This is the very first time it has happened, others may have had this experience and I wonder if, the first time, it felt as weird for you as it did for me.

I was on a swift visit to London and meeting a friend outside the Virgin Megastore in Piccadilly. I was early. I went inside and found the singles section. There it was. Te Amo Whatsit? The single. I picked it up. I looked at the back. NO b-side, NO mix, No video. £3.95 or something. More than a penny a second of music. I could not quite believe what I was seeing. Was this the man who released a twenty minute version of America on old vinyl? Was this the man who put out unreleased b-sides from his VAST BACK CATALOG? Was this the man who released a forty minute CD single for Cream? Yes it was. And here we were. Free Music.... It'll cost ya.

true.

You sound hawt.

believe it or not, making music costs money... it is a lifestyle and any person who desires to create art also knows it takes time... it is unreasonable and unnatural to think that a losing direction for sales of what obviously an artist thinks is his best work... after all, a video costs money... equipment costs money, locations cost money...it all costs money!! and if you dont have a company with alot of money behind it backing you, you have to recoup thorugh direct sales... stop your fucking bitchin and pay what the artist is worth!!!!

if you want backstreet boys, machine music, go buy that! but dont pitch a fuckin bitch when an artist wants his due because he deserves it!

back to your regularly scheduled programming

This thread is turning me on

7e7e7 said:

Actually, doesn't Prince have one of the biggest companies backing him currently? Also, since when is Prince asking for his due? It's not as if he just gave the finger to all of his fans for not having as much support in him as his 80's days. Paying what the artist is worth? Listen, it's about the artists music not just the artist...

Prince can make a hit come out of his ass if he really wanted to.

He's just too lazy... he needs to stay the hell away from ballads and bring back the funk. Fender jazz bass, Fender telecaster, Linn drum machine, wah wah pedal

PurpleKnight said:

one man's trash is another man's treasure. further more, it really ain't his fault that you think he ain't worth it...all that's on you and you alone.




[Edited 12/29/05 12:25pm]

7e7e7 said:

The funny thing is, it wouldn't cost any more for Prince to have added a few extra tracks (and for someone as prolific as Prince with so many unreleased songs lying around, not putting SOMETHING on there is pretty sad) AND if he's going to make money back on the production costs, then putting people off buying the CD by being so stingy with the music is not the way to do it.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

It's not about me. I'm not even commenting on the quality of the song when I say it's a bad deal. In this era of digital music, it's simply bad business to charge that much and not offer any kind of bonus track or special feature.

PurpleKnight said:

i'm not in the least bit surprised with the pricing, that's to be expected. the music industry isn't really interested in giving extras nowadays--they spoot out stuff and expect you to buy the shit, just because it's by whichever artist. the days of the extended/maxi-single are pretty much dead as it is.

Two things:

1) Value for money. Prince is in a market and, I presume, he's trying to make a living out of it. Relying on a dwindling support base for income is not going to be helped by producing something we all know he could have done better with. Also, a one track CD single; is that really the way to attract new fans? Maybe if the song was a good one.... That's a.n.other thing.

2) Remember that little spat he had with Warner Bros? Yes, yes, I know he changes like the wind, but wasn't the whole thing about money, I mean music? Wasn't the tagline to the concert "Free Music"? Let's hear a song man. It's now like he hasn't stuff to put on the CD, so that negates the cost aspect. He would be paying for studio time, musicians, engineers, heating, etc. He'd just be paying for a lightbulb in the vault and a pair of reading glasses to pick out the faded title of the tape he's holding.

He's worth it. Im buying. Where's it at?

actually it was "Free the Music"
but still, we haven't seen much of that now, have we?
maybe he just can't write 'em like he used to?
prove me wrong!

BoySimon said:

Same exact thing happened to me. I have been a fan since '81. Believe me, I have spent thousands of dollars on Prince music, when at times in college I did not have the cash, but there was this urge to get it. I like the song and love the vid, but for some reason I could not walk out the sto with it.

No b-side was disappointing. Don't really care it's his music, sweat and tears, he can include whatever he wants. I just remember getting a new single and having such excitement about a remix or b-side (even Too Whom It May Concern was kick ass). Suppose, the lack of excitement was why I put it down. Will probably still buy it at some point. Probably get swept up in buying 3121 and put it in the bag for the collection.

