I really love this song.
Have been playing the IndigO² version for weeks now in my car.
It has some really great guitar effects.


Don't really understand the lyrics though.

Does anyone know what it's about?

no! but it makes me tinglle. bewlifuel strange..

I was thankful to see the video, and thought it was beautiful...I really love the filtered clouds, and now when I look at the sky, I think about the beautiful/strange video.

Tame said:

What, there is a video?????

Jochem said:

Beautiful Strange NPG Video 1999 (80'29")

Sold through official website featuring 'interview' with Mel B at Paisley park and performance at Cafe De Paris, London with Larry Graham, Chaka Khan, Doug E Fresh.

Opens with 'Beautiful Strange' (not same version as on 'Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic').

This was also broadcast on television in the UK.

Jochem said:

Yep, I have it. It has the Beautiful Strange video, then there is an interview at his house and playground with Mel B., then it goes into a concert in London with NPG. Him and Chaka Khan perform "Sweet Thing" together. It's a pretty cool video.

langebleu said:

Thanx L'ange. You're the best.
I also found some previous threads on this song:
http://prince.org/msg/7/212757
http://prince.org/msg/13/174913

Arabia25 said:

Right, I know the Mel B interview, didn't see the video though.
I'll see if I can still find this somewhere...

on which volume of cafe de Paris is that?

Jochem said:

i think it's about jesus

but what or whomever it is about it's one of his best ever tunes

I always thought he was singin' about himself and the name change deal.

Remember, he's an egomaniac.

Don't forget it!

Prost!

nayroo2002 said:

slainte

It's about illusion. It's about playing the game of separation. It's about letting go of concepts (no mind) and discovering truth. It's about discovering God within you. It's about finding the Light and realizing Self. I'm very happy to know that he's played this song recently. It's a beautiful song of realizing the Self and the oneness of the universe. This is up there with One Song for me as my favorites when I need little reminders of who I am and where to seek that knowledge.

Love that song! Like the War, it's got an amazing sound and a deep meaning.

My favourite version was played at Nighttown in Rotterdam circa ONA - man that was mind-blowing!

LittleRedCorvette said:

Wow thanks.

Strangelybeautiful, mysterious, a phantasm, you come as in a dream, yet with an unknown purpose, to confound one, leaving unanswered questions when you depart.

.
[Edited 1/9/08 0:25am]

LittleRedCorvette said:

Spot on.

Count all the times he took all the blame = One. It's like Prince is a Gnostic Christian upto this point - seeing Jesus as the universal avatar, the 'son' (or child) of God in each of us.


The song never really did much for me personally though, I find it too tepid and maudlin.

NouveauDance said:

Did you hear any of the live versions?

I don't think it's as deep as some make it. To me, it's about the name change. He's just saying, "Why are you tripping on a name? People say that race and religion don't matter - and yet you're getting hung up something as superficial as what I call myself. Y'all need to look deeper - at who a person really is - and not what name I choose."

Jochem said:

You're welcome

NouveauDance said:

Thanks NouveauDance. I agree with what you said. You know that God ~ everything is His fault; wars, famine, disease, personal tragedies. When we experience anything that we think we don't want to experience, our first (generally) response is "Why me God!? Why me!?" And I think your description of him up to this point (gnostic christian) is very accurate, but I would surmise that he still has some of those same beliefs. (Everlasting Now comes to mind.)

And while I disagree with your assessment of the song as being "tepid and maudlin", I gotta respect it! For me though, it just paints a very beautiful picture.

best version was at the celebration in 2002

It's strangely beautiful.

I love this tune, but I always have the feeling that it's not finished yet. Like he didn't take the time to record it completely. I mean nothing is really happening in the song: only the 3 chords, no chorus, bridge, arrangements. It's so 'not Prince' : the perfectionist.
I think this is the reason he never released it on an official album. I'd love to hear a rerecorded version of this song on his next album.

Christaro said:

It is track #11 on the officially released (2000) "Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic" album.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w..._Fantastic

Jochem said:

Mmm interesting. I didn't know there was a RaveUn + a RaveINto album.
[Edited 1/9/08 10:27am]

Christaro said:

Oh, ok. The 2000 In2 album is better too, imho.
You should have a listen.

Jochem said:

You cannot imagine how hard I'm downloading now

Can RaveIn2TheJoyFantastic be purchased anywhere other that ebay?

yahoo, just got ahold of it, Beautiful Strange is amazing, I had only heard live versions up untill now, but I will certainly be playing this again. I was never a big fan of Rave un2, and on first hearing, Rave in2 is better