Batman.

The sheer vitality and force of the lyrics of this album transports one immediately into the arcane- and somewhat disturbing- depths of chiropteran spiritualism. ‘And where, and where… is the batman?’- a rhetorical plea; a demand, a questioning cry from our winged brothers of the night. The answer to this fundamental inquiry, of course, can only be found deep, deep within the lyrics of The of Arms of Orion.

richieb said:

richieb said:

That should be the intro to a real paper!

By the way, can anyone tell me the church Prince is standing in front of, on the cover of the Come album? It kind of looks like La Sagrada Familia... I'm probably totally off!

Time to get this back to my long-winded analysis!

On Valentine’s Day of 1996, married Mayte in a ceremony in Minneapolis. Attendees were given a program, reminiscent of the kind sold at concerts. Entitled “Coincidence Or Fate”, the program detailed how and Mayte were put together as souls, prior to their birth, by God. had reportedly been reading Embraced By The Light by Bettie J Edie, during the recording of The Gold Experience. The book details a supposed after-death experience, and the idea of mates meeting in Heaven is a prominent one in the book. The program makes it clear, under no uncertain terms, that and Mayte are soul-mates. God has decreed they are to be together (and, apparently, they have been for many lifetimes). Through a series of signs and portents, the two lovers discover their destiny for one another. would compose an instrumental piece entitled Kama Sutra, which featured movements with names such as “At Last…The Lost Is Found” and “The Plan”. All these themes would be revisted in ’s music in the days to come.

In mid-1996, delivered two albums to Warner Bros to free himself of the contract he had so hotly disputed over the past several years: The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (credited to “Prince”) and Chaos & Disorder (credited to ). The former would not be released by WB until 1999, and is largely made up of jazzy outtakes from the era forward. Other than an offhand reference to the Biblical tale of Cain & Abel, there is very little spiritual focus here.

Chaos & Disorder, on the other hand, features a few. “The Same December” is a plea for racial harmony, pointing out the foolishness of racism , since we all come from the same source (December possibly being a nod to Christmas?). The song contains a line detailing his belief in having a guardian angel, who will protect him until the day the demons are cast into perdition. Similarly, “Right The Wrong” warns those who have oppressed others to change their ways before they “hear the crackle of flames”. The albums spiritual centerpiece is “In2 The Light”, which again echoes many of the themes from Edie’s book of souls returning to their creator’s ever-lasting light. Not to be over-looked is the cryptic “Dig U Better Dead”, which may very well be a nod to his hardcore fan base accepting his notion of Prince dying and being reborn.

During this time, was becoming much more open with his fan base. He happily announced Mayte’s pregnancy, and detailed how he was working on a multiple disc set, entitled Emancipation, to celebrate his freedom from WB. He proclaimed himself to be happier than he’d ever been in his life.

Speaking of which, I am just now seriously digging into Emancipation. I ordered this album off ebay, oh, about 2 months ago. Don't ask!!

Looking at liner notes; interesting note on "The Holy River:" if we drown then we'll be delivered."
Anna Stesia / The Holy River - ??

Heiress said:

Oh, I'm getting to that!! In fact, it backs up my assertion that the name "Anna Stesia" could be a resurrection reference.

JediMaster said:

...and I'd like to hear your opinion about another interalbum connection, between Controversy & TRC (there are so many):

1+1+1 is 3, vs "what's to be expected is 3-3... absolutely nothing" (Sexuality, of course).

JediMaster said:

I agree with this. In DMSR Per Nilson does refer to the fact that Prince attended a neo-romanticism soiree in Europe in the late 70's early 80's. I've always felt like Romanticism embodies what Prince is. Romanticism focuses on creativity. I think Prince shares a spiritual view that I have as well, which is that God created the world and in essence God emdodies a creative force. To create is to strive to be like God, to be spiritual. I think romantics feel that creativity is more important than ideas like capitalism, socialism, industrialism (all having to do with possesion and gain.) To be a romantic is to strive to be like God and go the opposite way of the world. I don't know if all Romantics are spiritual romantics, but creativity is a central idea in romanticism. Princes version of romanticism, I think, is a spiritual version. This is the version that I have been adopting into my own personal philosophy as well in the past 5-6 years.

This is a great topic. I think it is a matter of time before Academia begins to recognize the spiritual messages Prince has been sending in his music. Princes work would make great material for religion/philosophy classes. I used some songs for a lesson in an urban high school setting once (used lyrics, audio, and video) and the response was amazing. We were looking at thematic imagery in LRC and PR and the kids applauded at the end of the lesson. It was great.

7lovesymbol7 said:

Kind of in the same vein as someone like, say, Flannery O'Connor is studied today. Maybe that'll be my class someday.

7lovesymbol7 said:

True that Romanticism has always contained a "back to nature" message, in that way striving to be closer to God by exploring the metaphysical side of it all. Beauty too is a gift from God. The Lake poets created a world of their own... Someone like William Morris, who was a pre-Raphaelite in his own right, made a beautiful Utopian statement in his life, handcrafts and writing. He was anti-religion in a way, but very much culturally affected by Christianity in his wish to preserve the earth, love thy neighbor and surround himself with a beauty without wastefulness...

Romantics are creators of worlds, utopias, on a large or small scale. Look at what Prince has done with the new breed, new power generation, paisley park, etc... ending, more or less, with the rainbow children.

Yeah, I know I'm skipping around a lot... but was just listening to "The Cross" again today...

When did this become "the Christ," does anyone remember? I know that he performed it like that on a TV special at some point, after he had started studying with JWs...

Heiress said:

The first time I saw it this way was on the DVD Rave in2 the year 2000. I don't know if he did it that way before, but that was new years eve 1999.

Heiress said:

The Essence Awards. Early '98 if I remember correctly.

Ruined a classic in my opinion. He should've wrote a new song about it.

LovesexyIsThe1 said:

December 31st, 1997 in Houston he introduced "The Cross" with a speach about Stauros. Soon after, he started performing it with the new lyrics. The Essence Awards was the first time I ever heard the new version.

I don't know if he "ruined" it per se, but I would prefer he just leave alone the material that doesn't jive with his current beliefs. To me, it illustrates your evolution so much better if you preserve your past, warts and all. rewriting history is pointless. I agree that he should have just written a new song about his feelings on this subject. Would have had more impact that way, IMHO.

JediMaster said:

Thanks for the info, guys.

Well, looks like one way or another, he made an impact. Even if it wasn't exactly the sort of impact some thought he should have made...

Back to Romanticism... has "Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother, Wife" ever made you think of this line from Shelley's "Epipsychidion?"

"Spouse! Sister! Angel! Pilot of the Fate..."