I think some people here have the tendency to put too much emphasis on the influence Wendy and Lisa had on Princes music.

I mean, on earlier songs (the ending of 'when we are dancing close and slow', Annie Christian, DMSR) you can allready hear a clear Beatles-influence, especially that of John Lennon.

Next to that, also on songs and albums released after the Revolution disbanded Prince continues to use Beatles influence regulary (Starfish and Coffee on Sign of the Times, Glam Slam, Lovesexy and Positivity on Lovesexy, The bridge of the song Diamonds and Pearls, Dolphin on the Gold Experience, The bridge of Dark from the Come Album, Animal Kingdom on The Truth, to name some obvious ones).

Next to that i see tendencies in Princes music to push the boundaries about what 'popular music' IS or SHOULD SOUND, a characteristic he shares with the Beatles, especially during their collaborations with George Martin.

In short, i am sure Prince did know about the music of the Beatles before Wendy and Lisa became his main songwriting partners. He might not own all their albums or know all of their bestknown songs, but i think he really respects them and sometimes use their influences in his own music.

Riverpoet31 said:

I forgot about that, that's very Beatles.

something i would like to ad:

The period 'Around the world in Day-Parade-Sign of the Times-Lovesexy' (Prince)

always reminds me a lot of:

The period 'Rubber Soul-Revolver-Sgt.Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band-Magical mystery tour-White Album' (Beatles)

In the way of artists, after building a signature sound for some years, making some 'left-turn', letting their creativity flow, experimentating with song-structures, arrangements and sounds, redefining 'pop music'.

Riverpoet31 said:

We've discussed this before (even linking specific albums), but I see this too. Prince & the Beatles can be divided in phases, and they're analagous to some extent.

Prince's Purple trenchcoat period=the beatlemania suit period, the way many fans will always picture these artists, their commercial/pop peaks.

Middle period Prince, as you explained above.

Diamonds & Pearls & later=White Album & later, when the artists mature, but settle into a more lasting style that's perhaps not a weird or innovative as the one before it.

Maybe more complicated than that, and it applies to other artists, too. Beethoven is divided into three periods.

And I'd like to see Prince/ Le Cirque Du Soleil collaboration.

jn2 said:

What 4?

NDRU said:

it sounds more Beach Boys to me than beetle

Raspberry Fields Forever?

Hey Nude?

Come (Together)?

I Wanna hold your gland?

Purple Submarine?

Ticket To Ride Dyvine?

Jehovahs witness for the prosecution?

SquirrelMeat said:

Is not the Beatles influence on Prince and everybody else related to how overrated the Beatles are?

SquirrelMeat said:

Oh no - I think you may have just stumbled onto something...


What does Jehovah's Witness 4 The Prosecution have to do with The Beatles?
[Edited 2/23/07 8:41am]

dammme said:

if they indeed have a blanket inluence, then they would be underrated in the minds of many younger music fans who aren't aware.

booyah said:

That's what I'm wondering

How about:

I've Been Hard Days & Nights
Please Please Me--ok as is
A (Sexy) Day in the Life
I'm Like A Walrus
Why Don't We Do It In The Road?--ok as is

i have a bad feeling about this.....

NDRU said:

Can someone please explain to me WHY someone with a vault full of original material - one of the most prolific and original songwriters in rock history - would chose to do a covers album? Of songs that everyone has heard 6 zillion times?

I mean, it could be amazing. It could be brilliant. It could be absolutely catastrophic.

Either way, i'd much rather have new original material.


But then, Prince doesn't take my advice normally

NorthernLad said:

Cuz they have some CRAZY great songs and Prince, imaginative as he is...can do A LOT with that. Plus it's like amillion seller. How many people ADORE the beatles still> How many diehard fans r there...of the beatles alone...c'mon...let juice his mind and make some money too...

I really don't know what to think about all of this but am leaning towards just another false rumor. However, it would explain WHY when Elton John took the stage at 3121 a couple of weeks ago- he sang "Long and Winding Road". For the life of me I can't figure out why with all the Prince material there is, and all the Elton John material there is, they would do the Beatles. (Of course, it could also just be that Elton didn't want to risk messing up a Prince song at a Prince show, and Prince might not of wanted to risk his band possibly messing up an Elton song)...

BobGeorge909 said:

Yeah, they are amazing... they are the greatest band in pop/rock history, and people love their songs. BUT will people like the idea of Prince doing their songs? I dunno...

Does this mean The Revolution will reform so Yoko can break them up?

squirrelgrease said:

Larry = Yoko

NDRU said:

or how about

Lovesexy Me Do
Purpleback Writer
Darling Nikki Meter Maid
A Day in the Life Can B So Nice
Dig Paul Better Dead
Back in the MPLS
I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Nowhere Man
Bob George Paul & Ringo
A Little Help From My Old Friends 4 Sale

oh god i have too much time on my hands today

fmarasco said:

I triple that notion.

Anx said:

Always time for this kind of crap!

I Wanna Jack U Off
She Loves U For Me
Rasberry Beret Forever (ooh, I kind of stole that one)
Hello (Goodbye)
Baby, I'm a Rich Man

i hope not...

Riverpoet31 said:

DAMN I Like Everythin U Said !!
U are totally right,btw Wendy didn't know how to even Play when she joined the band. Prince taught her everything. Even so, I LOVE Wendy & Lisa's Brand of Music and wish Prince did more of it. He could have done better on the Truth but I love that CD anyway & One nite alone.
Actually all I need is...
1.For U
2.Prince
3.Around the world
4.Parade
5.ONA
6.The Truth
7.Wendy & Lisa
8.Fruit @ the bottom
9.GirlBrothers
10.SomethingNew
11.8madhouse
12.The family

and I'm in a blissful state of mind

I always wanted Prince & Mayte to be the New John & Yoko, They almost made it.
That era was awesome!
[Edited 2/28/07 21:28pm]