EmancipationLover said:

Hey no way can you call the lyrics to Partyup or International Lover silly.

Party Up is a great song and a great lyric. You think it's just a song about partying and jamming but it's deeper than that. It's about how young people can be talked into things that they don't want to do. Like fighting for your country. And too often adults will tell you that you don't take things seriously enough. Prince is turning around and saying what is so great about fighting and war anyway. He's metaphorically laughing in their faces.

I love the line:

They got the draft, uh, uh
I just laugh
Party up (Party up, got to party up)
Fightin' war is such a fuckin' bore
Party up (Party up, got to, got to, got to party up)

pepper7 said:

Just some of it is silly imo. Let's face it, if a song with the lyrics of "Partyup" had been on, let's say, "Musicology", people would point out how stupid his lyrics have become nonstop.

And for "International Lover": lyrically a wet dream of a 16-year old expressed via a completely overdone metaphor way too long imo.

But: different strokes for different folks. PurpleKnight also thinks that the lyrics for "Housequake" are good.

I guess one man's gloom really is another man's glory...

So low, the curb looks like a skyscraper
So high, the stars are under me
So quiet, I can hear the blood rushing through my veins
So low, I feel like I'm going insane

The angels, they watch in wonder
When U made love 2 me
Through the rain and the thunder
U cried in ecstacy

And U were so kind
I felt sorry 4 all creation
Because at the time, no one was lucky
No one was lucky,
No one was lucky as me

And now U're gone and I just wanna be still
So silent, I'll just let my senses sleep

It's gonna be so hard 2 hear my voice
If I ever learn once more 2 speak

I'm so lost, no 1 can find me
And I've been looking 4 so long
But now I'm done

I'm so low,
Solo,
My name is No one

L is 4 lust
O is 4 obsession
V is 4 the vast way u envelop my soul
This is crazy, this is crazy
I could die from the pheromone

I can see the castle
I can see the throne
I can see the beloved and she's not alone
But it's cool like that
Cuz I'll be diggin' her just the same

I can see the curtain wrestled from the wall
I can see her hands tied
I can see it all
He pulls a gat
This is how they play the game
And I'm 'round the the back
Cuz curiosity it knows no shame

Pheromone, rush over me like an ocean
Pheromone, controllin' my every motion
Pheromone, I'm helpless as a pet
Pheromone, when your body's wet

I can feel the tension through the crack in the door
He begs 4 love, while she's disgusted more
And I'm on fire, cause I never seen her nude before

I wanna save her
I want 2 watch
All my vital signs go up a couple of notches
When he unties her and she runs 2 the open door
He trips and grinds her
Right there all on the floor
She so close I can touch her (touch her)

Pheromone, rush over me like an ocean
Pheromone, controllin' my every motion
Pheromone, I'm helpless as a pet
Pheromone, when your body's wet

Her eyes are closed but there's no penetration
He just makes her point the pistol 2 his nose while he masturbates
And now I see a tear
Heading down towards her smile
What happens next it all depends upon your style

(Oh, this is crazy baby)

Pheromone, rush over me like an ocean
Pheromone, controllin' my every motion
Pheromone, I'm helpless as a pet
Pheromone, when your body's wet

Pheromone, rush over me like an ocean
Pheromone, controllin' my every motion
I don't really wanna go crazy but I'm helpless as a pet
When I see your naked body's wet
body's wet
body's wet

Byron said:

Now see, for me this beats the hell out of Adore or Partyup. In a minute somebody else will come along and say I'm crazy.

International Lover is THE SH!T though.

