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Printablewallysafford said: AsianBomb777 said: It's one of Prince's first politically motivated songs that wasn't deliberately obvious. He buries it deep in metaphor.
At that time Prince was getting alot of Hate Mail for dissing the whole "we Are the World" USA for Africa thing. So he was just responding to it: Think about it. "Is the poverty bringin' U down?" - Poverty in this case obviously is a metaphor for STD, and what Prince is trying to say is that your sexually transmitted disease may be bringning you down.... AIDS. "Is the mail man jerkin U round". What is a mailman famous for jerkin? Vaginas! Exactly! So If a mail man hooks up with one Vagina with an STD, and then goes to the next house, he' spread the STD. What Prince is essentially saying, and very cleverly I might add, is that the US Postal Service hasn't just done him a diservice by dropping off all the hate-mail, but is doing the entire USA harm by spreading sexually transmitted diseases due to the common mailman's obsession with vaginas. Powerful, Political, and positively genius. . [Edited 11/17/04 18:36pm] well,nice try-BUT-Pop Life was recorded in Feb.1984,many months before the USA FOR AFRICA fiasco. dain-daingerous
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u are so correct. i think u are the only one aware of that fact. wallysafford said: AsianBomb777 said: It's one of Prince's first politically motivated songs that wasn't deliberately obvious. He buries it deep in metaphor.
At that time Prince was getting alot of Hate Mail for dissing the whole "we Are the World" USA for Africa thing. So he was just responding to it: Think about it. "Is the poverty bringin' U down?" - Poverty in this case obviously is a metaphor for STD, and what Prince is trying to say is that your sexually transmitted disease may be bringning you down.... AIDS. "Is the mail man jerkin U round". What is a mailman famous for jerkin? Vaginas! Exactly! So If a mail man hooks up with one Vagina with an STD, and then goes to the next house, he' spread the STD. What Prince is essentially saying, and very cleverly I might add, is that the US Postal Service hasn't just done him a diservice by dropping off all the hate-mail, but is doing the entire USA harm by spreading sexually transmitted diseases due to the common mailman's obsession with vaginas. Powerful, Political, and positively genius. . [Edited 11/17/04 18:36pm] well,nice try-BUT-Pop Life was recorded in Feb.1984,many months before the USA FOR AFRICA fiasco. dain-daingerous
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JOEYCOCO said: u are so correct. i think u are the only one aware of that fact.
wallysafford said: well,nice try-BUT-Pop Life was recorded in Feb.1984,many months before the USA FOR AFRICA fiasco. 
Should we just skip the part about the whole joke taking a flying leap over your head? The Normal Whores Club | |
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meow85 said: ufoclub said: I always thought it was prince putting all of us down, saying "everyone can't be on top" like me (prince), and that he is enjoying a funky pop life, and he is amused by our mundane concerns and addictions.
it's a very republican song! Just like "America" [Edited 11/18/04 8:28am] 
"America" is so far from being a Republican song... it's so far from it, it'd be like the distance between california and lower neptune. | |
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Giant mutant chickens, people! I'm tellin' ya! 
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) | |
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meow85 said: AsianBomb777 said: No, it's a reference to gay culture. A lot of men don't like being the "bottoms" in that culture becuase of the complexities during intercourse. Many want to be tops. Prince was doing some very wild experimenting sexually during that period of time with Jerome, Morris and Big Chick. He was venting his frustration that they all wanted him to bottom--something he wasn't comfortable with, not becuase he saw himself as the dominant top, but becuase he's always had an obsession with control. [Edited 11/18/04 10:46am] I do love you.
Doesn't explain why he was on the bottom during that group action in Gett Off though.  At that time Warner Bros. was screwing him from behind, so he figured, "what the hell--this can't hurt any worse." | |
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btw..."pop life" was about chittlins. | |
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Handclapsfingasnapz said: btw..."pop life" was about chittlins.
and grits, cabbages, black eyed peas... The Normal Whores Club | |
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FunkMistress said: Handclapsfingasnapz said: btw..."pop life" was about chittlins.
and grits, cabbages, black eyed peas... ...candied sweet potatoes, stuffin, mashed potatoes... | |
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Handclapsfingasnapz said: FunkMistress said: and grits, cabbages, black eyed peas... ...candied sweet potatoes, stuffin, mashed potatoes... Y'all can't fuck with Pop Life. Too old. Look out! The Normal Whores Club | |
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FunkMistress said: Handclapsfingasnapz said: ...candied sweet potatoes, stuffin, mashed potatoes... Y'all can't fuck with Pop Life. Too old. Look out!  | |
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AsianBomb777 said: meow85 said: I do love you.
