Vannormal said:

EXACTLY

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Oooh I haven't seen the Electric Man clip! I have seen the Question Of U performance that is on the special edition of Grafitti Bridge. I love it!

It's really really good, like get you hot and bothered good Pulled that off off YT too. There were some great gems posted for awhile

Sorry I missed that one! There were! There are a few gems still showing up periodically but not too often lately. He sang a bit of the lyrics of Elecric Man at The Rally For Peace in Baltimore in 2015. It was hilarious the way he was making his guitar talk to him and he responded "You want me to what'?! You want me to what? Oh no. I ain't doin that!

pinkcashmere23 said:

Oh that sounds cute! The Summer of 2016 there were a couple of YT channels posting lots of the unreleased music. One included lyrics as well, which was great. I saved a bunch from that generous poster! And finally learned the double-speed lyric on All My Dreams

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Sorry I missed that one! There were! There are a few gems still showing up periodically but not too often lately. He sang a bit of the lyrics of Elecric Man at The Rally For Peace in Baltimore in 2015. It was hilarious the way he was making his guitar talk to him and he responded "You want me to what'?! You want me to what? Oh no. I ain't doin that!

Oh that sounds cute! The Summer of 2016 there were a couple of YT channels posting lots of the unreleased music. One included lyrics as well, which was great. I saved a bunch from that generous poster! And finally learned the double-speed lyric on All My Dreams

It was really cute! I think I remember those channels. Good that you saved them! It seems the really good clips and shows are harder to find now and you have to be in the right place at the right time.

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said: Oh that sounds cute! The Summer of 2016 there were a couple of YT channels posting lots of the unreleased music. One included lyrics as well, which was great. I saved a bunch from that generous poster! And finally learned the double-speed lyric on All My Dreams

It was really cute! I think I remember those channels. Good that you saved them! It seems the really good clips and shows are harder to find now and you have to be in the right place at the right time.

Yes, there was a flood of them on YT for awhile, and then they were nabbed

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

It was really cute! I think I remember those channels. Good that you saved them! It seems the really good clips and shows are harder to find now and you have to be in the right place at the right time.

Yes, there was a flood of them on YT for awhile, and then they were nabbed

Yep. So many great channels have been shut down. I did come across a nice compilation of different performances of NC2U put together by a fan. It's very touching.

violetcrush said:

What was the purpose of the link referencing Forever In My Life again? I told you multiple times that I already knew about Forever In My Life. Nowhere does it say that Adore was about her in any of those interviews you linked and obviously Adore is the song I'm interested in hearing Prince talk about with my own ear, and not hear-say.
[Edited 1/10/19 2:12am]

violetcrush said:

No, absolutely not. Paul was not being sarcastic at all. He was caught off guard and legitimately surprised by her proclamation that NC2Y was about her. If you watch the video, you'll understand what I mean. It's easy to see that he was not being sarcastic, but was caught off guard displaying an honest reaction.
[Edited 1/10/19 3:29am]

violetcrush said:

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

We're finally able to agree on something... I've tried to drive this point across more than once here. Susan Rogers and Prince associates could absolutely get the inspiration and meaning behind Prince's songs misconstrued... Especially when only basing it off of the dynamics that they're familiar with and in close company to. They've already been proven wrong on occasion. Prince warned us about that type of psychoanalysis in regards to his lyrics as well, and I completely agree with him. Prince was a very complex individual that had his own feelings, emotions, and contiouness that no one else was aware of.

It's interesting that you wholeheartedly believe Susan Rogers other analysis and pronouncements on the songs she thinks is in relation to Susannah Melvoin without question, but when she features another inspiration, you refuse to believe a different dissection on the song in which she validates that the lyrics written had no direct connection to Susannah. She wasn't the one that planted the flowers in the back yard,(Sandy planted those flowers) she wasn't living with Prince in that period, and she and Prince was still a couple at the time as well - not separated as the lyrics intoned. I also agree that NC2U is indeed a very deep and romantic song, and It's apparent to me that if the song wasn't all in relation to Sandy Scoponi, and completely fictional, then it was also inspired by someone that Prince had lived with in the past, and was no longer in a relationship with. Susannah Melvoin wasn't the only woman Prince ever loved and wrote songs about. If there's anything we know about Prince, it's that he wasn't one dimensional where his music or his women were concerned.
[Edited 1/10/19 4:55am]

luvgirl said:

violetcrush said:

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.

*

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

*"The fact that Susan spent much time with Prince does not mean she couldn't get a song meaning or inspiration misconstrued." We're finally able to agree on something... I've tried to drive this point across more than once here. Susan Rogers and Prince associates could absolutely get the inspiration and meaning behind Prince's songs misconstrued... Especially when only basing it off of the dynamics that they're familiar with and in close company to. They've already been proven wrong on occasion. Prince warned us about that type of psychoanalysis in regards to his lyrics as well, and I completely agree with him. Prince was a very complex individual that had his own feelings, emotions, and contiouness that no one else was aware of. It's interesting that you wholeheartedly believe Susan Rogers other analysis and pronouncements on the songs she thinks is in relation to Susannah Melvoin without question, but when she features another inspiration, you refuse to believe a different dissection on the song in which she validates that the lyrics written had no direct connection to Susannah. She wasn't the one that planted the flowers in the back yard,(Sandy planted those flowers) she wasn't living with Prince in that period, and she and Prince was still a couple at the time as well - not separated as the lyrics intoned. I also agree that NC2U is indeed a very deep and romantic song, and It's apparent to me that if the song wasn't all in relation to Sandy Scoponi, and completely fictional, then it was also inspired by someone that Prince had lived with in the past, and was no longer in a relationship with. Susannah Melvoin wasn't the only woman Prince ever loved and wrote songs about. If there's anything we know about Prince, it's that he wasn't one dimensional where his music or his women were concerned. [Edited 1/10/19 4:55am]

But, Susan Rogers DID mention Susannah Melvoin with regard to what also may have inspired Prince to write the song...

