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I think ONE of the reasons the song is failing is because, and think about this now, it's pretty hookless. I don't think there's one hook in the entire song. It's funky and groovy but like other posters have said it has no memorable can't-get-you-outta-my-head-sing-in-the-shower chorus.
Same with TAC, no memorable chorus at all. I might as well mention "Musicology" as well. It's telling that "Call My Name" has the most memorable melody and chorus, and that was Prince's last impressive chart showing, staying in the Top 100 for 16 weeks! |
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truefunksoldier said: metalorange said: So how do you explain all the weak, throwaway songs that are poorly written and become hits by other artists? By your logic none of those would be hits either. These days it is far less about being 'well written' and far more about being pushed down our throats on the radio. And that is simply where Prince is losing out. Time and time again Orgers comment that they never or hardly ever have heard it on the radio, when plenty of other duff songs are being played every hour. Instead of making generalisations, how about listing some of those songs that you think are weak and poorly written which have become hits? And remember just because you don't like a song doesn't mean it's not well written and/or catchy. Well, I could give you a whole list of boy/girl bands that have had hits that are so bland and using recycled lyrical tosh that is forgotten within weeks, but say within the same funky context as Black Sweat, a global hit like the Black Eyed Peas 'My Humps' which is certainly not the gold standard of lyrical integrity. However, even I think it is pretty catchy, but that was not in your original statement, which was purely 'throwaway' and 'poorly written'. I would argue that Black Sweat is decently 'catchy' but even that has not made it a hit. Remember, simply because you don't like Black Sweat doesn't mean it's not well written and/or catchy...! | |
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I think it's because Prince wants people to buy 3121, not the singles. | |
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NPD313 said: SPANKY...This baffles me too!
Because any song now-a-days can be a hit on radio. There's so many sucky songs on radio. Pink's latest single sucks balls big time! Pussycat dolls latest single isn't all that great! Kelly Clarkston also has a single out now, which isn't all that great upon first listen. But its all about promotion and getting the single played enough to get a hit! I know alot of non-prince fans who actually love "BLACK SWEAT", they would tell me the BIG Prince Fan, I saw your boys video on MTV and even thou I never got into his music, I'm digging that song. The Song is an instant hit! It has fire and its definitely what the industry needs now! Its something refreshing and daring at the same time. I am a DJ, I've worked in radio for awhile now and I know for a fact that this song could fit into hip hop & pop top 40 formats, but the fact is Prince took the industry head on a few years back and dissed everyone. So now their not trying to hear him and give him a chance. They've pretty much black balled him. Most radio programmers hate PRINCE for some reason. Universal and other major labels know Prince's talent and are aware of his potential even after all the backlash towards record companies. They know PRINCE can still sell records thats why they sign him up for 1 album deals. Prince's Black Sweat should have been a hit!!! In Prince's mind, its already a hit, It was #1 on Itunes and #1 on Billboard Top 100 single sales...So he's not worried about the song at this point!!! No doubt. The album is awesome and is pure pop!!! It wasn't a bad choice for a single...I honestly feel Prince will never have a place in mainstream radio again,because ppl dislike what he stands for and they figure, he's already established, has a wide fan base and still sells out concerts and can sell a good million records each time. He won't be hurting without us! Thats how they think! I've talked with many dj's and pd's in the radio industry and they all have had alot of negative things to say about him. Not so much his music, but him as a person and the bottom line is they absolutely hate PRINCE with a passion! Thats why they can get on the air and say...he's got a number one album...congrads and then play "when doves cry" or "rasberry beret", instead of keeping the interest going and playing his newer material. Te Amo Corazon should have impacted r&b adult and jazz stations like fire and they didn't even want to give him a chance. I would like to know the idiot who decides Prince's new videos only get play for 2 months on mtv and thats it! Whose this guy??? [Edited 4/5/06 0:23am]  Frustration  I wish u heaven | |
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truefunksoldier said: loudawg said: Here's the real reason. It's quite simple, actually. DJs don't control what music they play. Clear Channel does. Clear Channel doesn't like Prince, therefore, they don't allow their stations to play "Black Sweat" or any other new Prince song regardless of quality. LOL. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Clear channel has no agenda. They exist solely to make money for their shareholders, period. If Prince makes a song that people want to listen to over and over, it will be played on clear channel stations and any other stations. Black Sweat is a weak throwaway song that is poorly written. That's the reason it's not a hit. Anyone of my NON-Prince fan friends that have heard it love it. They ask if it is from the new album and my brother who never liked Prince now has Black Sweat on his ipod. These are the reasons why I know it isn't just me. Black Sweat is some good shit  I wish u heaven | |
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Spanky said: Seriously. It is BAFFLING (sp?)!
