Taken from an explanation of a mural found in a huge book shop here in England. The painting shows many famous writers stood on a balcony looking out over the millions of books in this converted railway station/bookshop....

"Dorothy Parker and her friend, Ernest'Papa' Hemingway. I included Parker, that archetypal New Yorker, because she somehow transcended her era (her name even now personifies trenchant wit, disenchanted love)"

Makes sense when you think about the song content I suppose

The song isn't about the writer.

"I needed someone with a quicker wit them mine, Dorothy was fast."

I've always interpreted the fictional Dorothy in the song to be a reference to the quick witted Parker. And unless Prince said so himself it just makes too much sense that he was using her as a metaphorical waitress of inspiration- his muse.

fmarasco said:

Exactly - thats what made it click for me...and then the bit about disenchanted love. I often forget just how clever Prince is and put some of his stuff down to conincidence or superficial choices when infact he is probably on a totally different level looking at people like me thinking "You thick twat, do I have to spell it out...listen again" mean while Im sat there scratching my head saying "nope I dont get it....why does she have maple syrup AND jam???" or "why is her cat scarlett???" (that last one was a joke by the way)

purpledoveuk said:

Clue me in. I am unaware.

milkandhoney said:

If you set your mind free, maybe you'd, like, get aware or something.

That song doesn't resemble Dorothy Parker or any of her characters. Maybe the story Big Blonde is somewhat close. I need an explanation of the meaning behind this song.

Apparently the song isn't about the writer and wit, Dorothy Parker.

Anyone who has DMSR will know this story, but seeing as some don't here's a synopsis - Prince apparenly 'dreamt' the song up, and didn't know of the real Dorothy Parker before hand. Susannah (or whomever) told him about the real Dorothy Parker.

He must have picked the name up subconsciously from seeing it in print, or hearing it around, but there it is, it's nothing to do with the real person - that is, if Prince was telling the truth.


» MetroArea
[Edited 3/30/05 0:51am]

MetroArea said:

That's always what it boils down to, isn't it? Prince may say one thing for months, even years -but who knows if he's gonna change his mind and recant later on?

hmm. I don't think the song is aobut the writer.

Crowded Room and bathtub are just thinly vieled metaphors for vagina.

The song is about vaginas.

Im sure its not ACTUALLY about teh writer but someone based on her - you cant deny the witty bit and the flirty-love parts....both relevant to Dorothy Parker..

AND SHE DIED ON HIS BIRTHDAY

The song is about vaginas.[/quote]

purpledoveuk said:

Too many coincidences, huh?

Prince likes to write alot. eye'm sure he loves 2 read 2. It's probably a good guess that the song has 2 do with Dorothy Parker the writer. She writes like he thinks.