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I think this is his last great song from 'the eighties' The song i am referring too: The Question of You.
I know, the Graffiti Bridge album was released in 1990, but a lot of the material on that album was 'hanging around' years earlier. Why? The sound of the drummachine is very 'eighties Prince': not very glossified, rather rudimentary and not so subtle actually. I always adored how those 'bleak sounding' electronic drums (which also can be heard on When doves Cry, Kiss and Sign of the Times, to name a few) gave his music from the eighties a certain 'edge'. The arrangement is very 'economical', but gloriously efficient: next to the drummachine, he uses some very restrained, understated guitarlicks, there is a bassline but its 'kept' down and the synth-clavecimbel surely sounds like a synth-claveclimbel, not pretending to copy a real one. The combination of really focussing on certain parts of the instrumentation, while keeping other elements very 'sketchy' in contrast, is SO significant for his music from the eighties, IMO. That very sober arrangement makes the great, controlled guitar-solo 'stand out' even more. Finally, the song might sound simple and sober on 'surface level' but the geniousness lies in what Prince is achieving underneath that surface. Within the period of 4 minutes The Question of You is moving from electronic blues aking to the song 'Sign of the Times', transported by a (in Prince terms) unusually 'controlled', but great guitar solo, into classical waltz territory: the clavecimbel-synth being backed by 'isolated sounding' background vocals (like on When Doves Cry and Kiss). The way Prince deals with the arrangement on The Question of You reminds me of a remark a musician ones made about Prince music: 'on the surface his music often sounds like simple, catchy pop music, when you listen further, you notice in between the lines he is doing really genious Zappa-esque things'. That remark somehow 'labels' my love for Princes music from the eighties: it 'marries' the catchy, superficial pop-delights, with a more avantgardistic, creative approach of music. What are your feelings / thoughts about this gem? [Edited 5/27/08 14:47pm] [Edited 5/27/08 14:47pm] [Edited 5/27/08 14:48pm] | |
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I really enjoyed reading your opinion of "The Question of U" I love the song....and I suppose we all just have our varying opinions of music. I view the song....as a musical question.....and the answer 2 the question...If I was to be approached as one individual....Is that the answer 2 the question of me....Is that I Love Period. What more is there? And those that belittle love....and think that it is strange...are those that haven't been introduced to their mates as of yet. I believe the brother's and sister's in the fall will come around...when Love is a proven point to them...because we must forgive those that know not what they do....and there are still some sleeper's out there ya know....I think it's time they wake up, and punch in the rock and roll clock. Cuz I made it to work yesterday....and I sit around hell hole ally waiting 4 the slow-pokes to drag their asses into the human race...cuz I'm tired...sick and tired of idiots...that don't know how to love a party between all of us.  "The Lion Sleeps Tonight... | |
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Riverpoet31 said: The song i am referring too: The Question of You.
I know, the Graffiti Bridge album was released in 1990, but a lot of the material on that album was 'hanging around' years earlier. Why? The sound of the drummachine is very 'eighties Prince': not very glossified, rather rudimentary and not so subtle actually. I always adored how those 'bleak sounding' electronic drums (which also can be heard on When doves Cry, Kiss and Sign of the Times, to name a few) gave his music from the eighties a certain 'edge'. The arrangement is very 'economical', but gloriously efficient: next to the drummachine, he uses some very restrained, understated guitarlicks, there is a bassline but its 'kept' down and the synth-clavecimbel surely sounds like a synth-claveclimbel, not pretending to copy a real one. The combination of really focussing on certain parts of the instrumentation, while keeping other elements very 'sketchy' in contrast, is SO significant for his music from the eighties, IMO. That very sober arrangement makes the great, controlled guitar-solo 'stand out' even more. Finally, the song might sound simple and sober on 'surface level' but the geniousness lies in what Prince is achieving underneath that surface. Within the period of 4 minutes The Question of You is moving from electronic blues aking to the song 'Sign of the Times', transported by a (in Prince terms) unusually 'controlled', but great guitar solo, into classical waltz territory: the clavecimbel-synth being backed by 'isolated sounding' background vocals (like on When Doves Cry and Kiss). The way Prince deals with the arrangement on The Question of You reminds me of a remark a musician ones made about Prince music: 'on the surface his music often sounds like simple, catchy pop music, when you listen further, you notice in between the lines he is doing really genious Zappa-esque things'. That remark somehow 'labels' my love for Princes music from the eighties: it 'marries' the catchy, superficial pop-delights, with a more avantgardistic, creative approach of music. What are your feelings / thoughts about this gem? [Edited 5/27/08 14:47pm] [Edited 5/27/08 14:47pm] [Edited 5/27/08 14:48pm] WOW!!! The Question Of U is one of my all time favourites. My hubby loves it too... the arrangement, the clarity... P performed it during the Nude Tour and drifted into Electric Man... The most poignant memory I have of The Question of U would have to be from One Night Alone Tour, Manchester Apollo. Front row, pre-show jam for NPGMC members.... I was seven months pregnant with my son (now 5 yrs old), emotions driven by hormones, six feet close to Prince, he was drenched in a 'faded spotlight', played The Question of U...hairs standing up on the back of your neck yet?...the stuff dreams are made of...mmmmm.....Goodnight! | |
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that song wuz/iz phunkey!!!! H!PPY CH!K | |
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Nice song. But it was released in '90 so the thread title is a little misleading (I read the OP but still...).
I'd have to say that Alphabet St was his last great song from the 80s. | |
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vivid said: Nice song. But it was released in '90 so the thread title is a little misleading (I read the OP but still...).
