Inspired by another thread about the 'hardest rock track by Prince' i decided to start this, because i like my funk as hard, direct and nasty as possible (in a musical sense, that is).

So, what are Princes hardest funk tracks?

Here are my choices:

1. Automatic (1999):
Not especially 'loud' in the beat department, but the cold sounding, brilliantly organised Linn-beat is right on spot IMO. Combined with those interlocking synths it works just splendid: just so strong and urgent. No smoothing down here, both musically and lyrically.

2. The Grind (The Black album):
Maybe the song is a bit too long for its own good, but when it comes to the 'groove' and the layered, clintonesque arrangement built around it, this is hard funk as it should be, even more direct and in your face then the late Parliament songs it reminds me off.

3. Hide the Bone (The Crystal Ball-set):
Almost stereotypical 'cliched' when it comes to the lyrics, and very catchy / poppy in its melodylines, but most important is that it just 'works' with the hard, dry beat. The straightforward overal funkieness is refreshing IMO.

Runner up:

4. I rock, therefore i am (Chaos and Disorder):
A song often 'talked down' because the gimmickly sounding raps and ragga-parts, but when it comes to the direct, ultracatchy melody, the guitarwork, Rosies background vocals and especially that hard beat (Prince is outclassing Sly and George there) this is a way underrated winner in the hard-funk vein.
[Edited 12/4/07 15:43pm]

Riverpoet31 said:

i didn't like that song at first cuz the title is kinda misleading as it doesn't really rock too much. but it's alright. i think the black album is real hard funk. especially rockhard in a funky place,bob george and superfunkycalifragisexy which are my favorites.

I dont label superfunkycalifragisexy as hard-funk immediately, but its one of my favourite funk-tracks ever by him anyway.

The funky guitar sounds razorsharp, the lyrics are both disturbant and humoristic (dark humor), the music being a striking blend between funk. pop and dance, the 'mojo is certainly working' on this track!

what about 1+1+1=3?

DAYS OF WILD-live!

slappin that muthafuckin bass!

jonylawson said:

i remember with great clarity walking into the ONA soundcheck with about 100 others at the apollo in 2002 and being greeted by p slapping his bass to DOW-funky as hell







and very surreal

eroticity

funksexy classic

Lady Cad Driver, of course!

Damn, so many to chose from, but these really stand out:

*Days of Wild

*Erotic City

*Thieves in the Temple (Remix)

*We Can Funk (anything but that Graffiti Bridge mix)

*Lady Cab Driver

*DMSR

*Let's Work

Anotherloverholeinyohead

"Put cha foot on the rock..."

OMFunkin'G! I need to get this lot in a playlist NOW!



Days of wild - Live, first!

Did Prince write, "Workin' on the railroad?"

Computer Blue
Kiss
Rebirth Of the Flesh

I could go on...

Housequake
Hot Thing
Lady Cab Driver
Irresistible Bitch
Let's Work
777-9311
Get it up

Let's Work

I do think he was saying hardest to
make, and I do agree automatic seemed
the most difficult. The ones mentioned
here are funky but did'nt seem as difficult
as automatic.

Shockadelica.

Period.

Superfunkycalifragisexy.

Gett Off (original version).

Erotic City.

Lady Cab Driver.

Automatic.

Housequake.

Sign O' The Times.

Le Grind.

Cindy C.

We Can Funk.

Kiss.

Let It Go.

If I Was Your Girlfriend.

Pick any one of the above, if you're talking about hardcore funk. I miss the old days...

'What is the hardest funk track Prince has ever done?'


Then we talking about street level funk...takin' it to the hood and back.


1.Controversy...that was way funky!
2.1999
3.America (12 inch) James Brown/Funkadelic groove
4.DMSR
5.Sexy Dancer

Sexual Suicide,


Tambourine

ufoclub said:

whooooa... two very good choices
I agree with every song listed so far. Especially
Rock Hard In A Funky Place
Shockadelica
and oh yes Controversy is that awesome tight bouncy groove
for 8 minutes!

One that i don't think that has been mentioned yet (though not "hard funk")
would be Loveleft Loveright. There is some funky shit goin
on in that song!
Also funky: I Wish U Heaven (part 3)

vainandy said:

williamb610 said:

Hardcore funk?

777-9311
black sweat (live)

a lot of his time songs were SUPER FUNK.. just to name a few


Get it Up
The STICK!!!
777-9311
Jerk Out (Jerking everything in sight)



as well as Calhoun Square. That is funk FUNK.

Extra Loveable

Agree with the majority of tracks listed here, but gotta add 17 Days and Posessed (Purple Rain Live performance) to the list!
[Edited 12/5/07 4:54am]

Get It UP
Extraloveable
Posessed (Purple Rain Live performance)

I agree!