Doesn't explain why he was on the bottom during that group action in Gett Off though. At that time Warner Bros. was screwing him from behind, so he figured, "what the hell--this can't hurt any worse." 
*pictures prince and the game boyz doin' the deed*
 [Edited 11/19/04 20:28pm] "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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i just have to say that as a young man it was songs like this
and a few others by prince, that showed me the negative things of using drugs.thank you prince your music kept me from the drug world that was all around me thank you so much. | |
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purplecloud said: i just have to say that as a young man it was songs like this
and a few others by prince, that showed me the negative things of using drugs.thank you prince your music kept me from the drug world that was all around me thank you so much. You obviously haven't tried to good amsterdam stuff. | |
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When it was released, people speculated that he was talking about Morris Day, who had become a star, left him and was doing coke. Morris's Pop Life compared to Prince's Pop life, and everything wrought in metaphor. Basically, you can get your thrill (that pop) from fame and money and reward yourself with all the coke you can buy or you can get that pop from something healthier, like your own creativity and being "on top" (of your game). Of course, many of those lines have double and triple meaning, pop standing for pop culture, the thrill you get from life and also as a verb, meaning popping life itself (descrtucting it). | |
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Aerogram said: When it was released, people speculated that he was talking about Morris Day, who had become a star, left him and was doing coke. Morris's Pop Life compared to Prince's Pop life, and everything wrought in metaphor. Basically, you can get your thrill (that pop) from fame and money and reward yourself with all the coke you can buy or you can get that pop from something healthier, like your own creativity and being "on top" (of your game). Of course, many of those lines have double and triple meaning, pop standing for pop culture, the thrill you get from life and also as a verb, meaning popping life itself (descrtucting it).
..which makes the following lyrics even more captivating in light of your tidbit of knowledge: What's the matter with your sex? Is 15 minutes your best? Why'd U need another love, when U know that I'm the best? | |
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Pop Life
What's the matter with your life ? Is the poverty bringing U down ? Is the mailman jerking U 'round ? Did he put your million dollar check in someone else's box ? Tell me ? (Mm), What's the matter with your world ? Was it a boy when U wanted a girl ? (Boy when U wanted a girl) Don't U know straight hair ain't got no curl? (No curl) But life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop Dig it (Pop life) Everybody needs a thrill (Pop life) We all got a space 2 fill (Pop life) Everybody can't be on top life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop Dig it Tell me, What's that underneath your hair ? Is there anybody living there ? (Anybody living there) Can't get over U say U just don't care (Don't care) Show me a boy who stays in school and I'll show U a boy aware Dig it (Pop life) Everybody needs a thrill (Pop life) We all got a space 2 fill (Pop life) Everybody can't be on top Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop Dig it (Uh) (Ooh) What cha' puttin' in your nose ? Is that where all your money goes ? (Is that where your money goes?) The river of addiction flows U think it's hot But there won't be no water when my fire blows Sing it (Pop life) Everybody needs a thrill (Pop life) We all got a space 2 fill (Pop life) Everybody wants 2 be on top Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop Dig it Pop Life Everybody needs satisfaction (Pop life) I want chemical reaction (Pop life) Everybody wants to get high But u dont see no one standing in line to say bye bye Thats pop life Everybody needs a thrill (Pop life) We all got 1 space 2 fill (Pop life) Everybody can't 2 be on top Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that Pop Pop Life (Pop life) Awh (Pop life) ??? (Pop life) I wanna be, Wanna be on top Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that Pop It's got that Pop life Tell me (Pop life) Tell me , What's the matter with your sex ? (Pop life) Is 15 minutes your best ? I guess U (Pop life) I guess U , Gotta get it off your chest Why'd U need another love , U know that I'm the best ? I guess that's pop life Me body needs satisfaction (Pop life) I want chemical reaction (Pop life) Everybody can't be on top Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop U sing , Now Pop life (Pop life , Pop life) Life it ain't real funky, Unless it's got that pop Dig it Pop life (Oh) Pop life (Is it bringing U down) Pop life (Is it bringing U down yeah) Life it ain't real funky (Life it ain't real funky) Unless it's got that pop (Unless it's got that) (Pop life) U sing it (Pop life) Everybody (Pop life) Everybody Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop (Unless it's got that pop life) Yeah , Yeah (Pop life) Mmm yeah, yeah (Pop life) Yeah everybody needs a thrill Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop Sing it (Pop life) (Pop life) (Pop life) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop U sing it now (Pop life) (Pop life) (Pop life) I can hear u baby darling' say it !! Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop (Pop life) (Pop life) (Is he jerkin' U a round) (Pop life) (Did he put your million doller check in some elses box) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop (Im singing now) (Pop life) (Yeahh) (Pop life) (Pop life) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that (Unless it's got that pop life) (Pop life) (Pop life) Everybody needs a thrill Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop (Pop life) (Summertime) (Pop life) (Pop life) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop Pop life (Pop life) Pop life (Pop life) Pop life (Pop life) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that Pop So what's the matter with your life ? _____ Recorded at Sunset Sound, L.A. Between Feb and March, 1984. Drums by Sheila E. The song refers to cocaine abuse.Prince wrote it after seeing some of his friends, Including Morris Day and Vanity, fall victim to it. | |
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Didn't the song Pop Life start off as a jingle that Coca Cola asked Prince to write before they adopted the "Coke is it" slogan? | |
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mplsmike said: Pop Life
What's the matter with your life ? Is the poverty bringing U down ? Is the mailman jerking U 'round ? Did he put your million dollar check in someone else's box ? Tell me ? (Mm), What's the matter with your world ? Was it a boy when U wanted a girl ? (Boy when U wanted a girl) Don't U know straight hair ain't got no curl? (No curl) But life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop Dig it (Pop life) Everybody needs a thrill (Pop life) We all got a space 2 fill (Pop life) Everybody can't be on top life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop Dig it Tell me, What's that underneath your hair ? Is there anybody living there ? (Anybody living there) Can't get over U say U just don't care (Don't care) Show me a boy who stays in school and I'll show U a boy aware Dig it (Pop life) Everybody needs a thrill (Pop life) We all got a space 2 fill (Pop life) Everybody can't be on top Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop Dig it (Uh) (Ooh) What cha' puttin' in your nose ? Is that where all your money goes ? (Is that where your money goes?) The river of addiction flows U think it's hot But there won't be no water when my fire blows Sing it (Pop life) Everybody needs a thrill (Pop life) We all got a space 2 fill (Pop life) Everybody wants 2 be on top Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop Dig it Pop Life Everybody needs satisfaction (Pop life) I want chemical reaction (Pop life) Everybody wants to get high But u dont see no one standing in line to say bye bye Thats pop life Everybody needs a thrill (Pop life) We all got 1 space 2 fill (Pop life) Everybody can't 2 be on top Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that Pop Pop Life (Pop life) Awh (Pop life) ??? (Pop life) I wanna be, Wanna be on top Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that Pop It's got that Pop life Tell me (Pop life) Tell me , What's the matter with your sex ? (Pop life) Is 15 minutes your best ? I guess U (Pop life) I guess U , Gotta get it off your chest Why'd U need another love , U know that I'm the best ? I guess that's pop life Me body needs satisfaction (Pop life) I want chemical reaction (Pop life) Everybody can't be on top Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop U sing , Now Pop life (Pop life , Pop life) Life it ain't real funky, Unless it's got that pop Dig it Pop life (Oh) Pop life (Is it bringing U down) Pop life (Is it bringing U down yeah) Life it ain't real funky (Life it ain't real funky) Unless it's got that pop (Unless it's got that) (Pop life) U sing it (Pop life) Everybody (Pop life) Everybody Life it ain't real funky unless it's got that pop (Unless it's got that pop life) Yeah , Yeah (Pop life) Mmm yeah, yeah (Pop life) Yeah everybody needs a thrill Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop Sing it (Pop life) (Pop life) (Pop life) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop U sing it now (Pop life) (Pop life) (Pop life) I can hear u baby darling' say it !! Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop (Pop life) (Pop life) (Is he jerkin' U a round) (Pop life) (Did he put your million doller check in some elses box) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop (Im singing now) (Pop life) (Yeahh) (Pop life) (Pop life) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that (Unless it's got that pop life) (Pop life) (Pop life) Everybody needs a thrill Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop (Pop life) (Summertime) (Pop life) (Pop life) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that pop Pop life (Pop life) Pop life (Pop life) Pop life (Pop life) Life it ain't real funky , Unless it's got that Pop So what's the matter with your life ? _____ Recorded at Sunset Sound, L.A. Between Feb and March, 1984. Drums by Sheila E. The song refers to cocaine abuse.Prince wrote it after seeing some of his friends, Including Morris Day and Vanity, fall victim to it. exsqueeze me? that version isnt on atwiad is it? was i jipped? what version is that?! | |
