During the news segment of Howard Stern's show this morning, Robin brought up the VH1 list of the 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 Years, which was headed up by Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Prince had 2 entries: "When Doves Cry" at #7 and "Little Red Corvette" at #23, plus Sinead O'Connor's version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" was #14). The general consensus among the crew was that "Spirit" was overrated. When Howard was asked for his choice, after playing several parody songs he chose "Purple Rain". The dialog went something like this:

Howard: The greatest song of the last 25 years...is "Purple Rain" by Prince. Nothing else has the laughter...the emotion..."I only want to see you laughing in the purple rain." How can you have more emotion than that?

(Robin & Artie dissent, Howard opts to play a verse & chorus of "Teen Spirit" followed by "Purple Rain". During "Teen Spirit" he says "Don't get me wrong, this is a great song...")

(First chord of Purple Rain plays)

Howard: Already I have goosebumps.

(First line: "I never meant to cause you any sorrow...")

Howard: WOW.

Robin: Don't try to sell it, just let us listen!

(Song continues)

Robin: This is depressing, though! You just like it because you want to feel depressed all the time!

Howard: Yeah, so? What's wrong with that?

(Song reaches line about "laughing in the purple rain")

Robin: And you don't even know what that MEANS!

Howard: Oh, *I* know what it means...I've been around a long time...

(etc. etc.)

Oh yeah! I was totally listening and I too got goosebumps.

Its always nice to hear someone in the Media say Great things bout Prince.

Purple Rain is def one of the best songs in the last 25 Years.

my Prince
[This message was edited Thu Jun 12 2:58:28 PDT 2003 by softNwet]

Why "Purple Rain" is so much better than "Smells Like Teen Spirit":

Simple - "Purple Rain" is a mature song that can be listened to and understood by people of all ages.

So what if "Teen Spirit" gets your blood pumping...so does "Jump Around" by House of Pain. Think Teen Spirit was the beginning of the explosion of a new genre of music in the pop eyes? What about "Fuck the Police" by NWA?

"Teen Spirit" is a great song, but, as always, this VH-1 list is fucked to no end.

That goes to show you can't objectively compare songs across genres, time, tempo, or tones. There are times when Teen Spirit might be your flavor or when you're feeling Purple Rain. What it all boils down to then, is personal opinion of which each of us have one.
[This message was edited Thu Jun 12 7:37:48 PDT 2003 by whodknee]

Prince love him! Howard Stern Kiss Kiss to ya! Robin stopping hatin sweetie!

I believe the list was compiled and voted on by VH1 execs. Need I say more...I also think it was meant to keep a certain demographic interested in watching the show...The whole Grunge thing seems more like a 4 year fad than a cosmic change.

One of the few good things I heard from the "King of all Media" was this. Purple Rain can kick "Teen Spirit's" ass any day. Nirvana really is over-rated. And I've been saying that for the longest.

Nirvana is what happens if you give a heroine addict a record contract. Good to see Howard has some sense

That's cool, because I've heard that in the past Howard has really talked bad about Prince. I guess he was just messin' about.

I haven't been listening to Prince music these past few months.(out of protest)

Had to put on Purple Rain while I read this thread.

Wow. Great Song.

The emotion is electric! in this song (not contrived.)
Miss songs like these.

JugHead said:

Howard is one of the rare people in the media who speaks his mind. When Prince does something that he thinks is stupid, he says that he thinks it's stupid. And when Prince does good, he praises him. I think that's pretty fair.

Yeah I heard that...I gotta give props 2 Howard 4 that. Having the stones 2 pick "Purple Rain" given how his hardcore fan base is...

That says alot, jokes aside that followed his pick. Many many songs have flowed through the last 25yrs and 4 him 2 select that I know I was surprised but pleased.

Howard knows Prince is the real deal...but selling that fact 2 some of his harder core nuts in radio-land is a lost cause...

Some of them might not even dig there own mother...

I think that was the best decision Howard made.

:Mad2: I can't believe VH-1 labeled their selections "The greatest songs in the last 25 years." It should be labeled the best selling songs in the last 25 years because Eminem and Nirvana don't even qualify. Anybody can make a record, but it takes an artist to make music.

The first time I heard 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', I thought "THATS THE GREATEST FUCKING SONG I'VE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE!!"

That music and energy continues to blow me away...I couldn't listen to it for awhile but I played some yesterday and it rocks

I live in a world where I can play both Prince and Nirvana bootlegs back to back

Howard Stern proves once again that he has his finger on the pulse of all that is great!!! I love him even more for showing his respect to Prince and to this great song!!! Love you, Howard!!!

Nirvana ripped off Boston's "More than A Feeling" and even admitted it.

Purple Rain's ground breaking mix of Hendrix/Country/arena anthem plus the heartfelt lyrics make the song to this day an all time classic. It is not dated one bit.

DMSR said:

Please...I know they wanted to disown the song and yes they made fun of it by comparing it to 'More than a feeling' but it's debt is much closer to the Pixies which they've also admitted. It's ground breaking mix of rock/punk/arena anthem and the poetic/cynical lyrics ('here we are now, entertain us) make the song to this day an all time classic. It won't ever sound dated either because of the passion of the delivery.

There are other things I would rather be doing than arguing over the merits of two songs. I'll happily defend 'Teen Spirit' when it's dismissed as a rip-off or a piece of whiny crap. That song changed music period. Thankfully for the better when it brought back some honesty and passion to the mainstream, it made everything else look silly.