Does anyone like me prefer the version of "The Dance" on The Chocolate Invasion. To me it seems to evoke a different feeling to 3121 but i don't know what it is that seems to sound better to me. I do like the climax at the end of 3121 but as a whole i think i prefer this version, ...thoughts?

scandalousalan said:

I like 'em both. However, I like "The Chocolate Invasion" better than "3121" so by default I've listened to that version more often.

.....

I HAVE PREVIOUSLY STATED and I will repeat myself (with corrections from loose to lose -- sorry for the earlier typo, I actually do know how to spell, most times):

The original version of The Dance is much cleaner, more sultry and has Prince sounding quite vulnerable. The new version has got a totally different vibe. I wonder the importance of this song, enough for him to rework and repackage it. He's never done it like this before. I love the original version, and the original was likely current to the time period it was released (2004) on The Chocolate Invasion. It makes most sense that this is a new song, new enough to have kept his emotions in the song going strong ... carrying over even stronger in the new 3121 version.

For those who say it's about a lost love, I think it's about a love that hasn't taken place yet. The phrase "I don't wanna see you dance cuz I don't even really wanna take the chance of falling in love with you" shows he's trying real hard not to like this person and fall in love. he's never seen her dance before and now he doesn't even want to take that chance of possibly falling in love by watching her. If it was an old love lost he was lamenting, he would have already been in love.

The original had different intentions, the new one is about the continued mental temptation .... has he missed his opportunity? that's what's probably driving him mad!

It seems many don't know the original version, so here are the lyrics:

I don't wanna give you my love
cuz I don't wanna lose my mind
I don't wanna give you my love
cuz if I do it's gonna be the last time
I never wanna feel this way again
if I can't be your lover I don't wanna be friends, no
I don't wanna be friends, no

I don't wanna hold your hand (I don't wanna hold your hand)
cuz I just wanna follow you everywhere
I don't wanna see you dance (no no no)
cuz I don't een really wanna take the chance
of falling in love with you baby
cuz if you ever said those beautiful words to me
if I wanna be your fantasy, yes
I wanna dance, yes

(ooh baby)

I don't wanna give you my love
I don't wanna go too fast
cuz if I do you just might stay (stay with me)
you just might stay
I guess I have a lonely dance (do you wanna dance?)
the longer that I feel this way (the longer that I feel this way)
and I never wanna feel this way again (I don't wanna feel)
if I can't be your lover (I don't wanna be just friends)
no no no no no no no I don't wanna be friends
no no no no no I just want this to end

my my my, my my my my my baby
oh yeah
I don't wanna give you my love (I don't wanna give you my love)
cuz I don't wanna lose my muse, lose lose my mind
go home baby, you know you can't handle this.

aubergine said:

cheers for the insight, ..yea thre is a pretty distinctive difference, i must say he does sound more vulnerable in the earlier version, i guess thats what i am picking up on.
[Edited 4/17/07 17:52pm]

The Chocolate Invasion version is cooler.

Chocolate Invasion version. Its funky.