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Strange but true: the lyrics Okay, let me say this quick - before I start 2 cry
U’re the only one that I gave it 2, the one I fantasised 4 And time away from U has taught me What I should have known That this hole I’m trying 2 fill with another - yeah, it’s grown And I got your package But when I tried 2 write back I bailed See, trying 2 express the future, sometimes language fails And over this time I’ve learned My life force is increased by knowing U Every door that closes, another one opens Strange but true Strange but true No regrets because I forget the unfamiliar faces Those petty lies and alibis, just golddiggas chasing Dreams of sovereignty, they tried to come between U and me A curse therein set forces a chain of events That only freed me when I remembered Where I was and who I am The only Prince that will ever rule this holy land All understand and all standunder this affirmation now By the power invested in me by God... All negativity bows Strange but true, let’s see what U can do U may have lost me, but I found myself The ones who love me without condition - this is my wealth And with these words I will win Repeat them over and over again All understand and all standunder this affirmation now By the power invested in me by God... All negativity bows All negativity bows All negativity bows Strange but true, let’s see what U can do Strange but true, let’s see what U can do All negativity bows What do u think of these lyrics. Of all the Prince songs which had lyrics that touched me, this one is the one which touched me the most, i really could relate with it & i find it deeply spiritual (not 2 mention the great, hypnotic music.) I loved it from the day i heard it back in 1999, but the funny thing is that i related 2 it years later, when events in my life made me feel exactly in this mood, half nostalgic & sad about the girl who had left, a half full of hope & of spiritual peace, knowing myself better. Okay, let me say this quick - before I start 2 cry
Best song or poem beginning i ever read!!! That this hole I’m trying 2 fill with another - yeah, it’s grown
That's being mature & realistic, knowing oneself well & admitting what most people don't want 2. See, trying 2 express the future, sometimes language fails
This is so true, i love this way if implying we can have an instictive knowledge of the future that the mental can't put words on!!! My life force is increased by knowing U
Every door that closes, another one opens That's acknowledging that a loved one, even when he/she's gone, has made us a better/stronger person & that even in the loss, we can start something else thanks 2 what we've learned in the process. i like this!!! No regrets because I forget the unfamiliar faces
Those petty lies and alibis, just golddiggas chasing Dreams of sovereignty, they tried to come between U and me A curse therein set forces a chain of events That only freed me when I remembered Where I was and who I am The only Prince that will ever rule this holy land My favorite part because it states that sometimes sad events, the kind we can't control, eventually lead us 2 something good, a greater conscience of things. Also, it's very interesting 2 think of "this holy land" as the girl's heart, as in admitting that being jealous was senseless because she didn't care about the "golddiggas." U may have lost me, but I found myself
What a great & positive way 2 talk about a loss. She (probably) was the one who left but SHE has lost him (& on top of everything he found himself in the process.) The ones who love me without condition - this is my wealth
Another realistic statement, & kinda brave too cuz it implies that he is worthless if he isn't loved inconditionnally by someone. Who can admit this even if we r many 2 feel/believe it? I think it's about Mayte & that would make it one of Prince's most personnal song, by the way. What do u think about these lyrics? Do or did they ring some bell in ur life too? Share ur thoughts... [Edited 7/15/07 17:06pm] | |
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Nice analysis.
