I'm gonna be totally honest with this, it would be a combination of the 2. I would have to say something honest about the song but knowing what I know about Prince, I know I would be intimidated just by having the opportunity to speak to him, let alone give a critique of his songs so I really think I'd probably say something to praise it more than it should be in spite of how average or how bad the song is, if it's bad in the first place.

purplecam said:

I'D TELL HIM LIKE THE LAST 3121..... SUCKS!
MAY HURT, THE TRUTH, NOT FROM A YES AND LAUGH EMPLOYEE!

What an interesting question, Nancy.

I'd like to think I'd be honest... Not just because I don't like to imagine myself punking out , but because I think it might ultimately be beneficial to both Prince as an artist and me as a listener to his future output.

But I couldn't just say it sucks. I'd be careful to break it down technically, orchestrally, composition-wise, etc. Otherwise, I'm sure he'd dismiss the remarks -- as do many folk who have a problem with criticisms of his current output -- as me simply "wanting him to return to an '80s' sound."
[Edited 8/7/07 21:10pm]

I'd tell him the truth-it's always best Even though I'd be in awe of him the whole time Psych

Tough one, I'm not good at lying so I'd probably tell him the truth

I cannot lie. That is my problem (correction: other people's problem). If I don't tell the truth they immediately know that I'm lying. So, if Prince asked me: What do you think of 'All the midnights in the world?' I'd surely tell him it's a piece of shit. Nothing more, nothing less.

ONCE I GOT OVER THE FACT I WAS LOOKING AT HIM DIRECTLY AND HE WAS ACKNOWLEDGING MY EXISTENCE AND THAT WE WERE TALKING TO EACH OTHER. I mean this would be surreal.

I would point out the good and bad things about the song. I would also give him proof of my opinions and tell him that his fans are generally down on his music because we know just what he can produce and have been waiting so many years for it to return.

For example, I would say that "All the midnights in the world" is a really poor version of Starfish and coffee. The reason why is that Starfish and Coffee was original and refreshing, and it sounded like nothing he (or anyone did before). Midnights sounds forced and contrived. I would tell him that the melody was OK, and to build on that. To rerecord the vocals, as they are too maudlin sounding. I would tell him that this sound worked on Condition of the heart because that was a heartfelt ballad, but Midnights needs to be sung differently because its midtempo, so he comes accross sounding retarded (maybe not exactly those words, but I would say something along those lines). I would tell him to think about his "great days" when ATWIAD and Parade where out and think about how he would make that song sound then, because those songs where great, but Midnights is a poor attempt at that sound. How exactly did he feel? What environment was there to promote such unabandoned creativity? I would just get him to completely rerecord Midnights, perhaps go to a really whacked out location, like India and get some sitars on it, do something interesting, fuck things up a little.. see what comes out. Midnights is OK, the concept is OK, but make about 3-5 cuts of it, release them on your website, get a fan vote going on the best version. Think out of the box (you used to be that way). Stay away from your JW friends for a while, you did OK without them, sure they will be back later, but just stay away from them for a month or two and see what comes out from within your soul. You used to have it, and you were unashamed to show it, dont just try and repeat a sound (like Starfish and coffee because it worked). No it worked because you tried different things, you fucked things up. Midnights needs some thing different, that way you wont be so ashamed to make the version longer.

If i didnt like it . i would give him my opinion . but dont think i would be too brutal with it . If he was showing me it he would obviously feel proud of this creation . but i am sure he wouldnt want me to lie . so i'd be honest an give my personal opinion which is just that MY PERSONAL OPINION . just cos i dont like it dont mean other people wont . . . i really dont think he does much that is really bad .. just stuff that aint really good ..kinks/ray davies have done so many songs that i hate with avengence .. but many that i really love . .prince has songs i just aint as keen on as others .. aint really done owt terrible yet

Of course I would tell him. If it was a funk track but it sounded kinda weak, I would tell him in a nice way. However, if it were a shit hop sounding track, I would tell him in the shittiest way possible that the song is a bunch of bullshit. That would be my way of telling him....."Don't ever record no bullshit like that again....EVER".