*

"He was also in a relationship with the Family’s Susannah Melvoin (who can be heard on backing vocals, alongside St Paul, on Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U). “It was clear that she was becoming more important than the other girls he’d dated,” Rogers says. “Simultaneously, his young housekeeper, Sandy Scipioni, had to leave suddenly to be with her family because her father died of a heart attack. Sandy ran Prince’s life. He kept asking, ‘When’s Sandy coming back?’”

*

Her further comments in that article express her opinion that the song was mainly inspired by his housekeeper being gone, and that it was more of a "platonic" song, and not a love song. That is where I think she may be "off" with regard to Prince's feelings about the song.

*

Susannah stated in her first interview with Toure that her relationship with Prince began heavily during the filiming of PR. She was staying at his house with him during that time. She also stated that the relationship had stopped for awhile, however, she did not specify exactly when that happened. She was back in LA by early Summer of '84, because she has stated (in the Rockerzine interview) that David Z was flying back and forth from MN to LA that Summer to bring tape of the songs for The Family - including NC2U. Paul Peterson got the tapes June of '84. So, even early on, their relationship was not steadily "on".

*

The l yric "all the flowers that you planted..." could be literal or a figurative analogy - just as his lyric "I'm blinded by the daisies in your yard" is not a literal meaning. It's also feasible that Susannah, while staying with him, may have planted the flowers if the lyric is truly literal.

*

I never stated the song could or did not have more than one inspiration. My point was that based on the lyrics and intesnity with which he sang the song, the focus was on a man's deeper feelings for a woman in a romantic relationship - and as Susan stated, his feelings were stronger for Susannah at that time.

violetcrush said:

luvgirl said:

violetcrush said: *"The fact that Susan spent much time with Prince does not mean she couldn't get a song meaning or inspiration misconstrued." We're finally able to agree on something... I've tried to drive this point across more than once here. Susan Rogers and Prince associates could absolutely get the inspiration and meaning behind Prince's songs misconstrued... Especially when only basing it off of the dynamics that they're familiar with and in close company to. They've already been proven wrong on occasion. Prince warned us about that type of psychoanalysis in regards to his lyrics as well, and I completely agree with him. Prince was a very complex individual that had his own feelings, emotions, and contiouness that no one else was aware of. It's interesting that you wholeheartedly believe Susan Rogers other analysis and pronouncements on the songs she thinks is in relation to Susannah Melvoin without question, but when she features another inspiration, you refuse to believe a different dissection on the song in which she validates that the lyrics written had no direct connection to Susannah. She wasn't the one that planted the flowers in the back yard,(Sandy planted those flowers) she wasn't living with Prince in that period, and she and Prince was still a couple at the time as well - not separated as the lyrics intoned. I also agree that NC2U is indeed a very deep and romantic song, and It's apparent to me that if the song wasn't all in relation to Sandy Scoponi, and completely fictional, then it was also inspired by someone that Prince had lived with in the past, and was no longer in a relationship with. Susannah Melvoin wasn't the only woman Prince ever loved and wrote songs about. If there's anything we know about Prince, it's that he wasn't one dimensional where his music or his women were concerned. [Edited 1/10/19 4:55am]

But, Susan Rogers DID mention Susannah Melvoin with regard to what also may have inspired Prince to write the song...

*

"He was also in a relationship with the Family’s Susannah Melvoin (who can be heard on backing vocals, alongside St Paul, on Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U). “It was clear that she was becoming more important than the other girls he’d dated,” Rogers says. “Simultaneously, his young housekeeper, Sandy Scipioni, had to leave suddenly to be with her family because her father died of a heart attack. Sandy ran Prince’s life. He kept asking, ‘When’s Sandy coming back?’”

*

Her further comments in that article express her opinion that the song was mainly inspired by his housekeeper being gone, and that it was more of a "platonic" song, and not a love song. That is where I think she may be "off" with regard to Prince's feelings about the song.

*

Susannah stated in her first interview with Toure that her relationship with Prince began heavily during the filiming of PR. She was staying at his house with him during that time. She also stated that the relationship had stopped for awhile, however, she did not specify exactly when that happened. She was back in LA by early Summer of '84, because she has stated (in the Rockerzine interview) that David Z was flying back and forth from MN to LA that Summer to bring tape of the songs for The Family - including NC2U. Paul Peterson got the tapes June of '84. So, even early on, their relationship was not steadily "on".

*

The l yric "all the flowers that you planted..." could be literal or a figurative analogy - just as his lyric "I'm blinded by the daisies in your yard" is not a literal meaning. It's also feasible that Susannah, while staying with him, may have planted the flowers if the lyric is truly literal.

*

I never stated the song could or did not have more than one inspiration. My point was that based on the lyrics and intesnity with which he sang the song, the focus was on a man's deeper feelings for a woman in a romantic relationship - and as Susan stated, his feelings were stronger for Susannah at that time.

Yes,It's not a stretch to think that he may hae been thinking of his relationship with Susannah while writing some of the lyrics. I had heard about him revealing that "Adore" was written for her at the sound check but I never heard him actually say it. I thought it was interesting that Devin said in the interview that was shared, she thought it was written for her. I can see with different women around how there was some confusion.

pinkcashmere23 said:

I am surprised that Devin D would have thought that Adore was inspired by her - given the fact that she was someone he saw on the side. The lyric, "they know I ain't cheatin' on ya, they know this is serious, I ain't f**ckin' just for kicks"- would not apply to her, as he actually was cheating with her. Also, he uses that familiar lyric of "nothing could compare..". Adore and FIML were written in the same time period, and the lyric/message is very similar.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Yes,It's not a stretch to think that he may hae been thinking of his relationship with Susannah while writing some of the lyrics. I had heard about him revealing that "Adore" was written for her at the sound check but I never heard him actually say it. I thought it was interesting that Devin said in the interview that was shared, she thought it was written for her. I can see with different women around how there was some confusion.