I agree. I've said many times that I think this is one of (if not the) greatest Prince track ever. Lyrically, musically, production-wise - it's just an amazing piece of art. Nice to see it getting some love  Toejam @ Peach & Black Podcast: http://peachandblack.podbean.com
Toejam's band "Cheap Fakes": http://cheapfakes.com.au, http://www.facebook.com/cheapfakes Toejam the solo artist: http://www.youtube.com/scottbignell | |
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I love this song. It's one of Prince's most spiritual and uplifting songs, imo. It seems like a really strong song, true strength in the sense of being able to accept a bad or painful situation (like a divorce or breakup) and move on in a positive way, without hating the other person but still fully letting them go. I would only disagree with your assessment of the couplet "You may have lost me but I found myself/the ones who love me without condition--this is my wealth." I think that's a sentiment everyone should have--not that you need unconditional love, but that if you have good friends and/or a good family, you are surrounded by love and you should never forget it. | |
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I love this song too! The lyrics and groove. Very cool song! | |
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shaomi said: Okay, let me say this quick - before I start 2 cry
U’re the only one that I gave it 2, the one I fantasised 4 And time away from U has taught me What I should have known That this hole I’m trying 2 fill with another - yeah, it’s grown And I got your package But when I tried 2 write back I bailed See, trying 2 express the future, sometimes language fails And over this time I’ve learned My life force is increased by knowing U Every door that closes, another one opens Strange but true Strange but true No regrets because I forget the unfamiliar faces Those petty lies and alibis, just golddiggas chasing Dreams of sovereignty, they tried to come between U and me A curse therein set forces a chain of events That only freed me when I remembered Where I was and who I am The only Prince that will ever rule this holy land All understand and all standunder this affirmation now By the power invested in me by God... All negativity bows Strange but true, let’s see what U can do U may have lost me, but I found myself The ones who love me without condition - this is my wealth And with these words I will win Repeat them over and over again All understand and all standunder this affirmation now By the power invested in me by God... All negativity bows All negativity bows All negativity bows Strange but true, let’s see what U can do Strange but true, let’s see what U can do All negativity bows What do u think of these lyrics. Of all the Prince songs which had lyrics that touched me, this one is the one which touched me the most, i really could relate with it & i find it deeply spiritual (not 2 mention the great, hypnotic music.) I loved it from the day i heard it back in 1999, but the funny thing is that i related 2 it years later, when events in my life made me feel exactly in this mood, half nostalgic & sad about the girl who had left, a half full of hope & of spiritual peace, knowing myself better. What a great & positive way 2 talk about a loss. She (probably) was the one who left but SHE has lost him (& on top of everything he found himself in the process.) The ones who love me without condition - this is my wealth
Another realistic statement, & kinda brave too cuz it implies that he is worthless if he isn't loved inconditionnally by someone. Who can admit this even if we r many 2 feel/believe it? I think it's about Mayte & that would make it one of Prince's most personnal song, by the way. What do u think about these lyrics? Do or did they ring some bell in ur life too? Share ur thoughts... [Edited 7/15/07 17:06pm] I think it's about Vanity. | |
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seemed to me that several songs on that album were about WB, including this one | |
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The ones who love me without condition - this is my wealth.
NOBODY, I repeat, NOBODY loves without condition, no matter how you may deceive yourself and make yourself believe that. People love CONDITIONALLY. And if you think they haven't then you haven't crossed THEIR line YET! They set bounderies, lines, conditions, expectations, wants, needs, demands, beliefs, unbelief, and limits. The only wealth you've got is to take the attitude of FACE DOWN: Fuck ALL YALL. | |
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mistermcgee said: The ones who love me without condition - this is my wealth.
NOBODY, I repeat, NOBODY loves without condition, no matter how you may deceive yourself and make yourself believe that. People love CONDITIONALLY. And if you think they haven't then you haven't crossed THEIR line YET! They set bounderies, lines, conditions, expectations, wants, needs, demands, beliefs, unbelief, and limits. The only wealth you've got is to take the attitude of FACE DOWN: Fuck ALL YALL. have u had your + 2day? | |
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ddsummer said: shaomi said: Another realistic statement, & kinda brave too cuz it implies that he is worthless if he isn't loved inconditionnally by someone. Who can admit this even if we r many 2 feel/believe it? I think it's about Mayte & that would make it one of Prince's most personnal song, by the way. What do u think about these lyrics? Do or did they ring some bell in ur life too? Share ur thoughts... [Edited 7/15/07 17:06pm] I think it's about Vanity. Vanity??? 16 years after they broke-up??? What makes u think that? | |
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Snap said: seemed to me that several songs on that album were about WB, including this one
Interesting analysis. But Prince was free from WB so isn't it more logical 2 think about Mayte since they were breaking up in 1999. I'm not tryin' 2 make a point but 2 figure the most logical xplaination. | |
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mistermcgee said: The ones who love me without condition - this is my wealth.
NOBODY, I repeat, NOBODY loves without condition, no matter how you may deceive yourself and make yourself believe that. People love CONDITIONALLY. And if you think they haven't then you haven't crossed THEIR line YET! They set bounderies, lines, conditions, expectations, wants, needs, demands, beliefs, unbelief, and limits. Kinda true in 99% of the cases. But don't u think the love most people have 4 their children is unconditionnal, at least as long as they're still children? | |
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Krystal666 said: I love this song too! The lyrics and groove. Very cool song!
