I was reading a story about David Bowie and his collection of books, and it got me wondering--was Prince big into reading? As one who thinks that it's difficult to be a good writer if you're not well read, I think Prince must've loved books, but which ones? Recently I was reading a dystopian New York book called "Another Present Era," I kept thinking, Prince would've loved this book. https://crimereads.com/elaine-perry/

My guess is 'not!'.

The guy LIVED in his studio, and on stage.

Barely had time for anyting else, from what we know of course.

Probalby the one and only book Prince ever read was a bloody bible, unfortunately.

Then again, how would I know? I never slept with him, or did his laundry...

Oh, and as far as i know, Prince refered to a lot of things in his music all the time.

Be it movies or persons, songs, quotes by others, but I can hardly think of a book, besides the Watchtower, or the NWTHS.

-

Anyone knows if he ever quote writers or books in his songs?

(probaly there are...)

[Edited 4/26/24 2:57am]

Vannormal said:

Probalby the one and only book Prince ever read was a bloody bible, unfortunately.

Then again, how would I know? I never slept with him, or did his laundry...

Oh, and as far as i know, Prince refered to a lot of things in his music all the time.

-

Anyone knows if he ever quote writers or books in his songs?

(probaly there are...)

[Edited 4/26/24 2:57am]

Apart from the obvious reference to Dorothy Parker (which he also obviously never read) I can't think of any direct reference although I'm probably forgetting some. However, the songs about "Exodus" clearly was written based on something he read.

If I'm not wrong I also think the song "Dear Mr. Man" was loosely based on public letters sent to the President George W. Bush.

Here's an article about (the few) books found at Paisley Park after his tragic death:

https://andreamaicreative.com/what-books-were-in-princes-library-at-paisley-park/

It's safe to say that most of his inspiration came from other musicians.

Vannormal said:

My guess is 'not!'.

.

Prince read a bunch of religious books, plus godawful self-help books, or conspiratorial books (about the new world order or big brother), or rubbish like "Embraced By The Light" which inspired "Into The Light". And David Icke's rubbish books.

.

[Edited 4/26/24 6:39am]

bizzie said:

Vannormal said:

My guess is 'not!'.

.

Prince read a bunch of religious books, plus godawful self-help books, or conspiratorial books (about the new world order or big brother), or rubbish like "Embraced By The Light" which inspired "Into The Light". And David Icke's rubbish books.

.

[Edited 4/26/24 6:39am]

This is what that (mental) Andrea Mai has on her blog.

She has 'm from a picture taken from Paisley Park's investigation.

I surprises me Prince has a book by Rainer Maria Rilke...

We even don't know ifPrince read these books.

Having them is one thing.

Funyn shit, the Jon Stewart book... which only has pictures.

Technopoly: The Surrender...Technology
Neil Postman

The Quickening: Today’s...’s World
Art Bell

Genesis 6 Giants Volume 2...ilizations
Stephen Quayle

Tutankhamun: The Exodus C...st Mystery
Andrew Collins and Chris Ogilvie-Herald

Forced into Glory
Lerone Bennett Jr.

The Last Crusade: The Epi...co Da Gama
Nigel Cliff

Chariots of the Gods
Erich von Däniken

Women, Race and Class
Angela Davis

A Country of Strangers: B...in America
David K. Shipler

Naked Pictures of Famous People
Jon Stewart

Inside the Music: Convers...ciousness|
Dimitri Ehrlich

Funk: Third Ear – The E... Companion
Dave Thompson

Rilke on Love and Other D...iderations
Rainer Maria Rilke, John J.L. Mood

[Edited 4/26/24 6:49am]

Vannormal said:

bizzie said:

.

Prince read a bunch of religious books, plus godawful self-help books, or conspiratorial books (about the new world order or big brother), or rubbish like "Embraced By The Light" which inspired "Into The Light". And David Icke's rubbish books.

.