I am surprised that Devin D would have thought that Adore was inspired by her - given the fact that she was someone he saw on the side. The lyric, "they know I ain't cheatin' on ya, they know this is serious, I ain't f**ckin' just for kicks"- would not apply to her, as he actually was cheating with her. Also, he uses that familiar lyric of "nothing could compare..". Adore and FIML were written in the same time period, and the lyric/message is very similar.

I was too for the same reason. I've always felt that it was written about a deeper and more meaningful relationship. She said that it was her favorite song and her reason for thinking that it was for her, was because it was written around the time her Playboy issue came out and she thought the line "in a word you were sex" was referring to that. She said Prince would always contact Playboy when he wanted to speak with her,even after she had gotten married. She also mentioned Susannah and said "If I Was Your Girlfriend" was written due to Prince's desire to be as close to her as she was to Wendy and that he envied their relationship. I had read that as well. Before that,she said Prince's music was his autobiography and that with any time period in his music,you can tell what was happening in his life and what girl he was with and where he was at that particular time. I'm not sure that it was always that cut and dried because he would pull pull older songs out and remake them but I suppose that was probably the case back then. That's a good point about Adore being similar in theme to FIML.

[Edited 1/10/19 12:48pm]

luvgirl said:

violetcrush said:

Paul was being sarcastic during that discussion. Just like when he said that NC2U was his favorite song, Susannah said something similar. That whole session was them joking around and being sarcastic. Even if Paul was being completely serious, which I doubt, it's not like he would have had a conversation with Prince about it. And he left shortly after they made the record.

No, absolutely not. Paul was not being sarcastic at all. He was caught off guard and legitimately surprised by her proclamation that NC2Y was about her. If you watch the video, you'll understand what I mean. It's easy to see that he was not being sarcastic, but was caught off guard displaying an honest reaction. [Edited 1/10/19 3:29am]

Yeah he was being sarcastic, they did this about another song too

OldFriends4Sale said:

OF4S, no he was not. If I find the video when I get home I’ll try to post it here. That was an honest reaction.

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said: I am surprised that Devin D would have thought that Adore was inspired by her - given the fact that she was someone he saw on the side. The lyric, "they know I ain't cheatin' on ya, they know this is serious, I ain't f**ckin' just for kicks"- would not apply to her, as he actually was cheating with her. Also, he uses that familiar lyric of "nothing could compare..". Adore and FIML were written in the same time period, and the lyric/message is very similar.

I was too for the same reason. I've always felt that it was written about a deeper and more meaningful relationship. She said that it was her favorite song and her reason for thinking that it was for her, was because it was written around the time her Playboy issue came out and she thought the line "in a word you were sex" was referring to that. She said Prince would always contact Playboy when he wanted to speak with her,even after she had gotten married. She also mentioned Susannah and said "If I Was Your Girlfriend" was written due to Prince's desire to be as close to her as she was to Wendy and that he envied their relationship. I had read that as well. Before that,she said Prince's music was his autobiography and that with any time period in his music,you can tell what was happening in his life and what girl he was with and where he was at that particular time. I'm not sure that it was always that cut and dried because he would pull pull older songs out and remake them but I suppose that was probably the case back then. That's a good point about Adore being similar in theme to FIML.

[Edited 1/10/19 12:48pm]

Listening to Susannah tell the story of the first time she walked up to Prince wearing her black dress I can see how the lyric "from the first moment I saw you, ooh I knew you were the one..." would apply to her. She was being funny and humble about how she looked the night she met him, but I'm guessing she knew how to work the sexy dress even at that age if Prince was smitten and Vanity was giving her some shade with the "pudgy cheeks" comment. So, the lyric "in a word you were sex" could apply to her as well. I also think it is telling that soon after that meeting he started asking Lisa if he could stay at their tiny two bedroom house in LA. By this point, he could have and was staying at luxury hotels, so he certainly did not need to stay there. Ciearly, he was heavily pursuing her from early '83 forward.

*

These lyrics so closely resemble many in Forever In My Life:

*

Can I talk to you?
Tell you what you mean to me
Every time you wander (until the end of time)
I'll be your eyes so you can see
I want to show you things
That I show no other, I want to be
More than, more than your mother
More than your brother
I want to be (like no) like no other
If you need me, I'll never leave
I know, that you know, without you there is no me
There is no me
Without you there is no sea
There is no shore
Love is to weak to define how much I adore
You, child
You, child
The last words you hear
The last words you hear

*

Forever In My Life:

*

There comes a road in every man's journey (don't be afraid)
A road that he's afraid to walk on his own (I'm at that road)
I'm here to tell you that I'm at that road (I'd rather walk it with)
And I'd rather walk it (you than walk it alone)
With you than walk it alone (you are my future)
You are my hero, you are my future (no past)
When I am with you, I have no past
Oh baby my one and only desire (make this feeling last)
Is find some way in this dog gone world (sugar it's true)
To make this feeling last (I know I do)
Oh baby it's true, I know I do (to with you)
And I just want to tell you that
I want to with you, yeah
And baby if you do too
Forever, forever, I want you baby, baby forever (you can make right)
I want to keep you for the rest of my life (you are my saviour)
All that is wrong in my world (you are my light)
You can make right (Forever I want you in my life)
You are my saviour, you are my light (La da da da da da da da)
Forever I want you in my life (La da da da da da da da)

*

It's not surprising that Prince contacted Devin after looking at her Playboy spreads (pun intended) What heterosexual male with a huge libido like Prince's wouldn't pick up the phone and try to make that happen? You've got millions of guys who have to settle for looking at the pages in order to satisfy a need, so of course Prince was going to go for the real thing if she's available to him. There's a reason why the parties at the Playboy mansion were always in demand and well attended by men with money and/or celebrity status - whether they were single or not.

