http://www.alternet.org/story/19132/

Personal Voices: The Best Prince of My Life

By Rachel Neumann, AlterNet. Posted July 2, 2004.

The worst of the eighties came back first – acid wash jeans, bright blue eyeliner, leg warmers, and excessive consumption. The hip diner down the street started playing General Public and I couldn't go to a party without hearing "Dancing in the Streets." But just when I thought I would have to live in a shelter until after we'd finished reviving those tortured years, Prince comes out with a new album. A real new album, not the synthesized stuff that came out in those limbo nameless years. Musicology is an album of songs worth dancing to ("Life 'O' the Party") worth making love to ("On the Couch"), and worth singing aloud to out the car window ("Musicology").

Wish eye had a dollar
4 every time u say
Don't u miss the feeling
Music gave ya
Back in the day?

He almost makes it sound good, but back in the day I was an awkward miserable adolescent who would speed read romance novels in the hopes I would be eighteen and somewhere else by the time I looked up from the book. I had both braces and glasses, no butt to speak of, and a psychotic step-mom who was convinced that I was a full-blown slut even though I had still never really been kissed. Two things kept me from giving up completely. The first was my mother's solemn promise that although junior high was, objectively, hell, life did get better. The second was Prince. I remember bringing my bedroom boom box into the kitchen and forcing my mother to sit down and listen to "When Doves Cry" over and over again. After the fourth rewind, she said she could tell he was a deep and thoughtful man.

But for all that I loved Prince, for all that I listened to Controversy and 1999 until I needed new tapes and the records were warped, for all he helped me get through lunch hour, I never saw him live. I knew, if I did, that he would catch my gaze and it would be immediately clear we were soul mates. I never stopped to think how this small, elaborately coiffed man could be so sexy. I never thought about what he meant by any of his lyrics; even "making love till cherry's gone" went right past me. Loving Prince was both safer and more exciting than having a crush on the cute bad boy in my biology class. And thinking about him was infinitely hotter than my first kiss, when it finally came the summer after 9th grade from a guy whose name, Arnold, and whose demeanor, awkward, couldn't have been more different than my idol's. The closest I ever got to Prince himself was five viewings of Purple Rain. After the fifth, I swear, I could feel his presence.

Thankfully, the eighties ended, and we moved on. Me to a life that was indeed better, just as my mother had promised. And Prince to wherever he went. Our time together was over, but not forgotten. So when, at 33, I was given the chance to see Prince in person I didn't have to think once. I was going, no matter what.

The Prince night came on a Tuesday. My friend and I kissed our new babies good-bye and left them with their papas. We had, in honor of his Prince-ness, dressed the part. I wore striped leg warmers, boots, and a matching mini skirt. My hair was done in a side ponytail for the first time in almost twenty years. My friend had hand-sewn her purple psychedelic translucent blouse. The whole way to San Jose we shared stories of bad experiences with wine coolers, pegged pants, and asymmetrical haircuts. Free for a night from our daughters and dressed like glamorous fools, we were giddy in a way akin to our former teenager selves.

Perhaps it was the leg warmers, the purple shirt, or the giddiness we couldn't hide, but somehow that night everything turned out right. The cop who pulled us over when we got near the arena gave us directions to a free secret parking spot instead of giving us a ticket. The crowd – old guys in pony tails, beer-bellied couples, girls way too young to have ever seen Prince before and dressed like my step-mother's worst nightmare – was friendly. Strangers exchanged conspiratorial smiles and last cigarettes before going inside. The best part of the night was the security guard who, after checking that there were just two of us, pulled us aside and exchanged our nose bleed seats for a couple in the third row. We went in and there was Prince, not just live but now close enough that I could see that he didn't sweat and that the mole was real. He did an acoustic version of Little Red Corvette that had me screaming before I could stop myself. One of Prince's entourage noticed my friend in her wild purple shirt and next thing I knew she was dancing on stage with Prince, shaking her booty like it was 1999 all over again.

