NatePerk said:

And you sound like a crazed Prince fan who will believe any and everything written about him.

Flowerz said:

Believe what you will, unless Prince says himself that he took drugs, I don't believe it. Heresay

NatePerk said:

Thanks for letting me know what my rights are

So, what is your interpretation then? I'd like to hear another slant on what the lyrics mean.

And I made my suggestion based on your intial comment and it wasn't a statement of fact (I didn't say you "are" , I said you "seem") however, all is not lost because here, right now, you have the opportunity to dispel the notion - by supporting what you said. See, you didn't just say "I disagree", you said I was "reading too much" in to the lyrics. This implies that I am uncovering meanings that aren't there (suggesting a lack of comprehension) and also puts forward the idea that, somehow, the song has less meaning than what was stated. However. what I wrote was a brief summary of the general message of each verse and the chorus with the lyric to support my theory. If there is anywhere I have written something that flies in the face of the lyric the preceeds it, then please demonstrate this.

Furthermore, don't you think it rude to just comment on what you think I have done, without offering anything yourself? I can readily accept criticism, or a difference of opinion, but unsubstantiated knocking of someone's thoughts is unacceptable and sheer laziness on your part. (well, its either that or, as someone else suggested, you are possibly blinded by Prince fandom and just don't want to believe that Prince wrote a song about him taking drugs (despite that fact that he clearly decides God is more important) - though, by all means, prove me wrong by putting your take on the song here)
[Edited 10/9/07 3:32am]

Mindflux said:

I think the whole ecstacy story is a rumor probably started with Prince and his "associates" as a joke and a means to make more money.

If the whole ecstasy trip was such an awakening to the extent that Prince decided not to release the black album, why did Prince play some of the songs from the black album on the lovesexy tour?

Also, since the 90's Prince has been more accessible to the media, know one has ever asked Prince in an interview about the Ecstasy story, Why ?

I've never heard of anyone who was under the influence of any illegal substances draw closer to God as a result, Have you ?

Finally, I won't deny the lyrics suggest Prince was choosing God over evil, but I don't believe ecstasy nor any other drug for that matter leads anyone to experience the grace of God.

I think the whole ecstacy story is a rumor probably started with Prince and his "associates" as a joke and a means to make more money.

Also, since the 90's Prince has been more accessible to the media, know one has ever asked Prince in an interview about the Ecstasy story, Why ?

If the whole ecstasy trip was such an awakening to the extent that Prince decided not to release the black album, why did Prince play some of the songs from the black album on the lovesexy tour?

I've never heard of anyone who was under the influence of any illegal substances draw closer to God as a result, Have you ?

Finally, I won't deny the lyrics suggest Prince was choosing God over evil, but I don't believe ecstasy nor any other drug for that matter leads anyone to experience the grace of God.

NatePerk said:

OK, we are getting somewhere, at least.

However, you are basing your opinion on the dismissal of overwhelming evidence to the contrary - do you seriously believe that Prince sat down with 4 cohorts and weaved an intricate web of deception so contrived as to seem utterly ridiculous? Come on! And look at the extent that Prince played this apparent game - he even includes a song about it on Lovesexy. Boy, that is some convoluted, far-reaching untruth to profess, no?

How on earth did this make Prince any money? The story didn't come out at the time and don't you think that is some major gamble? "Hmmm, if I pretend that I take drugs, I'll make mo money" - that just doesn't make sense. It wasn't the E story that turned Black in to the biggest bootleg of all time (er, which means Prince LOST a load of money!), it was the fact that one of the world's biggest stars at the time, on the back of the masterpiece SOTT had just inexplicably pulled his next album. THAT is what generated the hype and interest - not a supposed lie about popping a pill!

What does make sense is Prince performing some songs from the Black album (along with the rest of his more risqué material from previous years) for the first half of the concert as (and this perfectly mirrors his epiphany, no less) the whole "concept" of the concert is overcoming "worldy" pleasures (money/sex/drugs) and becoming a more spiritual being - aspiring to a higher self. Its part of the story and drama of the concert, so it is perfectly acceptable for Prince to perform these songs - if only for himself, he was re-living the experience on-stage and, perhaps, re-affirming his decisions.

You ask why Prince has never been asked about the Ecstasy story? You do realise that there are a multitude of obstacles and rules when it comes to a Prince interview! No pens, recorders, cameras, no EYE CONTACT! Most journalists shit themselves at the prospect of a Prince interview because he could pull it just like that and one of the biggest coups of that journalist's career has just disappeared through carelessness. However, despite not being asked specifically about that story, he has been asked whether he does drugs or not. The most recent I remember was in 1995 in an interview with Q magazine - I'm sure someone already quoted it on this thread, but Prince did not deny or admit it - he simply said "I'm open to lots of different experiences". That statement deliberately leads the reader to think that it is more likely that he has tried drugs (through its non-commital ambiguity), without actually admitting to it.

Actually, I know of many people who have turned from drugs to a more positive, even spritual/religious life. I know many that haven't - horses for courses...it depends on what you are looking for.

You casually substitue "drug" for "evil" in your last statement (a typical media trick!), yet you say this with no understanding or experience of the subject of your own! I have had a few quasi-religious experiences on certain drugs and ask anyone who has tried DMT whether they had a religious experience or not - people "meet" Buddah, God, all sorts of deities (largely dependent on your own beliefs and upbringing, I guess). You've never heard of an alcoholic "seeing the light" and making a full recovery? Not everyone who gets in to trouble with drugs is doomed, you know? And not everybody who takes drugs gets in to trouble either. The fact is, you cannot be so generalist about something which is inherently an extremely personal experience.

If that is what you choose to believe, so be it - but you nare ignoring far too many facts to make your opinion valid. In particular when it comes to Anna Stesia - what is this ambiguous evil you mention. And, let's just take one line here - why does Gregory (is it a complete co-incidence that one of the people who validates Prince's experience is featured in the song - or is this still part of Prince's masterplan to fool the world in to thinking he is a junkie?) look "like a ghost"? What "evil" would render a friend to look that way?
[Edited 10/9/07 18:14pm]

Wow, it's interesting to see where this topic has gone!

Drugs (which covers quite a large area of chemicals both natural and manufactured) have been used for Vision Quests and spiritual awakenings for thousands of years. I don't think it's so far fetched to imagine Prince accidentally having a similar experience.

It's interesting that the secret message in the Alphabet Street video is "Don't buy the Black Album, I'm sorry" instead of something along the lines of "Don't try Ecstacy, it's scary". While I don't believe that Prince fabricated the story with friends, I do believe that he used the Black Album in a very specific way, making it the "forbidden fruit" and tempting his fans with it.

The use of the "secret" message, the Lovesexy tourbook description, the Black Album songs performed during the Lovesexy tour all seem to point to Prince crafting his own legend behind the album, which was infamous before it's non-release.

I think the whole ecstacy story is a rumor probably started with Prince and his "associates" as a joke and a means to make more money.

If the whole ecstasy trip was such an awakening to the extent that Prince decided not to release the black album, why did Prince play some of the songs from the black album on the lovesexy tour?

Also, since the 90's Prince has been more accessible to the media, know one has ever asked Prince in an interview about the Ecstasy story, Why ?

I've never heard of anyone who was under the influence of any illegal substances draw closer to God as a result, Have you ?

He took extacy just in one night?

Bullshit. When I saw him on the lovesexy tour in Birmingham he was gurning his face off!

Still amazing. Get over it.

NightGod said:

Well of course. Have you ever seen P on X?