This is a "featured" topic! — From here you can jump to the « previous or next » featured topic.
New topic 
Printable | Author | Message |
Pitchfork Media: Thumbs-down on "United States of Division" http://www.pitchforkmedia...html#song4
Prince & The NPG: "The United States of Division" Liberals, hear me now: Cease all downloading, uninstall all file-sharing applications, and purge your hard drives. If one Republican gets an earful of "The United States of Division", America's entire left-wing contingent is doomed to become a laughing stock. While Prince's political views are often just bewildering tangents buried in his pop songs ("Partyup", "Money Don't Matter 2 Tonight"), they're easy to ignore in the context of a great hook or an irresistible groove. Blessed be those who can tune out lyrics successfully, as Prince's agenda falls somewhere between Michael Moore's oversimplified heart-tugging and The Simpsons' Helen Lovejoy running with her hands clasped to her face, shouting, "The children! Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children!" But now, with the "virtual" B-side to Musicology's "Cinnamon Girl", we're treated to "virtually" one of the most limp, underthought protest songs in recent years. If only there was a good tune beneath it all a bleeding heart could maybe excuse it. Sadly, all that's here is tepid funk in the verses, leading to a clumsy pop chorus featuring this stirring anthem: "Doo doo doo doo doo doo/ Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo/ Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo-- EVERYBODY STOP FIGHTING!" The volume of musicians raising their voices of dissent this year is heartening, but I've recently revised my ideology: Everyone with a voice should be heard, except for Prince. [Jason Crock; August 5th, 2004] | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
wow. Maybe he didnt like it so much. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
If this review had something to offer besides the actual chorus...which needs work or should have been more thought out, I would somewhat agree. I do like this song and it is quite funky. And when is someone noticing a B-Side? This song isn't that important...had it been on Musicology for the masses to hear, that'd be one thing.
How about some reviews on the OTHER B-Sides or Chocolate Invasion or Slaughterhouse...now that would be interesting. But to take pop shots at a political song by Prince...too easy if you ask me. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
i hate to agree with him...but i do feel the same way about this song. the author is way off on money don't matter 2nite and partyup though. just wanted to make that clear. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
deja vu, eh? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Handclapsfingasnapz said: deja vu, eh?
sorry...this thread was submitted as a news item by peachblack, which prompts me to post this before what's posted in the forums. when someone submits a story as a news item, i get a notification in my e-mail, which helps me post it ASAP. nothing personal against anyone, it's just how it works.  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Anxiety said: Handclapsfingasnapz said: deja vu, eh?
sorry...this thread was submitted as a news item by peachblack, which prompts me to post this before what's posted in the forums. when someone submits a story as a news item, i get a notification in my e-mail, which helps me post it ASAP. nothing personal against anyone, it's just how it works. s'okay--i do the opposite of what you do, i check both forums and if there's the same news item up for grabs, i check the times they were first posted. the earliest-posted goes up for view. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Boy the way Glen Miller played Songs that made the hit parade. Guys like us we had it made, Those were the days. And you knew who you were then, Girls were girls and men were men, Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again. Didn’t need no welfare state. Everybody pulled his weight. Gee our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days. now that....THAT'S a song!!! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Anxiety said:
Boy the way Glen Miller played Songs that made the hit parade. Guys like us we had it made, Those were the days. And you knew who you were then, Girls were girls and men were men, Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again. Didn’t need no welfare state. Everybody pulled his weight. Gee our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days. now that....THAT'S a song!!! oh, ah-chieee... | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Give me a break.....the Song's great. I'm not complaining to the individuals that don't like it, we all have our own opinions.....it's the News Article about it.
mymocha | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
SassyBritches said: i hate to agree with him...but i do feel the same way about this song. the author is way off on money don't matter 2nite and partyup though. just wanted to make that clear.
I agree with you on Money Don't Matter..and Partyup. Money is a very poignant song and it really relates well to the current state of affairs, it's one of Prince's better efforts. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
DorothyParkerWasCool said: SassyBritches said: i hate to agree with him...but i do feel the same way about this song. the author is way off on money don't matter 2nite and partyup though. just wanted to make that clear.
I agree with you on Money Don't Matter..and Partyup. Money is a very poignant song and it really relates well to the current state of affairs, it's one of Prince's better efforts. true....plus with "partyup", for me it wasn't really the lyrical content that got me liking what it had to say, but with the angry/angsty platter it was served upon. a good protest song needs to have a bit of an angry tint to it, y'know. with "usod" it was just like, "the world's in such a state...why are you smiling, prince?" | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Handclapsfingasnapz said: DorothyParkerWasCool said: I agree with you on Money Don't Matter..and Partyup. Money is a very poignant song and it really relates well to the current state of affairs, it's one of Prince's better efforts. true....plus with "partyup", for me it wasn't really the lyrical content that got me liking what it had to say, but with the angry/angsty platter it was served upon. a good protest song needs to have a bit of an angry tint to it, y'know. with "usod" it was just like, "the world's in such a state...why are you smiling, prince?" Did What's Going On have that? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
OdysseyMiles said: Handclapsfingasnapz said: true....plus with "partyup", for me it wasn't really the lyrical content that got me liking what it had to say, but with the angry/angsty platter it was served upon. a good protest song needs to have a bit of an angry tint to it, y'know. with "usod" it was just like, "the world's in such a state...why are you smiling, prince?" Did What's Going On have that? the way i see it, anger can be disguised behind sadness/mournfulness as well. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Most of Prince's political songs are more commentary and speculation than really thought provoking or transcending time. Most of his political ditties are dated almost before he even delivers them.
Today I still can feel What's going on...but can't feel Ronnie talk to Russia [This message was edited Thu Aug 5 12:45:14 2004 by superspaceboy] Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
superspaceboy said: Most of Prince's political songs are more commentary and speculation than really thought provoking or transcending time. Most of his political ditties are dated almost before he even delivers them.
Today I still can feel What's going on...but can't feel Ronnie talk to Russia [This message was edited Thu Aug 5 12:45:14 2004 by superspaceboy] true...the older stuff came out dated because ol' boy was still on the whole sexual trip and using that vehicle more...you tend to get sidetracked on one thing if you've been stickin with mostly another, therefore it appears as if stuff passes you by.  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
superspaceboy said: Most of Prince's political songs are more commentary and speculation than really thought provoking or transcending time. Most of his political ditties are dated almost before he even delivers them.
Today I still can feel What's going on...but can't feel Ronnie talk to Russia [This message was edited Thu Aug 5 12:45:14 2004 by superspaceboy] Very true. I've read similar observations many times before. He's certainly entitled to his opinions, but as far as lyrics go, maybe he should stick with what he knows best: "Dance, Music, Sex, Romance."   "I would say that Prince's top thirty percent is great. Of that thirty percent, I'll bet the public has heard twenty percent of it." - Susan Rogers, "Hunting for Prince's Vault", BBC, 2015 | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Anxiety said:
Boy the way Glen Miller played Songs that made the hit parade. Guys like us we had it made, Those were the days. And you knew who you were then, Girls were girls and men were men, Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again. Didn’t need no welfare state. Everybody pulled his weight. Gee our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days. now that....THAT'S a song!!! Man, I'm glad you posted those lyrics. I never could understand what the heck they were saying in that line. 
Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones. (Ecclesiastes 7:9) | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I'm not too impressed with the lyrics either. I do like the groove tho'. I only wish entertainer's would stay out of controversial politics.. because they R sure to anger/alienate someone. Ask Linda Rondstadt. Especially when it comes to criticizing policy. Besides, honestly, a bunch of these people don't really know the hardships of military service, or war. Nor have they ever had a blister! Prince has em' from guitar playing, of course. I love Prince to death... but don't preach to ex-military about not protecting ourselves. We'd all do it over again... and again.. and again. But feel free to make a stand on less controversial stuff, that noone can argue with.. racism. hunger. child abuse. homeless. ignorance. Hate. etc. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
i dig the song out of all the "virtual b-sides" this year, if only cuz it reminds me of something he woulda put out in 1987 as a b-side or sumpin'. if i want cutting political lyrics, i'll listen to a dead kennedys album or somethin' - i know not to expect a lot of bleeding-edge commentary from prince, though i'll admit he's thrown a few surprisingly impressive bones over the years. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Funny...he makes this song at the same time as he says Voting don't count. That should tell ya about his political saavy and knowledge.
