They're all metaphors for the same, wonderous thing, aren't they?

Just what is Prince on to? And are we experiencing the same thing?

I love all the names he's so far come up with for that wonderful state of bliss that we all so want to believe in.

So, ultimately, do we all love Prince's ideals? Or do you ignore and/or accept that he feels differently to some of us and do you just enjoy the music regardless?

Are his ideals 100% religious or are his ideals based on spirituality regardless of what people believe?

Or is he just being pretentious as a way of creating interest in the music?

He's given a name to his ideal many times throughout the years. Have you always stuck with him throughout? Or have you lost interest at any point?

Will you ever lose interest as a result of his beliefs and ideals?

Haystack said:

They seem different: Uptown describes a city that may be fictional but could exist in reality, with different races and people of all backgrounds coming together. The people who would populate that city (at least in theory) were later described as the New Power Generation, a well-educated group who would be able to rise to power as the people who used hate and racism to rule died off. (He's described the NPG in different ways throughout the years too.) Paisley Park seems like a metaphor for heaven, The Dawn seems like an event (a broad spiritual awakening) rather than a place. I'm not sure I know what he means by 3121. Not that I disagree with what you're saying/asking; I just felt an urge to elaborate on how I interpreted these things.



I'm not sure how he feels differently toward some of us. He's never been clear about it. There are always rumors that he's homophobic or something, but they don't really seem substantiated (and considering that Wendy and Lisa would still work with him, the story could be dubious or he may have changed his mind, which makes it kind of moot). If he ever made a public documented statement condeming gay people, I bet his career would go down the toilet the way Donna Summer's did.



He has a right to his beliefs. If he truly offends me (as opposed to just making me think about something I don't agree with or challenging me to defend my own views), then I might lose interest (but I don't think I would ever give up the albums that came before that point; they're too important and meaningful to me).

You bring up some interesting points here.

I've only heard the songs 3121 and Paisley Park.

I never saw them as metaphors for the same thing... but maybe they're diff. aspects of the same thing.

I think of 3121 as the party only his listeners can gain an invitation. It's like the man says "You can come if you want to, but you can never leave."

I always thought Uptown was about Minneapolis' uptown district and Paisley Park is about his actual PP studios.

bobsteezy said:

same here

bobsteezy said:

I live in minneapolis and your right about both!!

The song Paisley Park was released in 1985 - the studios, opened in 1986, were named after the song (and the idea), rather than the other way around.

Uptown was Prince's version of Sodom and Gemorrah. 3121 is Prince's version of a world where celebrities and regular people who have lots of money to spare can mingle and forget about the ugly poor people. Paisley Park is in your heart.

Uptown: Song on the Controversey Lp. the song describes a place where all races can party together..."white,black,puerto rican, everybody just a freakin"....Prince has stated that Minneapolis will also be "uptown" to him... "cuz I can walk around and be me".

Paisley Park: Song on ATWIAD Lp. The song describes a place in your heart...a eutopia of some kind...this song title was later used to name his record label and facility.

New Power Generation. The name he gave his new band in 1990's. A song also exists on "Graffiti Bridge"..describing a generation "wants to change the world"...it also goes on to state a desire to input new ideas and ways of doing things...in music and life I suppose.

The DAWN: Prince has used this term since the 1999 album...in liner notes stating, May U Live 2 C the Dawn.....he later released the song on the crystal ball cd....the dawn seems to be a metaphor for his belief in "the truth"...
Chris Rock asked him about the dawn and what it is...and If memory serves correct, P stated it was about being free (this was during the emancipation era)..

3121: the song and idea seem to describe a club or place to party and be free.

They are all similar yet have some differences...I wonder what he will think up next.

booyah said:

There's really only one thing to say here...BOOYAH!!

thepope2the9s said:

Wasn't "Welcome to the Dawn" on "The Truth" not CB?

bobsteezy said:

Actually, I've felt that PP is metaphoric. It's kind of described in the song itself. It's a place you can see through the lyrics.

bobsteezy said:

[Edited 5/7/07 10:39am]

wasitgood4u said:

Yes, but the truth was part of the crystal ball set! 5 disc set
But if u want to be technical...yes it was on the truth cd.

thepope2the9s said:

i don't thonk it's technical - CB is 3 CDs (still sold as such i think). Kama Sutra (blecch) and theTruth were separate albums included as a bonus.