I thought Universal was on top of it? WTF? I too am baffled by this!! I love that song and just about everyone I know. Especially non Prince fans love it too!! Who the hell knows. But that is a Prince classic to me! THE CARDINAL HAS SPOKEN!!! | |
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SPYZFAN1 said: It may not be a top ten hit, but it's getting a helluva lot of video play on MTV Hits, BET, VH-1 Soul, and BET J. That's pretty good for Prince considering radio won't touch him.
Yah its on every day on video channels Straight Jacket Funk Affair
Album plays and love for vinyl records. | |
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vainandy said: It's not a hit because Prince is the one that made it. Even if Prince completely sold out and released something that completely fits in with today's music, look who the music buyers are these days and the type of artists they are buying, not just musicwise but imagewise as well.
The majority of the music buying brats these days do not want an individual, they want a tired ass person with big ass jeans and a damn sports jersey. For an artist to be successful in this day and age, he has to not only be boring musically but he has to be boring visually as well. Precisely  | |
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andykeen said: I believe that it wasn't a great song to be honest, that high pitched sound got on my tits
Ha ha! Amen to that, Andy! It's grown on me, and the video's wicked, but I just can't help feeling it's a really bland funk workout. And it sounds too similar to The Work for my liking, too. It's been getting a fair amount of airplay in the UK, I think. I know Radio 2 had 3121 as their record of the week. | |
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peterfalconer said: It's grown on me, and the video's wicked, but I just can't help feeling it's a really bland funk workout. And it sounds too similar to The Work for my liking, too..
Yeah, but is it any worse than other stuff out there on the radio? Fans always compare it to other Prince tunes and say it's not as good or whatever - but relative to other artists, how does it fare? If it has grown on you, don't you think it could grow on non-prince fans too, given the chance with airplay? | |
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TimeKeeper said: DavidEye said: "Black Sweat" is not a hit for one reason...it's a good song and these days,"good" songs don't become hits.Crap songs become hits.
But Black Sweat IS crap. 
Take a look at the songs that are in the Top 40 right now.I challenge you to find 10 good songs on that chart.Please list them here. To those of you criticizing "Black Sweat",saying it's not as catchy and well-written as other songs that are on the charts....please stop! We all know the reason why "Black Sweat" is not a hit,and it has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the song. | |
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DavidEye said: TimeKeeper said: But Black Sweat IS crap.
Take a look at the songs that are in the Top 40 right now.I challenge you to find 10 good songs on that chart.Please list them here. To those of you criticizing "Black Sweat",saying it's not as catchy and well-written as other songs that are on the charts....please stop! We all know the reason why "Black Sweat" is not a hit,and it has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the song. Sure it does. A lot of people have heard it already and if there were a demand for it, people would be hearing it a lot more. You're not looking at the big picture. You think because you like it, eveyone should like it. But the fact is, the song really isn't very good. It's not catchy and there's no real hook. The people are not interested. | |
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TimeKeeper said: DavidEye said:
Take a look at the songs that are in the Top 40 right now.I challenge you to find 10 good songs on that chart.Please list them here. To those of you criticizing "Black Sweat",saying it's not as catchy and well-written as other songs that are on the charts....please stop! We all know the reason why "Black Sweat" is not a hit,and it has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the song. Sure it does. A lot of people have heard it already and if there were a demand for it, people would be hearing it a lot more. You're not looking at the big picture. You think because you like it, eveyone should like it. But the fact is, the song really isn't very good. It's not catchy and there's no real hook. The people are not interested. Prince could release a song that is just as fascinating as "When Doves Cry" or "Little Red Corvette" and radio would still ignore it.Because he is 47 years old,he's no longer considered hip and cutting-edge.That's why "Black Sweat" is not a hit.Ask yourself this question....if "Black Sweat" was the latest single by Usher or Justin Timberlake,would radio ignore it?  | |
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TimeKeeper said: A lot of people have heard it already and if there were a demand for it, people would be hearing it a lot more. You're not looking at the big picture. You think because you like it, eveyone should like it. But the fact is, the song really isn't very good. It's not catchy and there's no real hook. The people are not interested. Demand has very little to do with it. Unless a particular show is a phone-in request show, the public doesn't dictate to radio what they want - the radio plays playlists that are decided on by radio programmers who in turn are influenced (or bought off!) by the record companies. Maybe if everyone rang up the radio station, they would play what you wanted more, but really most people have better things to do. I don't think you're looking at the big picture. It's your opinion, not 'facts'. You may not like the song, but I reckon at least half of the people on this thread like it, so multiply that up so that half of the radio listening public like it, and it should really be a massive hit given half the chance! | |
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metalorange said: If it has grown on you, don't you think it could grow on non-prince fans too, given the chance with airplay?