Ditto! Just listened to it.  | |
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Prince has so many hundreds of great songs that it's easy for some to slip through the cracks and "Strange But True" (along with the whole Rave album) is one that I haven't listened to as much as some of his other work.
Shaomi, your analysis and post on the song was excellent and prompted me to listen to it again. Yeah it's definitely a cool song and now I'll listen to it with more appreciation in the future. Excellent analysis/post Shaomi. [Edited 7/18/07 15:32pm] | |
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shaomi said: ddsummer said: I think it's about Vanity. Vanity??? 16 years after they broke-up??? What makes u think that? I remember reading an article from the Black magazine "Jet". It was an interview with Prince he had just married Mayte. He stated "Everyone thought that I would marry Vanity". He went on to talk about how he and Vanity were in the same place spirtually. These are very personal statements from a private person. Prince gave me the impression that he was hurting (in a emotional way). Listen to the Prince song Dionne..... He's talking about how Vanity married someone else. He wanted to be her man....he wanted to be the one she married. It's not a coincedence that Prince married a few months after Vanity did. It was love on the rebound.....I can go on and on. There are many references to Vanity in his songs (recent and past). Check out "The Lion of Judah". I know there will be people who doubt this but I stand by my many years of observations. | |
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ddsummer said: shaomi said: Vanity??? 16 years after they broke-up??? What makes u think that? I remember reading an article from the Black magazine "Jet". It was an interview with Prince he had just married Mayte. He stated "Everyone thought that I would marry Vanity". He went on to talk about how he and Vanity were in the same place spirtually. These are very personal statements from a private person. Prince gave me the impression that he was hurting (in a emotional way). Listen to the Prince song Dionne..... He's talking about how Vanity married someone else. He wanted to be her man....he wanted to be the one she married. It's not a coincedence that Prince married a few months after Vanity did. It was love on the rebound.....I can go on and on. There are many references to Vanity in his songs (recent and past). Check out "The Lion of Judah". I know there will be people who doubt this but I stand by my many years of observations. i seriously doubt he feels this way about someone who chose to douse their dream sand motivations with cocain.... | |
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BobGeorge909 said: ddsummer said: I remember reading an article from the Black magazine "Jet". It was an interview with Prince he had just married Mayte. He stated "Everyone thought that I would marry Vanity". He went on to talk about how he and Vanity were in the same place spirtually. These are very personal statements from a private person. Prince gave me the impression that he was hurting (in a emotional way). Listen to the Prince song Dionne..... He's talking about how Vanity married someone else. He wanted to be her man....he wanted to be the one she married. It's not a coincedence that Prince married a few months after Vanity did. It was love on the rebound.....I can go on and on. There are many references to Vanity in his songs (recent and past). Check out "The Lion of Judah". I know there will be people who doubt this but I stand by my many years of observations. i seriously doubt he feels this way about someone who chose to douse their dream sand motivations with cocain.... It's true she went through some hard times but she's been delivered. She's a woman of god now. There were many celebs from that era who got involved in drugs. She wasn't the only one. She choice to tell her story in hope of helping others. Do you think Prince is innocent(that he never never tried drugs)? I think she's a big influence on him. In The Lion of Judah Prince states "I still Adore u.....Adore U".....It's a reference to the song Adore.....Which is about Vanity. Go ahead call me crazy but this is Strange but True. | |
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ddsummer said: shaomi said: Vanity??? 16 years after they broke-up??? What makes u think that? I remember reading an article from the Black magazine "Jet". It was an interview with Prince he had just married Mayte. He stated "Everyone thought that I would marry Vanity". He went on to talk about how he and Vanity were in the same place spirtually. These are very personal statements from a private person. Prince gave me the impression that he was hurting (in a emotional way). Listen to the Prince song Dionne..... He's talking about how Vanity married someone else. He wanted to be her man....he wanted to be the one she married. It's not a coincedence that Prince married a few months after Vanity did. It was love on the rebound.....I can go on and on. There are many references to Vanity in his songs (recent and past). Check out "The Lion of Judah". I know there will be people who doubt this but I stand by my many years of observations. Well, why not? We'll never know in the end. I didn't know Dionne was about Vanity, is it a fact or a personnal theory? [Edited 7/19/07 9:26am] | |
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emilio319 said: Prince has so many hundreds of great songs that it's easy for some to slip through the cracks and "Strange But True" (along with the whole Rave album) is one that I haven't listened to as much as some of his other work.
