Yes you've repeated that several times. Like any artist, I'm certain he took inspiration from his life (as well as other things, I'm sure) when he created the lyrical part of his music (the lyrics being just one part of the song -- and as a one-person creator, he spent time on ALL the parts. There's no indication that he elevated lyric-writing above the other things he did when creating the final product).

-

I understand that connecting his lyrics to his personal love/sex life (and discussing what you imagine was going on in his love/sex life) is your primary interest in Prince, and that you interpret his lyrics very literally (i.e., they're about one person only, etc.). Got it. To each their own.

pinkcashmere23 said:

disch said:

If he made the song public (on a record or in performance) it was meant for the listener. Just like ANY artist who produces art and puts it out to the world.

Yes, but Prince said himself that some songs were written about someone in particular and he would occasionally reveal that, such as in the online chat when someone asked who Forever In My Life was about and he replied Susannah. I believe I remember him mentioning in the notes for Crystal Ball that the woman who he wrote The Ride for was present at the performance that is on the album and said "She knows." Anna Garcia said that Prince would gift her with songs such as Pink Cashmere and Anna Waiting.Other women have said the same and that he would leave clues in the lyrics so they would know he was referring to them.

benni said:

luv4u said:

Ohhh yesssss

lol - that reminded me of my daughter when she was little:

Absolutely Adorable! Love the glint in her

pinkcashmere23 said:

disch said:

If he made the song public (on a record or in performance) it was meant for the listener. Just like ANY artist who produces art and puts it out to the world.

Yes, but Prince said himself that some songs were written about someone in particular and he would occasionally reveal that, such as in the online chat when someone asked who Forever In My Life was about and he replied Susannah. I believe I remember him mentioning in the notes for Crystal Ball that the woman who he wrote The Ride for was present at the performance that is on the album and said "She knows." Anna Garcia said that Prince would gift her with songs such as Pink Cashmere and Anna Waiting.Other women have said the same and that he would leave clues in the lyrics so they would know he was referring to them.

I think you are correct. Prince has stated on various occasions, "If you want to know about my life listen to my music - it's all in there" On his first album the lyrics to the song "For You" are:

All this and more is for you

With love, sincerity, and deepest care

My life with you I share

*

He communicated through music - even to those with whom he was personally involved at the time of writing the song. No doubt many of his songs were inspired by, or specific stories about certain people in his life.

disch said:

Yes you've repeated that several times. Like any artist, I'm certain he took inspiration from his life (as well as other things, I'm sure) when he created the lyrical part of his music (the lyrics being just one part of the song -- and as a one-person creator, he spent time on ALL the parts. There's no indication that he elevated lyric-writing above the other things he did when creating the final product).

-

I understand that connecting his lyrics to his personal love/sex life (and discussing what you imagine was going on in his love/sex life) is your primary interest in Prince, and that you interpret his lyrics very literally (i.e., they're about one person only, etc.). Got it. To each their own.

pinkcashmere23 said:

I didn't say that the lyrics were my primary focus nor did I say that I was interested in what was going on with his sex life. Some of the songs were written with a a specific person in mind and he himself said that.Songs with deeply personal lyrics such as Empty Room do cause the listener to wonder what inspired him to be driven to write such a song and what his emotional state was at the time.I like to know what was happening in his life during the time of the recording of the songs to have a broader picture.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I think you are correct. Prince has stated on various occasions, "If you want to know about my life listen to my music - it's all in there" On his first album the lyrics to the song "For You" are:

All this and more is for you

With love, sincerity, and deepest care

My life with you I share

*

He communicated through music - even to those with whom he was personally involved at the time of writing the song. No doubt many of his songs were inspired by, or specific stories about certain people in his life.

Exactly.

disch said:

If someone wants to spend hours and hours mooning over which woman he was sending secret mash notes to in his lyrics, that's their choice; don't put the blame for that on Prince, who never ever said or implied that's what he wanted people to take from his life's work.

NotACleverName said:

violetcrush said: Nope. Not intrigued at all.

