Since a lot of people here seemed to be convinced that this
was actually a good album, I decided to pull it out of the
bottom region of my cd stack and give it one final try before
ditching the thing alltogether. And you know what, I found
out that it isn't that bad at all. Here's what I think, as
if you care.


DISC ONE

JAM OF THE YEAR:

Not something to go absolutely wild about, but still nice laidback groove n party tune.
The fact that Rosie Gaines is on it, doesn’t harm it’s charm either.

Fave line:
“Been chillin’ in the cut, now I’m comin’ to get mine” –since the song doesn’t have any
really pretty lines, I pick this as my fav simply for it’s vocal delivery.


RIGHT BACK HERE IN MY ARMS

Another pretty simple song. This is Prince by numbers. The synth line is quite nice and
It does tend to stick in your head for a while. The rap is silly tho.

Fave line:
“I know you need a little space, that’s why I ain’t showin’ my face” –same as with JOTY
this song doesn’t have any profound lyrics to boost. Tho this is a nice line. It shows the
character singing the song acknowledges the needs of the subject as well as his own.


SOMEBODY’S SOMEBODY

Very cool song, and one of the few I loved from the very beginning. The slightly oriental
Feel makes it instantly intimate and dreamy. The [backing] vocals are beautiful and full
And actually fit the song’s atmosphere to a T.

Fave line:
“I realise, in it’s best disguise, a pretty house don’t make a home”. Very true. The first
really good lyrics since the start of the album.


GET YO GROOVE ON

Another one of those songs we assume he could do in his sleep. Perhaps because he can
Knock them out so seemingly effortless. Still, this beat is one of those that strut by on
Long ass legs and fuck me pumps. She’s seductive –on second glance The “club” parts
Are a nice addition and blend in seamlessly. I like their collective “yeeehw”

Fave Line:
“Speak” – too cool.


COURTIN TIME

Can’t really recall why I hated this so much in the beginning. It’s just a party tune. Very
Light and breezy. The bass and guitar strum along at a nice pace. The horns add a touch
Of authenticity. In fact, this song sounds more “alive” than a lot of others on the album.

Fave Line:
“A thousand times the victor I am” –For all those who still didn’t understand what the 92
joint “Sacrifice Of Victor” was all about. Shame that it keeps reminding me of that awful
“Victor Victoria” flick tho.


BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW

I can’t help it, still don’t like this. It sounds like a Disney movie-theme. The vocals are
Nice tho.

Fave line:
“But every so often, the words of another, who’s truly in love seem to work out fine”.


WE GETS UP

Pinball arcade on bubblegum and helium. It’s a musical cartoon. That’s all I can say
About it. The last minute is cool tho, once the lyrics are over and the groove just takes
A little walk with a pastiche distorted horn and synth, percussion and guitar. In fact,
That last minute is one of the best things on disc 1. No kidding.

Fave line:
Sorry but these lyrics are utter shite.


BIG WHITE MANSION

Another great, great song. The bass is –thank heavens- clearly audible. The vocals are
Distinguished and the lyrics are cool and solid from beginning to end. Altho perhaps it
Could have done without the designer namedropping.

Fave line:
“Sell my publishing, what a laugh. I don’t know Bo but I do know math”. Sarcasm, love it.


DAMNED IF I DO

Still sounds cloistered when you think of the kind of rock that he did just a few months
Prior to this. Still, the album’s sounds were homogenised to be more cohesive so in that
Respect, it’s quite well done.

Fave line:
“You’re always talking about what we should do” [Well, you know] “But what you should
do” [what?] “is take a breath mint cuz your breath stinks”. Funny shit. Did it in Spanish
to make it less kitsch I guess.



I CAN’T MAKE YOU LOVE ME

Of the 6 covers on Emancipation this one fits him the best. Nice version. Not something I
Would play regularly tho. There are some songs you simply can’t fuck with. This is one
Of them.

Fave line:
All of them.





MR HAPPY

If you don’t take it too seriously, it’s delicious. The opening line “turn of that weak jam”
Is obviously a wink toward the “Housequake” intro. That’s where the comparison ends
Tho lol. Ease up on the fuzztone tho. Damn. Lol.

“Guaranteed to get your girl loose if she douche..” Say what?