[Edited 4/26/24 6:39am]

This is what that (mental) Andrea Mai has on her blog.

She has 'm from a picture taken from Paisley Park's investigation.

I surprises me Prince has a book by Rainer Maria Rilke...

We even don't know ifPrince read these books.

Having them is one thing.

Funyn shit, the Jon Stewart book... which only has pictures.

Technopoly: The Surrender...Technology
Neil Postman

The Quickening: Today’s...’s World
Art Bell

Genesis 6 Giants Volume 2...ilizations
Stephen Quayle

Tutankhamun: The Exodus C...st Mystery
Andrew Collins and Chris Ogilvie-Herald

Forced into Glory
Lerone Bennett Jr.

The Last Crusade: The Epi...co Da Gama
Nigel Cliff

Chariots of the Gods
Erich von Däniken

Women, Race and Class
Angela Davis

A Country of Strangers: B...in America
David K. Shipler

Naked Pictures of Famous People
Jon Stewart

Inside the Music: Convers...ciousness|
Dimitri Ehrlich

Funk: Third Ear – The E... Companion
Dave Thompson

Rilke on Love and Other D...iderations
Rainer Maria Rilke, John J.L. Mood

[Edited 4/26/24 6:49am]

Prince was a VERY mature and thoughtful reader and so well-rounded.

Vannormal said:

My guess is 'not!'.

The guy LIVED in his studio, and on stage.

Barely had time for anyting else, from what we know of course.

Probalby the one and only book Prince ever read was a bloody bible, unfortunately.

Then again, how would I know? I never slept with him, or did his laundry...

Oh, and as far as i know, Prince refered to a lot of things in his music all the time.

Be it movies or persons, songs, quotes by others, but I can hardly think of a book, besides the Watchtower, or the NWTHS.

-

Anyone knows if he ever quote writers or books in his songs?

(probaly there are...)

[Edited 4/26/24 2:57am]

Prince was VERY deep and very, VERY smart.

Kim (his hairdresser) said he was extremely well-read about all the religions in the world and it's been clear to me that he did a lot of seeking about various spiritual concepts & practices as well.

For gosh sakes, the man was meditating as far back as the 90s (when most of us were out "partying').

I've done some of the same things as him, that's how I recognize it.

TheTruth123 said:

Vannormal said:

My guess is 'not!'.

The guy LIVED in his studio, and on stage.

Barely had time for anyting else, from what we know of course.

Probalby the one and only book Prince ever read was a bloody bible, unfortunately.

Then again, how would I know? I never slept with him, or did his laundry...

Oh, and as far as i know, Prince refered to a lot of things in his music all the time.

Be it movies or persons, songs, quotes by others, but I can hardly think of a book, besides the Watchtower, or the NWTHS.

-

Anyone knows if he ever quote writers or books in his songs?

(probaly there are...)

[Edited 4/26/24 2:57am]

Prince was VERY deep and very, VERY smart.

Kim (his hairdresser) said he was extremely well-read about all the religions in the world and it's been clear to me that he did a lot of seeking about various spiritual concepts & practices as well. For gosh sakes, the man was meditating as far back as the 90s (when most of us were out "partying'). I've done some of the same things as him, that's how I recognize it.

Oh my! Sure.

And all these wonderful books inspired him to write these fantastic lyrics :

"I just want to rub you until you start to bleed"

"i will Rape U if i must"

"If U ever try the lotus position, try it while U'r being strangled, I mean get a rope & strangle urself, then choke, If U can't do it urself, have some1 do it. But strangle. U know what mean?"

"Every nervous twitch that happens when my tongue is there, up and down your back and every single hair"

"I sincerely want to fuck the taste out of your mouth"

"I just hate to see an erection go to waist"

"I'm going to have to torture you now..."

"...can i suck u baby? can i fuck u baby?"

Etcetera. Can U relate?

Oh I forgot, Prince shooting at his woman in Bob George... with an uzi, many times even.

Super hilarious fantasy.