Oh, absolutely. I think the whole album is designed to lure in non-fans, rather than please the hardcore. After all, the man can say he 'just wants to make music' as much as he likes, but when you've been as big as he was around '84-85, and then again in '91, you must kind of miss being adored by so many people! I normally put this sort of thing down to sour grapes, but I must agree that the reason it's not a big hit is because too many DJs still don't like Prince as a person and therefore won't play his music. The quality of the track's only sometimes anything to do with whether it gets to number 1 or not - else for us in the UK his 'best' song would have been "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World" - uh huh... | |
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Spanky said: truefunksoldier said: LOL. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Clear channel has no agenda. They exist solely to make money for their shareholders, period. If Prince makes a song that people want to listen to over and over, it will be played on clear channel stations and any other stations. Black Sweat is a weak throwaway song that is poorly written. That's the reason it's not a hit. Anyone of my NON-Prince fan friends that have heard it love it. They ask if it is from the new album and my brother who never liked Prince now has Black Sweat on his ipod. These are the reasons why I know it isn't just me. Black Sweat is some good shit Well clearly they're in the minority since the subject of this post is asking why it's not a hit. | |
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metalorange said: truefunksoldier said: Instead of making generalisations, how about listing some of those songs that you think are weak and poorly written which have become hits? And remember just because you don't like a song doesn't mean it's not well written and/or catchy. Well, I could give you a whole list of boy/girl bands that have had hits that are so bland and using recycled lyrical tosh that is forgotten within weeks, but say within the same funky context as Black Sweat, a global hit like the Black Eyed Peas 'My Humps' which is certainly not the gold standard of lyrical integrity. I haven't heard that, but i wasn't talking about lyrically. I meant musically the song isn't very well written. metalorange said: However, even I think it is pretty catchy, but that was not in your original statement, which was purely 'throwaway' and 'poorly written'. I would argue that Black Sweat is decently 'catchy' but even that has not made it a hit. Remember, simply because you don't like Black Sweat doesn't mean it's not well written and/or catchy...!
This is true...its simply my opinion that it's a poorly written song. And I would argue that if it was better, it would chart higher. | |
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DavidEye said: TimeKeeper said: Sure it does. A lot of people have heard it already and if there were a demand for it, people would be hearing it a lot more. You're not looking at the big picture. You think because you like it, eveyone should like it. But the fact is, the song really isn't very good. It's not catchy and there's no real hook. The people are not interested. Prince could release a song that is just as fascinating as "When Doves Cry" or "Little Red Corvette" and radio would still ignore it.Because he is 47 years old,he's no longer considered hip and cutting-edge.That's why "Black Sweat" is not a hit.Ask yourself this question....if "Black Sweat" was the latest single by Usher or Justin Timberlake,would radio ignore it? Possibly. The song still has to be catchy to least. And what does age have to do with it? Madonna is the same age and she's still killin. There are quite a few older stars who can still do it. It's all about making the kind of music a lot of people like to hear, and having good marketing. | |
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because it sounds 2 much like nasty girl?  | |
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metalorange said: TimeKeeper said: A lot of people have heard it already and if there were a demand for it, people would be hearing it a lot more. You're not looking at the big picture. You think because you like it, eveyone should like it. But the fact is, the song really isn't very good. It's not catchy and there's no real hook. The people are not interested. Demand has very little to do with it. Unless a particular show is a phone-in request show, the public doesn't dictate to radio what they want - the radio plays playlists that are decided on by radio programmers who in turn are influenced (or bought off!) by the record companies. Maybe if everyone rang up the radio station, they would play what you wanted more, but really most people have better things to do. I don't think you're looking at the big picture. It's your opinion, not 'facts'. You may not like the song, but I reckon at least half of the people on this thread like it, so multiply that up so that half of the radio listening public like it, and it should really be a massive hit given half the chance! Pardon, but you're talking about Prince fans here, not the general listening public. I will bet you the farm that half of radio listeners won't dig this song. What's catchy about it? Where's the hook? Why should people like this song? | |
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TimeKeeper said: And what does age have to do with it? Madonna is the same age and she's still killin.