I stood in my seat, dancing to each song, loving it, signing along when I knew the lyrics and not even pretending when I didn't. I didn't want anything – not to be up there on stage, not to catch anyone's gaze, not even for the night to never end.

I can now say I have evidence that it is better to love Prince as a fully grown 33-year-old woman than it was to love him as a teenager. There's no teenage shame, no fear that someone will find out how much I really like him, no desperate fantasy that he will see me in the audience, look into my eyes, and know we belong together. He is exactly like I remembered – short, pan-sexual, and multitalented. It's me who is different. Instead of helping me escape, as he did when I was a teenager, Prince helped me celebrate who I am now, the real eighties long behind me and never, ever to return.

Rachel Neumann is Rights & Liberties Editor at AlterNet.

That was such a beautifully written story. I know plenty of women that i knew growing up that had a similar experience. I hope u get 2 see him at Paisley Park 1day, it's a totally different experience.

that's a wonderful story.

sweetness.

What a positive experience to share with us here at the org. I too was touched by P's performances during the recent tour and I really enjoy him and his passion for his music shows throughout.

A truly wonderful commentary! I feel exactly the same way. Prince was ( and is)a pivotal back-drop of my tween, teen and adult years, and can honestly say I felt the same way when I saw him in the flesh three weeks ago. I was in tenth row, and my truly intese fantasy came true: He caught my gaze. I was'nt there for that reason, but it sure did feel heartwarming to know that for the moment, there was a spirital, soulful, connection that my dream came true to be acknowledged by someone who is a special part of my life!

I really related to your story. I saw him in San Jose too. It was my first time seeing him live. It was really magic for me too to see him after his being so important to me for most of my adult life! The best part for me was in the middle of the concert when he came out alone with the acoustic guitar and just sat and jammed, the expression on his face said everything about his being a true musical genius, he was so real about his music, you just don't see that too often! So I'm going to see him again in September in Oakland--couldn't resist wanting that experience again!

That was wonderful. You managed to sum up my Prince experience. That last paragraph you wrote truly touched me. in fact I have to show it to my partner so hopefully he'll now understand where I'm coming from.

If you can try and get to Paisley Park, I've been three times and it truly is a Celebration of Life, Love and Music

shqippy said:[quote]http://www.alternet.org/story/19132/

Personal Voices: The Best Prince of My Life

By Rachel Neumann, AlterNet. Posted July 2, 2004.

The cop who pulled us over when we got near the arena gave us directions to a free secret parking spot instead of giving us a ticket. .

The best part of the night was the security guard who, after checking that there were just two of us, pulled us aside and exchanged our nose bleed seats for a couple in the third row.


Shit like this never happens to guys; man if all i had to do was look like an 80's slut to get favors like this, i'd do drag.

I already posted the link to this article and I think this article sucks.

No one should be writing about Prince who didn't ride or die with him.


This writer only has a superficial knowledge of his music. So what's so great about relegating his presence to what he did in the '80s?


These kinds of weak observations feed the wack "Comeback" theory.

fiveorange said:

so this would include all of us who post our opinions and such on a daily basis...including you.

fiveorange said:

-----
Shut the hell up. Do not try and judge someone else's experience. Everybody has a right to post to this board and write about their experiences with the music. The music made this person feel better when they were having a crappy time growing up. I can relate to that as well as many others on this board.

