Anyone remember when Lovesexy was released and there was an uproar concerning Prince nude on the cover with a flower startegically placed as if it were an erect penis? A lot of record stores were threatening to not sell the album as a result (though I'm not sure anyone followed through with that threat). The thing that I always got a kick out of was the fact that the 1999 album cover was at least as graphic if not moreso. Prince played a little trick on people that most people, even some true fans, don't realize to this day. The "1" in 1999 is a penis. Right down to the details. Yet apparently no one, not even the PMRC back in the day, ever noticed. They'd have gone apeshit if they had. Prince must still have a laugh over that one.

I always thought that was funny as hell.

The PMRC weren't around when the 1999 album came out.

I allways thought that the cover of Lovesexy lost him alot of fans, who were by that time felt a little duped by his Purple Rain image as a rock-pop star...and were somewhat embaresed and retisent to embrace the image of Prince which portrayed him as some what fay...this was hardly the kind of image i was trying to portray to my dullard mates..the album and tour was fab but the image killed it for the neutral...but not for me because by then i was in to deep

This is my signed copy...

DoctorMambo said:

And they weren't around when Dirty Mind came out either but they cited that album (specifically "Head") on it's hitlist. The PMRC didn't just concentrate on albums they were released during their existence.

LinnLM1 said:

OK, point taken, but you confused me when one minute you are talking about the release of Lovesexy and then you talked about the PMRC missing the imagery on 1999.

I'm sure I read that some record stores in the US covered up the Lovesexy album anyway.

That cover lost a ton of fans. His popularity in the US was already sliding...however he was getting at least some of his cred back after the brilliance of Sign o the Times and the Black Album boot (at least in my inner circle of friends). But people really thought he lost it when that cover came out. I remember DJs and the general media ripping him BIG time. My friends gave me so much shit when they saw the CASSETTE in my car. I could never convince them to even listen to it. I grew up in white suburbia and that cover was just too much for them to handle. Their lost...cover, schmover, it was always a great listen.

LinnLM1 said:

The text of the hearings can be found on line. They mention IIRC: they talk about Head, Sister, and Jack U Off as well as Darling Nikki.

Joyinrepatition said:

Nice legs

I wasn't too excited to bring that album to the register at The Wherehouse. I remember seeing it and thinking "fucking asshole."

It's actually one of my favorite covers of his, serious & silly at the same time, as well as being a decent piece of art.

I remember getting teased SO bad by my friends that always told me Prince was gay. I defended him to the end but in reality, that cover was a little too much, even for me.

I thought the cover was cool, didn't have a problem with it all, thought it fitted the theme of the album perfectly.

Now the Planet Earth cover, thats a different story, that's embarrassing in all sorts of ways...

NDRU said:

When i bought my copy they had them underneath the counter and not on the floor of the music store

Another truly artistic statement where P gets no credit. The album and it's cover where revolved around a concept of rebirth. I love the fact that WalMart would not release the album as is (nude imagery) and P would not change it. I always thought that WalMart not distributing the album contributed to the album's poor record sales, considering their evil market power.

How many other popular artists would have released an album with a self-nude cover, no song tracking and thumbed their nose at the biggest box store?

Some of y'all act like you're the first to notice these things.

I actually noticed the penis right from the beginning.

What really annoyed me about the cover is....it kept many people from buying an otherwise brilliant album.I truly feel that if Prince had chosen a more conventional album cover,'Lovesexy' would have done much better commercially.

the cover of lovesexy don't bother me. All i care about is the great music!!!!

I wish u heaven, lalalalala, dedededede

What I wanna know is how ppl didn't notice?

obsessed said:

I didn't realise that was supposed to be a penis. My penis looks totally different and isn't bent like that.

HamsterHuey said:

Sooo, are you happy about that?

obsessed said:

I am ecstatically happy about that. I also have found out, through a long series of experimentation, that you will not find many men with that kind of penis Prince likes to flaunt around.

HamsterHuey said:

"Experimentation" doesn't sound too good, and no, I don't wanna hear about it :handsovermyeyes:

HamsterHuey said:

I'm pretty sure your penis isn't attached to your elbow either.
I never understood why people are so bothered with this penis thing. If you are upset over this album cover, you must have some serious sex-related problems.
[Edited 7/31/08 1:53am]

obsessed said:

It just means 'long string of one nite stands', hun. Don't act like a sissie.

HamsterHuey said:

Ya don't think Prince had one nite stands then?

obsessed said:

Not with other penissess.

HamsterHuey said:

That's probably true.

obsessed said:

I suppose it is. And good for him. Even though it kind of warps his idea of penissess.

I, myself, like penisses alot. You got a lot of different sizes and all. It's fun.

HamsterHuey said:

Well, I'm very happy for you

obsessed said:

As are the penisses. They always look very happy. Happy Penisses!