Just wondering if you think Prince writes better material when he is in love/a relationship?

Im just wondering after listening to the new cd-especially 'somewhere here on earth' he sounds so lonely!

I think he writes better LOVE songs when he's in love. But it's hard to say with him, there's a part of him that always seems lonely.

I think he's enjoying being without a wife...for now. The mellow sounds in his music in the last while just comes from maturity. His earlier music is edgier and raw compared to now but that's just because with maturity comes the ability to not stress and worry so much...basically there are a lot fewer things that bothers or puts a person on edge when they are older. This makes room for more of a well rounded artistic sound. To me his older stuff is not better then his newer material...it's all just different...and I like it...well most of it!

As far as the muse is concerned...I'd say most artists have a muse. Artists look at things differently then people who are not artistically inclined...in fact they are extra good at seeing things just the right way to find a muse! I think Prince gets inspiration from a muse all the time and not just from women. An artistic inspiration can come from anything...anything at all...from a shattered glass on the floor to the funny way a person waddled by on the street! From any muse a person could still write a song about a relationship or sex, or love!

A good artist doesn't have to have a muse but without one their work has no heart put into it...very flat and dull. Hell...even working on something without a particular inspiration can bring out a beautiful idea! And there you have it...a muse!

Your right I gusee sometimes when I listen to songs like Adore or nothing compares to you I just wonder who he wrote them about?

Obsidian said:

Nicely said

Musicology is the scientific study of music.
Greek Mythology teaches that the 9 daughters of Zeus each presided over a
liberal art.
Where Inspiration comes from is ultimately the Father, however, through
the line, a muse will have contributed if only slightly to plant a seed of
thought.
Muse and Music.

No one needs an unhappy marriage...Prince needs to trust he will marry a friend
if he ever chooses to make that committment again.

I think God is his main muse.

I think he needs a muse and always finds one somewhere

Jakeasaurus said:

Thanks!

This is the Muse Prince needs to team up with now!

http://www.youtube.com/wa...jI0LOs6vW4

Jakeasaurus said:

Co-sign

I'll get back to you after I hear Emancipation. That's when I'll really know whether or not he's better when he's in love.
Although come to think of it, he was in love with Susannah when he wrote "The Beautiful Ones" and "Condition of the Heart"... and those were 2 really good songs of his.

But I do think he's in a very good place right now, even if he isn't in love. As far as a "muse" is concerned, you're right, he doesn't need a love interest to make good music. Everything inspires him. He said so himself (both in interviews and in my dream, he actually said that when I asked him).

bex23 said:

Yup! He very well could have written them about someone in particular..one of his old sweeties, but who's to say it was someone he even knows. It could have been about a stranger he saw across a crowded room, or perhaps even a couple he knows who happen to be deeply in love. It could be a place he stayed, or a object he's seen and touched that inspired emotion. It could even be a particular scent that he smelled in passing evoking feelings....we can't rule out the nose...our sense of smell can be a powerful motivator....this type of thing could have been the muse for his new perfume...who knows! It's really fun to imagine though.

Great topic!

Hell...even this venture of suing youtube and ebay etc. could be creating a really good muse for him.

I think his most powerful relationship songs come about when hes not with someone , or at least when the theme of the song is a break-up anyway .
I much prefer tracks akin to The Beautiful Ones , Empty Room , I Hate U
compared to say Saviour , She Loves Me 4 Me and thier ilk .

This is a really good/interesting topic. Don't have too many quite like this.

There're so many different ways to answer the question. But it really comes down to everything that inspires him to write his music. And I always like learning about his inspirations.

bex23 said:

Actually to me the song "Somewhere Here On Earth" is not a lonely song. To me he seems quietly content and confident that there is someone somewhere out there for him.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Obsidian said:

aww... thats sweet.
I didn't really pick that up.

But then again, I absorb diff. things with each listen. I think he wanted to do something kinda old and he found some inspiration somewhere to put it together... I love the classical, sophsticated vibe of it... and the record-player sound-effects. But I guess there is a certain sense of hope about it that he does find his other half.

moonshine said:

Are "The Beautiful Ones", "Empty Room", and "I Hate U" break-up songs? TBO does seem like a song about relationship problems and it was pretty intense that it was great, but don't know about the other two.

As for as "Saviour" and "She Loves Me 4 Me", never heard one and the second one it never really stood out to me.

About him having a muse, I thought that he made a couple of outstanding CD's while he was with his first wife? Not sure what those were but I recall someone mentioning that. If that is true, then maybe it's because he put his heart into it. Now with "Call My Name" I believe that he was with his second wife and am assuming that he wrote that about her. But the impression that I get when I watch and listen to that video is that he's not truly happy in the first place. I began to wonder if he wrote that to appease her with her being jealous (so, I heard). Of course I could be very wrong but I'm just trying to figure that out.

With the love and relationship songs, it may make a difference whether his heart is in it or not.

wildgoldenhoney said:

I never thought of TB1's as a break-up song at all.
He dedicated Emancipation 2 Mayte. But he also wrote a few songs for her on the preceding albums ( & TGE).

I believe he did write "Call my Name" for his 2nd wife, but in the video, its more or less an act... but just cuz it's a music video. I think.

And I believe his is in every song. It's just a matter of how much he pours into it.

yes and her she is.

Obsidian said:

I agree that his inspiration can come from anywhere, as you mentioned in your other posts. He could even be inspired watching someone else who is inspired. He could even write something very beautiful and yet the idea may have come from an unlikely source. Even like what you said, a smell.

As Tame mentioned "a seed planted" may have sprouted into something or other quite original too.

Very interesting points you all have made!

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Yeah, TBO's does not sound like a break-up song to me either but as moonshine mentioned, I was thinking that's what was meant. Although there is a certain dilema (sorry can't spell) in that song. I love to watch Apollonia when he's singing that to her because he says "The Beautiful Ones" and she smiles, then he says "Always smash the picture", and her smile is gone. (Sorry, sometimes I feel sorry for her, because it seems so messed up and twisted)!

I never listened to Emancipation, but heard it was like awesome, is this true? Because if it is then he can write inspired while he is in love too then.

True, true, I'm sure he does put his heart into all he does but I can't help but to think that he was trying to please her and calm her fears and insecurities. He just seems like the type who would do that and go to such an extent to save/ work on his marriage by showing his wife that he does love her. Because "Call My Name" was a very nice song at that.

wildgoldenhoney said:

I don't own Emancipation, so I can't say I know too much about it. It doesn't seem to go over well with many people, though. But that doesn't deter me from wanting it.
And with "Call my Name"... you're absolutely right. He does seem that type to me too. I thought he always had this big temper (thanx 2 the movie), but he's very sweet in his work... especially when he's in love.

Obsidian said:

I hope so!

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

What you said sums up what I was grasping to say...

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Personally I liked Emancipation...especially the 2nd disk. For the time being I dont think Prince needs a muse. I believe he is happy being single and his music is reflecting that he has a wider horizon than love and sex. His music today is spiritual, funky ..a little more mature. We have to remember that Prince is an artist and as an artist one must change in order to grow/develop and become better.

1KissAtATyme said:

AGREED! Great perspective!

1KissAtATyme said: