luvgirl said:

VioletCrush said:

Purple Rain - the lyric is "I don't want your money, no no I don't even want your love. If I did I'd take me some money and go out and buy it. I want the heavy stuff. I want the purple rain - ie: he's looking for something more than she can give him. Also, you do know that initially Prince wasn't even going to write the lyrics for the song - that he sent the music to Stevie Nicks and wanted her to write the lyrics?? Clearly, he was not that inspired by any particular person or event if he wanted someone else to do the lyric. I've actually been listening to several of the 1983 rehearsals, and he's singing the lyrics jokingly when they do the song.

Not the correct interpretation to those lyrics. If you know the history of Prince and Vanity's relationship, the lyrics clearly reflects the dynamics of their lives by that point. Purple Rain or Purple Reign is Prince's musical reign on the world.. Prince was Vanity's lover, and leader. His goal was to make her a star under his wing and in his life, but Vanity was planning to leave him at this point. "I only wanted to see you laughing in the Purple Rain." Correct lyrics "I don't want your money no no, I don't even think I want your love, If I wanted either one, I'd take some money and buy it. I want the heavy stuff. I want the purple rain" With the lyrics, 'I don't even think I want your love," he was obviously having conflicting emotions, struggling with their "strange relationship," not knowing if he wanted her love or not, (which in itself is a huge hint because it portrayed the real life struggle in their love/ hate relationship) "I want the heavy stuff, I want the purple rain" Music was Prince's greatest love in this world. He was saying he wanted to share that with her, taking her to the highest point of success with him in his purple reign. "I want the purple rain" What does it matter if Stevie nicks claims Prince initially asked her to write the lyrics to Purple Rain? The dynamics surrounding the song wasn't yet inspired, but it ultimately did with Vanity's impending departure. Go over the lyrics again, relating it to the dynamics between them at the time. The interview is on Pondora. It's Questlove Supreme EP. 005 feat. Alan Leeds (1999 tour). Allan said by the time he got there Prince and Vanity had already broken up, but Prince was still trying to act like he was still in there.. but Vanity was making everybody aware that she was done. You've obviously only seen one of Alan Leeds interviews.

So, now you're changing the YEAR that Prince met Vanity??? Even though she has stated it in interviews (I'll post one soon), and it's written on her Wikipedia page?? Okay, sure!! NOW who's changing the dates, timelines and narrative?? Here's her Wiki page in the interim:

Wiki is where you're getting your info from??? Everyone knows that Wiki is quite unreliable as a source of information these days. I never said they didn't meet in 1982. You're just being dramatic. I was giving examples of the ever changing dates on Prince Vault and varying accounts of the date Prince and Denise actually met. The latest account from the Photographer Allan Beaulieu who recently released the photo book "Prince Before The Rain" which also have the latest photos of Prince and Vanity together, said they met in 1981. He has a few interviews out where he mentions that year if you'd like to view it for yourself. His account is that Prince and Vanity met in 1981, because he was there. Take it with a grain of salt if you like. I'm just telling you what the man said. [Edited 1/28/19 17:21pm]

Vanity was Prince's leader??? You're joking now., right?? Prince controlled every aspect of that relationship. She knew nothing about music or performing or singing -she has stated this, and also that she didn't want to sing. He told her what to wear, how to sing, how to do everything - and also controlled her bank account. She had zero control over that situation, and she has stated that in interviews. Yeah, his goal was to make her a star for sure - and who do you think was going to, and did, benefit from that?? NOT Vanity, which is exactly why she left. She was tired of the cheating, the low pay, and being controlled - EXACTLY like all of the other women that came before and after her. It was a "love/hate" relationship on Vanity's end, because she was in love with him, and she wanted that love back, but did not get it.

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Nice try again with attempting to change dates on the timeline. Did you not see the video link I left on the last post??? I'll leave it here for you again...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qfSgu-YCOk

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Vanity herself, when asked whether she met Prince at the AMA's answers "yes", and proceeds to tell the story of how Prince wanted her to take him to bathroom, and that he opened his coat and had nothing on. Hmmm, sounds like a really romantic start there.