Will always support P in anyway I can. Actually, can't see myself wearing a Crescent Moon on my ear.
[Edited 12/29/05 13:51pm]
[Edited 12/29/05 18:38pm]

GoldenGlove said:

hey i said that..

You're right. I'll end up buying it at some point. Probably the next time I see it. I was just so disappointed at the whole thing. Trying to capitalise on the success of Musicology with such a half-assed release.... never mind. I'm sure the album will reinvigorate!

GoldenGlove said:

Ballads are boring no matter who the artist is, aside from the rare exception.

This song is no exception.

7e7e7 said:

Ok, schools in.

So by your way of thinking then, let's just say 3121 has 12 tracks equating at 3:37 each (the length of 'Te Amo Corozon') and each second is worth one pence (GB Stirling).

So, 'believe it or not' That means your 3121 album is going to set you back a royal £40:44 ($69:75 at the current conversion rate). One can only presume from this that you must get someone else to do your accounts

Oh, and to finish, ironically he DOES have a company with a lot of money behind it backing him, you may have heard of them - they're called Universal Records.

On How Come U Dont Call Me Anymore Prince says "its just one lousy dime baby". Pay phones are now 50 cents in the states. Its all Prince's fault. Get real man.

I was being facetious about the cost. Honest. I was really griping about the decline that's all.

Ballads boring? What about Tribute? That song kicks ass and is a rocking ballad. The D Rule!

Now you want a boring ballad.... try.... ahem.... Purple Rain.

And yes, the dime thing; it is Prince's fault. I asked him and he said he felt guilty about it, a foolish thing he did in his past, and he asks our forgiveness. I said, "Our forgiveness, but there's only one lord, Jesus." and he said, "I so confused."

B-side woulda been nice. Some of his b-sides are classics, others are just filler so it's not that much of a loss to me.


Personally, I don't have much need for CD-singles nowadays. Would just rip it and toss the CD in the closet anyway.

That's the thing, I've not yet bought into the whole i-pod, burning stuff.... I've only ever done one. And whilst it's nice having your choice of music on a CD, or whatever, a good bought CD is still a wonder. E.g. I just bought a re-mastered version of Ziggy Stardust, the Bowie album, and the quality of the liner booklet is superb. Stuff like that gets old men like me all a-tingle. Hey-ho.

BoySimon said:

I'm older than you are so I appreciate the value of something tangible. But there's a big difference between liner notes for a remastered classic album and a CD single with a pretty picture of Prince and some lyrics.

The former CD should absolutely be purchased(and ripped for backups sake).


The latter, is just worth a 77 cent download while I wait for the album to be released (which I will buy on CD, rip to the computer, and store the CD away).

BoySimon said:

It's not an age thing. I'm 20 and I'd rather go out and pick up a CD or vinyl. It just feels more real when I can hold the music in my grubby lil hands. I do download occasionally, but it's just not the same as the feeling you get picking up a long-awaited or much-wanted album.

meow85 said:

exactly. long awaited/much-wanted albums, its a no-brainer to get the CD.

CD-singles on the other hand don't usually hold that same urgency of "I gotta get my hands on it". Those I can download and wait to get my hands on the full album.

i've done the same thing with Te Amo. 3 times now. but hey, if it doesn't end up on the album, i'm guessing it'll still be able to get it at Best Buy when i need it. hell, they must have a whole warehouse full of copies of U Make My Sun Shine.

Sometimes Prince releases great cd singles with b-sides & remixes but then sometimes he releases singles that are quite simple & plain & don't have anything extra on them. Thats this one.
I just look at it as Prince released one song ahead of the album to give us a taste. Same as he did with Reflection & What Do U Want Me 2 Do from Musicology except this time instead of being downloadable only he has also made it available in a hard disc. But thats not good enough. There has to be more. What ever he does its not good enough by some peoples standards.
If you don't like the song don't buy it. End of story. Stop bitching there isn't more music & appreciate that there is one new song that is available on a cd instead of download only.

.
[Edited 12/29/05 16:17pm]