1. All My Dreams
Absolute epic in every sense of the word. This would've fit so perfectly onto Parade and it really frustrates me that this has never been officially released. Wendy & Lisa's contribution is really infectious and the lyrics are so uplifting, yet also quirky and fun at the same time. I really appreciate the sentiment behind the song as well. Only Prince would do something like this!

2. Face Down
This is truly one of his great funk tracks! The Poet 99 sample is really well-placed and the strings are awesome! I can no longer listen to the studio version as it sounds flat compared to the amazing live cut from 97. The bass, the guitar solo, the multi-layering... I would've so badly loved to have been in attendance the night he performed this!

3. Crystal Ball
Another masterpiece epic. One of his most experimental pieces of work, beautiful string arrangement (is it Clare?)... really trippy - sounds as if it was written when he was high as it's so other-wordly. I love the armageddon conceipt too.

4. Into The Light
The energy and passion in this track is so powerful. Rosie's vocals really shine on this. I love the way it goes into an unexpected sax solo... and the way it segues into I Will so beautifully.

5. The Line
I love the urgency in this track. I also love the Housequake-style dance-craze thing going on. Does he really say something about "doin' the macoronni"??? The false-fade is a moment of genius, especially when Bonni's vocals come in with the church organ in the background... pure magic!

6. Sometimes It Snows In April
Simple and sparse. One of the few tracks that is really captured perfectly in a live forum as well. Wonderful vocal delivery from Prince and a spine-tingling melody. I also love Wendy & Lisa's vocals at the beginning.

7. We Can Funk
I love the chanting, the backing vocals towards the end, the passionate screams... culminating in a huge climatic ending. It all works so perfectly!

8. Sweet Baby
A really touching melody with one of his most impressive vocal arrangements to date - the vocals are stacked in such a way that it sounds as if they are cascading. The sincerity in this track also shows a more human side to Prince.

9. Mad Sex
One of his more successful Hip-Hop efforts which is pure Prince through and through. I love the arrogant vocals but what really does it for me in this track is the be-bop piano line in the chorus which is replicated by the horns later on in the track. To me, his most under-rated track.

10. Love... Thy Will Be Done
Lyrically this is probably one of his most honest pieces of work to date. The vocal arrangement, as in Sweet Baby, is to die for! And the hook is just instantaneous. What a shame the 1990 version never saw the light of day on any albums.

Man, you just mixed and matched the best with the worst !

bonatoc said:

Although I like it, the "Graffiti Bridge" version is over-produced, but the coda is enjoyable.

But this can't compare with the original version, with the Hammond organ and Eric on the saxophone.

Another stupid idea was to eliminate the original intro of "Joy In Repetition" with the "Alphabet Street" one. The original is a simple bass tom with a delay, but man, when "He liked 2 frequent this club" comes in, you have goosebumps.
[Edited 1/22/06 16:03pm]

bonatoc said:

I thought that picking a track from New Power Soul would cause a stir! v

I know everyone prefers the original We Can Funk... maybe it's that I heard the Graffiti Bridge version first, I just find the original way too slow... there's so much energy and life in the officially released version.

MattyJam said:

I want to hear them!

I just tried to set up such a list for me. Chronologically (not by rank), it might be (potential subject to daily change):

1. Free

Not necessarily the best from 1999, but it has a deep personal meaning for me.

2. When Doves Cry

O.k., not a very surprising pic, but the synthi-coldness of this song is just timeless!

3. America

The beat, the guitar, it just all kicks ass. And the 12" version is one of my absolute favourites!

4. Kiss

Just like 2), not a very surprising one. But this tune really is THE Prince song for me. The funk guitar, the vocals, the minimalistic arrangement...

5. The Cross

Often overlooked imo. Great composition, takes its way from the silent beginning to the fantastic guitar work at the end.

6. The Question of U

Prince goes Blues at his best.

7. The Ride

The early Symbol days really should get more appreciation. I just love the whole minimalistic blues, played just with Michael B. and Sonny T. plus maybe some keyboard and Prince (or O+>) playing the shit out of his guitar.

8. Dolphin

The best song on TGE imo. Great melody and a fantastic clear guitar-based arrangement. Timeless!

9. Eye Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore

The "brings me to tears" ballad. So good, it can be depressing at times.

10. The Rainbow Children

Yeah, I just had to pick one of that album. Represents the whole vibe of the record best imo. Great musicianship.

I've heard a version of "Thieves In The Temple" with just voice and acoustic guitar. This is also a great moment in the "Bluesy" Prince files.

I also would like to mention "The Undertaker" live version with just Sonny T. and Michael B., definitely in a state of grace.

