In the thread about the quality of threads on here, I mentioned that I'd noticed that every little thing a major artist does is almost analyzed beyond their intentions.

So, in that vein, I figured a lot of the orgers could have a laugh with some of the lyrics Prince has produced over the years.

For instance, the full version of Rasberry Beret. Whilst it seems on the surface to be simply a song about a man's first encounter with a beautiful girl, subtle clues exist to a deeper meaning. The cough at the start is obviously a link to ill health or sickness. When put next to the line "he didn't like my kind", it seems Prince is taking a swipe at the racist and prejudiced views of some people at that time. He may also feel he was held back, like a child forced to act sick in order to gain a mothers love, by these views as those who have power over him (Mr Magee) hold them fervently.

The "girl" mentioned walks in "through the out door", an obvious point to the fact that the only way to break free from this slavery and repression in his life is by walking away from it. He takes the girl to a farm, where connotations of freedom are invoked. These are only strengthened by the use of thunder, lightning, the barn and the horses, all images of an innocent, free life of adventure and fun. Due to this, it could be argued that no such encounter took place, and in fact the girl is simply freedom, the first taste of a life without restriction and bigotry.....

Not very good, but as most of the org are more articulate, funny and knowledgable than me, I'm sure some fun could be had!

Oh my goodness, I never thought of any of those things when I listened to rasberry Beret. I love that song.

Dayclear said:

I'm just being daft, to be honest.

I studied English Literature this term at Uni, and it does change the way you look at things like this. A very daft example was in the film 6 Days, 7 Nights, but I might just keep that thought to myself for fear of exposing my perverted mind.....

alxndrstff said:

I'm dyin' over here!

We should make this a game. Pick one song a week or something and have everyone over analyze it.

ToraToraDreams said:

i agree

That gave my headache a headache

Love it!!!

"She came in through the outdoor," could very possibly be a girl that bypassed all of the security somehow...And surprisingly, never got caught. "She probably walked out through the in door just as easily."

It's not that difficult when you carry a revolver.

You have gone way beyond simply over-analyzing. LMAO
"She walked in through the out door" is literal.
Haven't you ever walked into a store through the door that clearly says exit because it was convenient?

"He told me several times that he didn't like my kind, 'cause I was a bit too leisurely" is his boss' stereotype of a shiftless (lazy) black man.
The protagonist in the song acts accordingly because that is all that is expected, even though he is capable of more.

SUPRMAN said:

the thread was not to be taken so seriously

I think it meant she had a rebellious streak, like Prince did back in the day.
Little Red Corvette--I could tell the way she parked her car sideways that it wouldn't last!
and
Darling Nikki

Protege said:

Well I'm a serious person. Don't I have that choice?

I was going to do a thread similar to this one...
by changing the lyrics to totally change the meaning of the song...
but this is funnier.

SUPRMAN said:

I think my analysis is correct though, so I'll stand by it.

I think the girl walking in through the out door is an overt reference to anal sex.
And not just that, but It displays a reversed role of women sexually taking advantage of men, similar to Sister. I mean, that bad-ass chick whipped out a strap on and went in through his out door, man. This girl meant biz-ness. What furthers her powerful role is her raspberry beret. And who wears berets? One of the baddest military units in the world. The green berets.

SUPRMAN said:

you have that choice. we also have the choice to not take it so seriously

Protege said:

Can't we just laugh?

ToraToraDreams said:

fantastic

SUPRMAN said:

if you want.

this is a good topic. I always think more of the words in a song than the music (sometimes you can be tricked into liking something if you go on just music alone(music sometimes feels better than words)

In most of His songs I think he says what he means. I agree with the prejudice part you mentioned, but I think he was talking about a girl in the second part. He seems to learn through other people (women) alot of women seem to have taught him alot of good and bad.

Like in the Ballad Of Dorothy Parker, I think he said what he ment...it took someone (a woman) outside his relationship to see what to do for current relationship problem.

He's pretty much straight forward in his lyrical music, even though I dont understand some of it.....but I can say when I take the time to listen close to Prince I usually see a different way of looking at things. Sometimes he's so to the point you can get caught up in thinking there has to be another meaning.....like little red corvette, not hard to figure out. he may say different words to describe what he's saying, but we all know the meaning.

ToraToraDreams said:

Now THIS is what I figured this thread would produce!

Brilliance.....

well i've been reading these 2 books that delve in2 his lyrics

http://www.amazon.com/Wor..._b_title_1


and this is a 600 some odd page book


http://www.amazon.com/Lyr..._b_title_2