We all know prince is a musical genius no question but for me the only weakness in his armoury is his lyrics I mean there not really about anything are they to me it seems like prince might spend a couple of hours putting the music for a song together and about 10 mins on the lyrics.

Do you agree????

Don't hate. Punctuate.

just depends, most pop music is simplistic, and he's written so much so of course he's written a few clunkers but he's also written some heavy stuff. I thought Fury had some of his best lyrics, I've never liked his imitation psychedelia lyrics(except when i was a kid) but he's as good as has to be for where he is at. His relevancy may not be what it was when he was young, but thats because he's not young himself anymore, you can't expect that out of any artist, to maintain the kind of relevance he had with Dirty Mind et..,.

I think that Prince is a beautiful writer...I love his poetry..every line isn't the best, however there are lines that I believe couldn't be said better, than the way Prince has phrased things....so many lines, so much depth and beauty.

Sorry, I don't agree. Some of his lyrics appear to serve other purposes than being brainy or poetic (the sexy ones, but also eg Ronnie Talk to Russia). But listen to Solo (touching), Raspberry Beret (witty) or If I was your Girlfriend (haunting and scary). And his sexy lyrics are quite powerful, if you ask me!

Suggestion: Buy some Q-tips.

Twiki said:

Surely it should be Don't hate! Punctuate.

You could not be more wrong. Prince has written some amazing lyrics over the years - including some really masterful metaphors. (See Little Red Corvette.)

Have 2 strongly disagree!! Princes poetry is sublime in the extreme
When he is in full flow, nobody can touch him!! Sure, there are times when he is throwaway, or downright cursory, but for the most part, he is a lyrical genius 2 me...r u sure ur listening 2 the same guy?

rolling - is this a wind up !!

Prince's lyrics are amazing. Just tonight I have been listening to:

The Beautiful Ones
Girlfriend
Damn U
Nothing Compares to U

The man is an amazing poet - I suggest you have another listen

He's written great lyrics. He's capable.

His biggest hole in his music right now is he doesn't spend enough time crafting a great melody or lyic or hook--with exceptions, of course.

Get Dirty At the club were in
Use it around your waist like a chain within
I got that call so I jumped in my car
I love you baby
But not like I Love my Guitar

You couldn't do it all by yourself
You had to go and get someboduy else
Your High enough to call me
But you cant reach the phone
I love you baby
But not like I love my guitar

I never meant 2 cause u any sorrow
I never meant 2 cause u any pain
I only wanted 2 one time see u laughing
I only wanted 2 see u laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

I only wanted 2 see u bathing in the purple rain

Oh yeah right lyrical genius

Get Dirty At the club were in
Use it around your waist like a chain within
I got that call so I jumped in my car
I love you baby
But not like I Love my Guitar

You couldn't do it all by yourself
You had to go and get someboduy else
Your High enough to call me
But you cant reach the phone
I love you baby
But not like I love my guitar

I never meant 2 cause u any sorrow
I never meant 2 cause u any pain
I only wanted 2 one time see u laughing
I only wanted 2 see u laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain
Purple rain purple rain

I only wanted 2 see u bathing in the purple rain

Oh yeah right lyrical genius

I guess I shoulda known
By the way you parked your car sideways
That it wouldn't last
See, you're the kind of person
Who believes in making out once
Love 'em and leave 'em fast

I guess I must be dumb
Cuz you had a pocket full of horses
Trojan - and some of them used
But it was Saturday night
I guess that makes it all right
You said, "What have I got to lose?"

And honey I said
Little red Corvette
Baby you're much to fast
Little red Corvette
You need a love
That's gonna last

I guess shoulda closed my eyes
When you drove me to the place
Where your horses run free
Cuz I felt a little ill
When I saw all the pictures
Of the jockeys that were there before me

Believe it or not
I started to worry
Wonderin' if I had enough class
But it was Saturday night
I guess that makes it all right
You said, "Baby, have you got enough gas."
Oh yeah

That is bloody fucking brilliant.

rolling said:

those aren't even the right lyrics to Guitar, but nobody's arguing that Prince hasn't written some bad ones, but he's definitely written some good ones.

rolling said:

Well not every song needs to be deep and meaningful, sometimes a bit of throwaway fun is OK; no need to be so serious all of the time!

By the way, your transcription skills need a bit of work!

Look where it's gotten him. Whatever he's doing some other people need to try it (Hint).

rolling said:

ima shoot a hole in ur armour ina minute lol u cant even copy em out right!

its 'cant reach the bar' not 'phone'.

ya clown.

actually come to think of it

Well if you're talking about his lyrics, maybe you should say his "lyrical amoury" since his music arrangements are 99.9% stellar.

I recall the entire TRC, Te Amo, Fury, The Word, Planet Earth, Call My Name, Dear Mr. Man, and Cinnamon Girl having great lyrics.

>>prince fans are spoiled<<
[Edited 4/3/08 21:30pm]

etifaim said:

Well, I do actually agree that the lyrics to Guitar (and others on PE) aren't the most brilliant ever written, but my point was that sometimes the main purpose of a song isn't being a poem or witty or thoughtprovoking. And songs like Play In The Sunshine and Head are excellent without the most profound lyrics ever. On the contrary, allegedly LaLaLa HeHeHee was written to prove that a decent song could have a stupid title (and matching lyrics?). Cindy C has stupid lyrics but allegedly that song was written for another purpose. In my mind there are different explanations and purposes of different songs, and they don't all need the best lyrics.

The point about some more recent material being written (released?) too hastily is an interesting one. As is the caveat that there are exceptions (Love, Solo if you count that as recent).

There will be explanations and purposes we as listeners (hate fans/fans) will never know. Part of the game, isn't it?

royalshyness said:

Look I just copied and pasted the lyrics from a lyric website so dont blame me if they got them wrong I was just making a point. It seems too many prince fans are totally irrational when it comes to prince they are firmly lodged up the guys arse. As I said in my opening statement he is a musical genius no question but he is by no means perfect and he isnt a genius at everything. So try to be more rational people its better for your health. Finally your right I am a clown and Ive got bad teeth so watch it or Ill bite your arse off.

I think if you were to go through ALL of his lyrics the good will most definitely out weigh the bad.

If you had singled out a few tracks and then criticised them specifically then you may have some kind of point -

but to give the impression that your observation is relevant to all of his work, well, You're out yo' head!!!! In a nice way - but a very wrong way!

I would suggest you read a lot more of his lyrics and maybe reveiw your opinion.