Lady Cab Driver... a song about escapism

I need to listen to 8 and 9

Free is patriotic

Vannormal said:

At the time, the track "Crystal ball" was seen by his staff and band members as his most (and best) political effort.

I'm very much open to hearing input from his camp on the song. I love it, can you share some stuff that was said?

Rev said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I always see 'social commentary' as very different than 'political'

Like Controversy the song is about Prince personally, not politically, it isn't even religious

He called America a patriotic song

Seriously, most of these songs are not "political".

I bleieve Prince was not political, but would call out social injustice.

He's also way more conservative than orgers will admit.

I don't think he was 'political' or driven by politics either
Yeah he was more conservative than some will admit,
I think that is what made a lot of his music so transgressive

OldFriends4Sale said:

namepeace said:

"Annie Christian" talks about gun control, "SOTT" discusses the Cold War.

But does that make it 'political'?

Annie Christian

Who/What Annie Christian represents tells more about what the song really is about

I don't think it is politics

Gun control has ALWAYS been about politics.

She killed John Lennon, she tried to kill Reagan, everybody say gun control...

Who/what is Annie Christian

Annie Christian is referred to as Anti Christ in the Chorus.


SOTT

AIDS, lost youth in gangs on drugs, people in a church who died by a hurricane, listening to the news being overwhelmed by all the death, a young lady who killed her baby because of poverty, a cousin who went from smoking weed to heroin, It is another song of world commentary and mankinds mortality

There's a clear reference to the Cold War in the song.

Baby make a speech

Star Wars fly

Neighbors just shine it on
But if a night falls and a bomb falls

Will anybody see the Dawn?

In any event, in the Sign era, the AIDS crisis was one of the hot-button political issues of the day, domestically and internationally.

The lady killed her baby because she couldn't afford to keep it, while we were sending people to the moon. This was a veiled citation of Gil Scott-Heron's "Whitey On The Moon," which was about our budgetary priorities as a nation. Clearly political.

Yes, it is a shout commentary, but does that make it a political song... what is the spirit behind John Lennons murder and the attempted murder of Ronal Reagan? The man who killed John was it politically motived?

.
Annie Christian refered to as the anti-Christ (she was his only son)-I love that twist, makes the song more about a religious perception, not political. Even gun issues. Like people who say 'we have more violence and shootings in school...because people took God out of school by not allowing prayer'.

.

Ok about SOTT, I still just see him mentioning things like he is reading a newspaper or just highlighting everything he is seeing in the news.
thanks for the additional references
.
Someone can see all of that from a religious standpoint, some a political, some a cultural.

namepeace said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

But does that make it 'political'?

Annie Christian

Who/What Annie Christian represents tells more about what the song really is about

I don't think it is politics

Gun control has ALWAYS been about politics.

She killed John Lennon, she tried to kill Reagan, everybody say gun control...

Who/what is Annie Christian

Annie Christian is referred to as Anti Christ in the Chorus.


SOTT

AIDS, lost youth in gangs on drugs, people in a church who died by a hurricane, listening to the news being overwhelmed by all the death, a young lady who killed her baby because of poverty, a cousin who went from smoking weed to heroin, It is another song of world commentary and mankinds mortality

There's a clear reference to the Cold War in the song.

Baby make a speech

Star Wars fly

Neighbors just shine it on
But if a night falls and a bomb falls

Will anybody see the Dawn?

In any event, in the Sign era, the AIDS crisis was one of the hot-button political issues of the day, domestically and internationally.

The lady killed her baby because she couldn't afford to keep it, while we were sending people to the moon. This was a veiled citation of Gil Scott-Heron's "Whitey On The Moon," which was about our budgetary priorities as a nation. Clearly political.

OldFriends4Sale said:

According to the authors Alex Hahn & Laura Tiebert, in they're book (and I won't quote it exactly out of respect for the authors work), they mention that he (Prince) said that the song conceived on of his profound statements of his worldview; lyrics about war, political extremism etc. (If I relmember well).
He send the song to Clare Fisher, accompanied with an extended note explaining the importance of the song. Fisher and his son, wrote music for it and put a 60 piece orchestra over it, wanting to give musical meaning to Princes messages.
-
Interesting to check is what the headlines were right before the time Prince wrote these (few) particular political, or society influenced songs.
-
Prince for one was never greatly involved in politics as such. He simply lived quite a reclusive lifestyle concerning only (making) music.
I guess, in conversation with others around him, he must've gotten in contact with what was going on in the world for instance. Of course, somehow, we can imagine him actually always recordings, performing, etc. Not much time for anything else really. This of course is my humble opinion.
-
For sure, he wasn't a Bruce Springsteen or Bono. But he sure cared for local "stories" and situations, as from what he heard around him, and, making him donating a lot to help others. That was his way of digesting his view on local comprehensible politics for instance. Local politics, help, life as such closer to him and his people.
-
The song, Sign O The Times is a bit more clear on this issue, but still...
SOTT, tells just briefly his overall point of light pessimism on the complex world and politics at the time, stating its better to get married and have a kid, call him Nate...

