I've been thinking back on this summer a lot lately, and realizing that, regardless of what anyone may think of "Musicology" or the whole JW thing or whatEVER, this has been a freakin' AMAZING year to be a Prince freak.

But now, unless there are more surprises in store for later this year, the party seems to be over. The US leg of the tour is done, there doesn't seem to be a worldwide leg of the tour in sight (yet), and as soon as next week we could see Musicology slipping off the pop charts, due to the end of the tour-bundling scheme that kept the album afloat on the charts.

But what a trip it's been! For me, the summer started early this year, when I'm sure it started for most of us, with the Grammy performance. As of that night, I knew we were in for a hell of a ride in 2004. And I wasn't proven wrong. The album, the tour, the media blitz, the performance of "Reflection" with Wendy on Tavis Smiley, the download treats at NPGMC (awww come on, there hadda be SOMEthing offered over there that ya loved this summer), the constant visibility of the man in popular culture this year. The man worked his tight little butt off to get back on top this year, and I certainly hope he got what he was after, because he made a big enough bang.

This is a year I'll never forget. I'm planning on getting a box together for all my 2004 Prince goodies - the magazines, the extra Musicology discs, the concert tix and tourbook and t-shirts, etc., the "special sections" and articles from various newspapers dedicated to Prince and the 20th anniversary of Purple Rain.

I feel an odd kind of closure, like anything after this year is just gonna be gravy, cuz how could the fireworks of this year ever be topped? And anyway, you know - gravy is awfully tasty anyway.

Among all the Prince insanity of this year, what was the highpoint for you? And do you think there's gonna be one more big bang from Mr. Purplepants this year?

Anxiety said:

Great thread! Yes, this is a been a spectacular year to be a Prince freak. Seeing him on the Grammy's blew my mind and seeing the public reaction to his performance with Beyonce really pleased me. His induction into the RRHOF was amazing and made me very proud. Seeing him on the cover of RS was very cool too, but seeing him live in Toronto was the icing on the cake. Two old friends that have never seen him live before also went to the concert and were blown away and are now convinced of his true musical genius! I love it I like Musicology very much, but I don't consider it to be some of his best work either. I still listen to it often, but can't wait for the next cd release.

The biggest thing for me was the Reflection performance with Wendy. I had some notions about P and how he felt about gays and I was so done with him. When I saw them together, any perceived 'anger' I had towards him disappeared. I became a rabid Prince fan again like I was before the net. It's been a wonderful few months and I'm happy and proud to be a Prince fan.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

I never saw this performance but wish I had. Maybe one day I will. The song is amazing.

kisscamille said:

Uh, you can download it in the Musicology store at NPGMC for 99c (non-member price) or 77c (member price). It's worth it.

I would have to say Girls and Boys at the Paisley Park aftershow!

Also I'm hoping foe some more Paisley parties this fall

booyah said:

ok, thanks a lot. I will do that

Seeing Prince in concert twice in one year, the interviews, TV appearences and video play has made 2004 the best year EVER!

I think you all have summed this summer up wonderfully. It was absolutely amazing. I can only hope for some PP events this fall. It sure seems like it wouldn't be Prince without a HUGE PP Party.

It's been a lot of fun. In addition to everything that's already been mentioned, I'm proud to have had the opportunity to bring friends to the Staples simulcast and the Columbus show. These former "Prince virgins" told me that they will never look at concerts the same way again, and they will always be forced to compare future shows (by other artists) to the brilliance that was Musicology.

Anxiety said:

Can't believe you didn't mention the pizza!! j/k True 'nuff, it's been quite a year. I dunno what he might pull out of his hat before 2004 wraps up (another album would be sweet!), but I'm still wondering about the Superbowl next year...now THAT would be cool to see him get picked as the halftime headliner! At least the NFL shouldn't have to worry about any more indecent exposure or "inappropriate" stage acts.

Anxiety said:

i think a Musicology concert dvd and a grammy is all thats left to cap off a great year

CandaceS said:

i didn't wanna brag...you know me, mr. modesty.