IN THIS BED EYE SCREAM

Not only the best title on the set, but also quite a brilliant song. The lyrics are cool, the
Melody and instrumentation is solid and slightly off-centre compared to the rest of this
Package. The semi-external guitar rampage is somewhat reminiscent of the Purple Rain
Era. It’s just a real shame that the lead and backingvox sound as if they’ve been soaked
In helium overnight. But even beyond that, it remains a tight song.

Fave line:

"In this car I drive, looking for the road that leads back
to the soul we shared"



DISC TWO:

SEX IN THE SUMMER:

Hmm, what to think of this? It has a special meaning becuz of the ultrasound heartbeat
Of his child and all, and the jamming toward the end is very nice. The rest is just some
Kind of tune I would expect from a middle of the road R&B group, but certainly not from
Prince.

Fave line:

“Checkin’ out Mahalia’s greatest – “In The Upper Room”. I admit, I don’t know what it
means, perhaps that’s why it sounds so cool.


ONE KISS AT A TIME

I love it. This sounds really sexy and the little effects are right on q. If I recall correct
It’s one of the few Emancipation songs he’s played live on several occasions.

Fave line:
“Time would stop……..and the sky would fall” –It’s not per se the lyric that does it, but
the whole atmosphere in the song at that moment. The music stops and the bottom
falls out from under the song. Surrender. The way the vocals linger after that as if to
lift the whole thing back up is utterly beautiful.


SOUL SANCTUARY

Well, props to Sandra St Victor, if she is indeed the one who came up with most of the
Lyrics cuz they are stunning. Furthermore, the melody and arrangement are among
The best he’s ever produced. Yes, even considering his 80’s output. I can’t put any of
My fingers on it, but there’s something about it that makes it stand out among all his
Ballads.

“All of me I give to thee down at your feet, the reassurance in your rhythm speaks to me”. Wow. Stuff
like that would make me roll over and be a good boy


EMALE

The song is nice enough tho the synth terrorises my eardrums. The jingle chorus is
Hard to swallow as well. The plot of this song constantly eludes me. Does anyone
Understand what this is about?? It is redeemed tho by one of it’s lyrics:

Fave line:
“In the darkest corners where widows mourn, that’s where [she heard] he whispered
her name”. –nice imagery.


CURIOUS CHILD

I used to consider this as a segue. Guess I never listened to it that well. The music
Might cause your teeth to hurt, but the vocals are very good. In it’s own way it
Serves as a good build-up to “Dreaming about U”. Not much else.

Fave line:
“If memory serves us, we will align to the truth that we most often shared” – somehow
I can relate to that.


DREAMING ABOUT U

Another classic. Very very very good vocal delivery, nicely arranged and subtle. It’s one
Of the most cinematic song on Emancipation. Are those real horns? If they’re not than
That’s some damn fine synth.

Fav Line:

“When my sane twin reigns, claiming your aim is to maim my subconscious into being
with you I dream about U, betting on the notion that if my lustier twin prevails; like the
ruins in Rome I’ll lie helpless at your feet” – probably the best lyric on the album.


JOINT 2 JOINT

There are a few things to dislike about this song, but there are many more to love. The
Break with the clubsounds reminded me a lot of Bjork’s “There’s more to Life” with the
‘milk bar’ toilet section. I love the way the synth spins out of control and the tap-solo is
simply hilarious. Near the end it becomes an intoxicating brew with hypnotic qualities.
Don’t discard this too quickly.

Fave Line:
“Oh great, now you think you’re my soulmate. You don’t even know what kind of cereal
I like”. How true. We’ve all been there. Nice sarcasm in his voice.


THE HOLY RIVER

Absolutely great song. The lyrics are very personal and actually narrate a “story” for once. The appendix guitarsolo is goosebump-inducing. It still does sound a bit too
“Fairytale” for my taste. With a bit more of an edge this could have been a top 10
Prince tune.

Fave line:
“U got to find the answers to the questions that U most fear” – very Buddah.

“If U die before U trie, you have to come back and face the lie” – even more Buddah.

But this is still a song delivered with a strong Christian faith distilled in it, isn’t it???


LET’S HAVE A BABY

Can’t listen to this anymore. First I hated it down to my webbed toes. Then I kind of
Grew to like it. Now I just can’t listen to it anymore since it’s about “that” subject.