I hear people bringing up Madonna as a comparison again and again. She is a completely different kettle of fish. Every album she's done has been aimed at the commercial market first and foremost, I mean, kudos to her, but her albums are far less challenging than Prince's. Prince has gone through years of not having his new material heard on the radio, whereas Madonna has always made sure she is radio friendly, with the latest producers and a reliable disco beat. She also has the gay market at her fingertips. By constantly remaining in the limelight she has remained 'cool' to the youngsters despite her age - even the newest generation has grown up with her being around. In relative terms, Prince disappeared for nearly 10 years from the radio; there's a generation that barely know who he is never mind whether he is 'cool' or not. They're far more likely to say they've heard he is 'weird' which is pretty much what my nephew said when I asked him what he thought of Prince! | |
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TimeKeeper said: I will bet you the farm that half of radio listeners won't dig this song.
Well, that must mean the other half WILL dig it, and that's still a lot of people.
I really can't tell you what half of radio listeners think about the song. I haven't had time to question them all yet, so I can't speak on their behalf... [Edited 4/6/06 11:21am] | |
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metalorange said: TimeKeeper said: And what does age have to do with it? Madonna is the same age and she's still killin.
I hear people bringing up Madonna as a comparison again and again. She is a completely different kettle of fish. Every album she's done has been aimed at the commercial market first and foremost, I mean, kudos to her, but her albums are far less challenging than Prince's. Prince has gone through years of not having his new material heard on the radio, whereas Madonna has always made sure she is radio friendly, with the latest producers and a reliable disco beat. She also has the gay market at her fingertips. By constantly remaining in the limelight she has remained 'cool' to the youngsters despite her age - even the newest generation has grown up with her being around. In relative terms, Prince disappeared for nearly 10 years from the radio; there's a generation that barely know who he is never mind whether he is 'cool' or not. They're far more likely to say they've heard he is 'weird' which is pretty much what my nephew said when I asked him what he thought of Prince! True, but as someone who's been listening to both Prince and Madonna over the past years, I can honestly say that I enjoy some of Madonna's songs much more. I just think they're catchy and easy on the ears. I don't care how challenging or complex a song is, if I don't like it I don't like it. I do feel however that prince's old songs are much deeper and have real soul to them. His well seems real empty now. | |
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metalorange said: TimeKeeper said: I will bet you the farm that half of radio listeners won't dig this song.
Well, that must mean the other half WILL dig it, and that's still a lot of people.
I really can't tell you what half of radio listeners think about the song. I haven't had time to question them all yet, so I can't speak on their behalf... [Edited 4/6/06 11:21am] Yeah, but you can kinda get an idea based on what songs become popular. For a second, imagine Prince's Black Sweat and Madonna's Hung Up fell into your lap before anyone ever heard it. Which song do you think would become the bigger hit with the same promotion and play? Be honest. | |
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TimeKeeper said: True, but as someone who's been listening to both Prince and Madonna over the past years, I can honestly say that I enjoy some of Madonna's songs much more. I just think they're catchy and easy on the ears. I don't care how challenging or complex a song is, if I don't like it I don't like it. I do feel however that prince's old songs are much deeper and have real soul to them. His well seems real empty now.
Kind of funny that you like Madonna's music because it is light, frothy and uncomplex, and when Prince is light, frothy and uncomplex you wish he was deeper like he used to be! But true, it doesn't matter whether it is shallow or deep, if you like it, you like it. | |
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metalorange said: TimeKeeper said: True, but as someone who's been listening to both Prince and Madonna over the past years, I can honestly say that I enjoy some of Madonna's songs much more. I just think they're catchy and easy on the ears. I don't care how challenging or complex a song is, if I don't like it I don't like it. I do feel however that prince's old songs are much deeper and have real soul to them. His well seems real empty now.
Kind of funny that you like Madonna's music because it is light, frothy and uncomplex, and when Prince is light, frothy and uncomplex you wish he was deeper like he used to be! But true, it doesn't matter whether it is shallow or deep, if you like it, you like it. Honestly, I don't mind Prince songs that aren't extremely deep as long as they sound cool. I feel most of Prince's music is no longer deep OR cool sounding. | |
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TimeKeeper said: metalorange said: Well, that must mean the other half WILL dig it, and that's still a lot of people.