Some days I feel tangerine
Some days I feel blue
Some days I just wanna black out
Everything I felt for U
Even though I take your picture
Everywhere I go
I use it for a coaster and drink the overflow

Some days I make a lot of money
And give it all away
2 take my mind off the tangerine colour
Of your negligee
Beggars cant be choosy
If they dont know how 2 serve
U got a different phone number
...and a lot of nerve

Some days I feel tangerine
Some days I miss U, 2

Actually, on 3121, Prince has found a new way of distributing lyrical silliness on an album. Instead of concentrating it in one song, he just spread it over the record:

- "Like the wall of Berlin" in "3121" (not that bad, the song is completely over the top anyway, that's why I love it)

- Several lines in "Lolita" (not that bad again, gives it a little The Time feeling not to be taken too seriously)

- "I'm so scared of losing you, I really don't know what I'd do" in TAC

- The "rims upon my ride" line in I&C

- The spiders allegory in "The Word" (I agree with PurpleKnight on that, but the song is still great imo)

- His attempts to speak Spanish in "Get on the Boat" resulting in something which sounds like Arabian with a hot potatoe in the mouth

Nevertheless, I still LOVE this album!

EmancipationLover said:

I know where you are coming from.

Party Up on the surface does sound kinda simplistic. Like Party Up, Gotta Party Up. But Prince sings it like a mantra. He's refusing to bow down to doing something that he doesn't believe in. It's like he's reffusing to listen to them. It's like; just keep playing, just keep playing. It's like he's singing it to himself.

I'm not sure whether it would get over looked these days. Maybe. I do think about that.

But with regards to International Lover the point IS that it's supposed to be a complete double entendre. And Prince does it really well when he says "don't you wanna go for a ride".


He's using these images because they are often taken so seriously. Men with big guns and aeroplanes takeing off are ALL sexual references in our culture.

Prince is playfully using them but it works because we are all in on the joke.

Men are always boasting about how great they are in bed. Prince is doing a complete parody of that.
[Edited 4/16/06 13:27pm]

Byron said:

That's just plain creepy.

After a month of just bein' alone he said, "I wonder what L.A.'s thinkin'"
Streets he roamed in search of a poem amongst the wild and drinkin'
When he sees cool dark skin in hot virgin white
The search was over at least 4 2night
When she co-signed and then told him she was ...

Shy
Cool dark skin in hot virgin white
Shy
Lips say won't but her body say might
Shy
Looks like we're gonna take the long way home 2night

After a look much louder than words she said, "I passed my initiation.
A friend of mine, he got killed and in retaliation.
I shot the boy twice in the head
No regrets, no sorrow - I'm goin' back 2morrow 2 make sure he's dead
Cuz if I don't, they'll call me a chicken, but U can call me ... "

Shy
Cool dark skin in hot virgin white
Shy
Lips say won't but her body say might
Shy
Looks like we're gonna take the long way home 2night

Shy

Shy
Lips say no but the body say might
Looks like we're gonna take the long way home..
Looks like we're gonna take the long way home..
Looks like we're gonna take the long way home 2night

The girl was rough, but he called her bluff
And he told her not 2 know was better
Fact or fiction he wondered
And that's when the rain and thunder got wetter
And at the top of the page he wrote ...

Shy
Cool dark skin in hot virgin white
Shy
Looks like we're gonna take the long way home 2night

2 sevens together
Like time, indefinite
Trying 2 catch the glass
b4 it falls
Without a frown

Can U turn up the stereo?
Eye wanna play U this old song about love (is it about love?)
Can Eye do that?

Did we remember 2 water the plants today?
Eye 4got 2 look up at the moon because
Eye was 2 busy, said Eye was 2 busy
Eye was 2 busy
Looking at you babe

Still it's nice 2 know
That when bodies wear out
We can get another
What does that 1 thing have 2 do with the other 1?
Eye don't know
Eye was just thinking about my mother

U know what
Turn the stereo back down
Ain't nothing worse than an old worn out love song
Tell me do you like my hair this way
Remember all the way back in the day
When we would compare who's afro was the roundest

Mirrored tiles above the bed
Fishing nets and posters all over the wall
Oh yes, sometimes
Sometimes Eye just wanna go sit out on the stoop
And...play my guitar
Just watch all...
All the cars go by...

