There are always peops who don't like his new album and latest reinvention of himself. The oldest complaints I've heard are of Purple Rain, in which some peops think he sold out. But what about for Dirty Mind and 1999? Dirty Mind was veeeerrrrry different from Prince in that before he was soft and feminine and romantic, but with Dirty Mind he was rough and rude and dirty. Was there a faction of fans who didn't like his new direction? Were there people who didn't like Controversy? Were there peops who thought he sold out with 1999? I haven't heard any commentary about this, so I'm very curious.

doctamario said:

To be honest, I always loved the different directions that Prince went in. Been a fan since the late 70's, so it was always exciting to me to think...what will this album sound like?? Dirty Mind was exciting, then I thought, Okay, what's next? Then Controversy, okay, I can dig this, okay Prince, what's next?? 1999...and on and on and on.....The only thing that I'm a little concerned about with 3121, is that I want Prince to remain the innovator and not bend to the machine of radio. Ya Dig? I want him to stay fresh and pure when it comes to the music. He doesn't have to prove himself to anyone, and sometimes, the bent in Hollywood is that if you are not on the chart, you are passe. Bulls**t. I mean, the dude has over 30 years in the game now, so, just keep creating and enjoy the ride. Prince just needs to realize that he should stay in his cool state of mind. He's the innovator, don't worry about the awards or position on the charts, just play and create the music. If 3121 is pure Prince, then cool, but if he is creating to stay on a chart or to pander to the music powers that be, then, I'm going to have a problem with this CD. But, in the long run, whatever the dude puts out, I will buy it because, number one, I like the music overall, and number two, there just aren't that many musicians in the caliber of Prince....

Fan since I was nine. I was just along for the ride like I am now. I loved Controversy more than I loved Dirty Mind though.

After Purple Rain, I really couldn't undestand people who didn't dig ATWIAD. looking back, I really don't like the pop that was Purple Rain. It's an album I never listen to anymore with the exception of TBO and Computer Blue. ATWIAD shook all the bandwagon fans off.

Good question -- I'd also like to hear from some fans who were hardcore during 1978 to early-1980. How did you feel when Prince came out with Dirty Mind & Controversy -- and then 1999??

In defense of Purple Rain, I don't know anyone who felt Prince was selling out when Purple Rain was released -- how could he, there was nothing even close to it -- unless you feel that he purposefully became more rock-oriented to gain a wider white audience?? The only complaint I remember hearing at the time was that Prince was stealing from Hendrix (a black musician, btw) with the "Let's Go Crazy" ending blues-run guitar solo.

Been on the purple boat since 1981. An album could be excellent or just so-so, but you always know its Prince. Thats what I like.

Fan since 1984 from when i brought all his albums.

Nothing prince did pre 1989 dissapointed me (except the BA debacle)

Most stuff since has.

PurpleBilly said:

what was the BA debacle?

muirdo said:

lol

i thought he caused a rompus on a British Airways flight.
I guess you mean The Black Album.....it was heavily bootlegged why would it dissapoint you.

Jamzone333 said:

I feel the exact same way.

the only direction I didnt like was when he let Tony M. ruin the 'Diamonds & Pearls" album

I first got into Prince in 1979 with "I Wanna Be Your Lover". This was the disco era and the song really fit in well with it. When "Dirty Mind" came out, I don't remember anyone complaining about Prince's new direction. Disco (the era in which Prince first came out) was suddenly "dead" so it was just Prince moving on with the times.

However, it was totally different with the transition between "Purple Rain" and "Around The World In A Day". Prince had developed a sound of his own. Not only with his music but with his protegees also. The sound was very hot and was nowhere near going out of style. Prince changed his style right after he became the most popular thing on radio. Not only did I bitch but millions of other people bitched as well. He even lost long time diehard fans because of it (not just the newfound "pop" fans). From what I've seen, especially in the R&B community, is that Prince fell off and died after "Purple Rain" with the exception of a hit every blue moon.

it seems the reaction is always the same... some like the new stuff others do not... i was mad over PR becaues i wanted to go see his show! but he too popular. so i had no chance to get a ticket. then all of a sudden he said "no more tours" and i was like WTH...

vainandy said:

Thanks for the response. I just hadn't heard of any old fans being disappointed with pre-Purple Rain stuff but I had heard that some were disappointed with Purple Rain.