[Edited 5/15/18 20:05pm]

But disch - much of his life's work involved writing and creating music and lyrics which described personal things that were happening in his life at that particular time - and a lot of it was tied to his personal relationships with women, friends, collaborators, business associates, etc. And let's be real for a minute - a big part of his genius, along with huge musical talent, was creating that mystery which sparked the interest of his listeners. And he also created less cryptic songs when he wanted to express a particular message or point of view on certain topics such as politics, race or religion. He knew his more cryptic songs would cause intrigue and interest with his listeners, and I think he was okay with that.

pinkcashmere23 said:

disch said:

Yes you've repeated that several times. Like any artist, I'm certain he took inspiration from his life (as well as other things, I'm sure) when he created the lyrical part of his music (the lyrics being just one part of the song -- and as a one-person creator, he spent time on ALL the parts. There's no indication that he elevated lyric-writing above the other things he did when creating the final product).

-

I understand that connecting his lyrics to his personal love/sex life (and discussing what you imagine was going on in his love/sex life) is your primary interest in Prince, and that you interpret his lyrics very literally (i.e., they're about one person only, etc.). Got it. To each their own.

I think we might be dealing with a "male vs. female" thought process here Not to stereotype, but females tend to gravitate toward the more emotional/deeper side of things.

*

However, I think it's hard to separate the lyrics from the instrumental piece of his music - they work together to create the specific "feel" or message he was trying to convey at that time. I do think it is obvious that on some of his more personal songs, such as Empty Room, the lyrics were an integral part of the song and very important to him. I think the fact that it took him years to pull that amazing song out of the Vault speaks to its significance.

[Edited 5/16/18 8:12am]

violetcrush said:

disch said:

If someone wants to spend hours and hours mooning over which woman he was sending secret mash notes to in his lyrics, that's their choice; don't put the blame for that on Prince, who never ever said or implied that's what he wanted people to take from his life's work.

[Edited 5/15/18 20:05pm]

But disch - much of his life's work involved writing and creating music and lyrics which described personal things that were happening in his life at that particular time - and a lot of it was tied to his personal relationships with women, friends, collaborators, business associates, etc. And let's be real for a minute - a big part of his genius, along with huge musical talent, was creating that mystery which sparked the interest of his listeners. And he also created less cryptic songs when he wanted to express a particular message or point of view on certain topics such as politics, race or religion. He knew his more cryptic songs would cause intrigue and interest with his listeners, and I think he was okay with that.

I agree.

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

But disch - much of his life's work involved writing and creating music and lyrics which described personal things that were happening in his life at that particular time - and a lot of it was tied to his personal relationships with women, friends, collaborators, business associates, etc. And let's be real for a minute - a big part of his genius, along with huge musical talent, was creating that mystery which sparked the interest of his listeners. And he also created less cryptic songs when he wanted to express a particular message or point of view on certain topics such as politics, race or religion. He knew his more cryptic songs would cause intrigue and interest with his listeners, and I think he was okay with that.

I agree.

Okay, just putting this out there to support our point - the first verse of Strange But True, recorded 1999:

*

Okay, let me say this quick - before I start to cry
You are the only one that I gave it to, the one I fantasize for
And time away from you has taught me
What I should have known
That this hole I'm trying to fill with another yeah, it's grown
And I got your package
But when I tried to write back I bailed
See, trying to express the future, sometimes language fails
And over this time I've learned
My life force is increased by knowing you
Every door that closes, another one opens

[Chorus]
Strange but true
Strange but true

*

This is an example of one of those songs that focuses much more on the lyric than the instrumentation, and it is clearly a direct communication to someone from his past.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I agree.

Okay, just putting this out there to support our point - the first verse of Strange But True, recorded 1999:

*

Okay, let me say this quick - before I start to cry
You are the only one that I gave it to, the one I fantasize for
And time away from you has taught me
What I should have known
That this hole I'm trying to fill with another yeah, it's grown
And I got your package
But when I tried to write back I bailed
See, trying to express the future, sometimes language fails
And over this time I've learned
My life force is increased by knowing you
Every door that closes, another one opens

[Chorus]
Strange but true
Strange but true

*

This is an example of one of those songs that focuses much more on the lyric than the instrumentation, and it is clearly a direct communication to someone from his past.

