Hi,
It is well known that the Instrumental piano composition - 'Fathers Song' is credited to Prince's father, John. L. Nelson.

However, i recall it being suggested that Prince may actually be the sole author of this particular piece of music. It was argued that Prince would often give his father writing credits on certain records as a means off bringing him into his life as well as providing an indirect way of putting money into his pocket.

What are your opinions on this?

Can anybody add anything to this theory?

Thanks

PRNelson said:

I don't know.
I used to have the songbook for Purple Rain. The very last song was, surprisingly, Father's Song. It was also credited to Prince's father. What a beautiful song. It really sounds Prince-ish though.

Miguel

Hmmmm?

Anybody wanna shed some light on this?

Prince wrote it.

When it was initially submitted for copyright, Prince was listed as sole composer.
Later on, the writer's credits were changed to John L. Nelson. The same thing
happened with Computer Blue. When it was initially submitted, it was listed as
a Prince, Wendy & Lisa composition. Later on, John L. Nelson was added to the
writers credits.

BorisFishpaw said:

Very interesting. What wa the reason for this happening? was it anything similar to the reasons i gave earlier?

Only Prince knows for sure, but I think you're theory is pretty much on the money.

thoery is pretty much on the money,
but it really has to do with an argument between prince and his father before the release of purple rain,
i just know there was an rgument and i have no idea what it depicted...
but i think your theory could be correct
unless prince used it with out specific permission
but we'll never know
if i meet prince, first thing i'll ask!

Luv4oneanotha said:

how do u know they had a argument but not know what was said? also if the fathers song thing is true anyone know if the same goes 4 scandalous, christopher tracys parade, and the ladder?

but b4 i go i have a theory 2! maybe princes dad really did write fathers song and what happened was that p was gonna use it without his dads permission and when p's dad found out he threatened him with legal action..which explains the whole recopyrighted under john l nelson thing...make sense 2 anyone?

Moonwalkbjrain said:

yeah it really is u people should be friggin PI's!

nobody knows,
but it could be either
be we must remember P never did have the best relationship with his father

To make a long story short..Prince's mother and father split up and when Nelson moved out a new male figure was in the household ( Prince wasn't 2 cool with him).
Anyways, when Prince reached 12, he asked his father 2 take him back in. but the reunion didn't last. Nelson caught Prince in bed with a female friend and threw his son out of the house as punishment. Prince begged his father 2 let him stay & his sister even asked him for Prince. " I sat crying at the phone booth 4 two hours," Prince said. "That's the last time I cryed." They would never again live 2gether, but continued 2 oscillate between intense affection and angered estrangement untill Nelson's death in 2001.
Prince's repeated overtures 2 Nelson during his adult life- giving him songwriting credit 4 music he had nothing to do with, praising him in the media, and introducing him to luminaries like Miles Davis.
Hope this helps

bootology said:

Please clarify.
Prince was caught in bed with one of his Dad's friends or his own friend?