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We can debate the lyrical meaning of the song Purple Rain until the end of time. However, it is all speculation on BOTH sides. Your ideas are the most speculative, especially because that film was much much more than just Prince's relationship with a woman - it was his family life and relationship with his Father, the people in his band, his neighborhood, his friends, and MOST of all - it was about his MUSIC and dreams of becoming a star.

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Yep, exactly - Allan Leeds confirmed Prince and Vanity were done by that point. However, Prince was Prince, so of course he was still going to want control of that situation. He always did. I'm sure he would have had all of his girlfriends around him in some form or another for the rest of his life if he could have. He didn't like people to leave. This has been well documented.

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I guess my question is this - if Prince was pining away for Vanity and so "possessed" by her, why in the world would he have been spending all of his time in LA with Wendy, Lisa and Susannah and sleeping on their couch?? Why would he have made any effort with Susannah at all if he was still so in love with Vanity?? Why would he have been sending her flowers many months prior to the end of the 1999 tour? Makes absolutely no sense based on your speculations.

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Denise had it rough in that camp, and it was even rougher after she left. Cocaine addiction, objectified in the media, doing Playboy to make money, and being used by men. I'll just leave this here - Her own words about how she felt during and after that time:

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"I wish to republish my autobiography, "BLAME IT ON VANITY. My book will help fund my ongoing bills for the 23 surgeries i have had over the many years including my continued dialysis 3 x's a week. I have been saved in Jesus over 23 years now and entirely blessed to be alive.I know my testimony has saved so many people from Unforgivenes, Abuse and being abused, drug addiction, hollywood and the games thereof, lusts of the flesh and especially from Suicide. For this is am raising funds for my lifes work in the ministry my book and as i said before my ongoing bills. To surmise my story"

She was formerly known as the singer song-writer and actress Vanity, lead to the group Vanity-six and mentored by the musician Prince. Nevertheless, in 1992, she was born again and raised from the dead by the power of
God our Lord Jesus Christ, and He calls her by her birth name, Denise."Prior to finding my Lord and Savior I lived in the bottomless pit of Hollywood's deception. Lust, drugs Rock n Roll....i was living in the depths of iniquity versed with carnality and suicidal thoughts of leaving this world...
"Sinking down into deep depression I camouflaged my pain with even more makeup and a fake smile." "My shocking testimony of 250 high blood pressure over 190, heart attack,
stroke, kidney failure, blood clots to the brain and blindness complete as well as deafness left me with only three days to live."
"With the devil breathing down my neck, trying desperately
to snatch and strangle me for hell, I repented."
"Yes one sweet day my Jesus reached down with his long
extended love and pulled my wretched body up from the darkness. Him only do I worship with a tremendous blast of fiery passion. I live, move, breath, love and have my being in Jesus The Christ. Enslaved to His truth"...I am Denise! no longer Vanity for the name means WORTHLESSNES...we are not worthless."

How can a song be recorded in 1981 be about Susannah when he didn't even know her then?

Irresistible Bitch was first recorded late 1981 - so clearly not originally about Vanity - however, it was re-recorded in September of 1983 - again, during his time of pursuing Susannah. So, if anything, those songs would have been inspired by Susannah based on the lyrics.

violetcrush said:

ISaidLifeIsJustAGame said:

WTF?
What privacy?

It was in the Estate filings.

I am done with all these Unicorn Interviews.

Right, I understand that. But the discussion was focused more on the time that she spent with Prince, the music they recorded, and their relationship. It was not to get details on a loan amount or documents she signed for the loan. I personally could care less about that, but to each his own.

I get what you are saying violet.

But what I am saying is that "friends" cant get to the truth on any subject by interviewing a "friend" and never asking the hard questions.