One more that is one of my favorites - Tangerine - a simple instrumental but very direct and personal lyric:

Some days I feel tangerine
Some days I feel blue
Some days I just wanna black out

Everything I felt for you
Even though I take your picture
Everywhere I go
I use it for a coaster and drink the overflow
Some days I make a lot of money
And give it all away
To take my mind off the tangerine color
Of your negligee
Beggars can't be choosy
If they don't know how to serve
You got a different phone number
...and a lot of nerve

Somedays I feel tangerine, somedays I miss you too....

[Edited 5/16/18 8:59am]

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I agree.

Okay, just putting this out there to support our point - the first verse of Strange But True, recorded 1999:

*

Okay, let me say this quick - before I start to cry
You are the only one that I gave it to, the one I fantasize for
And time away from you has taught me
What I should have known
That this hole I'm trying to fill with another yeah, it's grown
And I got your package
But when I tried to write back I bailed
See, trying to express the future, sometimes language fails
And over this time I've learned
My life force is increased by knowing you
Every door that closes, another one opens

[Chorus]
Strange but true
Strange but true

*

This is an example of one of those songs that focuses much more on the lyric than the instrumentation, and it is clearly a direct communication to someone from his past.

Yes.Though I do find it interesting musically,it does have sparse instrumentation. His focus was definitely on the lyrics in that one and I admit wondering to whom he was directing it. The song Ain't Gonna Miss You When You're Gone also seemed to be a message to someone. There's even a line that says, "You probably think this song's about you. I give credit where credit's due but if it wasn't for me,You'd be a who."

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

Okay, just putting this out there to support our point - the first verse of Strange But True, recorded 1999:

*

Okay, let me say this quick - before I start to cry
You are the only one that I gave it to, the one I fantasize for
And time away from you has taught me
What I should have known
That this hole I'm trying to fill with another yeah, it's grown
And I got your package
But when I tried to write back I bailed
See, trying to express the future, sometimes language fails
And over this time I've learned
My life force is increased by knowing you
Every door that closes, another one opens

[Chorus]
Strange but true
Strange but true

*

This is an example of one of those songs that focuses much more on the lyric than the instrumentation, and it is clearly a direct communication to someone from his past.

Yes.Though I do find it interesting musically,it does have sparse instrumentation. His focus was definitely on the lyrics in that one and I admit wondering to whom he was directing it. The song Ain't Gonna Miss You When You're Gone also seemed to be a message to someone. There's even a line that says, "You probably think this song's about you. I give credit where credit's due but if it wasn't for me,You'd be a who."

I have my thoughts on the subject of Strange But True, but I will keep those to myself for fear of the "onslaught" in this forum Plus, it's only my speculation anyway.

*

I think the subject of "Ain't Gonna Miss You When You're Gone" seems to be one of his proteges at that time based on the line, "if it wasn't for me, you'd be a "who"....meaning he is the reason she is well known to the public.

And he wasn't the first...

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Yes.Though I do find it interesting musically,it does have sparse instrumentation. His focus was definitely on the lyrics in that one and I admit wondering to whom he was directing it. The song Ain't Gonna Miss You When You're Gone also seemed to be a message to someone. There's even a line that says, "You probably think this song's about you. I give credit where credit's due but if it wasn't for me,You'd be a who."

I have my thoughts on the subject of Strange But True, but I will keep those to myself for fear of the "onslaught" in this forum Plus, it's only my speculation anyway.

*

I think the subject of "Ain't Gonna Miss You When You're Gone" seems to be one of his proteges at that time based on the line, "if it wasn't for me, you'd be a "who"....meaning he is the reason she is well known to the public.

I think Ain't Gonna Miss You might be about Bria and I think a clue is Ledisi singing "Tonight" towards the end since that is the title of one of the songs on Elixer.He also had Rashida play some of Tonight at The Dakota in 2013.

poppys said:

And he wasn't the first...

You're So Vain

Carly Simon

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain,
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you?
Don't you?



Here's another Prince quote about his lyrics:

Prince Hits N Runs N Talks! - Ebony interview Dec 22, 2015

Housequake · Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Prince: You ever heard of checking your list to see who’s naughty and who’s nice? I just let people talk. I was talking to somebody about “The Beautiful Ones.” They were speculating as to who I was singing about. But they were completely wrong.

