Sometimes I look through P's discography and I just can't believe how productive one man could be, especially in 1987.

Reworking the stuff he did with The Revolution to release Sign 'O' the Times, to helping out Jill Jones on her debut solo album, Sheila E. on her self-titled 3rd album, and putting together Madhouse with Leeds, Levi and Sheila to churn out 2 separate albums that year. And, of course, The Black Album.

And then there was the Sign 'O' the Times tour over in Europe and the release of the concert film, as well!

As long as I've been a fan, I still can't quite wrap my head around how a person was able to all this within a single year. It's crazy.


[Edited 4/7/06 21:10pm]

The productiveness of the 80s is what makes the wait for his tour announcements and albums harder now.

That ain't shit. So far this year I've read two novels, done a book of crosswords, and watched the box set of the Honeymooners.

8up said:

The day I finish all the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Narnia books will be the day for me.

Yes, that´s pretty impressive, and I was talking about the very same thing when my brother visited me the other day.

Then again, wasn´t he even more prolific a couple of years before Sign Of The Times ? I mean, that album contained some songs that were written years before, I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man is from 1981, and Strange Relationship is either from 1982 or 83.

I think 1985-1986 were the most productive years, or maybe 1982-83...

The Time albums
Sheila E albums
Apollonia 6
Vanity 6 etc. etc.

And a lot of the 1987 stuff was written around this time as well.


Anyway, great topic.....I´ve often wondered how he managed to still have a life besides music, like maintaining relationships, watching movies, reading and so on.

KoolEaze said:

"Sign 'o' the Times" era was the mother lode.

Not only was it a productive time, but I think this record was the closest thing Prince came to a confessional album, "Strange Relationship" in particular. That's some of the boldest, most honest lyrics I've ever heard in any song.

To me, he was being a man for the first time, owning up to his powertripping demagoguic ways. I totally felt him on that one, because, well, I'm sorta like that.

And most of the studio material RELEASED in '87 was actually RECORDED in '86... including Sheila E, Jill Jones, Madhouse 8, Dream Factory, most of the Black Album, Camille, etc etc... 1986 is my favorite year for Prince studio work.