And that's one of the many things I loved about him. Back in the day he just did what he did and didn't give a shit.

A long time ago I put this post on Myspace somewhere because some kids were saying that Prince didn't qualify as "Punk":


For those of you who feel that Prince wouldn't qualify as "punk", well then you've obviously never listened to "Dirty Mind" or "Controversy". Very few R&B/Funk records before or since had the attitude, audacity, balls, and overall punk spirit as those 2 did. If you didn't notice what was punk about it (the message of a free utopian society, the middle finger to the idea of social/sexual boundaries, the hybrid of muscal styles ranging from New Wave/Synth-pop to hard funk, etc.) then you missed the point. Even the things old boy wore (Trench coat, binkini briefs, high heels and not much more) were a pretty bold punk statement in itself. And also, in those records he created an atmospere of overall liberation and freedom to express one's self however they wanted to. It takes more than spiky hair, safety pins, leather and chains to call yourself punk. Punk comes from the heart, and Prince had it.

And I stick by that statement.

Hey NWF

psychodelicide said:

Hi, Psych And yes, it is very true what I say about him. I can still listen to "Dirty Mind" today and still wanna dance and be badass like him.

NWF said:

I agree...Prince has that sliver of punk, although we don't see it anymore...Prince can be what he wants to deliver. The punk is hidden away 4 now...Probably won't come out till his 70th birthday when his wife, me, is beatin him silly 4 being a damn gigolo 4 years.

Absolutely true, mate.

Tame said:

We'll see how far the man goes.

Haha! Yeah well, I say P WAS a punk rocker! Definately.

He apparently used to check out punk bands at 7th St Entry (attached to First Ave) all the time in the early 80s. I think punk was a HUGE influence for him leading up to Dirty Mind and through the Controversy periods.

definetly.
[Edited 5/27/08 14:06pm]

Prince definitely had a strong punk edge once upon a time. But these days you'd be hard-pressed to find it.

Yes, Prince was in fact, punk. Now he's a right-wing, twin-fucking fascist.

Though, the twin-fucking thing is OK in my book.

squirrelgrease said:

Now he's a right-wing, twin-fucking fascist.

squirrelgrease said:

NWF said:

I never thought about it like that before - it's true, I love that statement!

squirrelgrease said:

If I don't laugh about it, I'll cry.

Prince was Punk from 1981-1983, again in 1987, and later from 1994-1996... Praying Coachella might bring a return to such aesthetic.

Mary Sharon thought he was a punk.

Well yeah, 'When Doves Scream' is proof of his punkiness, so's the original version of 'Irresistable Bitch'.

Marrk said:

Naw, it's not much to do with the sound at all. Sonically, there's not a lot of punk influence in hsi work. It's more a matter of style and attitude. When Doves Scream was just Prince fucking around in the studio.

i don't remember any gobbing, dr martens ot safety pins through his nose, pogo dancing or using vomit 2 sculpt the hair...(thank god!)
controversy was his most punky vibed album
[Edited 4/22/08 13:17pm]

What about Da bang.

lottielooloo1968 said:

As I said in my previous quote, you don't need those fucking stereotypical things to call yourself Punk. It's in the spirit, not the safety pins.

Jello Biafra said that punk rock clothes are no different then a uniform, either by the police or military. Better to be original. Prince was that.

NWF said:

punk is not like funk - impossible 2 define. u have 2 remember punk originated in uk. the british defined punk. it was REALLY nasty.
prince was a bad ass but he made his outrageous songs sexy. punk was not sexy

lottielooloo1968 said:

Correction: Punk began in New York City with clubs like CBGB's and Max's Kansas City that hosted original bands like Blondie, The Ramones, Television, Talking Heads, Richard Hell, etc. In fact Punk can be traced back to the 60's with underground garage bands like The Stooges, MC5, and Velvet Underground. The British picked up on these ideas and scenes and adopted them into their own new culture which bore bands like Sex Pistols and The Clash.

And yes, Prince was punk at one point despite his sexiness and funkiness.

NWF said:

That's why Johnny Cash was so punk. It has not a thing to do with safety pins and pointy hair; it's all about attitude.

Marrk said:

OMG, I remember when I first heard "When Doves Scream". I was like . Prince was in a mood when he wrote/recorded that.