True, but the album was made up of older songs from the 80's. My personal opinion for last great song of the 80's (if we rule out GB tracks) is Electric Chair. . |
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SquirrelMeat said: vivid said: Nice song. But it was released in '90 so the thread title is a little misleading (I read the OP but still...).
True, but the album was made up of older songs from the 80's. My personal opinion for last great song of the 80's (if we rule out GB tracks) is Electric Chair. Absolutely! The best track on Batman! Life's a Parade! LoveLife, LoveSexy! | |
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SquirrelMeat said: vivid said: Nice song. But it was released in '90 so the thread title is a little misleading (I read the OP but still...).
True, but the album was made up of older songs from the 80's. My personal opinion for last great song of the 80's (if we rule out GB tracks) is Electric Chair.  PRINCE IS WATCHING U  " When an Artist Creates, whatever they create belongs to society"
U can't polish a turd.. but u can roll it in glitter In my Profile Pic | |
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prince never stopped releasing great song he just stopped having great fans people want prince 2 stay stuck in purple rains days like other artist that stay stuck in time prince is a musican first and foremost therefore change is always gonna come either u like or u dont but baby u bettter believe the great music never stopped | |
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kaptainkrunk said: prince never stopped releasing great song he just stopped having great fans people want prince 2 stay stuck in purple rains days like other artist that stay stuck in time prince is a musican first and foremost therefore change is always gonna come either u like or u dont but baby u bettter believe the great music never stopped
  Life's a Parade! LoveLife, LoveSexy! | |
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I absolutely adore 'The question of u'. And the clavecimbel-part always makes me think Bach is in the house.  It is probably in my top five. | |
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Very well said..it's pull at your heart strings music..memorys,times, places...and we all luv a bit of that! don't we?  | |
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kaptainkrunk said: prince never stopped releasing great song he just stopped having great fans people want prince 2 stay stuck in purple rains days like other artist that stay stuck in time prince is a musican first and foremost therefore change is always gonna come either u like or u dont but baby u bettter believe the great music never stopped
Hold your horses! You're assuming that by discussing the 'last great song of the 80s' we think he never made a great song afterwards. Whereas, in actual fact it presupposes that he did make other great songs in the 90s and beyond. If not, the thread would have been called Prince's Last Great Track (full stop/period). So, get over your good self.  | |
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vivid said: kaptainkrunk said: prince never stopped releasing great song he just stopped having great fans people want prince 2 stay stuck in purple rains days like other artist that stay stuck in time prince is a musican first and foremost therefore change is always gonna come either u like or u dont but baby u bettter believe the great music never stopped
Hold your horses! You're assuming that by discussing the 'last great song of the 80s' we think he never made a great song afterwards. Whereas, in actual fact it presupposes that he did make other great songs in the 90s and beyond. If not, the thread would have been called Prince's Last Great Track (full stop/period). So, get over your good self. Exactly! 
Last good song of the 90's? I'd say "I Love U, but I don't trust U anymore". . |
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SquirrelMeat said: vivid said: [/b]
Hold your horses! You're assuming that by discussing the 'last great song of the 80s' we think he never made a great song afterwards. Whereas, in actual fact it presupposes that he did make other great songs in the 90s and beyond. If not, the thread would have been called Prince's Last Great Track (full stop/period). So, get over your good self. Exactly!
Last good song of the 90's? I'd say "I Love U, but I don't trust U anymore". Yeah, good point! I liked the statement so much that I totally forgot the actual title of the thread! Prettyman is my favourite for the end of the 90's! Life's a Parade! LoveLife, LoveSexy! | |
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Great post RiverPoet. My choice for Prince's last great song of the 80's is "Anna Stesia". Classic tune. In fact, I'm one of those who say its Prince's last great song - period. (His post-80s work pales in comparison.) I do think "A Question Of You" is very good, along with "Elephants & Flowers" and "Electric Chair". the music knows what your motives are when you are making it
listen to The Replacements - its good for the soul | |
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...And the per4mance of ? 0f U in Tokyo-  | |
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I dig the song lots. I was just jammin' it and saw it posted on here yesterday right after i decided 2 listen 2 the song. Great song! follow the leader follow the leader | |
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kaptainkrunk said: prince never stopped releasing great song he just stopped having great fans people want prince 2 stay stuck in purple rains days like other artist that stay stuck in time prince is a musican first and foremost therefore change is always gonna come either u like or u dont but baby u bettter believe the great music never stopped
I vote for Viki Waiting  Straight Jacket Funk Affair
Album plays and love for vinyl records. | |
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[/quote]
WOW!!! The Question Of U is one of my all time favourites. My hubby loves it too... the arrangement, the clarity... P performed it during the Nude Tour and drifted into Electric Man... The most poignant memory I have of The Question of U would have to be from One Night Alone Tour, Manchester Apollo. Front row, pre-show jam for NPGMC members.... I was seven months pregnant with my son (now 5 yrs old), emotions driven by hormones, six feet close to Prince, he was drenched in a 'faded spotlight', played The Question of U...hairs standing up on the back of your neck yet?...the stuff dreams are made of...mmmmm.....Goodnight![/quote] Yes | |
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Last great song(s) was/were Positivity or Alphabet St.. They captured the essence of Prince in regards his spiritual/political world view (Positivity) or his playful side (Alphabet St.).
I'll throw out one that no one may choose: The Future. It was reminiscent of 1999 with regards to the apocalyptic funk. "Old man's gotta be the old man. Fish has got to be the fish." | |
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