If they look at it, it’s very obvious. “Do you want him or do you want me,” that was written for that scene in Purple Rain specifically. Where Morris [Day] would be sitting with [Apollonia], and there’d be this back and forth. And also, “The beautiful ones you always seem to lose,” Vanity had just quit the movie. To then speculate, “Well, he wrote that song about me”? Afterwards you go, “Who are you? Why do you think that you’re part of the script that way? And why would you go around saying stuff like that?”

So we just let people talk and say whatever they want to say. Nine times out of 10, trust me, what’s out there now, I wouldn’t give nary one of these folks the time of day. That’s why I don’t say anything back, because there’s so much that’s wrong.

He also said the following: "I just let people talk." So...he didn't request that people stop speculating...or try to "contain" speculation about his lyrics like it was some infectious disease or epidemic.

Moreover, he didn't sound mad about it. Ergo, if Prince didn't have a problem with fams guessing...and since HE "[didn't] say anything back," why, pray tell, are some here on Prince.org so determined to stymie discussion about his lyrics and their possible inspiration?

poppys said:

And he wasn't the first...

You're So Vain

Carly Simon

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain,
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you?
Don't you?



Here's another Prince quote about his lyrics:

Prince Hits N Runs N Talks! - Ebony interview Dec 22, 2015

Housequake · Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Prince: You ever heard of checking your list to see who’s naughty and who’s nice? I just let people talk. I was talking to somebody about “The Beautiful Ones.” They were speculating as to who I was singing about. But they were completely wrong.

If they look at it, it’s very obvious. “Do you want him or do you want me,” that was written for that scene in Purple Rain specifically. Where Morris [Day] would be sitting with [Apollonia], and there’d be this back and forth. And also, “The beautiful ones you always seem to lose,” Vanity had just quit the movie. To then speculate, “Well, he wrote that song about me”? Afterwards you go, “Who are you? Why do you think that you’re part of the script that way? And why would you go around saying stuff like that?”

So we just let people talk and say whatever they want to say. Nine times out of 10, trust me, what’s out there now, I wouldn’t give nary one of these folks the time of day. That’s why I don’t say anything back, because there’s so much that’s wrong.

Prince was all over the place in this interview - and he also had the article retracted just minutes after it was published. He was making many comments that were not cohesive during their conversation. Also, he really didn't want the public knowing all of the "facts" regarding his personal life or inspiration for his songs, even when expressing them cryptically through his music.

*

Susannah Melvoin never stated she thought the song was about her. Per Matt Thorne's book, she said, "well, that was sort of our story, but he was also writing for the script at that time". The opinions about the inspiration for The Beautiful Ones came from many people in his camp at that time - including Susan Rogers, who spent the most amount of time with him while recording. Susannah had a boyfriend when Prince began heavily pursuing her Summer of '83.

*

Also, it is well known that Prince hated anyone talking to journalists about his personal life and feelings. Many of his prior collaborators had begun to talk about their experiences with him in the few years prior to this article, including Susannah. They contributed to Biographies and were doing some interviews. No doubt Prince was not happy about Susannah and others discussing parts of their relationship. I'm sure this factored into his rant during this interview.

violetcrush said:

poppys said:

And he wasn't the first...

You're So Vain

Carly Simon

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain,
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you?
Don't you?



Here's another Prince quote about his lyrics:

Prince Hits N Runs N Talks! - Ebony interview Dec 22, 2015

Housequake · Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Prince: You ever heard of checking your list to see who’s naughty and who’s nice? I just let people talk. I was talking to somebody about “The Beautiful Ones.” They were speculating as to who I was singing about. But they were completely wrong.

If they look at it, it’s very obvious. “Do you want him or do you want me,” that was written for that scene in Purple Rain specifically. Where Morris [Day] would be sitting with [Apollonia], and there’d be this back and forth. And also, “The beautiful ones you always seem to lose,” Vanity had just quit the movie. To then speculate, “Well, he wrote that song about me”? Afterwards you go, “Who are you? Why do you think that you’re part of the script that way? And why would you go around saying stuff like that?”

So we just let people talk and say whatever they want to say. Nine times out of 10, trust me, what’s out there now, I wouldn’t give nary one of these folks the time of day. That’s why I don’t say anything back, because there’s so much that’s wrong.

