Are many of Prince's songs just too deep for radio even though they're clean? Is the problem people just can't tap into Prince's sound?

I called into a radio station, Battle of the Band Contest in a contest between Prince and Stevie Wonder and I voted for Prince of course, I asked the radio DJ off the air to play "Joy in Repitition". He said Oh, that's the jam!! I asked him why didn't they play the song then, he said he didn't know how the listeners would take it. Do you think that's the reason why radio doesn't play more of his non-dirty, radio friendly songs, because they're just too deep for most listeners?

Do you have to have a certain type of ear to get into Prince? I know many people who just doesn't like a lot of Prince songs we love, like Joy in Repitition, the Question of You, Savior, etc.

Joy In Repetition ain't that clean...

I think Prince is definitely an acquired taste. He's capable of doing anything...which is why he's so loved for many different reasons. Most of his fans are really passionate and loyal about him. If you don't get him though...these fans seem to fall into the category of fair weather or casual fans....like he has to have a certain sound or they won't accept it. I also think that many of his songs are very deep either lyrically or musically or both and this may make it hard for a casual listener to just kick back and flip on the radio for some casual radio listening. LOL.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm a long time lover of his music, but I sure notice the difference in my attention span while listening to Prince as opposed to listening to other music on the radio. Just having the radio on I can listen and do anything at my desk or whatever, but when I have Prince playing I find my attention is more focused on his music and I either start dancing instead of whatever I was supposed to be doing or I find I simply stop and listen more intently...it doesn't seem to matter how many times I've heard the songs either. I sometimes find it hard to have conversation while Prince is playing in the background...again...it grabs my attention and I have to listen! LOL!
I think his music/songs are more involved/meatier...more in depth that requires more of ones attention to fully appreciate it! Something the casual radio listener just doesn't seem to have time for...sadly....

F**k radio!

Who listens to radio?? I'll turn off my car and the music is still going....yeah, I'm listening to my ipod. My connection to new stuff is my 18, 21, and 23 yr old offspring. I'll update my ipod and get god knows what in the system. They have their own computers, but the itunes payment is on my computer so...thus the latest rap.
[Edited 10/23/06 21:03pm]

HoneymoonXpress said:

It's not all that radio friendly, either.



It's good.

Interesting. Well lots of people are very superfical so I guess yes perhaps you are right. I was always kinda amazed that "I would die 4 U" always got lots of air play. I thought the song was incredibly deep and since it was so spirtual/religious and you know how some people feel uncomfortable with that...I just was kinda like oh I guess people don't know he is singing about God. But the song is awesome so I can see why it did so well.

I would die 4 U has an amazing hook and beat, it's so catchy that I doubt a lot of casual listeners even know what he's talking about. So I agree about the superfical nature of people in general and I do feel that Prince is an acquired taste and I definitely listen much more attentively when I hear Prince than when I hear music in general. Someone's post earlier said it best. In summary the radio is for passing time while prince's music often takes one on a trip.

sharonbell said:

Actually,the guitar solo in The Question of U is kinda dirty...well,it has that effect on me anyway.

meow85 said:

tru dat. It's a little bit too deep for radio.

They only play what's on Best of Prince. That is why.

Stations that play current music are only going to play a very select few of Prince's songs from his newer albums...and hardly EVER a fast song.

They are not going to play anything that might possibly catch on and change today's musical style. If styles changed, today's so-called artists that don't play a single instrument but make very cheaply made music would be out of work. Record companies would have to spend more money on real talent and they are not going to let that happen. Their profits wouldn't be as big. Don't you know that actual "music" doesn't matter in the music business? It's strictly about money and money only.

As for the oldies stations, they will play certain songs that came out after "Purple Rain" such as "Kiss" or "Adore" but most of the general public saw Prince as losing his damn mind after "Purple Rain".

No 1 DJ's can't just play any song they want to they have too go by a format and have an y song that's not on there approved before it's aired. Radio and the music business can be very dirty with kickbacks from record companies and things to play certain music, someboody ain't putting out enough dough to have his music played i think that's a lot to do with it.

As for the oldies stations, they will play certain songs that came out after "Purple Rain" such as "Kiss" or "Adore" but most of the general public saw Prince as losing his damn mind after "Purple Rain".[/quote]

Well, if you knew me than you will not think that. No one is more out of his or her mind than me. Not saying Prince wasn't or anything, but i can act crazier than him without even trying. Prince has his few things, but I might sound like whatever you want to call it. but, it is true. Ask anyone who actually knows me or of me.