[Edited 1/10/19 13:46pm]

luvgirl said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Yeah he was being sarcastic, they did this about another song too

OF4S, no he was not. If I find the video when I get home I’ll try to post it here. That was an honest reaction.

They did the same thing when talking about Adore

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I was too for the same reason. I've always felt that it was written about a deeper and more meaningful relationship. She said that it was her favorite song and her reason for thinking that it was for her, was because it was written around the time her Playboy issue came out and she thought the line "in a word you were sex" was referring to that. She said Prince would always contact Playboy when he wanted to speak with her,even after she had gotten married. She also mentioned Susannah and said "If I Was Your Girlfriend" was written due to Prince's desire to be as close to her as she was to Wendy and that he envied their relationship. I had read that as well. Before that,she said Prince's music was his autobiography and that with any time period in his music,you can tell what was happening in his life and what girl he was with and where he was at that particular time. I'm not sure that it was always that cut and dried because he would pull pull older songs out and remake them but I suppose that was probably the case back then. That's a good point about Adore being similar in theme to FIML.

[Edited 1/10/19 12:48pm]

Listening to Susannah tell the story of the first time she walked up to Prince wearing her black dress I can see how the lyric "from the first moment I saw you, ooh I knew you were the one..." would apply to her. She was being funny and humble about how she looked the night she met him, but I'm guessing she knew how to work the sexy dress even at that age if Prince was smitten and Vanity was giving her some shade with the "pudgy cheeks" comment. So, the lyric "in a word you were sex" could apply to her as well. I also think it is telling that soon after that meeting he started asking Lisa if he could stay at their tiny two bedroom house in LA. By this point, he could have and was staying at luxury hotels, so he certainly did not need to stay there. Ciearly, he was heavily pursuing her from early '83 forward.

*

These lyrics so closely resemble many in Forever In My Life:

*

Can I talk to you?
Tell you what you mean to me
Every time you wander (until the end of time)
I'll be your eyes so you can see
I want to show you things
That I show no other, I want to be
More than, more than your mother
More than your brother
I want to be (like no) like no other
If you need me, I'll never leave
I know, that you know, without you there is no me
There is no me
Without you there is no sea
There is no shore
Love is to weak to define how much I adore
You, child
You, child
The last words you hear
The last words you hear

*

Forever In My Life:

*

There comes a road in every man's journey (don't be afraid)
A road that he's afraid to walk on his own (I'm at that road)
I'm here to tell you that I'm at that road (I'd rather walk it with)
And I'd rather walk it (you than walk it alone)
With you than walk it alone (you are my future)
You are my hero, you are my future (no past)
When I am with you, I have no past
Oh baby my one and only desire (make this feeling last)
Is find some way in this dog gone world (sugar it's true)
To make this feeling last (I know I do)
Oh baby it's true, I know I do (to with you)
And I just want to tell you that
I want to with you, yeah
And baby if you do too
Forever, forever, I want you baby, baby forever (you can make right)
I want to keep you for the rest of my life (you are my saviour)
All that is wrong in my world (you are my light)
You can make right (Forever I want you in my life)
You are my saviour, you are my light (La da da da da da da da)
Forever I want you in my life (La da da da da da da da)

*

It's not surprising that Prince contacted Devin after looking at her Playboy spreads (pun intended) What heterosexual male with a huge libido like Prince's wouldn't pick up the phone and try to make that happen? You've got millions of guys who have to settle for looking at the pages in order to satisfy a need, so of course Prince was going to go for the real thing if she's available to him. There's a reason why the parties at the Playboy mansion were always in demand and well attended by men with money and/or celebrity status - whether they were single or not.

[Edited 1/10/19 13:46pm]

Are you saying that Prince initiated the request for the two to meet?

As far as Nothing Compares goes, it does sound to me like it is at least partly inspired by deep romantic feeling. Seems perfectly reasonable that it could have been inspired by fondness for more than one person, e.g. a housekeeper and a lover.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I was too for the same reason. I've always felt that it was written about a deeper and more meaningful relationship. She said that it was her favorite song and her reason for thinking that it was for her, was because it was written around the time her Playboy issue came out and she thought the line "in a word you were sex" was referring to that. She said Prince would always contact Playboy when he wanted to speak with her,even after she had gotten married. She also mentioned Susannah and said "If I Was Your Girlfriend" was written due to Prince's desire to be as close to her as she was to Wendy and that he envied their relationship. I had read that as well. Before that,she said Prince's music was his autobiography and that with any time period in his music,you can tell what was happening in his life and what girl he was with and where he was at that particular time. I'm not sure that it was always that cut and dried because he would pull pull older songs out and remake them but I suppose that was probably the case back then. That's a good point about Adore being similar in theme to FIML.

[Edited 1/10/19 12:48pm]

Listening to Susannah tell the story of the first time she walked up to Prince wearing her black dress I can see how the lyric "from the first moment I saw you, ooh I knew you were the one..." would apply to her. She was being funny and humble about how she looked the night she met him, but I'm guessing she knew how to work the sexy dress even at that age if Prince was smitten and Vanity was giving her some shade with the "pudgy cheeks" comment. So, the lyric "in a word you were sex" could apply to her as well. I also think it is telling that soon after that meeting he started asking Lisa if he could stay at their tiny two bedroom house in LA. By this point, he could have and was staying at luxury hotels, so he certainly did not need to stay there. Ciearly, he was heavily pursuing her from early '83 forward.