I really can't tell you what half of radio listeners think about the song. I haven't had time to question them all yet, so I can't speak on their behalf... [Edited 4/6/06 11:21am] Yeah, but you can kinda get an idea based on what songs become popular. For a second, imagine Prince's Black Sweat and Madonna's Hung Up fell into your lap before anyone ever heard it. Which song do you think would become the bigger hit with the same promotion and play? Be honest. Again, it's all about intention. Madonna sampled ABBA on that track which guaranteed that the song would be instantly familiar and catchy, even on first listen. It took me a few listens to "Hung Up" before I liked it on its own merits and not because the ABBA groove pulled me in. Just saying Prince has never resorted to anything like that, aside from one or two instances where he sampled himself ("My Name is Prince," "Musicology"). Because at the end of the day, he may want a hit, but it's not as important to him as Madonna. When you compare Madonna's music to Prince's, keep in mind that you are also comparing the work of dozens of different songwriters and producers who have all been selected for their hitmaking skills– to one songwriter, one producer, and in many cases, one musician. If he wanted a hit as badly as you seem to want one for him, he could hire a hit factory too. Guess he's got other priorities. ...: s l o w l y c a n d l e b u r n s :... | |
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Between vh-1 and Mtv I saw the video 8 times the other day. |
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NPD313 said: SPANKY...This baffles me too!
Because any song now-a-days can be a hit on radio. There's so many sucky songs on radio. Pink's latest single sucks balls big time! Pussycat dolls latest single isn't all that great! Kelly Clarkston also has a single out now, which isn't all that great upon first listen. But its all about promotion and getting the single played enough to get a hit! I know alot of non-prince fans who actually love "BLACK SWEAT", they would tell me the BIG Prince Fan, I saw your boys video on MTV and even thou I never got into his music, I'm digging that song. The Song is an instant hit! It has fire and its definitely what the industry needs now! Its something refreshing and daring at the same time. I am a DJ, I've worked in radio for awhile now and I know for a fact that this song could fit into hip hop & pop top 40 formats, but the fact is Prince took the industry head on a few years back and dissed everyone. So now their not trying to hear him and give him a chance. They've pretty much black balled him. Most radio programmers hate PRINCE for some reason. Universal and other major labels know Prince's talent and are aware of his potential even after all the backlash towards record companies. They know PRINCE can still sell records thats why they sign him up for 1 album deals. Prince's Black Sweat should have been a hit!!! In Prince's mind, its already a hit, It was #1 on Itunes and #1 on Billboard Top 100 single sales...So he's not worried about the song at this point!!! No doubt. The album is awesome and is pure pop!!! It wasn't a bad choice for a single...I honestly feel Prince will never have a place in mainstream radio again,because ppl dislike what he stands for and they figure, he's already established, has a wide fan base and still sells out concerts and can sell a good million records each time. He won't be hurting without us! Thats how they think! I've talked with many dj's and pd's in the radio industry and they all have had alot of negative things to say about him. Not so much his music, but him as a person and the bottom line is they absolutely hate PRINCE with a passion! Thats why they can get on the air and say...he's got a number one album...congrads and then play "when doves cry" or "rasberry beret", instead of keeping the interest going and playing his newer material. Te Amo Corazon should have impacted r&b adult and jazz stations like fire and they didn't even want to give him a chance. I would like to know the idiot who decides Prince's new videos only get play for 2 months on mtv and thats it! Whose this guy??? [Edited 4/5/06 0:23am] WOW!! Great and informative info..thanx!! | |
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TimeKeeper said: Yeah, but you can kinda get an idea based on what songs become popular. For a second, imagine Prince's Black Sweat and Madonna's Hung Up fell into your lap before anyone ever heard it. Which song do you think would become the bigger hit with the same promotion and play? Be honest.
With the Abba sample - Madonna. Without the catchy sample, less so, but Madonna because she is still 'in'. But let me ask you this back, these days, do you think Prince would EVER get as much promotion and play as Madonna on radio? I don't think so - she's in and he isn't. Speaking of oldies, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have a new song out. Not only was the video shown on Channel 4 the other night, but I've heard it on radio the day before, yesterday twice on a car trip, and whilst wandering into my brother's room today. Now THAT'S the aiplay promotion Black Sweat never got and I'll bet the Chili's song charts highly. | |
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