I live in the UK (it might be relevant...).

I first bought the 1999 album in about 1986. That was on cassette. Since then I've also heard it on vinyl and CD.

Every single copy I've heard, Something In The Water has a crackling noise, loud, at about 2:57 into the song.

Is this on every copy in every country? Is it a mastering thing? What's going on?!

Always wondered...

unxx

Yeah, I hear it. Can't give an explanation though.

Never noticed it before but it sounds like an audio glitch that nobody in the production chain picked up on. Perhaps the levels got too hot and there was some clipping. How unprofessional! But seriously though there can always human error with these things and technology wasn't the same when that album was produced.

perhaps it was, oh i don't know - DONE ON PURPOSE?

Not a chance.

Just had a listen myself and it definately sounds like an error. Never really noticed it before but I hardly listen to 1999, I just don't like much of it:boxed:.

Anyway, maybe it's the something in the water that isn't computing?

DMSR on my 1999 CD has some ANNOYING scratches and distortions midway through the song. Anyone else's too?

Well, at least now I know it's not just UK copies or something.

I find it incredible you guys could miss it, it irritated the hell out of me, always, it's very audible!

I remember returning the tape to the shop in the mid-80s and getting another copy, still had that crackle on...

unxx

1999 was my very first Prince album and brings back fond memories whenever i listen to it.
To this day i still think its sounds quite fresh, althogu i am guilty of skipping the title track

Im listening to Something In The Water now and i notice the noise too.
I heard it before actually but never thought anything of it.

I don't have it here right now, but I remember actually thinking that this was done by Prince on purpose. To kind of underscore his desire/lust/confusion.

Thanks for pointing that out, i'd never noticed this myself in all the years i've had 1999. now i'm going to hear it every damn time!

I think it's Prince banging the microphone deliberately to further express the song's emotions. It does occur at a particularly dramatic point in the song as I remember.

If this is the section I remember, it seems to me that some of the background vocals are garbled or missing at this point.

unremarkable said:

Susan Rogers hit him in the mouth with the mic at that part for saying "BITCH! You think your special? well so do i" just before

There's also an engineering glitch in Lady Cab Driver. . . . FEEDBACK!!!!!
I'm not sure of the timepoint in the song....but it's driven me crazy since 1982.