*

These lyrics so closely resemble many in Forever In My Life:

*

Can I talk to you?
Tell you what you mean to me
Every time you wander (until the end of time)
I'll be your eyes so you can see
I want to show you things
That I show no other, I want to be
More than, more than your mother
More than your brother
I want to be (like no) like no other
If you need me, I'll never leave
I know, that you know, without you there is no me
There is no me
Without you there is no sea
There is no shore
Love is to weak to define how much I adore
You, child
You, child
The last words you hear
The last words you hear

*

Forever In My Life:

*

There comes a road in every man's journey (don't be afraid)
A road that he's afraid to walk on his own (I'm at that road)
I'm here to tell you that I'm at that road (I'd rather walk it with)
And I'd rather walk it (you than walk it alone)
With you than walk it alone (you are my future)
You are my hero, you are my future (no past)
When I am with you, I have no past
Oh baby my one and only desire (make this feeling last)
Is find some way in this dog gone world (sugar it's true)
To make this feeling last (I know I do)
Oh baby it's true, I know I do (to with you)
And I just want to tell you that
I want to with you, yeah
And baby if you do too
Forever, forever, I want you baby, baby forever (you can make right)
I want to keep you for the rest of my life (you are my saviour)
All that is wrong in my world (you are my light)
You can make right (Forever I want you in my life)
You are my saviour, you are my light (La da da da da da da da)
Forever I want you in my life (La da da da da da da da)

*

It's not surprising that Prince contacted Devin after looking at her Playboy spreads (pun intended) What heterosexual male with a huge libido like Prince's wouldn't pick up the phone and try to make that happen? You've got millions of guys who have to settle for looking at the pages in order to satisfy a need, so of course Prince was going to go for the real thing if she's available to him. There's a reason why the parties at the Playboy mansion were always in demand and well attended by men with money and/or celebrity status - whether they were single or not.

[Edited 1/10/19 13:46pm]

I had read that Prince would have his people contact models who he found attractive so I'm not surprised he did the same with Devin.I was always under the assumption that "Adore" was inspired by Susannah and I had read that it was likely written about her. I think it's pretty obvious that Prince was staying at the house to be closer to her. That was cute to me that he wanted to do that because as you said,he didn't have to.

rednblue said:

violetcrush said:

Listening to Susannah tell the story of the first time she walked up to Prince wearing her black dress I can see how the lyric "from the first moment I saw you, ooh I knew you were the one..." would apply to her. She was being funny and humble about how she looked the night she met him, but I'm guessing she knew how to work the sexy dress even at that age if Prince was smitten and Vanity was giving her some shade with the "pudgy cheeks" comment. So, the lyric "in a word you were sex" could apply to her as well. I also think it is telling that soon after that meeting he started asking Lisa if he could stay at their tiny two bedroom house in LA. By this point, he could have and was staying at luxury hotels, so he certainly did not need to stay there. Ciearly, he was heavily pursuing her from early '83 forward.

*

These lyrics so closely resemble many in Forever In My Life:

*

Can I talk to you?
Tell you what you mean to me
Every time you wander (until the end of time)
I'll be your eyes so you can see
I want to show you things
That I show no other, I want to be
More than, more than your mother
More than your brother
I want to be (like no) like no other
If you need me, I'll never leave
I know, that you know, without you there is no me
There is no me
Without you there is no sea
There is no shore
Love is to weak to define how much I adore
You, child
You, child
The last words you hear
The last words you hear

*

Forever In My Life:

*

There comes a road in every man's journey (don't be afraid)
A road that he's afraid to walk on his own (I'm at that road)
I'm here to tell you that I'm at that road (I'd rather walk it with)
And I'd rather walk it (you than walk it alone)
With you than walk it alone (you are my future)
You are my hero, you are my future (no past)
When I am with you, I have no past
Oh baby my one and only desire (make this feeling last)
Is find some way in this dog gone world (sugar it's true)
To make this feeling last (I know I do)
Oh baby it's true, I know I do (to with you)
And I just want to tell you that
I want to with you, yeah
And baby if you do too
Forever, forever, I want you baby, baby forever (you can make right)
I want to keep you for the rest of my life (you are my saviour)
All that is wrong in my world (you are my light)
You can make right (Forever I want you in my life)
You are my saviour, you are my light (La da da da da da da da)
Forever I want you in my life (La da da da da da da da)

*

It's not surprising that Prince contacted Devin after looking at her Playboy spreads (pun intended) What heterosexual male with a huge libido like Prince's wouldn't pick up the phone and try to make that happen? You've got millions of guys who have to settle for looking at the pages in order to satisfy a need, so of course Prince was going to go for the real thing if she's available to him. There's a reason why the parties at the Playboy mansion were always in demand and well attended by men with money and/or celebrity status - whether they were single or not.

[Edited 1/10/19 13:46pm]

Are you saying that Prince initiated the request for the two to meet?

As far as Nothing Compares goes, it does sound to me like it is at least partly inspired by deep romantic feeling. Seems perfectly reasonable that it could have been inspired by fondness for more than one person, e.g. a housekeeper and a lover.