SAVIOUR

NPG on automatic pilot. Another theatre song. 3Chains/Strays etc. It’s probably much
Better if you’ve got an over-developed romantic side. I fell asleep during the first few
Minutes. Then I woke up because I noticed there was a guitarsolo in it that I didn’t
Even know about yet. Quite nice. Altho I fell asleep again soon after that. The thing
that woke me up was the very cool HARD pound on the drums starting at 03:50.
The last minute is surprisingly good. If only the rest of the song sounded more like
This.

Fave Line:
I don’t like any of them


THE PLAN

Nice segue. Works quite well here, to slow things down before FLSMW kicks in. Still
Reminds me of a trumpet farting.

Fave Line:
There are no lines.


FRIEND/LOVER/SISTER/MOTHER/WIFE

Why does this always remind me of the video of “Can U Feel It” by the Jacksons???
Anyway, I do like this song a lot. Prince singing some Spanish words is a not very cool tho. Sounds silly.

Fav Line:
If I ever shared a bed, it was only cuz I wanted to live
up to what the people said L-I-A-R


DISC THREE


SLAVE

Well, what to say about this one? It’s actually a pretty bad ass tune. Perhaps it sounds
A bit flat. Probably the drum-programming. Anyway, whereas Michael Jackson’s songs
About self pity sound horrible [check out HIStory] Prince always makes it worth while
Even for those who don’t care about his antics. It’s not my fav song on the album but
I wouldn’t want to miss it either.

Fave line:
“Slowly candle burns, where they learn hypnosis? How they keep me under for so long?”
As if! But hey, it’s clever to come up with it.


NEW WORLD

This has been one of my fav from the package since day one. People never seem to
Talk about it that much over here but I think it’s probably his best attempt at techno
Ever. Ok, the vocals on the chorus are a bit hysterical but it’s a kick ass song.
The groove at the end could last another 5 minutes for me. This certainly is one of
Those songs that end too quickly. It leaves you wanting more. A lot more.

Fave line:
“What’s it all for, when you can alter biology? Who or what then my friend, will you and I be?” –Prince goes Aldous Huxley. I wonder if he read the book. I think he did.


THE HUMAN BODY

Turning a cold sniff and a baby gurgle into a techno sound. Ask the chemical brothers and they would probably advise against it. Then again, FSOL might say “go for it”. Prince
Tried and the results imo are varied. Some of it sounds very nice and fresh, the other
Half sounds plastic. Still, he gave it a shot. Just don’t try to play this at a rave. Unless
It’s closing hour.

Fave line:
“can you freak me dirty?” – who wouldn’t wanna.



FACE DOWN

After the asthmatic cough we get Parke’s car horn. But to better effect. The lyrics are
Purely spiteful piss-take. Let’s hope the music was meant to be as well Anyway, this
Is one of my other favs on the album. The lyrics are pure Warner Feuding Prince. Damn
The video was a hoot. And I just purr like a cat when I hear him sing/speak in that oh
so fucked up voice. Even if you hate this, you still got to love it.

Fave line:
“It’s in his will, I read it, he shot to kill, he said it; for those who know the number and don’t call – fuck all y’all”. –Make mine a large one.


LA,LA,LA,MEANS I LOVE U

I don’t love it. Skip>>


STYLE

I don’t know. Sounds like something that was left on the board after the Exodus sessions
Re-arranged and recorded to fit in with Emancipation. The beat is nice enough but it drags a bit toward the end of the song. Lyrics are funny. I don’t know about you lot, but
I have to agree that “Mayte in the shower” must have been Style.

Fave line:
“Style is mo like Jackie O when she was doin’ Aristotle”



SLEEP AROUND

Another one of the few songs that don’t sound so homogenised with the rest of the album. It has a nice intro, a good chorus, decent verses, cool flourishes of instruments floating in and out of the mix and a decent ending. It does meander a bit at the end.

Fave line:
“I’m the one who sent the herbs and a book on how to use them”. Conjures up all sorts
of images in my mind.


DA,DA,DA

Well, don’t we all wish we could call Cat and say “We need you to rap” cuz these guest
Rappers are horrible. Makes me yearn for Tony M. And that says a lot. Once again, the
Songs end pulls it all up from sub zero ratings. I guess in some ways it could even be
Reminiscent of the ending of Sign O The Times [strange, no lightning struck me yet],
With it’s beat and guitar and all.