What we received starting in Feb. was and is a musical gift (Prince) from God. I will always remember the wonderful year of 2004 with Prince. He has given so much of himself 2 all that seeing him in the lime light has been over due. He has created the buzz that I hope continues in the years 2 come. True Prince Fans like me have journeyed with him 4 many years. And through it all he has made sure that we have and still will continue 2 enjoy him. 4 every time he made an appearance or performed it was 4 each and every one of us.

4 all u wonderful fans in the UK and other parts of the world have no fear your Prince will soon arrive 2 fulfill your musical needs. I truly and sincerely hope that Prince know how proud he has made his fans old and new feel. O “yes” I am proud 2b a Fan of the Genius who wrote and still writes the song track to my life. May we live 2 c the Dawn and this Journey ain't over? Peace and Purple Happiness 2 All!

I prayed for years to see Prince become big again. I knew that he had to get on TV and perfrom on some big show to show people that he still had it. So when I saw the ad for the Grammy's during the Super Bowl and saw that Prince was going to perform, my heart started racing and I knew it was make or break. Sure enough, it just opened the floodgates for the rest of the year. I prayed after the Grammy's and I felt in my spirit that God was leting me know that this was the year that I had been praying for and when I saw Prince and Beyonce' on the cover of USA Today, I knew something big was already happening. Then with the Reflection performance w/ Wendy, the RRHOF which blew everyone away, I was too through. Then Musicology finally came out and it was the first album in years that I loved instantly and one of the first in years that I've kept on playing after 2 month of me buying it.

Then when I got Entertainment Weekly, Jet, Rolling Stone and other mags with the man on the cover, it was almost surreal, just knowing that he couldn't buy himself a cover to any of the magazines a year ago. Then seeing him in perform a bunch of times. So many memories alone. Taking my friends and seeing them love the show, seeing Prince read the Rolling Stone issue on stage (I almost fainted) and seeing the arenas jammed from the floor to the nose bleed sections was so beyond my dreams. Then being at the HOB and seeing Wendy perform w/Prince before my eyes, I almost cried. As a Prince fan, this has been the best year of my life. It's been great going to record stores and seeing that Musicology is STILL selling well. Plus talking to people who don't appear to be Prince fans say that they respect him like him or wished that they could have seen him during this tour was like vindication of sorts, for sticking with him during the rough times. I always believed a commercial comeback was possible but wow, I didn't expect all that has come our way. Man, what a ride it's been and I hope it continues for the rest of the year and for quite a while afterwards.
[Edited 9/16/04 23:30pm]

Still kinda pissed he ignored most of Canada, (it's not like I can just pop off to Toronto for the evening for a concert.) but all in all it was pretty damn cool.

Anxiety said:

Unfortunately for me, this summer has been the same let down as a lot of other past years as a Prince freak. Being in the UK I havent had any of the "Prince is back" vibe. No concerts, no videos, no singles, no chart success.

All Ive had is another pretty mundane album which didnt really do much for me.

Hopefully we will get a taste of the tour over here before long, although i am not as optimistic about any kind of resurgence in poularity as I am not sure he will be allowed to do the whole CD/concert ticket bundling like he did over there...

But im happy for all you lot... glad you enjoyed it all...

ya never know though, maybe will will get a new album and a new tour and some real kick-ass funk....
[Edited 9/17/04 8:07am]

Jon said:

I was going to say exactly the same thing. I feel like we just watched from over the pond and got reports back from the US crowd.

Bloody hell P, get your tiny ass over here!

i really hope prince takes on europe with the same verve he drummed up over here in the US. i'd love to hear about the same excitement we had over here on the other side of the pond, and see all the UK music mags that we get at the wrecka stows sport his pouty little mug (and give me a reason to start spending way too much money on import music rags again - Q and UNCUT and MOJO kick the ass of just about anything we have over here that passes for music journalism). we in the US have gotten spoiled on prince this year...now i think it's europe's turn! (for starters, at least)