From what I understand, someone in Prince's camp showed him a picture of Devin D. He then arranged for her to attend one of the PR shows in IL. This would have been December of '84. She was invited to stay to attend Sheila E's birthday party, but she could not attend because she was scheduled to be at the Playboy mansion during that time . Prince, or most likely someone in his camp, left word at the Playboy offices that he would like to talk to her via phone that night. So started the affair with her where he'd fly her to certain concerts that Winter. Then it stopped by Spring of '85. This coincides with Susannah stating that her relationship with Prince had stopped for awhile, but they began to get very close again when they were finishing The Family record and rehearsing for the show at 1st Avenue Summer of '85. Susannah is mentioned in the Sept '85 RS interview, which was actually done earlier that Summer.

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

Listening to Susannah tell the story of the first time she walked up to Prince wearing her black dress I can see how the lyric "from the first moment I saw you, ooh I knew you were the one..." would apply to her. She was being funny and humble about how she looked the night she met him, but I'm guessing she knew how to work the sexy dress even at that age if Prince was smitten and Vanity was giving her some shade with the "pudgy cheeks" comment. So, the lyric "in a word you were sex" could apply to her as well. I also think it is telling that soon after that meeting he started asking Lisa if he could stay at their tiny two bedroom house in LA. By this point, he could have and was staying at luxury hotels, so he certainly did not need to stay there. Ciearly, he was heavily pursuing her from early '83 forward.

*

These lyrics so closely resemble many in Forever In My Life:

*

Can I talk to you?
Tell you what you mean to me
Every time you wander (until the end of time)
I'll be your eyes so you can see
I want to show you things
That I show no other, I want to be
More than, more than your mother
More than your brother
I want to be (like no) like no other
If you need me, I'll never leave
I know, that you know, without you there is no me
There is no me
Without you there is no sea
There is no shore
Love is to weak to define how much I adore
You, child
You, child
The last words you hear
The last words you hear

*

Forever In My Life:

*

There comes a road in every man's journey (don't be afraid)
A road that he's afraid to walk on his own (I'm at that road)
I'm here to tell you that I'm at that road (I'd rather walk it with)
And I'd rather walk it (you than walk it alone)
With you than walk it alone (you are my future)
You are my hero, you are my future (no past)
When I am with you, I have no past
Oh baby my one and only desire (make this feeling last)
Is find some way in this dog gone world (sugar it's true)
To make this feeling last (I know I do)
Oh baby it's true, I know I do (to with you)
And I just want to tell you that
I want to with you, yeah
And baby if you do too
Forever, forever, I want you baby, baby forever (you can make right)
I want to keep you for the rest of my life (you are my saviour)
All that is wrong in my world (you are my light)
You can make right (Forever I want you in my life)
You are my saviour, you are my light (La da da da da da da da)
Forever I want you in my life (La da da da da da da da)

*

It's not surprising that Prince contacted Devin after looking at her Playboy spreads (pun intended) What heterosexual male with a huge libido like Prince's wouldn't pick up the phone and try to make that happen? You've got millions of guys who have to settle for looking at the pages in order to satisfy a need, so of course Prince was going to go for the real thing if she's available to him. There's a reason why the parties at the Playboy mansion were always in demand and well attended by men with money and/or celebrity status - whether they were single or not.

[Edited 1/10/19 13:46pm]

I had read that Prince would have his people contact models who he found attractive so I'm not surprised he did the same with Devin.I was always under the assumption that "Adore" was inspired by Susannah and I had read that it was likely written about her. I think it's pretty obvious that Prince was staying at the house to be closer to her. That was cute to me that he wanted to do that because as you said,he didn't have to.

Oh yes, no doubt Prince was keeping his Manager (Alan Leeds) or Assistant (Karen Krattinger) very busy with contacting various models, actresses, etc to arrange meetings or invite them to his shows. There was no texting back then so it all had to be arranged via phone calls, and Prince certainly wouldn't have had time for that.
*

Songs like Bedtime Story or Palimino Pleasure Ride make sense with regard to their inspiration being related to "flings" that Prince had with various women. However, a song like Adore shows much more depth of feeling coming from him, and an intentional declaration of love.

violetcrush said:

rednblue said:

Are you saying that Prince initiated the request for the two to meet?

As far as Nothing Compares goes, it does sound to me like it is at least partly inspired by deep romantic feeling. Seems perfectly reasonable that it could have been inspired by fondness for more than one person, e.g. a housekeeper and a lover.

From what I understand, someone in Prince's camp showed him a picture of Devin D. He then arranged for her to attend one of the PR shows in IL. This would have been December of '84. She was invited to stay to attend Sheila E's birthday party, but she could not attend because she was scheduled to be at the Playboy mansion during that time . Prince, or most likely someone in his camp, left word at the Playboy offices that he would like to talk to her via phone that night. So started the affair with her where he'd fly her to certain concerts that Winter. Then it stopped by Spring of '85. This coincides with Susannah stating that her relationship with Prince had stopped for awhile, but they began to get very close again when they were finishing The Family record and rehearsing for the show at 1st Avenue Summer of '85. Susannah is mentioned in the Sept '85 RS interview, which was actually done earlier that Summer.

She said in the interview that Prince told her he didn't want her to see his "bad side" and that was his way of breaking it off. She commented that Carmen said there was always one girl leaving Minnie and another coming in. I believe Mayte said the same iirc. Devin said that was the way it was with her as well but that Prince knew she didn't want to live there and preferred LA and that he didn't like that. She seemed to be suggesting that he wanted a more exclusive relationship but she wouldn't go along with what he wanted. I had read about her in passing but I hadn't heard much about their relationship and she wasn't mentioned in the biographies I've read, that I recall.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I had read that Prince would have his people contact models who he found attractive so I'm not surprised he did the same with Devin.I was always under the assumption that "Adore" was inspired by Susannah and I had read that it was likely written about her. I think it's pretty obvious that Prince was staying at the house to be closer to her. That was cute to me that he wanted to do that because as you said,he didn't have to.

