There is always so much talk here on the org about the 80's and how much the music Prince created during that time is so loved, but what about the 70's 90's and post 2000 era? What one song do u regcognize as a Prince classic that doesn't get the love it deserves? Pick just 1 and describe WHY u think it is a classic song. I'll start:

Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife

Such a statement of love and dedication. Anyone who has ever been in love should appreciate those lyrics. Love the way the multiple Princes intertwine. The whispers. "a sweet baby smiling" gives me chills. The slow building languid intensity of the vocals. That sparse almost classical instrumentation. The emotional intensity of that final scream melting to the mellow fade out - beautiful.

Digital Garden and The War - I think they're the best 2 things Prince has released in the past 10 years.

NouveauDance said:

Those 2 tracks are indeed very special - Totally Agree !

I would add "If Eye Was The Man In Your Life" (even if its quite new...

Recent Prince classics? Most of these have little 'commercial potential', unlike most of his '80s classics, but who cares about that? I would definitely say 'The War' is high up there, but also 'The One', I Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore', 'Rainbow Children' (title track), 'One Nite Alone', 'Avalanche', 'Here On Earth', 'Xenophobia', 'Xpedition', 'Nagoya, 'Tokyo', 'Osaka'.

If I had to say one, today I would say 'Osaka'. Renato's piano playing on this is spine-tingling.

Last December is an amazing track.

Musicology
The Rainbow Children
The Everlasting Now
Pearls B4 The Swine
Arborteum
Reflection
Call My Name
I Love U, But I Don't Trust U Anymore
The One
Come On
The Last December
West

many more...

319
Pheremone
In This Bed I Scream

people really don't listen at all. I didn't ask for a list of songs. Don't we do enough of that here? I was trying to actually elict some reasons why u liked a song. What elements of it appeal to u? Why is it a classic? In other words try to reach a little deeper.

Miles said:

care to join me in marriage?

tricky99 said:

They sound really nice - how's that

To me One Nite Alone breathes the tension, the sexiness that I love from Prince.

He uses a form of song that is not explicit, more li=ke a soundscape.

To me One Nite Alone breathes the tension, the sexiness that I love from Prince.

He uses a form of song that is not explicit, more like a soundscape.

U're Gonna C Me

Sex in the summer

has that warm, soulful (dare I say it?) '60 vibe

the lyrics - like many of the great Prince songs, seamlessly flow from sexiness to peace and spirituality - and the chill feel of the music (it channels Sly, with even a feeling of Beach Boys "good times naivete") fits the words perfectly and is just plain delicious

though we ain't squrting jizz on a wedding dress or all over a cab, in this song, you know that all of us are gonna get some before the day is over

that's it, "...time to fire up the Honda and pick up Rhonda..."

IstenSzek said:

I don't think they have to be hits to make them classics, so i'm naming the following songs.....

U Make My Sun Shine --- duet with Angie Stone from 2001.. I discovered it on the recently released Chocolate Invasion album.. it takes me right to church.. he hits all of the gospel phrasings.. (when I heard those hand-claps toward the end, I thought I was gonna fall over)

Greatest Romance that's Ever Been Sold ---- i know a lot of people don't like it, but it's a tune that I often find sticks in my head ... plus, it makes me think of his totp performance, which is one of the sexiest I've seen.

Musicology ---- this one had to grow on me, but i like it a lot now

Call My Name ---- i think it has all of the elements that make up a good prince song... lush rhythm/hook, his sensual falsetto, his profession of love, the passion in his voice, the conviction with which he sings because it reflects where he is in his life rightnow

You got me thinkin' now... what else would i consider a classic... i'm gonna get back to y'all on this one.

altavista said:

And I forgot the add Baby Knows from RU2JF... it's like a funky Rolling Stones jam.. his live performance on totp is killer

Lovesign- Mellow beat, cool sample, positive lyrics
Hide the Bone- FONKAY!
I Hate U- very emotional, currently stuck in my head
The Most Beautiful Girl..- Makes me remember when I first started gettin into P
The Greatest Romance- What can I say? Im like the lone orger that LOVES Rave
7- Great beats, great song
Everlasting Now- Makes me dance, and forced me to give TRC another chance
Gett Off- love it
Cream- silky smooth, love it
Baby Knows- very cool
PoomPoom- funny and funky
Da Bang- I like the tempo changes a lot
Human Body- awesome song, dig the throbing beat
diamonds and pearls- Cheesy yet loveable,
Prettyman- "Maceo! Can you blow? Hey!"

Well what can I say? I quite enjoy post 80's Prince

as for th 70's, his 2nd album is in my top 5

.

Into The Light/I Will
A Million Days
Dolphin
Last December


All five of them are beautiful and breathtaking Pop/Rock songs.

Miles said:

Excellent choices!



I would add On The Couch,Family Name and N.E.W.S

thanks2joniandu said:

I would also add One Kiss At A Time (underrated gem) and Pearl B4 The Swine.

jackflash said:

I love your assessment of this song.

Hey keep it coming guys. Seems we all like more songs that don't usually get praise around these parts. thanks.

Alright, I'll pick just one (though there are plenty more):

Da Bang!

It's a "simple" song of course, nothing breathtaking songwriting-wise. But don't you just love the attitude? The instruments? This song's FUN! Plus it's a very unique song in the Prince cataloque.

Call My Name is the best Prince song in a decade. He's released some good stuff in between but that track really reminded me of why i stuck around listening to his music. Proof he can still write a really great song. It's one of his finest and in my Prince top 20.

I Hate U.
This song made me a real fan, it's funky and soulfull at the same time.

Eye Hate U -- it's got the classic Prince contradictory Gemini-type lyrics... full of Princely passion (love & anger at the same time)... he sings it beautifully... performs a raging guitar solo... includes a spoken story-line bit... and it's written and recorded beautifully -- you can tell he put some time into it. also, it was a "comeback" song of sorts (well, in Canada anyway)... i haven't met anyone who listens to this and doesn't like it.