Fave line:
“Like it was in your mama’s belly, live and let live was the order of the day,
what you say? Love4oneAnother is the only way”. Because the rest is rubbish.


MY COMPUTER

Ah, here we go. This is my personal winner. Hands down. There is absolutely nothing
But greatness in this song imo. Everything feels heartfelt and real. Even if it is all
Computerised J I absolutely adore this song. I’m foaming at the mouth now. The
Lyrics, the sounds, the beat, the slight electronics, Kate Bush, the spiral ending.
Everything. 5 stars!

Fave Line:
“I have a child, I have a lot to explain”


ONE OF US

Nice one. Makes it more his own by using the “love thy will be done” beat. The SLAVE
Lyric seemed a bit daft at first, but I think it goes well with the song now. Love the
Guitar. Yup, I like this one as well.

Fave Line:
I already wrote Joan's friends a letter about it


THE LOVE WE MAKE

Finally, gut-wrenching vocal delivery. This convinces me more ‘to believe’ than the
Lyrics of everlastingnow I must say. Extremely strong performance. Altho I don’t
Really understand that in a world where god seemingly [according to Prince] gives
Unconditional love to mankind, the only love there is would be the love WE make.
I’m a bit confused about that.

Fav line:
“Sacred is the prayer that asks for nothing” –power!


EMANCIPATION

Hmm. Next to Graffity Bridge this is probably one of the weakest titletracks ever.
But it’s still a funny little song. Funk-lite [like Dig U Better Dead]. Had me humming
That “Free” bit for months when it first came out.

Fave line:
“Just like the autumn leaves, your money’s turned from green to brown” – which in
turn reminds me of Dance On [what colour is your money today].


Pfff. That was it. No doubt no one will care to read this rant, heck, even I don’t
Want to check it for spelling errors anymore. But I’ll post it anyway becuz it took
Me so long to write down lol.


IjustknewIcouldn'tgetoutofthiswithoutatleastoneedit-edit
[This message was edited Fri Nov 7 6:52:17 PST 2003 by IstenSzek]

I've never really understood the lyrics to "Emale" either,but it is my favorite song on the album.

I am enjoying reading this, but you put "Get Yo' Groove On" again for "We Gets Up!"

It is referring to Mahalia Jackson singing 'In The Upper Room' which she recorded twice, in 1952 and again in 1963.

You're a cool dude.

Nice reading. The entire album still sounds too stylised in the key of bland though.

Anyone putting Katie Bush's vocals to the rear needs severe spanking.

langebleu said:

Hey, thanks, that's cool. Nice to finally know what it's
about.

gooeythehamster said:

I always listen to Kate's records with the volume turned
WAY down, whilst hoovering the living room.

Do I get a bit of a spanking now?

IstenSzek said:

I have it. You'll love it. There's another song you'll dig; "Walk Over God's heaven"

It's all thumpin

Good one! We need more of this stuff!

IstenSzek said:

Cloudbuster said:

I just checked out your profile and I think you're a bit
too old to spank me. Not without a license anyway.

gooeythehamster said:

If I recall, my brother has it too. So next time I'm over
at his place I'll have to go through his stacks and dig it
up. I'm curious now.

IstenSzek said:

That was a good read. Thanks.
Looks like i'm gonna have to go back and listen to 'Sleep Around' and 'My Computer'.

Personally, i think you went easy on tracks like;
'Jam of the year'- one of his worst opening tracks.
'get your groove on' - weak
'we gets up' - weak
'courtin' time' - weak.

There are few other weaklings.

You take some of these tracks out and you would have had a great double album.

I made a one disk version of Emancipation that consisted of;

1) Slave - great opening to the album. gets to vent his frustration out in this one.

2) New World - Thumping track.

3) The Human Body - i like the fact he's really experimenting with this one.

4) One of us - don't wanna like this, but can't help it. it makes me wanna believe!

5) Face Down - the funk.

6) Somebody's Somebody - the first track i really liked on the lp. comes across as being really personal.

7) Can't make you love me - This is one of my favourite songs. i feel he does it justice.