OldFriends4Sale said:

SimonCharles said:

They're both "State of the Nation" social commentary.

I always see 'social commentary' as very different than 'political'

Like Controversy the song is about Prince personally, not politically, it isn't even religious

He called America a patriotic song

Pointing out society's ills is political, in my book but, you pays your money...

America as patriotic? Interesting. The chorus, yes - the verses? Ok.

Rev said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I always see 'social commentary' as very different than 'political'

Like Controversy the song is about Prince personally, not politically, it isn't even religious

He called America a patriotic song

Seriously, most of these songs are not "political".

I bleieve Prince was not political, but would call out social injustice.

He's also way more conservative than orgers will admit.

Agree to disagree.

Augusto Boal - dramaturge - everything is political.

Your right. Prince was in a way conservative, if you like to name it that way.

Not so much politically conservative, but more on a personal level.

And I agree on the matter that he wasn't very political either.

And I do also agree with SimonCharles, that in a way everything is political.

A lot of Prince's songs were always left open (somehow) to interpret it the way you can. Being it either sexual, social, political or even personal.

-

I wonder how many .Orgers have read the utmost interesting books by Hahn and Tudal and Thorne, and Nilsen (+others) ?

These are somewhat 'bibles' I should say.

Even Mayté's book I believe is very interesting and worth reading.

Information concerning Prince is much needed to get a better insight in a lot of stuff, not only his music.

-

Can't wait for his own 50 page reflection on it.

SimonCharles said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I always see 'social commentary' as very different than 'political'

Like Controversy the song is about Prince personally, not politically, it isn't even religious

He called America a patriotic song

Pointing out society's ills is political, in my book but, you pays your money...

America as patriotic? Interesting. The chorus, yes - the verses? Ok.

I guess it depends on what state we are in when we hear things or people write things.

I mean a minister/rabbi etc can talk on societies ills but it not be political. It could be totally spiritual.

A lot of times when I talk with coworkers/family/friends about societies ills, I talk from a place of community and family and love or the lack thereof.

.

.

reprinted in ROCK & SOUL * APRIL 1986

THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

Speaking of singles and videos, your latest is "America." This is one of the most political songs you've ever done. Could you tell us what the song is supposed to say to people? For example, is it straightforwardly patriotic or more complicated than that?

Straightforwardly patriotic.

Vannormal said:

Your right. Prince was in a way conservative, if you like to name it that way.

Not so much politically conservative, but more on a personal level.

And I agree on the matter that he wasn't very political either.

And I do also agree with SimonCharles, that in a way everything is political.

A lot of Prince's songs were always left open (somehow) to interpret it the way you can. Being it either sexual, social, political or even personal.

-

I wonder how many .Orgers have read the utmost interesting books by Hahn and Tudal and Thorne, and Nilsen (+others) ?

These are somewhat 'bibles' I should say.

Even Mayté's book I believe is very interesting and worth reading.

Information concerning Prince is much needed to get a better insight in a lot of stuff, not only his music.

-

Can't wait for his own 50 page reflection on it.

206Michelle said:

You are very welcome.

1725topp said:

Indeed, Prince wrote many socio-political songs.

Thank you for your contributions in preserving this important aspect of his legacy.

OldFriends4Sale said:

SimonCharles said:

Pointing out society's ills is political, in my book but, you pays your money...

America as patriotic? Interesting. The chorus, yes - the verses? Ok.

I guess it depends on what state we are in when we hear things or people write things.

I mean a minister/rabbi etc can talk on societies ills but it not be political. It could be totally spiritual.

A lot of times when I talk with coworkers/family/friends about societies ills, I talk from a place of community and family and love or the lack thereof.

.

.

reprinted in ROCK & SOUL * APRIL 1986

THE PRINCE INTERVIEW
Mr. Purple Discusses His Movies, His Music, His Musicians
And More, More, More.

By Michael Shore

Speaking of singles and videos, your latest is "America." This is one of the most political songs you've ever done. Could you tell us what the song is supposed to say to people? For example, is it straightforwardly patriotic or more complicated than that?