Prince was all over the place in this interview - and he also had the article retracted just minutes after it was published. He was making many comments that were not cohesive during their conversation. Also, he really didn't want the public knowing all of the "facts" regarding his personal life or inspiration for his songs, even when expressing them cryptically through his music.

*

Susannah Melvoin never stated she thought the song was about her. Per Matt Thorne's book, she said, "well, that was sort of our story, but he was also writing for the script at that time". The opinions about the inspiration for The Beautiful Ones came from many people in his camp at that time - including Susan Rogers, who spent the most amount of time with him while recording. Susannah had a boyfriend when Prince began heavily pursuing her Summer of '83.

*

Also, it is well known that Prince hated anyone talking to journalists about his personal life and feelings. Many of his prior collaborators had begun to talk about their experiences with him in the few years prior to this article, including Susannah. They contributed to Biographies and were doing some interviews. No doubt Prince was not happy about Susannah and others discussing parts of their relationship. I'm sure this factored into his rant during this interview.

Also, Poppys - regarding "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon.....I believe the irony of the song is that the subject IS about the person she is calling vain.

^^ and what is your point?

Someone said they thought it was a male vs. female thing on what they focus on when it comes to music. I'm a female and I can say unequivocally, I really don't care which female he might have been singing about in whatever song. To me, as I've said previously, each of the women were important to him at one point in his life and it's natural from an artistic perspective to draw from life when creating art. But as is also true in art, that real life aspect of it may only play a minor part in the original inspiration of the final creation, but the complete piece takes on a life and meaning of its own and the artist lets the listener, or viewer (if it's a painting) relate to it on their own personal level. What I do focus on his music, because there is absolutely no doubt the importance of this subject had on Prince and in his life, is the spiritual messages hidden (and not so hidden) in his music. That part of Prince, that part of his life, that part of his music intrigues me much more than what woman might have inspired this or that song. The spirituality in his music was what pulled me when I found his music again, and it is what has kept me drawn to him. The women came and went, God remained constant.

Prince has surrounded himself with some women that are not class acts. So many diss on various women that were in his life. Others laugh at the antics, or point out the poor behavior, of these same women in threads here on this forum. If it were really about wanting to know which woman each song was written about, it seems the women would be given a little more respect and there would not be so much arguing when one says, "I think this song was about so and so" and someone else is saying, "No, I think it was about this one." It seems more often like it's about, "All of his songs were written for this one person and that he's been pining for this person, and he may have told so and so it was about her, but we all know it was about this one that was his only true love."

[Edited 5/16/18 9:36am]

poppys said:

benni said:

lol - that reminded me of my daughter when she was little:

Absolutely Adorable! Love the glint in her

Thank you! She is 14 now and has NEVER lost that glint in her eye. She keeps me on my toes, that's for sure!

FlyOnTheWall said:

poppys said:

And he wasn't the first...

You're So Vain

Carly Simon

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain,
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you?
Don't you?



Here's another Prince quote about his lyrics:

Prince Hits N Runs N Talks! - Ebony interview Dec 22, 2015

Housequake · Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Prince: You ever heard of checking your list to see who’s naughty and who’s nice? I just let people talk. I was talking to somebody about “The Beautiful Ones.” They were speculating as to who I was singing about. But they were completely wrong.

If they look at it, it’s very obvious. “Do you want him or do you want me,” that was written for that scene in Purple Rain specifically. Where Morris [Day] would be sitting with [Apollonia], and there’d be this back and forth. And also, “The beautiful ones you always seem to lose,” Vanity had just quit the movie. To then speculate, “Well, he wrote that song about me”? Afterwards you go, “Who are you? Why do you think that you’re part of the script that way? And why would you go around saying stuff like that?”

So we just let people talk and say whatever they want to say. Nine times out of 10, trust me, what’s out there now, I wouldn’t give nary one of these folks the time of day. That’s why I don’t say anything back, because there’s so much that’s wrong.

He also said the following: "I just let people talk." So...he didn't request that people stop speculating...or try to "contain" speculation about his lyrics like it was some infectious disease or epidemic.

