What do you believe?


There has always been some controversy based on whether or not to interpret Prince’s music literally.
It is rare that an artist would base the majority of their work through another person’s eyes, simply because no-one has to do that to promote a visualization of a good scenario or a bad scenario. I realize that writer’s do often write through another point of view.
Cathartically, most of us live through music, books, and movies everyday.
There are songs by Prince that are based on subjects that are for the eye opening experience on behalf of others, such as; “Right the Wrong,” or even songs on a more personal level, such as; “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” in which the compassion is through the eyes of a betrayed mother.
When Prince sings, “Emancipation,” the song can be interpreted as an ancestors’ perspective of slavery, or Prince’s perspective of being a slave for the music business.
“The Greatest Romance that Has Ever Been Sold,” could either be a song about, “Romeo&Juliette,” or Prince’s personal Love Life.

With Prince’s songs, which songs do you personally interpret as autobiographical segments of Prince’s life, or which songs do you believe are purely fictitious?

Hopefully we can come to an intelligent conclusion on whether or not to term Prince’s musical collection as literal, semi-literal,> semi-fictitious, or fictitious. T

It all depends on what the others beleive since everyone is different.

as a writer myself..it can be either or. write based on experience..and on others experience..and sometimes concepts come to me that 've never experienced or ever heard anyone else experience. believe prince's words to be whatever u want them to be..the man has so much pulsating through his brain and whatever he produces is all real to him!

I believe most of it starts in real life, but often is enhanced with imagination. They are always saying he is so myterious. I think we know a lot about him. You can see his maturity grow over the years.

I think like many artists, some of his songs are auto biographical, some are musings on life which are based on experiences, some are fiction and some are just there just because.

I don't read too much into lyrics, though it is always interesting to read what a particular song is/might be about.

superspaceboy said:

Yep.

Romeo&Juliet...I got carried away...

Thanks for your responses. I was hoping to get more specific...such as stating that "Controversy," was definitely Prince talking to his listeners about himself..
"Musicology," is definitely a song we can take literally, as it is a song about studying music through the years...So I was trying to gather opinions for the sake of reviewing songs that made enough of an impact to say something about....

Taking, "Starfish and Coffee," for a great example of a song that was at least semi-fictional...due to the fact that I am unsure of Prince actually knowing someone that wore two different socks to school...which is an adorable song.
Well, if you wanna break it down for the sake of conversation...The topic is open.

I haven't had the pleasure of observing him for a long period of time; but based on the music I've heard, lyrics read and threads here, I'd guess it was a little of both.

He's a poet and storyteller and usually there's some truth in both forms of expression.

I'm interested in what the long-timers have to say about this question.

I believe in Love & Fun.

I am someone that does believe that Prince's music is nearly literal...I realize that there are spots that we may not understand as listeners... because of Prince's riddle ability.

I have read several comments by org. members that say we shouldn't read so deep into Prince's music...and I know there are a number of us...that do read into Prince's lyrics and wonder about his meanings...

I love the music whether I understand it or not...I guess the intrigue is something to love in itself...and of course that doesn't take away from the solid understandings about Love, GOD, Music, or plans for Resolutions within the idea's of the songs.

most of his songs show a deep empathy so he's gotta be connecting on a personnal level, but he's everso big on fantasy which is almost tmi
[Edited 8/6/08 7:35am]

great Q, over recent times i have not paid a huge amount of attention to the lyrics as they now tend to be [IMHO] lazy and too simplistic compared to the golden era. One thing you learn with P is that the lyrics are heartfelf for a short amount of time until he gets bored i.e. Animal Kingdom, looks like he threw his brothers and sisters back on the plate!.
He's a mass of contradictions and that's why we love him and are daft enough to stick around!.

lottielooloo1968 said:

I agree with you. When I listen to some of Prince's earlier work, it was fantasty, then things began to change as he and his music became more engrained in the world. He became more sophisticated about the music. Look at the "Parade" album. Yes, Lisa and Wendy may have helped Prince focus on using other textures in sound, however, it was still Prince. Prince began to be able to tell a story better as he has grown older and then I believe he pulled more on a personal level.

funkyhead said:

But in all fairness to Prince, we all go retro. I mean, I am pulling out music I listened to growing up, so I don't blame him for going back in the sound of his music. Yes, it may sound simplistic, but when you really think about it, there aren't too many musicians that have the ability to even play the music that we heard growing up. Yes, I loved Tower of Power and Earth, Wind and Fire. How many musicians can capture that sound and bring it forward with their stamp on it. ONLY Prince. I have heard Maxwell and a few others, but where are they now????? Prince is still here.....that speaks volumes. I believe that he did feel serious about eating meat when he wrote "Animal Kingdom", but I won't condemn him if he changes, we all change and grow. I refuse to "lock him" into one thing, then that will take from the music.

funkyhead said:

I would have to disagree with the laziness, especially when reading Prince's voice through the musical book..."The Rainbow Children," Prince's pen graces the paper adamantly with a heartfelf feeling, right up to, "The Last December."