So what is the better anthem? I have a feeling I know what most folks will choose, but I have long wondered if anyone had thought of this question. If it has already been asked...I apologize...

I love both songs, especially the many live versions of Purple Rain I have heard in person, and on recorced formats. However, at this point in time, I choose "Last December" as my top Prince anthem. I have been into this song since I first heard it at the listening session during the 2001 Celebration, and especially since the first download a little more than a year ago, at which time it became my favorite Prince anthem. I love how "rich" and "full" the song is, especially in surround sound. The message and vibe of "Last December" also has a great significance 2 me. (Of course the same can be said 4 Purple Rain ) A message which is truly crucial at this point in time on our planet. Just my ...I only hope I can always give it all that I have, and not be stuck somewhere in the middle.

KFUNK

We need 2 come 2gether...come 2gether as ONE

Purple Rain.
Purple Rain.
Purple Rain.

...Although I do see your point about Last December, but

Purple Rain x

"pr", although it's played-out 2 death...

Well, "Purple Rain" is the only really GOOD anthem he has ever written. The rest can suck goat's balls if you ask me, but then I again I hate anthems myself. Give me "Good Love" over "Gold" anyday!

Purple Rain all the way baby!


Why don't we throw these in2 the mix also?


Still Would Stand All Time

Gold

The Ladder

Sexy MF (j/k)



I know most of U will probably think that Grafiti Bridge (The Movie) sucked, but Still Would Stand All Time was a definate highlight 4 me.





What constitutes a great anthem???
4 me it's gotta involve all of these...

Sing-along-a-bility,
Strong chorus,
Great 2 sing drunk with your arms around your neighbours,
Stonking guitar solo
Instantly memorable catchy tune

JimmyNothingJamJam said:

Devoid of existence.

Purple Rain (aside from it's success) is a pivotal anthem.

Last December sounds like generic Christian music to me. The lyrics and chorus were very contrived and hokey. It didn't do anything for me.

Last December.

Of these 2 i choose purple rain.
America would be more qualified .

For me it would be Last December

Purple Rain...Everytime!

Last December sucks.

I would have to choose Last December.
I find the actual song part of Purple Rain (the first 4 mins or so) quite uninspiring and monotonous. Plus, the lyrics don't particularly mean much to me. The song only gets passionate during the second half and then, it only works when heard live (for me, anyway).
I personally find Last December to have much more soul. Even though I'm not a religious person, I can't help but agree with the sentiment of taking time out to think about how you're perceived and how you perceive others. And the notion of coming together as one - regardless of colour, creed, sexual orientation, religious beliefs etc is something that surely no-one could disagree with.

Incidentally, why wasn't Gold mentioned in your question? That's another anthem that summed up beautifully how our Prince felt at that moment in his life.

Purple Rain is better, but I think it's only competition really, is The Holy River. 4 me, those are 2 powerful songs.

How about

The Exodus Has Begun
Sign of the Times
Let's Go Crazy
LoveSexy

Any of the below works like a pompous laxative

Welcome to the Dawn
Rays of the World
Gold
Grafitti Bridge

Haystack said:

Yeah, 'Gold' was a cool anthem, and I suspect the song accurately represented where Prince felt he was at the time.

'Purple Rain' was a fluke, but caught the imagination of millions of people (and quite rightly so), even if the lyrics seemed to be no more than a sorry string of cliches.

Although the vast majority of people here may feel like denigrating both 'Last December' and 'The Holy River' at least these two anthems are embellished by disctinctly thought-provoking and meaningful lyrics.


.
[This message was edited Thu Oct 31 12:31:00 PST 2002 by giotto]

I agree there are other anthems, and I guess my definition, or perspective, was looking at songs that closed an album/cd that were meant as an uplifting..."Live 2 C The Dawn" kind of thing. I would agree that the other anthems cited here are also good choices 2 throw into the debate, but I knew I really dug "Last December" and thought "Purple Rain" would be the overwhelming favorite of most everyone around the world. I just wanted 2 see what people thought on those 2.

I agree though, "Gold", "The Ladder", "The Exodus Has Begun" and others are also good anthems, in terms of the criteria I failed 2 outline in my first post. (I do know I would not choose Grafitti Bridge though...)

I will add that I am surprised by the number of people though who have also chosen "Last December"

We need 2 come 2gether...come 2gether as ONE

you guys say last december so I would just like to bring up the same december which will no doubt make me unpopular. I know C&D is not really liked among a lot of fans but I have always liked the album, I think he had something with both gold and c&d... call me crazy. I dig the old stuff best I think but not too old anyways I'm getting off the topic, does anyone here actually share my joy for the same december and the way the flow of the music changes through the song to culminate in this close to heavy mood... nah I'm just silly I guess

n3vermind said:

No need to be cautious about liking 'Chaos And Disorder', buddy. You're in good company.

The 'Chaos' cd ROCKS - pity it's a hell of a lot more maligned than it actually deserves to be, particularly by those who have not given it a proper listen and are quite content to follow the herd and be infuenced by the prevailing received opinion (it also continues to be maligned by a great more who, I strongly suspect, haven't even heard the damn thing at all).

Anyway, I have thought about 'The Same December' and I'm surprised Prince has not chosen to play this track live (yet). It would certainly make for a rousing live number!


.

Love "Same December"...especially the video, and I like C & D as well.

I dig Chaos & Disorder
I fear the dislike of the album is partially driven by the negative linernotes the then artist chose to provide.
In an interview at the time Michal Bland said that the songs on Gold and C&D were recorded around the same time.

I like The Same December and in a similar vibe R&R is alive. The tempo changes provide so much energy.

however I Rock (I always thought it should have been. Iraq before Iran) and Dig U Better dead could've stayed in the Vault
[This message was edited Thu Oct 31 13:36:12 PST 2002 by servantsofpuas]

Haystack said:

Um Purple Rain is live.
[This message was edited Thu Oct 31 13:34:09 PST 2002 by fairlite]

I would choose Last December. Other than the guitar solo, Purple Rain as a song doesn't do much for me.

Gold is probably his best "anthemic" song to me, though.

neither they are both Naff... but especially Last December... atleast the last few minutes of Purple Rain are nice, cello (i think) and other strings?

Purple Rain as an Anthem Last December as Inspiration.

I'm in the "C&D" fan club also haha i like the 'CD' CD alot.

Purple Rain & Gold are just amazing songs 2 me.

Also "7"...i know i was payed out big-time awhile back 4 doing a thread on this,but when i hear the song i think of 7 letters on TALIBAN & 4 me,its like an anti-terrorism song,thats just how i hear it these days & what it means 2 me.

fairlite said:

When heard on a CD, Purple Rain is NOT live, even if it was recorded that way. 'Live' means heard live, performed by Prince at the moment at which you hear it.

Haystack said:

How can it NOT be "live" if it was RECORDED LIVE???

Oh yea, PR is the better anthem...

"Purple Rain" by a mile is the better anthem. I like "Last December" but when it comes on my lighter stays firmly in my pocket.

But then I don't smoke so same for "Purple Rain".

Well, I certainly don't wave my hands side to side above my head then.

God