Judas Smile

CHORUS:
U been bamboozled, hoodwinked, took
If U thought that U could put me down
And not get a page in my book
U been bamboozled, hoodwinked, took
Tryin' 2 ball, U will fall
And never get a second look

Before me there was nothing
Without the eye U cannot see
Just a form in the darkness
I brought the light and U believed
With everyone of my creations
A future story would be told (Change it up)
I tried 2 change it up with temptation (With temptation)
But all your claims must be sold (Walk away with soul, soul)

4 every soul there's a buyer (There's a buyer)
4 every action there's a price (How much U pay for that, dude?)
4 every option there's a tryer
But when the claim run out, ain't nothing nice
That's why...

CHORUS

I changed your name, it didn't suit ya
I did the same 4 a little while (The same 4 a little while)
The day your love led 2 revenue (Talkin' about the money)
In return a Judas smile (Hahaha, U gave me)
What I am will never fade away
Like U being funky - it'll never be
Woo hoo, (What I am) What I am U will finally see (U will see)
Then U will admit 2 4 part harmony

CHORUS
(Hoodwinked)
(Ah, come on)

1979 times 2 or maybe a bit 'fo that
Me, your sister and yo' brother got paid when the man let 'em up 2 bat
Whaddya do, do U act like a fool and wonder why your people disown ya?
Sang any song Mr. Charlie wanna sang, see around here we don't know ya

They'd have 2 take me out (Okay)
4 treating B like a B if she ain't one
And if she is it's no good like a rat in the hood
We gonna give her a Bible and then some
Come on! (Uh)

The chocolate invasion starts here {x3}

The chocolate invasion
Neapolitan born 2 rule
I never was fond of a dumb blonde
That can't swim in the carpool
Your secret's out da box, B.
'Less U 'fess up 2 what U stole
Here's what we think - U're the weakest link
Get ready 'cause we coming with the old school (Old school)
Old school (Old school) {x2}
Come on, come on - give it 2 me, baby
(That's music, baby)
(Keep doin' it)

Ahh Mr. Aussieman what makes ya think I'll work 4 U?
Paying 15 cents on the dollar
Those are the wages of a fool, nigga
Pinocchio mentality on levels more than 9
From now on the only piece U'll ever get from me's my mind

Chocolate invasion starts here
Chocolate invasion starts here (Ahh)
The chocolate invasion starts here {x2}

Now wait a minute
How dare U call a robot 'Mecca'?
I knew that smack was jive
Step right up 2 the minstrel show
Starts in about 5 minutes
Confess these shuffling punks (Yeah)
Everyone claiming no sin
Act the fool if U wanna
Guess the quickest way out (Tell 'em) is the way in

(Bamboozled) U been bamboozled, hoodwinked, took
If U thought that U could put me down
With a song that got no hook (Oh no)
The chocolate invasion starts here
No matter your color U're still my brother
If U've got no fear - uh!
The chocolate invasion starts here
U still our sister although we missed ya
Come wipe away your tears

Peace 2 Common, (D'Angelo, Macy Gray, Lenny Kravitz)
2 brother Curtis - big love
Maceo (Larry Graham, Patti Labelle)
Erykah Badu

The chocolate invasion starts here
Chocolate invasion starts here
The chocolate invasion starts here {x2}


So what is everyone's take on what it means. Who's it about? Obviously punches are thrown to the record companies. Also, wasn't this once called "Judas Kiss"?

I seem to remember some discussion that *some* of the lyrics to this song were supposed to be about Vanity who now goes by her given name Denise Matthews.

these are YOUR interpratations of the lyrics

the day p prints out the lyrics himself then ill have a wee gander!

skywalker said:

isn't this about a Steven Spielberg movie that has
a robot called "Mecca" in it?

"Here's what we think, U're the weakest link"

I'm sure Anne Robinson would appreciate that

lol i always think of Anne Robinson when i hear that line

paisley2002 said:

IstenSzek said:

In the film A.I., all robots were called "Mecha" as in 'mechanical'. Prince's interpretation is that it resembled an old racial slur.



.
[Edited 4/7/05 15:05pm]

I never really analyised the lyrics right the way through, but I always thought it was about Mayte.

Jestyr said:

I always thought he meant it as in "how dare you call a robot mecha"
as in Mecca -in muslim religion

r u sure its "aussieman"? why would P work 4 any1 in Australia?

tafnap said:

i think it's more like "mister r.c.e. man" as in
record company exec, or something like it.

i always thot it was against record companies in the metaphor of an anti-malcolm x song - if u get wat i mean? , many christian groups described malcolm's charasmatic smile as a "judas smile" at the time, also all that bamboozled, hoodwinked, took stuff - is directly from malcolm x, it veers into a whole host of weird lyrics that can't possibly be about malcolm or record companies, but it follows that theme, thats wat i always thot anyways - im not saying thats wat it IS

I don't know about the entire song, but it seems the first part is about Mayte -- "Like you being funky -- it'll never b" -- I always thought it was a dig at her, saying he built her career, gave her a stage name, wrote her music, and she cared more about money. Who knows.

IstenSzek said:

Huh? But Prince isn't even muslim. In the movie, (Did you see it?) robots are marginalized the same way minorities in our society have been.

Didn't this come out not soon after Prince had contributed another song called 2045:Radical Man to the film Bamboozled's soundtrack album . I always assumed
that the lyrics were some sorta reference to that film , anyone actually seen
Bamboozled ?

update:Plot Summary for Bamboozled (2000) A Spike Lee film
Dark, biting satire of the television industry, focusing on an Ivy-League educated black writer at a major network. Frustrated that his ideas for a "Cosby Show"-esque take on the black family has been rejected by network brass, he devises an outlandish scheme: reviving the minstrel show. The hook: instead of white actors in black face, the show stars black actors in even blacker face. The show becomes an instant smash, but with the success also comes repercussions for all involved.
[Edited 4/8/05 12:18pm]