Oh yes, no doubt Prince was keeping his Manager (Alan Leeds) or Assistant (Karen Krattinger) very busy with contacting various models, actresses, etc to arrange meetings or invite them to his shows. There was no texting back then so it all had to be arranged via phone calls, and Prince certainly wouldn't have had time for that.
*

Songs like Bedtime Story or Palimino Pleasure Ride make sense with regard to their inspiration being related to "flings" that Prince had with various women. However, a song like Adore shows much more depth of feeling coming from him, and an intentional declaration of love.

Yes,when I first heard Bedtime Story on Sheila's album,I thought it might have been written for her but then Devin claimed it as hers. I believe I recall reading that Palimino Pleasure Ride was for Jackie Swanson of Cheers. I think he mentioned that in the letter to her that she shared. I agree that Adore came from a very different place.

violetcrush said:

rednblue said:

Are you saying that Prince initiated the request for the two to meet?

As far as Nothing Compares goes, it does sound to me like it is at least partly inspired by deep romantic feeling. Seems perfectly reasonable that it could have been inspired by fondness for more than one person, e.g. a housekeeper and a lover.

From what I understand, someone in Prince's camp showed him a picture of Devin D. He then arranged for her to attend one of the PR shows in IL. This would have been December of '84. She was invited to stay to attend Sheila E's birthday party, but she could not attend because she was scheduled to be at the Playboy mansion during that time . Prince, or most likely someone in his camp, left word at the Playboy offices that he would like to talk to her via phone that night. So started the affair with her where he'd fly her to certain concerts that Winter. Then it stopped by Spring of '85. This coincides with Susannah stating that her relationship with Prince had stopped for awhile, but they began to get very close again when they were finishing The Family record and rehearsing for the show at 1st Avenue Summer of '85. Susannah is mentioned in the Sept '85 RS interview, which was actually done earlier that Summer.

Have you heard the story of someone in Devin's camp initiating the request for P and Devin to meet? If so, what do you think of that story?

I love hearing Susannah's stories. It seems like Susannah and P were smitten with one another for a long time.

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

From what I understand, someone in Prince's camp showed him a picture of Devin D. He then arranged for her to attend one of the PR shows in IL. This would have been December of '84. She was invited to stay to attend Sheila E's birthday party, but she could not attend because she was scheduled to be at the Playboy mansion during that time . Prince, or most likely someone in his camp, left word at the Playboy offices that he would like to talk to her via phone that night. So started the affair with her where he'd fly her to certain concerts that Winter. Then it stopped by Spring of '85. This coincides with Susannah stating that her relationship with Prince had stopped for awhile, but they began to get very close again when they were finishing The Family record and rehearsing for the show at 1st Avenue Summer of '85. Susannah is mentioned in the Sept '85 RS interview, which was actually done earlier that Summer.

She said in the interview that Prince told her he didn't want her to see his "bad side" and that was his way of breaking it off. She commented that Carmen said there was always one girl leaving Minnie and another coming in. I believe Mayte said the same iirc. Devin said that was the way it was with her as well but that Prince knew she didn't want to live there and preferred LA and that he didn't like that. She seemed to be suggesting that he wanted a more exclusive relationship but she wouldn't go along with what he wanted. I had read about her in passing but I hadn't heard much about their relationship and she wasn't mentioned in the biographies I've read, that I recall.

That may be her perception of it, but I seriously doubt he wanted her to move to MN. It's been said that he did not have much respect for women who went the Playboy route - good for sex, but I doubt he took them seriously. Also, she was not involved with music in any way, so there would have been very little for her to do in MN. At least Tara (aka Carmen) and Anna Garcia were trying for the singer/performer route, so they had something to connect with and contribute to his musical world - however trivial.

*

The fashion models, playboy models, club dancers were a dime a dozen. There was always a new "flavor" coming onto the scene. I think Prince also needed mental stimulation - someone to challenge him and show him things related to his world. I think Susannah did that for him.

*

It brings to mind the song 101 - especially the bolded lyric, which was recorded the same month as Come Home :

*

Why do I cry for you?
You probably found someone new
And no one deserves ya, I say
No one deserves ya like I do
Baby, you know it's true
Ooh, what we had you said was meant to be

If that was true, tell me, why'd you leave?
Baby, I wanna know
I'm sick of, I'm sick of, I'm sick of
Crying these tears in vain, baby

Why don't cha get in a taxi, subway train?
I'm going mad, baby
I'm going insane, baby, don't cha know?
101 just won't do, no, no, listen

Nothing on TV, my girlfriends bore me
They try to please me but I need you, baby
You and me, need to be together
Together physically
Why can't you come see about me?

rednblue said:

violetcrush said:

From what I understand, someone in Prince's camp showed him a picture of Devin D. He then arranged for her to attend one of the PR shows in IL. This would have been December of '84. She was invited to stay to attend Sheila E's birthday party, but she could not attend because she was scheduled to be at the Playboy mansion during that time . Prince, or most likely someone in his camp, left word at the Playboy offices that he would like to talk to her via phone that night. So started the affair with her where he'd fly her to certain concerts that Winter. Then it stopped by Spring of '85. This coincides with Susannah stating that her relationship with Prince had stopped for awhile, but they began to get very close again when they were finishing The Family record and rehearsing for the show at 1st Avenue Summer of '85. Susannah is mentioned in the Sept '85 RS interview, which was actually done earlier that Summer.

Have you heard the story of someone in Devin's camp initiating the request for P and Devin to meet? If so, what do you think of that story?

I love hearing Susannah's stories. It seems like Susannah and P were smitten with one another for a long time.

Yes, I agree. Seems they continued seeing each other for many years - I'm guessing until around 1990-91.