lovely

Lovely story, unfortunatly U have said it 4 many women... as 4 me, I Loved the 80's, the 80's partly made me who I am today, a vibrant beautiful, spiritual woman, & I accredit it to Prince.
when I was younger, he taught me about Sex, Love Lust & Passion using the right words in his lyrics. I have been to 4 concerts of his 4 times since the 80's & let me tell ya, the older he gets, the older I get, the finer he gets, kinda like a good wine. I will be going 2 Musicology at the end of July, & I am so looking forward to it 4 several reasons. The main reason, is purly spiritual, I will be taking a virgin friend, again. & again, I will turn it into the Greatest nite ever ( well, since the last time I went 2 his concert) I too will kiss my babies goodnite & my friend & I will celebrate beeing wonderful women by having a nice expensive dinner, going 2 the concert, hopefully an after party & a nice hotel room(becuz detroit is so far from home). I will celebrate Prince making me the woman I am today. He has been a major impact on my life since very young, My husband does'nt even ask about the cost of the tickets anymore, he knows better. & understands The woman I am, corky, spiritual, different then every1 else,romantic & sensual, & he too Thanks Prince, that's why he married me.
I will celebrate the 70's, the 80's & the 90's, some of the best darned times in my life. ( one that comes to mind: this first time I played 17 days (45, flipside) on my record player) dang, them days are what made me who I am today.
I do not think I would ever like to meet Prince, becuz in my mind the man I have dreamt, fantasized, & thought about for the past 24 years, might not exist(no one can b that perfect), but in my eyes, he is. so I would like to leave it at that. I would Love to Thank him though, for making me who I am, making gloomy days seem brighter, & making me dance like I've never danced b4, oh & for my children, who could probably not have been concieved with out his music.
& just to let ya know, your lucky, ur lucky yer mom was listenin to when Doves cry, My mom was freakin that her 10 year old was listenin 2 Dirty mind, & Head ( gotta love older sisters). however, my Mom is amazed that over the years my Passion 4 his music has gotten bigger.
I will b enjoying July 30th, 4 many reasons, 2 c him in his glory at his age, celebrating my life, my womanhood, & my family, & taking a nite out 4 myself, the right way, the only way. I just wish he'd come every year, because I'd be in line every year, to enjoy the wonderful talent, & mesmerizing impact of spirituality he imposes on myself.

The essay is very well written and I think that pretty much everyone here can relate, including u fiveorange! What gives you the right to pass judgement when you are here posting and responding just like the rest of us??

Get a clue

Smooches;)

This is a great story. I can definitely relate. I'll be seeing Prince this month for the 5th time and I know it will be great and I know there will be moments I will never forget.

Well, that was a lovely story. It kinda sounds like my story and many other women. I love Prince. I am a fan from 1978(old school)and I remember when we first heard his music. I love funk, but I also like people who are different from the run of the mill performers that we now have so many of. Different has always worked for me. Even though I am old skool, I still have always loved being different from everyone. I think this is the appeal with Prince. I admire a person who stands up for themselves and can be different no matter what people say, play music no matter what people think of it, and change their name no matter how people think. You go head on Purple One.

Thank you for the essay, I coud not have said it better. I am 44 years old and remember the joys of listening and dancing to Prince's music during the 80's. This spring a friend suggested we go to Vegas and while we were there we would see Prince at the Mandalay. At the time he was not stopping in Denver. I will never forget that night. A fan is reborn. Last week I went and purchased my Denver, Pepesi Center ticket, a single ticket! I want to enjoy the man, his magic, and his fellow musicians. I want to remember this night as well... and remember...

A lovely story to which many people can relate.

Lovely essay.. loved it

That was a great story (and to you negative energy lovers, go read something else). I had a girlfriend in the 80s who was an absolute P freak! In fact, she was first attracted to me because I had a strong resemblance to the man and I played a mean guitar. Also, I was one of the few guys who proudly stated that I was a fan.

It was hard for a guy to be a P fan in HS in the 80s. While I listened to AC/DC, Motley Crue and all the heavy metal hair bands with my buddies, I was secretly in awe of this image of perfection who could absolutely WAIL on the guitar and wrote such cool music. The guys just didn't get it... but the girls sure did! (and they really seemed to appreciate a guy who could dig it, too!)

I've only seen P twice... a few months ago in OKC and several years ago on the Emmancipation tour. Of the 40+ concerts I've been to, he is by far my favorite. I really liked the Musicology show because he was so... real. Granted, I had exceptional seats and he was practically playing in my lap, but the energy he put off was absolutely heavenly. Now, I'm not a JW or anything, but when a person has that kind of presence (or aura), you can feel it.