Moreover, he didn't sound mad about it. Ergo, if Prince didn't have a problem with fams guessing...and since HE "[didn't] say anything back," why, pray tell, are some here on Prince.org so determined to stymie discussion about his lyrics and their possible inspiration?

Oh - I get it. Violetcrush is another one of your alters? The thing is, you can tell, in case you care.

Your bolded paragraph is all made up bullshit. I never said any of that. I think Prince let people talk because anything else got him about as far as the endless loop of talking to you. He wasn't one to waste time.

poppys said:

FlyOnTheWall said:

He also said the following: "I just let people talk." So...he didn't request that people stop speculating...or try to "contain" speculation about his lyrics like it was some infectious disease or epidemic.

Moreover, he didn't sound mad about it. Ergo, if Prince didn't have a problem with fams guessing...and since HE "[didn't] say anything back," why, pray tell, are some here on Prince.org so determined to stymie discussion about his lyrics and their possible inspiration?

Oh - I get it. Violetcrush is another one of your alters? The thing is, you can tell, in case you care.

Your bolded paragraph is all made up bullshit. I never said any of that. I think Prince let people talk because anything else got him about as far as the endless loop of talking to you. He wasn't one to waste time.

No poppys....Violetcrush is not an "alter" for anyone - I am my own specific person

*

But, to support my comments regarding Prince's discussions with Journalists and taking them with a "grain of salt"....in a 1990 interview while doing the Nude tour Prince was asked about Kim Basinger and her involvement with the Graffiti Bridge concept. His response was, "well, I really don't know her that well". She had moved to MN and was in a relationship with him for about 6 months in 1989. In 1981 during I believe his first interview in Europe he was asked about his ethnic backround. His response, "my Dad is half black and my Mother is Italian".

*

So, there you go...

benni said:

Someone said they thought it was a male vs. female thing on what they focus on when it comes to music. I'm a female and I can say unequivocally, I really don't care which female he might have been singing about in whatever song. To me, as I've said previously, each of the women were important to him at one point in his life and it's natural from an artistic perspective to draw from life when creating art. But as is also true in art, that real life aspect of it may only play a minor part in the original inspiration of the final creation, but the complete piece takes on a life and meaning of its own and the artist lets the listener, or viewer (if it's a painting) relate to it on their own personal level. What I do focus on his music, because there is absolutely no doubt the importance of this subject had on Prince and in his life, is the spiritual messages hidden (and not so hidden) in his music. That part of Prince, that part of his life, that part of his music intrigues me much more than what woman might have inspired this or that song. The spirituality in his music was what pulled me when I found his music again, and it is what has kept me drawn to him. The women came and went, God remained constant.

Prince has surrounded himself with some women that are not class acts. So many diss on various women that were in his life. Others laugh at the antics, or point out the poor behavior, of these same women in threads here on this forum. If it were really about wanting to know which woman each song was written about, it seems the women would be given a little more respect and there would not be so much arguing when one says, "I think this song was about so and so" and someone else is saying, "No, I think it was about this one." It seems more often like it's about, "All of his songs were written for this one person and that he's been pining for this person, and he may have told so and so it was about her, but we all know it was about this one that was his only true love."

[Edited 5/16/18 9:36am]

I find Prince to be a fascinating person and I enjoy reading about certain times in his life to get a better understanding of where his mind was when he wrote and recorded the songs. Not just who his love interest was at the time but other factors as well. I do tend to appreciate a song more if I have an understanding of the writing and recording process and what was going on during the creation of it.

pinkcashmere23 said:

benni said:

Someone said they thought it was a male vs. female thing on what they focus on when it comes to music. I'm a female and I can say unequivocally, I really don't care which female he might have been singing about in whatever song. To me, as I've said previously, each of the women were important to him at one point in his life and it's natural from an artistic perspective to draw from life when creating art. But as is also true in art, that real life aspect of it may only play a minor part in the original inspiration of the final creation, but the complete piece takes on a life and meaning of its own and the artist lets the listener, or viewer (if it's a painting) relate to it on their own personal level. What I do focus on his music, because there is absolutely no doubt the importance of this subject had on Prince and in his life, is the spiritual messages hidden (and not so hidden) in his music. That part of Prince, that part of his life, that part of his music intrigues me much more than what woman might have inspired this or that song. The spirituality in his music was what pulled me when I found his music again, and it is what has kept me drawn to him. The women came and went, God remained constant.

