Call me crazy, but when i first purchased the album and listen to 3 Chains Of Gold, why was the first song that popped in my head was Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. They're both like rock operas. They both start out slow then start rocking towards the end. So poses the question, is it the 90's version of BR?

I don't know about the 90s version thing but this is my jam
So dramatic! and I love the guitar

LoDog said:

your not crazy, I always saw it as P's "answer" to bohemian rhapsody...that break in the begining "....you say you love me and then you don't..." feels like falling in love
[Edited 5/4/07 22:49pm]

It's definately influenced heavily by Queen. And I can understand the tendency to compare it to Rhapsody. However - given P's taste for diversity, and the time-frame in which he grew up - I would not be suprised if he drew heavily from earlier Queen compositions as well.

I've always been of the mind that Queens first two albums were sorely underrated. Listening to songs like "My Fairy King" and "The Fairy Fellers Master Stroke" gives one a glimpse into the type of song writing that lead to songs such as Rhapsody and "The Prophets Song".

No doubt Prince would have been exposed to all of this during his teenage years, and would likely have been influenced by Queens entire early catalog.

Good thread!

I like 3 Chains O Gold, but there's this constant niggle that it really was Prince hearing Bohemian Rhapsody and thinking 'Ooh, I've not done one of them yet' and then creating his own version.
Even the adverts for the album, with that horrible female voice telling you that it was 'Coming this summer. . .' described the song as a rock opus, but for a man who always comes across as trying to be original, the song sounds a little contrived.

That said, 3 Chains O Gold is a great song to play as loud as possible!!!

Yeah, I would say so.

no its the Princified wannabe version.

phwooarr! chills up and down my spine now that u put that song into my head! Luscious. Always always loved this song despite (or rather because of) its whacky cryptic symbolism (from Prince? never!), and mild A.D.D. compared to B.Rhapsody... possibly my fave Prince guitar work on any album too. Yum

prettymansson said:

thank you...the song is rot.

yeah this song rules! i thought the exact same thing when i 1st heard it!

Alltough i love the musicianship showed on this song, the song itselve speaks one word to me: KITCH

I was just playing the song this morning. The reviews in my local papers originally compared it to music by queen. Partly wacky, partly made of arrogance, a little continental flavor tossed it, blessed by god but could only be created by a man named Prince who could make it all work - and he takes it to the max. A little too cryptic for it's own good perhaps but, damn, you just sacrifice logic and go with the flow it works wonderfully. So many stylistic changes in a single song but it is nearly 7 minutes long. He sounds a little blue given the lyrics but it lightens up at the end. That is one sexy mutha of a sweet baby. I love it 2 the 9's, it really makes me wanna melt.


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[Edited 5/5/07 12:53pm]

jtfolden said:

Very good analysis.

jtfolden said:

Nice work.