8) One kiss at a time - Best love song on the album.Hearing him perform it at the concert sealed my love for it.

9) Soul Sanctuary - the lyrics.

10) Joint to joint - the funk. love the way the track changes tempo 2minutes in.

11) The holy river - Hate the opening to this track. really sickly. As soon as his vocals come in, though, i get into it. wouldn't wanna listen to it with my friends.

12) Saviour - the last minute is great and sets up the last 2 songs on my lp.

13 friend, sister... - just like this one

14) the love we make- the best song on the album. proabably his best song of the 90's.
[This message was edited Fri Nov 7 7:21:13 PST 2003 by Sly]

right, you need a slap to start to weekend off!!. thanks for taking the time to review by the way. When you put this into the context of his back catalogue it sits easily enough as one of those projects that Prince had to have a go at doing i.e. 'let me show those new kids that i can still cut it'. However the final product seems to go agaist everything we loved him for i.e the horrid production , the Prince lite funk, the rapping and trend following r&b. I used to actually love this album but have steadily grown to dislike it. I actually listened to disc 1 last night in the car and thought that , for the most part, it was just horrible. From what i recall i loved disc 2 and a lot of disc 3. I think there were many potential radio friendly singles on there though.
However big props to Prince still for having a go and adding to great variety of his music. It could easily be made into a single classic disc though.

Agree with almost everything. Seems like youre favs are mine, too.

very good read. very interesting. i don't agree with some of it, but than i am just a little bias...




PEACE N B WiLD!!!

I have always loved Emancipation... and you IstenSzek put forth some serious effort. Now I will go back and read it.

Great views... if I had the time to respond the way you shared... I just might be here all day, and that I cannot do.

Some favorite:

~White Mansion
~Curious Child
~Holy River
~Face Down
~Joint 2 Joint
~Somebody's Somebody
~I Can't Make You Love Me
~One of Us

... oh there is not much I don't like.

~Thanks for sharing

IstenSzek said:

Nice try Prince but i always play Bonnie Raitt, the best.

I'm pleasantly surprised that so many people read this
and bothered to post an answer. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks for the thoughtful analysis, IstenSzek. You should write posts like these for other albums that aren't constantly talked about...

I'm also glad that your appreciation has grown for the album too! I think it's a strong piece of work, if not one of his best.

IstenSzek said:

IstenSzek, I did this exact same thing with Graffiti Bridge a few months ago, and was so pleasantly surprised that I also posted a song-by-song thread.

However, I don't know if I'd have had the stamina to take on Emancipation! Nice work. You're making me want to revisit some of it myself. Too bad my Disc One was destroyed; In This Bed Scream is one of my favorites.

FunkMistress said:

Ah, that's a shame. But perhaps if you're lucky you can
get a cheap copy of it somehwere else? I've seen this 3cd
set in stores all over Holland for 6 euro's [5 dollars],
so perhaps as a small X-mas present to yourself

Nice work!

I love this entire CD...Prince was in love and
so happy while making it...it shows in his
songs.

I think Courtin Time should be appreciated for what it is.. Its supposed to sound like a distant 20's era.. perhaps a little later maybe, but to not exactly feel current.. its a nice track.

I really don't have beef with the CD-set all!

There're quite intersting moments,,,

Like that WIIILD piano solo in Sex In The Summer. Kate D. should play mo' guitar tho!

Eric Leeds contribution wasn't bad at all!

Istenszek said:

THE LOVE WE MAKE

Finally, gut-wrenching vocal delivery. This convinces me more ‘to believe’ than the
Lyrics of everlastingnow I must say. Extremely strong performance. Altho I don’t
Really understand that in a world where god seemingly [according to Prince] gives
Unconditional love to mankind, the only love there is would be the love WE make.
I’m a bit confused about that.

Fav line:
“Sacred is the prayer that asks for nothing” –power!


My understanding is that Prince believes God exists inside all of us so if we are a part of that unconditional love we must continue to 'make' it ourselves.
[This message was edited Fri Nov 7 16:11:04 PST 2003 by Jestyr]

post of the year. excellent writing.

familygroove said:

I only count 4 covers on this joint

garnis said:

You're right. I always make that mistake when thinking
about Emancipation. Then I start counting them and go
"Hmmm, I can't remember what the last 2 covers were"