Prince has surrounded himself with some women that are not class acts. So many diss on various women that were in his life. Others laugh at the antics, or point out the poor behavior, of these same women in threads here on this forum. If it were really about wanting to know which woman each song was written about, it seems the women would be given a little more respect and there would not be so much arguing when one says, "I think this song was about so and so" and someone else is saying, "No, I think it was about this one." It seems more often like it's about, "All of his songs were written for this one person and that he's been pining for this person, and he may have told so and so it was about her, but we all know it was about this one that was his only true love."

[Edited 5/16/18 9:36am]

I find Prince to be a fascinating person and I enjoy reading about certain times in his life to get a better understanding of where his mind was when he wrote and recorded the songs. Not just who his love interest was at the time but other factors as well. I do tend to appreciate a song more if I have an understanding of the writing and recording process and what was going on during the creation of it.

I guess that's where we differ, pink. I appreciate the song, period, and maybe even more so if it speaks to me about something I may be going through, or something I've experienced. That's what makes art so wonderful, when it speaks personally to the individual partaking of the art. I don't need to understand who was around when, or who he was sleeping with at the time, to appreciate the music. I guess I internalize the music and the lyrics and don't need to externalize it to appreciate it.

benni said:

Someone said they thought it was a male vs. female thing on what they focus on when it comes to music. I'm a female and I can say unequivocally, I really don't care which female he might have been singing about in whatever song. To me, as I've said previously, each of the women were important to him at one point in his life and it's natural from an artistic perspective to draw from life when creating art. But as is also true in art, that real life aspect of it may only play a minor part in the original inspiration of the final creation, but the complete piece takes on a life and meaning of its own and the artist lets the listener, or viewer (if it's a painting) relate to it on their own personal level. What I do focus on his music, because there is absolutely no doubt the importance of this subject had on Prince and in his life, is the spiritual messages hidden (and not so hidden) in his music. That part of Prince, that part of his life, that part of his music intrigues me much more than what woman might have inspired this or that song. The spirituality in his music was what pulled me when I found his music again, and it is what has kept me drawn to him. The women came and went, God remained constant.

Prince has surrounded himself with some women that are not class acts. So many diss on various women that were in his life. Others laugh at the antics, or point out the poor behavior, of these same women in threads here on this forum. If it were really about wanting to know which woman each song was written about, it seems the women would be given a little more respect and there would not be so much arguing when one says, "I think this song was about so and so" and someone else is saying, "No, I think it was about this one." It seems more often like it's about, "All of his songs were written for this one person and that he's been pining for this person, and he may have told so and so it was about her, but we all know it was about this one that was his only true love."

[Edited 5/16/18 9:36am]

I made the "male vs female" comment, but it was meant in a lighthearted, joking manor. I agree with your points here, but I will say, looking at the overall picture or "painting" of Prince's music from 1979 to 2016, the ideas, statements, style, depth and phrasing of his lyrics show us a unique "painting" of him during specific times in his life. I can listen to songs from different periods and determine the time frame in which they were recorded. I think the love/sex songs were just as prevalent throughout his life as the spiritual songs were. He struggled with, and wrote about both subjects equally throughout his career. The difference is, with his spiritual songs we know where he stood, because they were not cryptic, but his songs about his personal relationships and sex were typically cryptic - no doubt to protect his privacy and the subject's privacy. Therefore, human nature prevails, and many want to know who/what inspired those more cryptic songs.

benni said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I find Prince to be a fascinating person and I enjoy reading about certain times in his life to get a better understanding of where his mind was when he wrote and recorded the songs. Not just who his love interest was at the time but other factors as well. I do tend to appreciate a song more if I have an understanding of the writing and recording process and what was going on during the creation of it.

I guess that's where we differ, pink. I appreciate the song, period, and maybe even more so if it speaks to me about something I may be going through, or something I've experienced. That's what makes art so wonderful, when it speaks personally to the individual partaking of the art. I don't need to understand who was around when, or who he was sleeping with at the time, to appreciate the music. I guess I internalize the music and the lyrics and don't need to externalize it to appreciate it.