Toure failed by not following up with hard questions about what SM said about anything in her interview.

purplefam99 said:

violetcrush said:

So Sorry purplefam99!! I thought that was muchtoofast back for another dig To be fair though, I think I"m far from a "Laura Richardson", who didn't even have the decency or maturity to write Susannah's name correctly here - it was always "Susan". Really?? you're THAT spiteful toward a person you've never met? I think there was some deeper stuff going on there with her. From my end, I think I've been respectful, however, I'm no pushover So, if a poster comes back with a rude or snarky comment I'm going to give 'em some of that medicine back

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Here's my thing with Susannah Melvoin - I think, by this point, most long-term Prince fans who know the history and his music can agree that she was an important person in his life. The Prince-o-pedia folks - Per Nilsen, Matt Thorne, Alan Light, Questlove, and Duane Tudahl - seem to understand that, as they have prominently featured her in their books/interviews. For God's sake, Matt Thorne devotes a big chunk of a chapter to the songs Prince wrote for her in his book, and her relationship with him, and her name was even used in one of the 2004 SNL Prince Show" skits that Fred Armison and Maya Rudolph used to do . I'll post the link here, it's really funny.

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There is also enough evidence out there - between later songs (In This Bed I Scream, and I"m sure more), the letter sent to her in the mid 90's, the acknowledgement of her contributions to his success at the '95 AMA's, and Susannah's own detailed statements - to show that regardless of some bumps in the road, they remained in contact and important to each other.

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Here's the SNL skit:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsjhmb7s814

Yes my comparison was only regarding tenacity that you shared. I’m not aware of any book that Questlove has written where he states such about SM Toure didn’t even mention her in his book. I think with the other gentlemen authors, I think they could see themselves with her, she fit the ideal women in their minds The one that should be “chosen” I think that is why she got there attention and gets mentioned. All of the others don’t measure up to the “Jewish princes” And she might not even have Jewish blood but that is what it seems like. I have Jewish blood so I’m not hating on my Lord’s heritage. I could be wrong but I just don’t think he loved her anymore than the rest, did she inspire more songs yes maybe. But just because the sun has more songs it doesn’t make the Ocean less loved because it has 20 less songs about it. Imo

See my bolded comment above - I posted books/interviews, not just books.

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Regarding Toure's book - there are contributions from an "ex-girlfriend" in the book, which I think was Susannah - she was also a guest on his panel back in 2013 (when he was promoting the book) to discuss Prince, along with LA Reid.

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C'mon!!! These guys, especially Alan Light, are not going to base their information on who they can "see themselves with" - that would be quite absurd. Their inclusion of her contributions and discussion of the relationship and songs also has nothing to do with her or them being Jewish??!! They have all done their research, interviewing many from that time period, and also understanding the song lyrics. There is no favoritism going on there. It's not the quantity of songs at all, but the quality of the writing and music - this by far, is the biggest reason she, and also Wendy and Lisa, are featured in the Biogrpahies and discussions of that time period and beyond. There is such depth to those songs. Wendy and Lisa also continued to work with him off and on through the years. He loved those girls.

purplefam99 said:

violetcrush said:

So Sorry purplefam99!! I thought that was muchtoofast back for another dig To be fair though, I think I"m far from a "Laura Richardson", who didn't even have the decency or maturity to write Susannah's name correctly here - it was always "Susan". Really?? you're THAT spiteful toward a person you've never met? I think there was some deeper stuff going on there with her. From my end, I think I've been respectful, however, I'm no pushover So, if a poster comes back with a rude or snarky comment I'm going to give 'em some of that medicine back

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Here's my thing with Susannah Melvoin - I think, by this point, most long-term Prince fans who know the history and his music can agree that she was an important person in his life. The Prince-o-pedia folks - Per Nilsen, Matt Thorne, Alan Light, Questlove, and Duane Tudahl - seem to understand that, as they have prominently featured her in their books/interviews. For God's sake, Matt Thorne devotes a big chunk of a chapter to the songs Prince wrote for her in his book, and her relationship with him, and her name was even used in one of the 2004 SNL Prince Show" skits that Fred Armison and Maya Rudolph used to do . I'll post the link here, it's really funny.

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There is also enough evidence out there - between later songs (In This Bed I Scream, and I"m sure more), the letter sent to her in the mid 90's, the acknowledgement of her contributions to his success at the '95 AMA's, and Susannah's own detailed statements - to show that regardless of some bumps in the road, they remained in contact and important to each other.