*

I hadn't heard the story of someone in Devin's camp initiating the request for them to meet, but that would make more sense to me. Very feasible that someone sent him her pictures stating she was a big fan and she'd like to meet him. At that time the guy was no doubt getting bombarded with requests from models, actresses, etc to attend his shows and/or to meet him. Every girl and their Mother were trying to get at him. As Susannah stated in Alan Light's book, "we lost touch for almost a year while he was busy being a rock star - petulant and needy, and getting any girl he wanted". Sounds about right!

[Edited 1/10/19 17:37pm]

pinkcashmere23 said:

LOL Prince did NOT use Playboy as a middleman when he wanted to speak with Devin. READ HER BOOK or continue looking like a crazed Susannah fanatic.

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

She said in the interview that Prince told her he didn't want her to see his "bad side" and that was his way of breaking it off. She commented that Carmen said there was always one girl leaving Minnie and another coming in. I believe Mayte said the same iirc. Devin said that was the way it was with her as well but that Prince knew she didn't want to live there and preferred LA and that he didn't like that. She seemed to be suggesting that he wanted a more exclusive relationship but she wouldn't go along with what he wanted. I had read about her in passing but I hadn't heard much about their relationship and she wasn't mentioned in the biographies I've read, that I recall.

That may be her perception of it, but I seriously doubt he wanted her to move to MN. It's been said that he did not have much respect for women who went the Playboy route - good for sex, but I doubt he took them seriously. Also, she was not involved with music in any way, so there would have been very little for her to do in MN. At least Tara (aka Carmen) and Anna Garcia were trying for the singer/performer route, so they had something to connect with and contribute to his musical world - however trivial.

*

The fashion models, playboy models, club dancers were a dime a dozen. There was always a new "flavor" coming onto the scene. I think Prince also needed mental stimulation - someone to challenge him and show him things related to his world. I think Susannah did that for him.

*

It brings to mind the song 101 - especially the bolded lyric, which was recorded the same month as Come Home :

*

Why do I cry for you?
You probably found someone new
And no one deserves ya, I say
No one deserves ya like I do
Baby, you know it's true
Ooh, what we had you said was meant to be

If that was true, tell me, why'd you leave?
Baby, I wanna know
I'm sick of, I'm sick of, I'm sick of
Crying these tears in vain, baby

Why don't cha get in a taxi, subway train?
I'm going mad, baby
I'm going insane, baby, don't cha know?
101 just won't do, no, no, listen

Nothing on TV, my girlfriends bore me
They try to please me but I need you, baby
You and me, need to be together
Together physically
Why can't you come see about me?

Yes,she said that he didn't like that she was in Playboy and that he wanted to try to find a way to fit her into his world like he did with some of the other girls but she didn't want to go along with it and he jokingly said that maybe they could make her a roadie. She mentioned that Steve Fargnoli was also her manager at the time and she thought they were grooming her to be in one of Prince's movies. Yes,those lyrics sum up how he felt about some of the girls he was seeing then and that he was missing a more fulfilling relationship.

violetcrush said:

rednblue said:

Have you heard the story of someone in Devin's camp initiating the request for P and Devin to meet? If so, what do you think of that story?

I love hearing Susannah's stories. It seems like Susannah and P were smitten with one another for a long time.

Yes, I agree. Seems they continued seeing each other for many years - I'm guessing until around 1990-91.

*

I hadn't heard the story of someone in Devin's camp initiating the request for them to meet, but that would make more sense to me. Very feasible that someone sent him her pictures stating she was a big fan and she'd like to meet him. At that time the guy was no doubt getting bombarded with requests from models, actresses, etc to attend his shows and/or to meet him. Every girl and their Mother were trying to get at him. As Susannah stated in Alan Light's book, "we lost touch for almost a year while he was busy being a rock star - petulant and needy, and getting any girl he wanted". Sounds about right!

[Edited 1/10/19 17:37pm]

Thanks for responding. I honestly wanted to know because it sounded like you might have read that someone contradicted Devin's own account. I enjoyed reading Devin's book.

With Devin, one can certainly imagine Prince issuing his "find me this woman"order that he at times gave out upon seeing someone in a magazine or on TV. It seems like that was the scenario you were describing in regard to Devin. One can also imagine P saying "bring me this woman" if, early on, Wendy had mentioned having a twin sister. : )

However, it seems that, in both of these situations, it wasn't the case. It seems the women stepped up to make the Hello's happen.

muchtoofast said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I was too for the same reason. I've always felt that it was written about a deeper and more meaningful relationship. She said that it was her favorite song and her reason for thinking that it was for her, was because it was written around the time her Playboy issue came out and she thought the line "in a word you were sex" was referring to that. She said Prince would always contact Playboy when he wanted to speak with her,even after she had gotten married. She also mentioned Susannah and said "If I Was Your Girlfriend" was written due to Prince's desire to be as close to her as she was to Wendy and that he envied their relationship. I had read that as well. Before that,she said Prince's music was his autobiography and that with any time period in his music,you can tell what was happening in his life and what girl he was with and where he was at that particular time. I'm not sure that it was always that cut and dried because he would pull pull older songs out and remake them but I suppose that was probably the case back then. That's a good point about Adore being similar in theme to FIML.

[Edited 1/10/19 12:48pm]

LOL Prince did NOT use Playboy as a middleman when he wanted to speak with Devin. READ HER BOOK or continue looking like a crazed Susannah fanatic.

Devin said in the interview shared by rednblue that when Prince wanted to speak to her he would call the Playboy offices and they would tell her that Prince was trying to reach her. I assume this was after they had lost contact with each other. I would think he called her directly while they were dating. I actually am thinking about reading her book but I wish I'd taken advantage of her 99 cent over when it first came out. It's nearly 30 dollars now.