I was only about 10 when I got into P, which was during the "Prince" album. I wasn't into critiquing music at that time. I liked what I liked. I dug Prince, DM, Controversy and lost my mind with the 1999 album. I liked PR and ATWIAD and never felt he was selling out. By the time Parade (1986) came out, my fanaticism with P had waned. It really didn't have anything to do with the direction his music took.

It took me 18 years (2004) to get back on the Purple Bandwagon.

This Q cannot be answered.

The internet has created such an overwhelming display of opinions today.

We didnt know back then if there was such
conflicts, maybe they where not as clearly evident.

4nowneway said:

You know, I even liked D & P, because it was different. I was watching Big Screen DVD of Musicology and then it hit me, there really aren't that many African-American musicians that play guitar, piano, drums, etc, etc, etc. So when homeboy changed directions with Tony M's little rap, I dug it....

Krystal666 said:

I agree with most of the above, but it must never be forgotten that Prince always was and (unfortunately in some ways) still wants to be - a pop star.

While this remains the case, his music will always be chained at least somewhat to current pop fads and trends.

And look what happened to his music the one time he didn't seem to care about pop fashions. We got 'Rainbow Children'/ ONA album, tour, etc.

All that said though, I'm still looking forward to hearing 3121 in full.

A true Prince fan will like ANYTHING he comes out with. The fact that he is putting a new song, album or whatever out is fascinating, mindblowing even.

I've been a fan since I was nine, therefore I liked everything from the very beginning of his career. The "For You" album is timeless for the simple fact that's when he really broke into the game. I can't even name a favorite album because I like them all. I do however have my favorite song, "Pink Cashmere".

pinkcashmere33 said:

that is just SILLY. I like his most of the offical stuff i have heard (i have almost nothing of the NPGMC stuff... if i am going to pay full price for an album i want the fricking CD) but not all of it... so am i not a true fan?

and how sure are you that you like everything anyway? you have heard what 1/3 to 1/2 of his songs? how sure can you be?

pinkcashmere33 said:

For You

Kkirgirl said:

Exactly!!!!!

origmnd said:

doctamario said:

I think prince kinda answered this question over the years. What ever album was out at the time thats where he was during that time in his life. When people ask prince over the years which was his favorite album he would always say the one that was current at the time. I guess his albums are like the chapters of his life.

vainandy said:

It's nice 2 hear how U experienced his music before Purple Rain.
I'm always curious about that.
I became a fan with Purple Rain and I always felt he
quit that particular sound much to soon.
Sure,he couldn't keep doing that for years to come,
but I just got to know it!!

been a fan since 83

what an amazing amazing journey-never never dissapointed-occasionally frustrated
but i realy feel blessed that his music has done what its done to me!

doctamario said:

I've mentioned on here before about how many female fans totally flipped out when P released Dirty Mind. They tripped off of his new image, and his new wave type sound. When he came out with Controversy, it wasn't anymore tripping from fans. And with 1999, he had them right where he wanted them.

blackguitaristz said:[quote]

doctamario said:

I've mentioned on here before about how many female fans totally flipped out when P released Dirty Mind. They tripped off of his new image, and his new wave type sound. When he came out with Controversy, it wasn't anymore
Oh, and I was there from "Soft and Wet". Had a chance to see P at the Roxy in Hollywood during his second album, but I got sick the day before and my mom wouldn't let me go. Saw him first on the Controversy tour with the o.g. lineup of The Time and Zapp.

I remember the females going wild over "Still Waiting" the year before. Then he hooked them again a year after "Dirty Mind" with "Do Me, Baby" and "Girl" by The Time. After that was "International Lover" and "Free". You know how women love their slow jams and "Dirty Mind" only had "Gotta Broken Heart Again" which didn't get any radio airplay.

Actually, he could have put another slow jam on "Dirty Mind" because the album was only about 30 minutes and albums held about 40 to 45 minutes. I never really noticed many of them complaining though. Of course, I knew some females that liked to throwdown. Hmmm....I wonder if Hotlegs was in my area.
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[Edited 3/13/06 14:18pm]