Shaomi, your analysis and post on the song was excellent and prompted me to listen to it again. Yeah it's definitely a cool song and now I'll listen to it with more appreciation in the future. Excellent analysis/post Shaomi.
[Edited 7/18/07 15:32pm] Well, thanx | |
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ddsummer said: BobGeorge909 said: i seriously doubt he feels this way about someone who chose to douse their dream sand motivations with cocain.... It's true she went through some hard times but she's been delivered. She's a woman of god now. There were many celebs from that era who got involved in drugs. She wasn't the only one. She choice to tell her story in hope of helping others. Do you think Prince is innocent(that he never never tried drugs)? I think she's a big influence on him. In The Lion of Judah Prince states "I still Adore u.....Adore U".....It's a reference to the song Adore.....Which is about Vanity. Go ahead call me crazy but this is Strange but True. I'm almost 100% sure i've read somewhere (Per Nielsen?) that "Adore" is about Susannah, which would make sense since Prince was dating her when he wrote the song. | |
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BobGeorge909 said: ddsummer said: I remember reading an article from the Black magazine "Jet". It was an interview with Prince he had just married Mayte. He stated "Everyone thought that I would marry Vanity". He went on to talk about how he and Vanity were in the same place spirtually. These are very personal statements from a private person. Prince gave me the impression that he was hurting (in a emotional way). Listen to the Prince song Dionne..... He's talking about how Vanity married someone else. He wanted to be her man....he wanted to be the one she married. It's not a coincedence that Prince married a few months after Vanity did. It was love on the rebound.....I can go on and on. There are many references to Vanity in his songs (recent and past). Check out "The Lion of Judah". I know there will be people who doubt this but I stand by my many years of observations. i seriously doubt he feels this way about someone who chose to douse their dream sand motivations with cocain.... I think she was one of his greatest love along with Susannah & his 2 wives. Whatever she's done after they parted ways won't change that, & Vanity being on "Come" (the moanings on "Orgasm", credited 2 "she knows") seems 2 b a homage of sorts. | |
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ddsummer said: BobGeorge909 said: i seriously doubt he feels this way about someone who chose to douse their dream sand motivations with cocain.... It's true she went through some hard times but she's been delivered. She's a woman of god now. There were many celebs from that era who got involved in drugs. She wasn't the only one. She choice to tell her story in hope of helping others. Do you think Prince is innocent(that he never never tried drugs)? I think she's a big influence on him. In The Lion of Judah Prince states "I still Adore u.....Adore U".....It's a reference to the song Adore.....Which is about Vanity. Go ahead call me crazy but this is Strange but True. He certainly ain't innocent but it seems that "Lovesexy" night with Ingrid Chavez, back in december 1988, was his only drug experience (ecstasy in that case) | |
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shaomi said: ddsummer said: I remember reading an article from the Black magazine "Jet". It was an interview with Prince he had just married Mayte. He stated "Everyone thought that I would marry Vanity". He went on to talk about how he and Vanity were in the same place spirtually. These are very personal statements from a private person. Prince gave me the impression that he was hurting (in a emotional way). Listen to the Prince song Dionne..... He's talking about how Vanity married someone else. He wanted to be her man....he wanted to be the one she married. It's not a coincedence that Prince married a few months after Vanity did. It was love on the rebound.....I can go on and on. There are many references to Vanity in his songs (recent and past). Check out "The Lion of Judah". I know there will be people who doubt this but I stand by my many years of observations. Well, why not? We'll never know in the end. I didn't know Dionne was about Vanity, is it a fact or a personnal theory? [Edited 7/19/07 9:26am] When Vanity wed(she's now divorced) it was a surprise to everyone. Including Prince. There was an article in People magazine at the time of her wedding. It stated "Vanity weds her man" with a picture of Vanity and her groom holding hands at there wedding..Well on "Dionne" Prince sings about how Vanity(Dionne) "should have held his hand and let him be her man" he goes on to say how she should had let him down easy....Prince was hurting. | |
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i really didn't dig it at first but i had to rewind it because of the second line of the song. was prince saying he as virginal until he got married. that would definately be something that was strange, yet true.i still am not sure what he meant there