When it comes to music, I always give my honest opinion. If you lie and say you like the song, then he would make more shitty songs just like it.

OK chage the title of this thread to "Are u a brown noser or not?"

If it was good, I would tell him it was good.
If it was bad, I would tell him it was good.

Since I couldn't do a better job anyway!

i would tell him the truth i am sure he would appreciate it more than someone just saying something was great so not to upset him

GoldiLocks said:

its a creative black hole.

I'd tell the truth, especially about Planet Earth, All The Midnights, Guitar and Resolution.

It's the yes people that get these shit tracks on albums!

I wonder if Prince checks out the threads on the org. There is no better way for him to get to know the honest opinons about his music. There is no use reading "This song sucks" or anything similar. But with reviews like "All the midnites..." above he could probably profit from constructive critique. Face-to-face I guess no-one really would tell Prince: Hey man, that's bullshit. Especially not at the first meeting. Once you're in for a face-to-face situation you might hope for a second one. It's not really like with a friend. You're honest with your buddies but not really with your idols. I sincerely hope Prince has friends telling him the truth when he seems to have a case of lack of creativity. Otherwise: the org might be the source. Musicians and music lovers, get constructive. There's is enough ways of giving reasons why you don't like a song. "It sucks" is no reason.

purplesweat said:

I agree. Resolution could have been a great song, with better lyrics, a more refined arrangement and a more interesting ending. But that takes time, and it seems that the song was rushed. To me resolution is like an unfinished demo. It seems that no one took the time to "polish" it and make it into something it could have been. It also seems no one took the time out to critique the lyrics. Surely those lyrics have no deep meaning for anyone, so its not the end of the world if they were changed. The ideas around resolution were good, the execution sloppy, he should have really thought about WHAT he was going to say to the world - not just the first thing that came out of his head. The ideas are good, but unrefined.

I get this feeling that Prince has a lot of people around him, but no real friends. Perhaps Larry Graham is a friend, but is he really a friend or a brainwasher? I dont know, I just think Prince needs to really look at himself and see what is deep within his soul, then really think about the product that goes out to the world - and think that it will be how people reflect him as a person in many years to come, even after his eventual death.

Its too late now, resolution is out there, with its silly lyrics.

I'd be honest to an extent. I'm not going to tell him it's a total turd. I would simply say that it might take a little more time to grow on me.

But you know what? If Prince is standing before me asking me if I like one of his songs, I would probably would make myself believe I loved it simply because I would be loving that moment so much.

I would tell him the truth!!! No sense in lying to him.

I admire all of you who said that you would be honest with Prince about not liking a song that he's written. I probably would be so honored to be in his presence, that I wouldn't even be able to criticize it. Plus, I don't know the first thing about writing music, so I wouldn't even be able to tell him how he could improve on it.

If I was in the situation of being in a room with Prince playing a new song just for me , to be honest I'd probably be in an advanced state of famming out
already and just the whole experience would make the song sound like the best thing ever anyway . Add into that the fact I'd probably have lost my voice
and maybe be hyperventilating , the best I could probably do is give 2 thumbs up
as they carry me away in a stretcher .

psychodelicide said:

Girl I would be kissing his ass so much my lips would smell like sphincter.

moonshine - finally an honest response!!!
That's what I was waiting to write - most of us would be tongue-tied and all hmm-huhhmm yeah...
(and I'm not some kid fan who hasn't met celebs, but you know this would be kinda jaw-droppin')

moonshine said:

Imago said:

wasitgood4u said:

Most definitely!

Even though I'd be too shy to look into his eyes for a spell. I'd never lie to him. If I had the blessing to hear him in the studio, I'd make the most of it and tell it like it is...politely, of course...but still 100% true.

Illustrator said:

ain't dat da truth!!!!

The truth shall set U free.