I could tell from the moment U walked in the room
That it wasn't your dress U had on
That wasn't your perfume
And what happened 2 the ring that I gave U?
What am I 2 assume?
I love U, but I just don't trust U anymore

U could tell from the moment U looked in my eyes
That I could see right through U
U must apologise
I've always given U the best in life
Even in the wrong, it was right
I know U trust me, but U don't love me anymore
No

I remember meeting U here in the good ol' days
I would never pick the flower of my favourite protegé
Maybe if I would have
Then U would not treat me this way
U tricked me - but U will not anymore

No, no
I love you, but I don't trust U anymore

Sorry, but that is some of the best stuff he has ever written imo.

Mary, Claire, Denise and Belle
Best friends as far as I could tell
Chearleaders except 4 Denise
She was the wild one
She was the beast

She was the one who named the group
The original gang of 4
Mary, Claire, Denise and Belle
Circle Of Amore

10th grade Central in September
That was a year I remember
On this chilly cold afternoon
I overheard the gang in the locker room

Rendezvous, Mary's house
Dirty words and wine
Needless 2 say they all spend the day
Just counting time, counting time

Halfway through her history class
Denise she kindly raised her hand and asked
If she could be excused
Then she ran from school in a hurry,
The other girls, ooh they knew
This is what friends are really for

Mary, Claire, Denise and Belle
Circle Of Amore

Imagination showed a window
On a cold September day
Leaves are brown, passion sounds
Memory self astray

4 hands in the place where the feet connect
(Gang of 4)
Circle of sex

In the vicious race 2 maturity
They're almost phased from ecstasy
Sweat upon the necks of dames
Loser in the circle game
'Cause memories are worth so much more (so much more)

Mary, Claire, Denise and Belle
Circle Of Amore

EmancipationLover said:

I feel ya. I love the hell outta 3121 and a good 90% of the lyrics.

For example lets take the title track. I'll tell you what goes thru my head when I hear it.

Picture the party at Prince's place, except the party ain't in the house, it's out in Prince's garden and the guests are a bunch of insects! Animated bugs like in the movie Antz. Butterflies doing ballerina moves, ants shaking their tushies, grasshopper on the keyboard. Dragonfly on drums and a horn section with 3 ladybugs and to top it all off a cockroach on bass! Doesn't it sound like a bunch of happy little insects jammin' away all wearing japanese robes and sandals drinking champagne, etc, etc.

Now imagine Prince as a smooth praying mantis on guitar with a hat broke down over his brow.

His lyrics still fire up my imagination plenty.

Desperate is the day that is 2morrow
4 those who do not know the time has come
2 whip the dogs that beg, steal or borrow
From the table God set 4 His Son

Wicked is the witch that stands 4 nothing
All the while watching 2 see U fall
Deeper than the ditch that bred your suffering
The one being dug right now by them all

Happy is the way 2 meet your burdens
No matter how heavy or dark the day
Pity on those with no hope 4 2morrow
It's never as bad as it seems until we say

Precious is the baby with a mother
That tells him that his Saviour is coming soon
All that believe will cleanse and purify themselves
Put down the needle, put down the spoon

Sacred is the prayer that asks 4 nothing, oh
While seeking 2 give thanks 4 every breath we take, oh
Blessed are we inside this prayer
4 in the new world, we will be there

The only love there is, is the love we make
The only love there is, only love there is
The only love there is, is the love we make
The only love there is, is the love we make


(Be honest...how many people thought this song was about lovemaking?)