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Ohhh...sorry
That was the Version that was released on The U.K 12" It's basicly the same track as on ARTWIAD... But where the Lp ends...With the bell,fight (Knock the man out) At the end of the song This one has no bell (fight) part....just keeps going As if it was really the uncut version... It's about 8-9 minutes long... U know there was 3 versions don't U 1.Lp 2.Fresh Dance Mix 3.U.K version | |
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mplsmike said: Ohhh...sorry
That was the Version that was released on The U.K 12" It's basicly the same track as on ARTWIAD... But where the Lp ends...With the bell,fight (Knock the man out) At the end of the song This one has no bell (fight) part....just keeps going As if it was really the uncut version... It's about 8-9 minutes long... U know there was 3 versions don't U 1.Lp 2.Fresh Dance Mix 3.U.K version well uh..i do now...  | |
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Two totaly different versions were released as 12'' singles
In the U.S.A (Fresh Dance Mix) (6:22) This is a remix. In the U.K (Extended Remix) (9:04) This is no remix, it's a full version of the song. It's the same some as the Lp, But were it should fade out. The track plays on. Has a lot more extra lines, vocals. | |
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Yeah
Peace! Aristocrats on a mountain climb Making money, losing time Communism is just a word But if the government turn over It'll be the only word that's heard America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Little sister making minimum wage Living in a 1-room jungle-monkey cage Can't get over, she's almost dead She may not be in the black But she's happy she ain't in the red America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Freedom Love Joy Peace Jimmy Nothing never went 2 school They made him pledge allegiance He said it wasn't cool Nothing made Jimmy proud Now Jimmy lives on a mushroom cloud America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Freedom Love Joy Peace boom, boom, boom, boom the bomb go boom, boom, boom, boom the bomb go boom. Teacher, why won't Jimmy pledge allegiance? republican? I don't know if the term is even meaningful today, but these lyrics scream the most conservative, right wing, mainstream , old pro american attitude! According to these lyrics even the sister living in the most ghetto poor circumstances is happy she isn't lving outside of america in a communist state! If you don't support your country you will die (mushroom cloud). This is the sentiment that helped Bush win the election. The sentiments of most uneducated conservative america..... or am I wrong? Handclapsfingasnapz said: meow85 said:
"America" is so far from being a Republican song... it's so far from it, it'd be like the distance between california and lower neptune. My art book: http://www.lulu.com/spotl...ecomicskid
VIDEO WORK: http://sharadkantpatel.com MUSIC: https://soundcloud.com/ufoclub1977 | |
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ufoclub said:[quote]Yeah
Peace! Aristocrats on a mountain climb Making money, losing time Communism is just a word But if the government turn over It'll be the only word that's heard America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Little sister making minimum wage Living in a 1-room jungle-monkey cage Can't get over, she's almost dead She may not be in the black But she's happy she ain't in the red America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Freedom Love Joy Peace Jimmy Nothing never went 2 school They made him pledge allegiance He said it wasn't cool Nothing made Jimmy proud Now Jimmy lives on a mushroom cloud America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Freedom Love Joy Peace boom, boom, boom, boom the bomb go boom, boom, boom, boom the bomb go boom. Teacher, why won't Jimmy pledge allegiance? republican? I don't know if the term is even meaningful today, but these lyrics scream the most conservative, right wing, mainstream , old pro american attitude! According to these lyrics even the sister living in the most ghetto poor circumstances is happy she isn't lving outside of america in a communist state! If you don't support your country you will die (mushroom cloud). This is the sentiment that helped Bush win the election. The sentiments of most uneducated conservative america..... or am I wrong? Yes, you are wrong!! | |
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I don't Prince is being hypocritical... or ironic...or sarcastic.
