Positivity is one of my favourite albumtracks by Prince.

I really dig the mix of worldmusic and electro-funk with a slurring, hypnotising melody.

This mix is spiced up with so many different elements: percussion, gospellike background vocals, strange voice-effects, chordchanges, and some brilliant guitarsoloing in the background, that i often hear new things in this song when listening to it.

Just recently it occured to me that the main beat, what i always thought was a drummachine, sounds more like a sampled voice transformed into a beat. Others hear that too?

Another thing that i always think off when listening to the song that rhythem but also melodywise it seems influenced by chinese / japanse music, anyone have noticed that resemblance too? Could it be on purpose, or Prince by accident created this kind of 'sound'?

Coming back to the guitarsoloing in the background, i have listened to those solo's on repeat, and wow, this is some of the most raw, inspiring guitarwork he has ever put on to record!

Praise also to the contrast between the understated, dry leadvocals of Prince and the soulfull gospellike delivery of the background vocals by Boni Boyer and Cat. I think this contrast works brilliant.

A lest mention goes out to the delivery off the line 'dont kiss the beast, be superior at least', it seems like he used some kind sound-effect on this part that creates a very deep bass-sound. The part always makes my bass-speaker tremble joyfully!

In short, its nice to still hear new songs and new things, and being amazed by a song, 18 year from its release. I mean, i dont see myselve coming back to lets say 'Love' from 3121 in 15 years and experience the same thing.

in addition:

when it comes to the main beat, it sounds like a sampled voice singing something like "dooo"

One of his most underrated songs, although to be fair it has started to earn itself a reputation as something of a fan favourite here on the org.
It's probably one of the most original songs Prince put out in the late 80's, the last 3 minutes or so are brilliant.
[Edited 1/4/07 4:38am]

Have YOU had your plus sign today?

Do we mark U present, or do we mark U late... yeah, yeah, yeah...

The first time I heard the album back in '88 this song definitely jumped out.

Absolutely one of my all-time favorites. Altough I have to admit (as said in the "Who likes Lovesexy" - topic), it doesn't quite bring back that feeling it did back then. But hey, it's been a while, so I will put the CD in my car as soon as I am home)

I like to believe Prince created this (chinese-) sound on purpose, but being a musician myself, I know often you create interesting things BEFORE you know it. "... be superior at least..."
[Edited 1/4/07 6:13am]

correct me if i am wrong ... but this song had a earlier version - that was on the radio around that time ... i think it has a rap at the end of it ... by cat ??? is that correct ... i forget ...

the reason why i remember ... is when it first came out ... they had it on the radio (before the album dropped i think ....) and i taped it ... the old fashion way with the lil cassatte tape recorder pressed up against the radio ... lol ... but ... i listened to it alot ... so i have 2 versions in my head ....

am i remembering that correctly?

It's timeless, simply worded with a cool little beat, I love it!

SnidelyWhiplash said:

Yeah, it had Cat's rap from Cindy C from The Black Album on it originally (swapping the words 'cindy c' with 'positivity'), though I'm surprised that unreleased version leaked out to radio around the time, afterwards maybe...

Don't kiss the beast...b superior at least...

Positively love it!

Alltough i dont consider Prince a great lyricist in general, he delivers some really thoughtprovoking, right-on-spot lines in this song. The best IMO:

"Can a boy who drops out of school at 13 years of age, answer the questions of life and death when it slaps him in the face"

Lyrically, it's phenomenally witty and on-message.

Musically, it's mindnumbingly boring.

.

OK-I'll be the bad orger today. I HATE THIS SONG AND HAVE ALWAYS HATED THIS SONG!!!!!

nurse said:

Your efforts at being "bad" are just pathetic

.

nurse said:

Oh my! So NOT Nurse!

Handel said:

It was a big effort

sexxydancer said:

Sorry-I had a momentary lapse in Prince fandom

nurse said:

Ironically, I've always found it utterly depressing.

nurse said:

Really??? You're just kidding, right?

it is great BUT has to be played back 2 back with 'God Is Alive'

I think is the strongest song on the cd. Is like he is experimenting with different sounds.

NouveauDance said:

It is not often noted that it is sung in a slow, depressing manner to a slow beat, despite its title it is not the uptempo funk number one might expect, it is actually all about the negativity in the world and sung like there is a heavy burden on Prince and he's singing out of desperation rather than any real sense of hope. An odd, uniquely Prince song. No wonder it's not a massive fan favourite, it is far from uplifting, but that's what's cool about it to others...

Handel said:

Totally agree.

metalorange said:

I didn't say I disliked it

NouveauDance said:

I never said you didn't like it, I was just taking in generalities

This song is perfect for this album. The music, the lyrics, all of it. It's wacky, but in a lovesexy kind of way. But it's tight. really smooth and rich. I think he did a good job of implementing alot of vocals and pieces of music into one experience.
"HOLD ON TO YOUR SOUL....YOU'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.....SURE 'NUF".

I dig the spiritual stuff.