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Here's the SNL skit:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsjhmb7s814

Yes my comparison was only regarding tenacity that you shared. I’m not aware of any book that Questlove has written where he states such about SM Toure didn’t even mention her in his book. I think with the other gentlemen authors, I think they could see themselves with her, she fit the ideal women in their minds The one that should be “chosen” I think that is why she got there attention and gets mentioned. All of the others don’t measure up to the “Jewish princes” And she might not even have Jewish blood but that is what it seems like. I have Jewish blood so I’m not hating on my Lord’s heritage. I could be wrong but I just don’t think he loved her anymore than the rest, did she inspire more songs yes maybe. But just because the sun has more songs it doesn’t make the Ocean less loved because it has 20 less songs about it. Imo

See my bolded comment above - I posted books/interviews, not just books.

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Regarding Toure's book - there are contributions from an "ex-girlfriend" in the book, which I think was Susannah - she was also a guest on his panel back in 2013 (when he was promoting the book) to discuss Prince, along with LA Reid.

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C'mon!!! These guys, especially Alan Light, are not going to base their information on who they can "see themselves with" - that would be quite absurd. Their inclusion of her contributions and discussion of the relationship and songs also has nothing to do with her or them being Jewish??!! They have all done their research, interviewing many from that time period, and also understanding the song lyrics. There is no favoritism going on there. It's not the quantity of songs at all, but the quality of the writing and music - this by far, is the biggest reason she, and also Wendy and Lisa, are featured in the Biogrpahies and discussions of that time period and beyond. There is such depth to those songs. Wendy and Lisa also continued to work with him off and on through the years. He loved those girls.

violetcrush said:

luvgirl said:

violetcrush said: Here's the link and some parts you left out https://www.theguardian.c...c-released One day, he went into a room with a notebook and, within an hour, emerged with the lyrics to Nothing Compares 2 U. Rogers, who witnessed many such bursts of creativity, remembers, “The song came out like a sneeze.” As usual, she rolled the tapes as Prince laid down instrument after instrument, mixing and overdubbing in the same session (Eric Leeds overdubbed the sax part three days later). Rogers felt the finished song was “exceptional, in his Top 10”, but has a compelling theory about why Prince didn’t release the song under his own name (a live duet with Rosie Gaines appeared years later, on the 1993 compilation, The Hits/The B-Sides). “He wasn’t living with anyone, but he was a young man writing about domesticity. The line ‘all the flowers that you planted in my back yard went out and died’… it would have been Sandy who planted those flowers. ‘And I know that living with me baby is sometimes hard, but I’m willing to give it another try…’ There was no romantic relationship with Sandy. It’s not a pained ‘Help me, baby’ track. It’s: ‘You’re gone and I miss you,’ which is probably why he felt comfortable giving the song away to the Family. He released his material based on what he wanted us to know about him and, wonderful as it is, he didn’t want it to represent him.”

Again, while I really respect Susan Rogers, and think she is a very reliable resource for information about recording with Prince during that time, I don't agree with her perception of this song being just a platonic expression toward his housekeeper. Also, he gave away Come Home to Mavis Staples and 101 to Sheena Easton - both very intense songs about wanting his lover back. He also gave 5 Women - another intense song about missing a lover - to Joe Cocker. Her idea that it was not a love song, so he felt comfortable giving it away does not mesh with other songs that he gave away. And in this case, the song was still staying close to him by giving it to The Family - and if it is in fact inspired by Susannah - she was co-lead for the song, which also makes sense.

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The fact that Susan spent much time with Prince does not mean she couldn't get a song meaning or inspiration misconstrued.

I think it's possible that the song was inspired by both Sandy and Susannah. Meaning her absence may have initially inspired some of the lyrics but he may have been thinking of Susannah as well when writing the more romantic ones. It does make sense if that was the case that he would give it to The Family for her to sing on.She seems very sure that the song is about her and I recall it being said in a FB Live with she and Paul. It seems like it was Paul that said it iirc.