The lyrics to America are straight up. Just like the song "Free" or "Ronnie Talk to Russia" He supposedly even made the video for America because he was patriotically homesick from being in France! My art book: http://www.lulu.com/spotl...ecomicskid
VIDEO WORK: http://sharadkantpatel.com MUSIC: https://soundcloud.com/ufoclub1977 | |
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SexyBeautifulOne said:[quote] ufoclub said: Yeah
Peace! Aristocrats on a mountain climb Making money, losing time Communism is just a word But if the government turn over It'll be the only word that's heard America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Little sister making minimum wage Living in a 1-room jungle-monkey cage Can't get over, she's almost dead She may not be in the black But she's happy she ain't in the red America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Freedom Love Joy Peace Jimmy Nothing never went 2 school They made him pledge allegiance He said it wasn't cool Nothing made Jimmy proud Now Jimmy lives on a mushroom cloud America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Freedom Love Joy Peace boom, boom, boom, boom the bomb go boom, boom, boom, boom the bomb go boom. Teacher, why won't Jimmy pledge allegiance? republican? I don't know if the term is even meaningful today, but these lyrics scream the most conservative, right wing, mainstream , old pro american attitude! According to these lyrics even the sister living in the most ghetto poor circumstances is happy she isn't lving outside of america in a communist state! If you don't support your country you will die (mushroom cloud). This is the sentiment that helped Bush win the election. The sentiments of most uneducated conservative america..... or am I wrong? Yes, you are wrong!! I agree with you. I always thought "America" (within it's subtext) was about him saying, "Yeah it's great to be in America but damn, we still got issues too". I always thought he was being saterical, no matter what he said. I heard Prince said it was "straight up patroitic." But one doesn't put in line about bombs going "boom" in the middle of a song about America the beautiful. The bombing, to me, is like a jarring effect that cuts right through the lovely picture of what many think America is. Yet we still pledge allegiance (blindly). I think that's why on the album version ends with the line: "Teacher, why won't Jimmy pledge allegance." | |
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silverchild said: I just got finished listening to Pop Life, and some of the lyrics really scared the hell out of me. I just wanted 2 know what the song was really about, was it another What's Going On?
pop goes mama when daddy gets a little 2much Yesterday is dead...tomorrow hasnt arrived yet....i have just ONE day...
...And i'm gonna be groovy in it! | |
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musicman said:[quote] SexyBeautifulOne said: ufoclub said: Yeah
Peace! Aristocrats on a mountain climb Making money, losing time Communism is just a word But if the government turn over It'll be the only word that's heard America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Little sister making minimum wage Living in a 1-room jungle-monkey cage Can't get over, she's almost dead She may not be in the black But she's happy she ain't in the red America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Freedom Love Joy Peace Jimmy Nothing never went 2 school They made him pledge allegiance He said it wasn't cool Nothing made Jimmy proud Now Jimmy lives on a mushroom cloud America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free America, America God shed his grace on thee America, America Keep the children free Freedom Love Joy Peace boom, boom, boom, boom the bomb go boom, boom, boom, boom the bomb go boom. Teacher, why won't Jimmy pledge allegiance? republican? I don't know if the term is even meaningful today, but these lyrics scream the most conservative, right wing, mainstream , old pro american attitude! According to these lyrics even the sister living in the most ghetto poor circumstances is happy she isn't lving outside of america in a communist state! If you don't support your country you will die (mushroom cloud). This is the sentiment that helped Bush win the election. The sentiments of most uneducated conservative america..... or am I wrong? Yes, you are wrong!! I agree with you. I always thought "America" (within it's subtext) was about him saying, "Yeah it's great to be in America but damn, we still got issues too". I always thought he was being saterical, no matter what he said. I heard Prince said it was "straight up patroitic." But one doesn't put in line about bombs going "boom" in the middle of a song about America the beautiful. The bombing, to me, is like a jarring effect that cuts right through the lovely picture of what many think America is. Yet we still pledge allegiance (blindly). I think that's why on the album version ends with the line: "Teacher, why won't Jimmy pledge allegance." I'm sorry. I meant I think "America" is Prince being satirical. | |
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musicman said: I'm sorry. I meant I think "America" is Prince being satirical.
ditto. well, not so much satirical, per se... | |
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ufoclub said: ...
She may not be in the black But she's happy she ain't in the red ...According to these lyrics even the sister living in the most ghetto poor circumstances is happy she isn't lving outside of america in a communist state! Thanks for the new perspective on this line. | |
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