Missed U
Called U
Found U
Begged U
Convinced U
Saw U
Held U
Kissed U
Fondled U
Tempt U
Undress U
Smelled U
Wanted U
Asked U
Thanked U
Minded U
Hurt U
Disappoint U

Fuck U
Had U

The message you're about to hear is not meant for transmission
Should only be accessed in the privacy of your mind
Words are intense so my dear if you dare to listen
Take off your clothes
And Meet me between the lines

Are you ready for the touch that makes you go insane
Breast to lips to cheek to mane
I'll pull your hair, you'll feel no pain
Are you ready for the only forever we'll both obtain
The only joy in this forsaken game
You'll feel ashamed and ordained
When I lay my hands on you

The touch you're about to feel is the one you've been wishin' for
It's been here like an echo inside your space and time
It's about to get freaky cause the places that I'll be kissin'
Are the places that no other man could ever find

Are you ready for
The touch that makes you go insane
Breast to lips to cheek to mane
I'll pull your hair, you'll feel no pain
Are you ready for the only forever we'll both obtain
The only joy in this forsaken game (God forbid)
You'll feel ashamed and ordained (God forbid)
When I lay my hands on you

Nobody knows
Like God knows
Where the deepest part of your river flows
Snap Snap
Undo these nylon hose
Around your thigh my finger goes slowly
Like a cat tip-toes
Until I reach the cat's nose
I will touch thee in the softest manner
Like Europa in the hands of Santana

Are you ready for the touch that makes you go insane
Breast to lips to cheek to mane
I'll pull your hair, you'll feel no pain
Are you ready for the only forever we'll both obtain
The only joy in this forsaken game
You'll feel ashamed and ordained
When I lay my hands on you
When I lay my hands on you

Prince's lyrics aren't SLOPPY! He's the BEST! This is an ANTOGONASTIC THREAD 4 FOOLS!

PurpleKnight said:

You might be right, but that's a bad example. You know, when you want to make a clear, direct statement, you HAVE TO MAKE a clear, direct statement. You can't fault "Love is God. ..." for not being a great metaphor when it's not supposed to be. Personally, I think this line is just perfect.



A playful, fun lyric from these days (IMO):

This is the story 'bout a one and only mother
There never was before and there never'll be another
Heck-a motor scooter, so fine U wanna shoot her
Dressed like butter, holdin' a cup o'glass cutter

Glass cutter

Oh yeah

This is the jam about a purple fantasy
Every man know it's how it's s'posed 2 be
So sharp (sharp) make a brother heart go flutter (flutter flutter)
Dress holdin' onto a cup or glass cutter

Glass cutter

This about as hard as Arabian math
Water drops jumpin' when ya takin' a bath
The towel unraveled till it looks like gravel
All a brother can do is just laugh, uh

But under his breath he gon' mutter
But under his breath he gon' mutter
But under his breath he gon' mutter
"Baby got a cup o'glass cutter"

This about a mother got a brother sprung
I looked up the word "heaven", saw a picture of her tongue
If she was a song, she'd be sung
'stead of rhyming I'd be a singer so I could brung
A parmesan, cheddar cheese
Please, U better believe she'd get what she want
Cuz I want just what she got
I'm a new car, and she's a lot, a whole lotta woman

Girl got a case'o 2 fine

She got it bad and that's good
I'm gonna tell her 2 her face, cuz another brutha wouldn't
I don't wanna make her heartbeat go flutter

Dressed like butter, cup or glass cutter {x2}

U make my heart go flutter, glass cutter {x3}





But I know what you're saying, of course. Most of his lyrics back then appealed to me more, too. Mainly because he still had this sense of confusion and searching, whereas now that he's supposedly found his peace it's not so much my cup of tea anymore.

Pepper, Prince had some macho bullshit going on though only just as much feminine shit at the same time. Vernon Reid once said that he was an amalgamation of the pimp and the ho.

mozfonky said:

Yeah I think I know where you are coming from.

I don't know what songs you are particularly refering to though as examples.

What I DO think about Prince though is that sometimes he swings the other way just to prove he's not some namby-pamby 12 year old girl.

It's like he's looked at his own songs and thought "Oh no, they're too mushy. I'd better write something a bit less personal and edgy."

Hence you get a song like "It".

And when you think about it that sits on the same album as "If I Was Your Girlfriend"

So you have a contradiction within a whole album.
[Edited 4/16/06 15:02pm]

Why contradictions? More like different moods and aspects of one's personality.

calldapplwondery83 said:

"It" is very much Prince telling us how much he enjoys sex. How much he thinks about it. But he doesn't talk about the person that he is with. It's just sex.

