Ok, so it's obviously not the first time someone has asked this question, but I think it's nice to re-ask the question since everyone's interpretation is interesting.
Dorothy Parker - a song that I have ALWAYS loved and been mesmerised by.
The music, the tight vocals, the lyrics.
But, I am really interested in knowing what your take is on the meaning of this song.
The funny thing is when i was younger, I really interpreted this song very differently than I do now.

So, here it is and please comment! (highlited bits are the lines I am most puzzled by...)
Dorothy Parker [Controversy Music, ASCAP - 1987]
-----
Dorothy was a waitress on the promenade
She worked the night shift
Dishwater blonde, tall and fine
She got a lot of tips
Well, earlier I'd been talkin' stuff
In a violent room
Fighting with lovers past
I needed someone with a quicker wit than mine
Dorothy was fast
Well, I ordered - "Yeah, let me get a fruit cocktail, I ain't 2 hungry"
Dorothy laughed
She said "Sounds like a real man 2 me"
Kinda cute, U wanna take a bath?
(do you wanna, do you wanna, bath)
I said "Cool, but I'm leaving my pants on" (she say)
"Cuz I'm kind of going with someone"
She said "Sounds like a real man 2 me"
"Mind if I turn on the radio?"
"Oh, my favorite song" she said
And it was Joni singing "Help me I think I'm falling"
(Ring)
The phone rang and she said
"Whoever's calling can't be as cute as U"
Right then I knew I was through
(Dorothy Parker was cool)

My pants where wet, they came off
But she didn't see the movie
Cuz she hadn't read the book first
Instead she pretended she was blind
An affliction brought on by a witch's curse
Dorothy made me laugh (ha ha)
I felt much better so I went back
2 the violent room (tell us what U did)
Let me tell U what I did...

I took another bubble bath with my pants on
All the fighting stopped
Next time I'll do it sooner
This is the ballad of Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, Dorothy Parker, Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker, Dorothy Parker, Dorothy Parker
Well
Dorothy Parker, Dorothy Parker
Well

For me, its always been about looking for consolation are having a bust-up with a loved one and finding a way of avoiding conflict.

Well, earlier I'd been talkin' stuff
In a violent room
Fighting with lovers past

refers to an argument with his current girlfriend. They could have been arguing about his or her past, its not clear. (altho, it sometimes sounds likes he's singing "a lover's past" which would suggest its her past, not his). He goes out, sees this fine looking waitress, who flirts with him.He likes her cos she's more than a fine looker, she has intelligence and wit.

He accepts her offer and has the bath, but discovers its just that a bath;

But she didn't see the movie
Cuz she hadn't read the book first
Instead she pretended she was blind
An affliction brought on by a witch's curse

In other words, she didn't sleep with him, perhaps because she prefers to get to know someone better first. The "witch's curse" implies that Prince is mildly frustrated that she doesn't sleep with him and blames it on something esoteric, other-worldly.

However, she makes him feel better about things, they've had a laugh and he goes back feeling more chilled and less argumentative. He recalls the experience as a way to deal with when he might be feeling angry again (next time i'll do it sooner - ie, instead of jumping in and arguing "violently" again, he'll chill and take a step back).

One of his best songs ever - period.

Mindflux said:

Never thought about that
And yes, one 1 his best songs ever

That pretty much covers it, guys - well done!

This is possibly my favourite Prince song. Definitely one of a small cluster that always nestle at the very top, anyway.

Thank you so much guys.
That cleared up a lot of doubts I had.
It's definitely a masterpiece.
I love the sound and the way he has the back voclas intertwining with his vocals and also the music and again of course the AMAZING lyrics.

I really love this part:

Well, earlier I'd been talkin' stuff
In a violent room <-----such an excellent way of describing a fight or tiff with a lover.
Fighting with lovers past


But she didn't see the movie
Cuz she hadn't read the book first <---these two lines are absolutely fabulous and so symbolic. He was really going deep in those times....more than now I feel...
Instead she pretended she was blind
An affliction brought on by a witch's curse


Anyone who has a completely different take on this?

Mindflux said:

This is how I interpret the song also. Howz about Starfish and Coffee? Any interpretations on that?

It's believed that the girlfriend he was fighting with was Susannah and it has also been reported that she was the one who explained to him who Dorothy Parker actually was.

I love this song....one of his best EVER.

Thanks guys... this is why I love the Org!

Thank you everyone!
Yes, this is why I love the ORG as well.

Just so awesome.