I agree. There are certain songs and albums that I wanted to learn as much as I possibly could about the creation of though such as Parade. My favorite chapter of the book DMSR was the one that covered the making of the album and the filming of Under The Cherry Moon. I found it very interesting to learn what was happening behind the scenes and I did feel I had a better understanding of the album after reading about it.

benni said:

benni said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I find Prince to be a fascinating person and I enjoy reading about certain times in his life to get a better understanding of where his mind was when he wrote and recorded the songs. Not just who his love interest was at the time but other factors as well. I do tend to appreciate a song more if I have an understanding of the writing and recording process and what was going on during the creation of it.

I guess that's where we differ, pink. I appreciate the song, period, and maybe even more so if it speaks to me about something I may be going through, or something I've experienced. That's what makes art so wonderful, when it speaks personally to the individual partaking of the art. I don't need to understand who was around when, or who he was sleeping with at the time, to appreciate the music. I guess I internalize the music and the lyrics and don't need to externalize it to appreciate it.

I think the interest/fascination with learning the subject of some of his love songs comes from how direct and specific the lyrics often were.

*

If you listen to "Violet The Organ Grinder" and watch the video....well, my goodness! He was mad, he was pointing at the camera, and he wanted that girl to know how pissed off he was that she left. Fascinating!! And then I start looking for clues in the lyrics, because they are usually there....

petalthecat said:

benni said:

I guess that's where we differ, pink. I appreciate the song, period, and maybe even more so if it speaks to me about something I may be going through, or something I've experienced. That's what makes art so wonderful, when it speaks personally to the individual partaking of the art. I don't need to understand who was around when, or who he was sleeping with at the time, to appreciate the music. I guess I internalize the music and the lyrics and don't need to externalize it to appreciate it.

I totally agree. P was known to have "stretched the truth" or contradicted himself in interviews, so I take whatever he has said about song writing with a pinch of salt. Songs could have been inspired by someone in particular, either a current relationship or maybe from years before if the song had been shelved and brought out and reworked. Songs could have been about nobody, just like a novelist invents a character and story. Songs could be about more than one person, both Carmen and Mayte lay claim to tmbgiw. They aren't being deceitful,it will be what P told them. For all the above reasons, it's best to just enjoy the song. Speculation is a waste of time, we will never know the truth!

Prince famously opined, "Time is a trick." If one believes in time, however, it is that individual's to do whatever they will. Thus, it is futile to attempt to control how others use their time. Moreover, "waste" is relative.

petalthecat said:

benni said:

I guess that's where we differ, pink. I appreciate the song, period, and maybe even more so if it speaks to me about something I may be going through, or something I've experienced. That's what makes art so wonderful, when it speaks personally to the individual partaking of the art. I don't need to understand who was around when, or who he was sleeping with at the time, to appreciate the music. I guess I internalize the music and the lyrics and don't need to externalize it to appreciate it.

I totally agree. P was known to have "stretched the truth" or contradicted himself in interviews, so I take whatever he has said about song writing with a pinch of salt. Songs could have been inspired by someone in particular, either a current relationship or maybe from years before if the song had been shelved and brought out and reworked. Songs could have been about nobody, just like a novelist invents a character and story. Songs could be about more than one person, both Carmen and Mayte lay claim to tmbgiw. They aren't being deceitful,it will be what P told them. For all the above reasons, it's best to just enjoy the song. Speculation is a waste of time, we will never know the truth!

Right - even though I believe Prince did write songs for or inspired by specific people throughout his life, the reality is he did not want the facts or details out there. He wanted the mystery. This discussion is exactly what he wanted and expected. I have no doubt that he at least occasionally surfed this site and read the comments/opinions about his songs, personal life, etc. Actually, we know he did, because they found prince.org under his search history on his PC.

*

The funny thing about TMBGITW is that the main message of the song is the importance of inner beauty, not outer beauty....

"And if the stars ever fell one by one from the sky
I know Mars could not be, uh, to far behind
'Cause baby, this kind of beauty has got no reason to ever be shy
'Cause honey, this kind of beauty is the kind that comes from inside"