Like, "Oh I love sex so much. I think about it all the time. It's so good"

To be honest who genuinely buys that line ? It sounds like he's really trying to prove himself there and that to me is macho.

"Hey I'm a man. I like sex"

And.....?

And then in "If I Was Your Girlfriend" he goes on to say that the relationship ISN'T just about sex you know.

He'd quite like just to go to a movie and cry together.

No wonder he's confused.

calldapplwondery83 said:

It's also meant as a calm mantra of sorts to underscore the actual lyrics/point of the song...it's sung underneath the chorus, then sung as a backdrop against his guitar solo. The rest of the lyrics for "Anna Stesia" are phenomenal, especially this part:

Maybe, maybe, maybe I could learn 2 love
Ah, if I was just closer 2 somethin'
Closer 2 your higher self?
I don't know
Closer 2 heaven?
Maybe
Closer 2 God?
Yeah, closer 2 God

Closer 2 God

What a great internal dialogue about love, spirituality and connecting into something "higher"...the rest of the lyrics are amazing as well. Prince sincerely wanted to know what Love truly is...and by the end of the song he gets it: Love is God, and God is Love. Pure, simple, right in front of his nose.

To dismiss the lyrics of Anna Stesia and focus solely on the "Girls and boys love God above" as being representative of the song is far too shortsighted.
[Edited 4/16/06 15:26pm]

PurpleKnight said:

Actually you oversimplified it by saying that Prince's lyrics have been "lazy" ever since 1987...that's a pretty arbitrary and slightly ridiculous cut-off point to make. I could fill this thread with around 100 songs with good-to-great lyrics that Prince has written in the last 19 years...I could also fill this thread with dozens upon dozens of "lazy" lyrics from songs prior to SOTT...I think your point would be FAR more valid if you had just concentrated on the last two CD he's released instead of going for the dramatic and claiming it's been all downhill lyrically since 1987.

cr8ive outlet

I heard a rumor that your man he said he'd do U wrong
And Ur so vain U think that you're the one behind this song
Sure U know he got plenty lyrics up his sleeve
And after he got what he want he just go up and leave

And sunday chocolate on the roof right after his game
He like the Lakers but the Sixers on when he came
If he's with another now U best believe the party's crackin
Ur getting played girl, U better get your mack on

And do onto others as they do onto U
U call me on the day that U and him are just 2 through

Was it U that I saw outside the liquor store
Waiting on that fool 2 purchase what you'd been dying 4?
And before I see U drop a spill I have 2 bring U down
Now U got that triflin' barracuda hangin' round

Hangin' round your neck like a cheap gold chain
He don't deserve 2 say that he ever knew your name
Much less he get 2 smell the perfume Eye gave U
Please don't tell me that U all got down

Better do onto others as they do onto U
U call me on the day that U and him r just 2 through


Great lyrics about seeing your ex with someone who you feel just doesn't deserve to experience them the way you did, to enjoy them the way you did..."he don't deserve to say that he ever knew your name", and ESPECIALLY the "Please don't tell me that you all got down" part...lol

What about a song like "With You" then.

Lets analise it:

Prince likes holding hands everybody !! Not particularly macho.

I've held your hand so many times
But I still get the feeling I felt the very first time
I've kissed your lips and laid with you
And I cherish every moment we spend in each other's arms
I guess my eyes can only see as far as you
I only want to be with you

We've come so far in so little time
Sometimes I wonder if this is meant to be
Sometimes you are so very kind
That the nights you're not with me I'm scared that you're gonna leave

I guess you could say that I'm just being a fool
But I only want to be with you

I guess you could say that I'm just being a fool
But I always, always want to be with you

But hold on....

Next to it he puts the song Bambi. Well that is much edgier and with lyrics like "Baby you need to bleed". It's not very romantic.
[Edited 4/16/06 16:01pm]