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shaomi said: ddsummer said: It's true she went through some hard times but she's been delivered. She's a woman of god now. There were many celebs from that era who got involved in drugs. She wasn't the only one. She choice to tell her story in hope of helping others. Do you think Prince is innocent(that he never never tried drugs)? I think she's a big influence on him. In The Lion of Judah Prince states "I still Adore u.....Adore U".....It's a reference to the song Adore.....Which is about Vanity. Go ahead call me crazy but this is Strange but True. I'm almost 100% sure i've read somewhere (Per Nielsen?) that "Adore" is about Susannah, which would make sense since Prince was dating her when he wrote the song. Adore had been written awhile before Susannah. It was a song Prince was holding on to. The many references in the song are of Vanity. This emotional powerful song was Prince talking to her. The killer line "If you need me I"ll never leave"...Who left Prince when he needed her? Vanity did. She left before the filming of Purple Rain was just to began...Leaving Prince when he needed her the most. The line "For all times I am with you You are with me" that's speaking of Vanity. All the many interviews that Vanity did back in the day. She could not do an interview without people asking her about Prince. I mean even today people ask her about him. Back in the day she appeared on Video Soul (BET). When questioned about who was Prince's woman? Vanity asked, You mean who own's his heart? she replied sarcasticly, "I dont know, you tell me?".....Prince answered her question with the song "Adore". | |
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musicology74 said: i really didn't dig it at first but i had to rewind it because of the second line of the song. was prince saying he as virginal until he got married. that would definately be something that was strange, yet true.i still am not sure what he meant there
James Aaron I believe your talking about the part where he says "Your the only one I gave it to"...it is his heart. | |
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shaomi said: He certainly ain't innocent but it seems that "Lovesexy" night with Ingrid Chavez, back in december 1988, was his only drug experience (ecstasy in that case)
A lot of people think that Superfunkycalifragisexy describes an E trip. Obviously the song pre-dates that particular date in Prince history.  Who knows.
I think Strange But True being about Vanity is also a massive stretch, but again...ho knows. | |
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NouveauDance said: shaomi said: He certainly ain't innocent but it seems that "Lovesexy" night with Ingrid Chavez, back in december 1988, was his only drug experience (ecstasy in that case)
A lot of people think that Superfunkycalifragisexy describes an E trip. Obviously the song pre-dates that particular date in Prince history. Who knows.
I think Strange But True being about Vanity is also a massive stretch, but again...ho knows. Time will tell..... | |
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ddsummer said: shaomi said: I'm almost 100% sure i've read somewhere (Per Nielsen?) that "Adore" is about Susannah, which would make sense since Prince was dating her when he wrote the song. Adore had been written awhile before Susannah. It was a song Prince was holding on to. The many references in the song are of Vanity. This emotional powerful song was Prince talking to her. The killer line "If you need me I"ll never leave"...Who left Prince when he needed her? Vanity did. She left before the filming of Purple Rain was just to began...Leaving Prince when he needed her the most. The line "For all times I am with you You are with me" that's speaking of Vanity. All the many interviews that Vanity did back in the day. She could not do an interview without people asking her about Prince. I mean even today people ask her about him. Back in the day she appeared on Video Soul (BET). When questioned about who was Prince's woman? Vanity asked, You mean who own's his heart? she replied sarcasticly, "I dont know, you tell me?".....Prince answered her question with the song "Adore". I'm gonna have 2 believe u until i reread my Per Nielsen  | |
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shaomi said: BobGeorge909 said: i seriously doubt he feels this way about someone who chose to douse their dream sand motivations with cocain.... I think she was one of his greatest love along with Susannah & his 2 wives. Whatever she's done after they parted ways won't change that, & Vanity being on "Come" (the moanings on "Orgasm", credited 2 "she knows") seems 2 b a homage of sorts. I didnt know that was Vanity! I always thought it was Mayte... WOW Certainly changes a few things in my mind, like for him to still be 'featuring' Vanity on his album in 1994 means she was still on his mind.... Aww..  One minute they want peace……
Then do everything to make it go away.  | |
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JOYJOY said: shaomi said: I think she was one of his greatest love along with Susannah & his 2 wives. Whatever she's done after they parted ways won't change that, & Vanity being on "Come" (the moanings on "Orgasm", credited 2 "she knows") seems 2 b a homage of sorts. I didnt know that was Vanity! I always thought it was Mayte... WOW Certainly changes a few things in my mind, like for him to still be 'featuring' Vanity on his album in 1994 means she was still on his mind.... Aww.. Exactly and what does he say on the end of Orgasm?.....I Love U. | |
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