My top 10, in order of preference (1 = the best)

1. The Cross
2. Thieves in The Temple
3. Soft & Wet
4. Bambi
5. DMSR
6. The Ladder
7. Erotic City
8. Little Red Corvette
9. Sign 'O' The Times
10. Uptown
[Edited 1/23/06 3:52am]

#1 When Doves Cry (full version)

The ultimate Prince song?… probably. This song was #1 for 5 weeks in the U.S. and helped keep the “Purple Rain” album at #1 for 24 weeks! This is also an extremely experimental hit. It is a dance track with no bass line! Just a minimalist linn drum beat with a choppy keyboard rhythm and layered vocals. The lyrics are autobiographical and fit Prince’s character perfectly especially in the film “Purple Rain” this song is mentioned in most critics “Best songs ever” lists. it was voted better than Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” in Rollingstone.com’s 500 greatest songs ever list. This song is definatley a classic, one of the greatest songs ever written.

#2 Purple Rain

The best way to describe this song is “Just one of those songs…” a true classic. The opening chords are very distinctive and memorable. This is a song that appeals to whites, blacks, young, old, rich and poor… it’s just one of those classic guitar anthems that will never die. It was also the title track to Prince’s most successful album in 1984. The words and music are by Prince and the revolution, and this song shows off Prince’s guitar playing skills to the maximum.

#3 Gett Off

This was Prince’s first real stab at rap music. I am not a huge fan of rap, but this song contains Prince’s own unique style which I like. The song was a hit across most of the world in 1991. But the controversial video and lyrics assisted in it’s success as a single as the song appealed to fans of Rap, Hip Hop, Rock and Soul. The song is from the critically acclaimed “Diamonds & Pearls” album which contains the U.S.#1 hit “Cream”

#4 Sign ‘O’ The Times

Prince’s lyrical masterpiece. In this song written by prince he highlights many problems in society. It is a serious song about problems etc but is also upbeat and fun at the same time. The main genre is a mixture of Rock & Funk and the beat is great! This song shows Prince as a legendary songwriter & composer, and the improvised guitar solo towards the end suits the song perfectly.

#5 My Name Is Prince

This is one of Prince’s earlier hip hop songs. The song was a flop in the U.S. but made it to a respectable #7 on the UK charts. The lyrics are probably the best thing about the song, lines such as “One the first day go made the sea, but on the 7th day he made me” show humour and arrogance. The song is a very arrogant song, but it’s funny at the same time which makes it great. It has a very heavy backing beat which sounds very “1990’s”

#6 Musicology

Prince’s first single of 2004 with references to Sly, James Brown & Chuck D. In this song Prince sings about the art of “real music” over a nifty bass riff. Prince plays every instrument on the song and yet again wrote all the lyrics. The single was not a hit due to basically no promotion. (although the album WAS a hit). The main genre in this song is funk! And this was the title track to Prince’s comeback album and tour of 2004.

#7 Controversy

Prince’s finest old skool funk song. Recorded by Prince in his home studio in the early 80’s. This song represents everything “princely” in the early 1980’s. Especially the lyrics “People call me rude, I wish we all were nude, I wish there was no black and white, I wish there were no rules” Prince’s rhythm guitar isa it’s ultimate best in this song!

#8 A Million Days

This song is so underated it hurts. One of Prince's finest rock songs. People who aren't guitarists probably can't fully appreciate the skill required to pull off the short but sweet solo in this song. The song was never released as a single, although it is rumoured that a video was shot for the song. The lyrics are perfect "You're the perfect picture of what love should look like, and i wana be your frame" genius. But not quite a classic.

#9 Erotic City

Prince’s best B-Side track. The only reason this song was left off the Purple Rain album is because it was too controversial (explicit lyrics) the song is a “Funk/Dance” combo and was a popular choice for DJ’s in the 80’s and 90’s. The song is a duet with Shelia E and was the B-Side to the #1 U.S. hit “Let’s go Crazy”

#10 D.M.S.R
Dance, Music, Sex, Romance. Those four words sum up Prince, as does this song. It has everything you could look for in a Prince song. It has the full Minneapolis sound complete with synths, bass, rhythm guitar, and a catchy chorus. In this song Prince boasts “I don’t care to win awards! All I wanna do is dance, play music, sex, romance!” This song has been a popular choice at live shows throughout Prince’s long career and was played regularly at 2004’s record smashing Musicology tour.

GoldenGlove said:

Cheek said:

Fonky...

GoldenGlove said:

You just love to post your favourites!!!

Kool lists!



Just for the hell of it, mine are:



1)The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker


2)Joy In Repitition(full version) -(for me, it has to have that opening 'heartbeat' percussion)


3)Adore


4)Let's Work


5)Elephants And Flowers


6)White Mansion


7)A Large Room with No Light (aka Welome 2 The Rat Race)


8)Electric Chair


9)Sexual Suicide (them horns just kill me!)


10)Pop Life (12- inch version)




...
[Edited 1/23/06 8:53am]

MattyJam said:

I'm happy to see someone not doing the typical top 10 of 80s hits. That gets really old after a while. Thanks for the variety.

doctamario said:[quote]

MattyJam said:

IMO an artists biggest hits or most well-known songs very rarely reflect their greatest work.