My guess is he made this song probably very quickly...like in a day. Like he saw Farhrenheit 9/11 and went home and made this song. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
superspaceboy said: My guess is he made this song probably very quickly...like in a day. Like he saw Farhrenheit 9/11 and went home and made this song.
that idea amazes me, cuz there are like those female spoken word parts in the song. so like, does he call candy up and say "can ya come over and just let me record ya saying 'sex' and 'war' and 'gay' in a really sexy voice? hey, thanks." | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
I take a pitcfork to Pitchfork's review of this B-side. I happen to love Partyup and Money Don't Matter 2nite. Bite the beat, Pitchfork! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Awwww.....wahhhhh! Entertainment Weekly thought it was brilliant. How could you
expect conservatives to know who Prince is anyway? "They gonna have to fight they're own damn war"..... | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
The lyrics r ok but the beat is funky as hell! USOD is a virtual B-side while the more polished Dear Mr.Man is the 1 that is supposed 2 b on the cd.That's where the focus should b. U,ME,WE!....2FUNKY! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Anxiety said: superspaceboy said: My guess is he made this song probably very quickly...like in a day. Like he saw Farhrenheit 9/11 and went home and made this song.
that idea amazes me, cuz there are like those female spoken word parts in the song. so like, does he call candy up and say "can ya come over and just let me record ya saying 'sex' and 'war' and 'gay' in a really sexy voice? hey, thanks." He used to do that back in the day. And how far do you think Candy was at the time? Probably the next room over. Again depends on where it was recorded. Could have found a studio anywhere. Probably has a slightly portable one. How else is he to record while on the road? I'm willing to bet he still pounds out about a song every 2 weeks. My vision...they went (all went ) to the movie and then went into the studio the next day...cuz Mr P had concocted some sort of lyrics the night before and a semblance of a melody. [This message was edited Thu Aug 5 18:59:45 2004 by superspaceboy] Christian Zombie Vampires | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
PeachBlack said: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/wearetheworld/04-08-05.shtml#song4
Prince & The NPG: "The United States of Division" Liberals, hear me now: Cease all downloading, uninstall all file-sharing applications, and purge your hard drives. If one Republican gets an earful of "The United States of Division", America's entire left-wing contingent is doomed to become a laughing stock. While Prince's political views are often just bewildering tangents buried in his pop songs ("Partyup", "Money Don't Matter 2 Tonight"), they're easy to ignore in the context of a great hook or an irresistible groove. Blessed be those who can tune out lyrics successfully, as Prince's agenda falls somewhere between Michael Moore's oversimplified heart-tugging and The Simpsons' Helen Lovejoy running with her hands clasped to her face, shouting, "The children! Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children!" But now, with the "virtual" B-side to Musicology's "Cinnamon Girl", we're treated to "virtually" one of the most limp, underthought protest songs in recent years. If only there was a good tune beneath it all a bleeding heart could maybe excuse it. Sadly, all that's here is tepid funk in the verses, leading to a clumsy pop chorus featuring this stirring anthem: "Doo doo doo doo doo doo/ Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo/ Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo-- EVERYBODY STOP FIGHTING!" The volume of musicians raising their voices of dissent this year is heartening, but I've recently revised my ideology: Everyone with a voice should be heard, except for Prince. [Jason Crock; August 5th, 2004] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
So I'm not the only one who hates this song!  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Screw Em! But I'm Definitely Voting to get this Bush Out. We all gotta Get rid of this Loser. Kerry has got to win....This Pres STINKS.... We are In War Ever since he's been in Office..Let's get rid of him he's doing Nothing Good for this Country... We Need more POLITICAl Songs... | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
newpower25 said: I'm not too impressed with the lyrics either. I do like the groove tho'. I only wish entertainer's would stay out of controversial politics.. because they R sure to anger/alienate someone. Ask Linda Rondstadt. Especially when it comes to criticizing policy. Besides, honestly, a bunch of these people don't really know the hardships of military service, or war.
Too simplistically generalized to have any truth to it. Of course someone like Marvin Gaye couldn't have possibly been related to anyone who was sent to Vietnam. Nor have they ever had a blister! Prince has em' from guitar playing, of course. I love Prince to death... but don't preach to ex-military about not protecting ourselves. We'd all do it over again... and again.. and again. But feel free to make a stand on less controversial stuff, that noone can argue with.. racism. hunger. child abuse. homeless. ignorance. Hate. etc.
Ohhh, those things in Prince's repertoire can and HAVE been argued about on this site. They're hardly less controversial around here. This post not for the wimp contingent. All whiny wusses avert your eyes. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
New topic Printable This is a "featured" topic! — From here you can jump to the « previous or next » featured topic.