Sorry for rambling... I just really liked the story. It made me think of my younger years and how P was a big part of my life. He still is.

laurarichardson said:

Check this out,

I've been following this man's music since DAY ONE meaning I didn't jump on the bandwagon around Purple Rain and then leave him when he wasn't a commercial success. If your dumbass understood my post then you would catch the gist of what I'm saying about loyalty and mispresentation in the media.

That's cool that anybody can dig Prince at any time for any reasons. My beef is when these journalists can only speak about him in a limited sense. No one is devaluing this writer's experience. But when mass media influences people in a major way you become concerned about what's going out there. Why couldn't they have found someone who followed his music all the way through to write about him? That's nice that she got to go backstage because of the way she was dressed. But what's wrong with talking about him in a more comprehensive manner?


These type of articles contribute to the "Comeback" theory by constantly referring to his heyday. It gives the impression that he was only relevant at the height of his sales and we all know on this board that is not true.

I hope you understood me this time. If not you can take your wack perspective, stuff it and sit and spin.

fiveorange said:

Uh no that would NOT include me. I have enjoyed Prince THOROUGHLY not only when he had big sales. If you don't understand look the word up.

There are plenty of people on this board who do value his music outside of a Billboard paradigm. And this article limits his relevance to someone's narrow experience with his music in the '80s.

What's wrong with hiring someone who has followed him constantly to talk about THEIR experience with him? That's nice that this writer enjoyed herself but I'm more concerned with the wack perception that Musicology is a "Comeback" when albums like The Gold Experience were slept on.

I want people who are not Prince fans to know that this man has rocked it since day one and NEVER stopped.

Get it?

MsMisha319 said:

Because I am a Prince fan that is down for him regardless of his Billboard chart status. And I would NEVER relegate his importance to the '80s.

THAT'S WHY.

Apparently the people on this board don't understand how much misunderstanding there is about this man. If I tell the average idiot that I bought anything after Sign of The Times they tell me things like "He's weird" or "That music had a cult appeal."

Yes those of us on the board can contextualize things but the average fool will read this article and be supported in the idea that Prince only mattered in the '80s and only matters now because the maching is backing him.

COMPRENDE???

dude... get a life. The girl was just saying what a great time she had and how much P meant to her as a teenager. It would appear that this is the biggest issue in your life right now.

Jeez...

Diamond said:

agree

honest and sweet article

it took me back down memory lane

prince 45's and b sides

keepthefunkalive

I can relate.

My story is similar apart from that I climbed aboard the bandwagon 1983ish and never got off it. I was shy about liking Prince in high school but not now! Prince is number one is our household and going to the concerts at the age of 32 for me was a culmination of years of joy, rolled into two amazing nights - apart from the birth of my children and my wedding day, I don't think I have ever been this happy. Prince is so familiar, the one constant in my life - apart from my immediate family, I don't think anyone has been around for me as long as Prince has musically, always there through my ups and downs, so a Prince concert experience with the one true love of my life (my husband) kind of ties it all together for me - he could see for himself what it has been all about for me, and how happy Prince makes me and how he loves to see me so happy.

jazzmaster said:

No it would appear that SOME not ALL of the people at this board have a SUPERFICIAL understanding of how media shapes the minds of many.

I'm sure many of us want the man to be enjoyed within the WHOLE of his work.

Prince deserves more than shallow shout-outs. So it's a cute article but it still propagates the "Comeback" lie. This article is little more than somebody's diary entry not the work of a journalist say like Michael Gonzalez or a Greg Tate (since you obviously don't know.)

Everyone has a right to write about him but the name of this website where the article came from is Alternet.org. This means that they are offering an alternative view of things.

This article is quite MAINSTREAM in its perspective. I could accept it more if it was in a place like Time magazine or some other glib rag.

fiveorange said:

Oh God enough dic riding. it's not that serious.
wa wa wa wa wa waaaaah