Straightforwardly patriotic.

An answer that was authentic or an answer that allows him to answer the question without speaking? Prince wasn't particulalry talkative at the time, eh?

Still - taking him at face value, this is still a massively political song: the critique of the country does not preclude patriotism.

Sheila E. considers "America" to be one of Prince's socio-political songs.

Latin said:

Sheila E. considers "America" to be one of Prince's socio-political songs.

Sheila E also said the song was about something troubling that happened in Africa(unrelated to America)...I think she might have mixed it up with SOTT

Today is the 26th anniversary of the MTV premiere of the 2 music videos for Prince's "Money Don't Matter 2 Night".

One of the 2 videos was directed by Spike Lee.

Latin said:

Today is the 26th anniversary of the MTV premiere of the 2 music videos for Prince's "Money Don't Matter 2 Night". One of the 2 videos was directed by Spike Lee.

MDM2N is one of his best political songs. He clearly takes a stand about the Persian Gulf War. MDM2N is brilliant!

.

Hey now, maybe we can find a good reason
2 send a child off 2 war
So what if we're controllin' all the oil,
Is it worth a child dying 4? (is it worth it?)
If long life is what we all live 4
Then long life will come 2 pass
Anything is better than the picture of the child
In a cloud of gas
And u think u got it bad

[Edited 4/14/18 23:56pm]

206Michelle said:

206Michelle said:

Latin said:

Today is the 26th anniversary of the MTV premiere of the 2 music videos for Prince's "Money Don't Matter 2 Night". One of the 2 videos was directed by Spike Lee.

MDM2N is one of his best political songs. He clearly takes a stand about the Persian Gulf War. MDM2N is brilliant!

.

Hey now, maybe we can find a good reason
2 send a child off 2 war
So what if we're controllin' all the oil,
Is it worth a child dying 4? (is it worth it?)
If long life is what we all live 4
Then long life will come 2 pass
Anything is better than the picture of the child
In a cloud of gas
And u think u got it bad

[Edited 4/14/18 23:56pm]

I never liked the tone of the song. Never liked the song.

It's a bit pedantic, not so much in it's words but in it's overall approach.

He did it also with preaching songs.

It sounds to me like this song was something more for Joe Cocker or Mavis Staples...

Something to be covered.

Or maybe it's the annoying pop-perfect production of the song.

Strange as I come to think of it, but if I might hear it as an acapella version, it could be different...

206Michelle said:

Thanks for sharing.

A few more for consideration. Not heavily political, except maybe "The War," depending on how you define political, but I believe they do at least touch on political topics:

.

"We March" - about civil rights.

.

"Pope" - maybe the least political of his political songs, but does mention president, parliament, and he says "What am I supposed to do when the President can't get nothing passed."

.

"Chaos and Disorder" - appears to reference 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' which was a significant political issue in the nineties.

.

"The Sacrifice of Victor" - touches on desegregation: "1967 in a bus marked public schools / Rode me and a group of unsuspecting political tools..."

.

"Live 4 Love" - spoken from the viewpoint of a soldier in the theater of war--the Iraq war presumably at that time. Not politics per se, but a result of it perhaps.

.

"The War" - "If the government wants 2 put a microchip in your neck..."

Bluu said:

A few more for consideration. Not heavily political, except maybe "The War," depending on how you define political, but I believe they do at least touch on political topics:

.

"We March" - about civil rights.

.

"Pope" - maybe the least political of his political songs, but does mention president, parliament, and he says "What am I supposed to do when the President can't get nothing passed."

.

"Chaos and Disorder" - appears to reference 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' which was a significant political issue in the nineties.

.

"The Sacrifice of Victor" - touches on desegregation: "1967 in a bus marked public schools / Rode me and a group of unsuspecting political tools..."

.

"Live 4 Love" - spoken from the viewpoint of a soldier in the theater of war--the Iraq war presumably at that time. Not politics per se, but a result of it perhaps.

.

"The War" - "If the government wants 2 put a microchip in your neck..."

Nice choices.

SimonCharles said:

I would agree with your top 10. Ronnie Talk to Russia popped in my mind.

littlemissG said:

1. Sign O' The Times

2. Dreamer

3. Colonized Mind

4. We March

5. Dear Mr. Man

6. Baltimore

7. Days of Wild

8. America

9. Chaos and Disorder

10. Act of God

Some more 'social commentary' then political, but still better than the video's list.

pinkcashmere23 said:

You are very welcome.