I've been trying to get into the "Musicology" album again lately
and the thing that bothers me even more than Life of the Party +
Cinamon Girl, is this back2back horridness that is

"Marrying Kind/If I Was The Man In Ur Life"




What is it that makes people applaud these songs so much and even
say that they would be great singles?

They both sound like an idea that fell between the floorboards in
early 96 when he was recording some "rockers" for emancipation...

It's one of those songs that try to reach back to the "gold" era
but just don't cut it.

So what is it that makes you like these songs so much? Tell me,
perhaps some of your arguments can win me over to the dark side

For me, "Marrying Kind" is easily the best track on Musicology. Sure, it does feel a little like its from the Gold era (perhaps "Eye hate U")?, but I can't see what is wrong with that.

Man in Ur Life however does very little for me.

"If Eye Was The Man In U'R Life" sounds like a Beyoncé-d version of "She's Always In My Hair" to me. I could have doe without the Beyoncé-d factor, but hey: one genius and one avoidable make still something rather decent.

The whole album sucks donkey balls, but these two tracks are about the best things on it.

MetroArea said:

but WHY?

I can understand why they stand out on the album, but they're not
that good are they?

Surely, "Reflection" & "Mr Man" are better tracks than these two?

what is it that makes them so special for most people?

Oh hell no. The best moment on "Musicology" is that "Ooooh hooo hoooo" part right after the first go through "Call me on the day that you and him....". That part always floors me. Only P could pull that off. Also, the two Prince vocals lines in the second verse (in octaves) is really cool. Great lyrics, too. One thing I don't like about the tune is the outro. Prince shouldn't do jazz, as he doesn't do it well. But whatever. That's a small complaint.

IstenSzek said:

I don't think they're that good, but they are pretty decent examples of when Prince tries to sound current, and it works.

Like Novabreaker said, IIWTMIYL sounds like he was going for the 'Beyonce' sound.

I'm not really a fan of much modern chart music, but Prince did pretty well on that track with trying to sound upto date (chart music-wise).

I agree with IstenSzek. What is it about those songs? They really do zero for me. The Marrying Kind is a bit better than the other one but still...
the only thing I like about it are the vocals.
And those lyrics...

calldapplwondery83 said:

I'm gonna put her on the same diet missy went on
you know she eat to much


hell yeah, now those are some lyrics that will
stand the test of time. just like this one:


and now you got that triflin baracude hangin round
hangin round your neck like a cheap gold chain

IstenSzek said:

Yes, but I was particularly thinking about "a faithful one-man woman/best he would ever find". Almost as bad as "the bible's the only book she reads". That has to be the worst he EVER sang, lyric-wise.

calldapplwondery83 said:

forgive me for not quoting that turd of a lyric,
but I didn't have the cd near so I could only do
some lyrics off the top of my head.

but yes, indeed, that line is very bad. about as
bad as some of the lyrics in "whatdouwantme2do",
which is a good song but once again with lyrics
that are quite pathetic.

I remember those celebration 2002 performances
of Peach:


"The bible is the only book I read
I'm a peach"




however, the music compensated in that case cuz
the funk was sweaty and thick and the guitar ah
the guitar, it soared like never before.

I still turn it down whenever other people are
around though

I am not so crazy about the marring kind but it is an ok song. But If I was the man in your life I think is the best song on the album. I just like the grove, his singing, it is catchy I don't I just like to listin to it in the car!

Ok, my 2 cents. I'm not particularly in to "The Marrying Kind" - its a bit Broadway for me, you know? Sometimes he just goes way too dramatic with his rock opus type stuff and it loses its passion. Its in the same vein as 3 Chains O Gold and Strays of the World for me. And the other annoyance in the track is the fucking Britney Spears impersonation when he sings "if she runs to me....I-ee-ay-ee.....I won't run away" - that spears-esque wobble on the I is just tired and so (currently) derivative.

Man In U're Life is far better and I love this tune, except for that fact that its too short! I think its one of the standout cuts on the album, but I'd have preferred him to either jam out more whilst it was rocking (a la ICNTTPOYM - SOTT) or extend that jazz coda at the end. I can't see why people don't really dig this tune - for me, its one of his best, straight-ahead rock moments!

Now, I don't have any of Beyonce's stuff (only heard her tracks on the radio) but this doesn't sound anything like what I've heard of her. In fact, this track reminds me more of groups like SuperTramp, or Weather Report. The beautifully simple, staccatto piano chords on the beat, the crisp drums, well delivered (if slightly lite) lyrics and it just stomps and flows - I always turn this UP!

But, horses for courses I suppose

i dont care too much for either song ... not bad... but not really good either

IstenSzek said:

Perhaps because it had been a long time since a bundle of songs tracked in an album was put together since Rave. The whole project had only mediocre songs on it at best - a few stinkers, and you know kids today love to praise things that nobody else likes up into cult status. So you say that they are not that good. Pay it no mind and just look forward to the next album on the way. When it comes out, the short attention span kids will move on to praising another couple lesser tracks sho'nuff.

Hmmm, even I find that snobby, patronising and without foundation.... and I'm 32!

IstenSzek said:

-----
You looking for some deep substance in pop music today and you are not going to find it. I just like to hearing P tone down the sexuality without totally during away with it and at the same time showing his sense of humor.

calldapplwondery83 said:

-----
What is so bad about that lyric?. Considering what the song is about.

i just like them, because they are fun to listen to and i find the production of it glossy and sweet.

ThaCat said:

you're the first one that's making me want to give them another listen.

IstenSzek said:

well i dont want to waste my listenin mood trying to figure out what other P song sounds similar to them or compare them against any other,

i try to listen to each song i ever listen to in my life as the first SONG i have ever heard, just keep an open mind to everything and you will enjoy most things.. fair enough he could write better or worse,

i Don't see anything wrong with the songs, poppy yes, simple lyrics yes, but for me i find absolutely nothing wrong with that, music should always be a pleasure at first not trying to figure out meanings, do that later, when you gotten over the fun of listenin to the tracks..

People like these songs because they can feel Prince's passion. It was his passion that brought him to the surface of music in the early 80's. We've missed his passion and i think ppl hear it on these tunes.

The lyrics seem strange but compare it to story telling. What doesn't make sense to one might make sense to another.

Maybe it's like the story about the love between a man and a woman. The love that they had for each other caused them to sell their most precious belongings for gifts for the other. The man sold his pocket watch to buy his woman a hair ornament while the woman cut her hair to buy her man a chain for his pocket watch.

I like them cause they are fun upbeat and have a more electric
sound than the rest of the album which sounds a bit more
pop lite/ adult contemporay. These tracks actually make me wanna dance
not just tap my foot.

Best 2 songs on the album.

These are easily the two best songs on Musicology. They sound like true Prince to me, something coming from his soul more so than songs like "Life O the Party" and such.

Isten, where did you go wrong, my love?

"That's when I'm gon' lay her 'cross my piano stool and...sing to her!"

Classic naughty Prince switch-up.

And how can you not get into the melody of The Marrying Kind?

If Eye Was, to me, is one of the great examples of Prince singing less-than-earth-shattering lyrics (If I was the man in your life, I'd make you happy; I'd treat you right) in a way that is so convincing, they don't seem silly.

FunkMistress said:

-----
Co-Sign.

FunkMistress on point as always

Mindflux said:

You just know CalhounSq is gonna come in here and IstenSzek for dissing her favourite Musicology tune

Take cover!