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Thread started 08/27/08 5:21am

viewaskew

The MYTH of Prince's COUNTRY

You know, I really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Jessica Simpson forums has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince-related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one I keep hearing lately about how The NPG wasn't "country." Or was so much less "country" than later incarnations of his band. Or when I hear another artist being put down for not being as "country" as Prince.

Well here's the deal I'd like to discuss now.

Prince isn't that "country". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word "y'all" around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of playing a white-washed tune like "Willing & Able" at the Super Bowl several years ago, no one in Nashville takes Prince seriously from a "country" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "country" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for country that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although I know I'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in New York and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the country community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some boots from Willie Nelson, as well as some guitar inflections from ZZ Top, in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "country?"

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the country"?
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Reply #1 posted 08/27/08 5:24am

ImAKawak

Prince Is Funky
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Reply #2 posted 08/27/08 5:56am

rnljs

viewaskew said:

You know, I really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Jessica Simpson forums has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince-related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one I keep hearing lately about how The NPG wasn't "country." Or was so much less "country" than later incarnations of his band. Or when I hear another artist being put down for not being as "country" as Prince.

Well here's the deal I'd like to discuss now.

Prince isn't that "country". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word "y'all" around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of playing a white-washed tune like "Willing & Able" at the Super Bowl several years ago, no one in Nashville takes Prince seriously from a "country" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "country" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for country that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although I know I'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in New York and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the country community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some boots from Willie Nelson, as well as some guitar inflections from ZZ Top, in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "country?"

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the country"?

How dare you!! Prince is all things to all genres!!! mad falloff
Peace. Love. Prince
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Reply #3 posted 08/27/08 6:05am

kenlacam

Thank GOD Prince isn't country, because if he was, I wouldn't listen to him. Purple Rain (the song which topped the country charts back in the 80's)is the only exception, as this is a great song, even though it has country overtones.
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Reply #4 posted 08/27/08 7:01am

LinnLM1

kenlacam said:

Thank GOD Prince isn't country, because if he was, I wouldn't listen to him. Purple Rain (the song which topped the country charts back in the 80's)is the only exception, as this is a great song, even though it has country overtones.


"Purple Rain" never topped the country charts.
the music knows what your motives are when you are making it

listen to The Replacements - its good for the soul
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Reply #5 posted 08/27/08 7:05am

campsong

Thank you viewaskew for making me laugh and bringing some levity to the discussion.
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Reply #6 posted 08/27/08 7:17am

FlamingRaindro
p

Prince doing country would be like Pacino wearing a hockey mask and chasing a teenage guidance councillor in a friday the 13th film... Be just another midget runnin around making a fool of himself....
They're both better than that...
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Reply #7 posted 08/27/08 7:28am

ButterscotchPi
mp

avatar

viewaskew said:

You know, I really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Jessica Simpson forums has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince-related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one I keep hearing lately about how The NPG wasn't "country." Or was so much less "country" than later incarnations of his band. Or when I hear another artist being put down for not being as "country" as Prince.

Well here's the deal I'd like to discuss now.

Prince isn't that "country". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word "y'all" around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of playing a white-washed tune like "Willing & Able" at the Super Bowl several years ago, no one in Nashville takes Prince seriously from a "country" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "country" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for country that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although I know I'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in New York and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the country community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some boots from Willie Nelson, as well as some guitar inflections from ZZ Top, in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "country?"

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the country"?




falloff
http://www.facebook.com/p...111?ref=ts
y'all gone keep messin' around wit me and turn me back to the old me......
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Reply #8 posted 08/27/08 7:40am

tricky99

avatar

viewaskew said:

You know, I really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Jessica Simpson forums has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince-related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one I keep hearing lately about how The NPG wasn't "country." Or was so much less "country" than later incarnations of his band. Or when I hear another artist being put down for not being as "country" as Prince.

Well here's the deal I'd like to discuss now.

Prince isn't that "country". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word "y'all" around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of playing a white-washed tune like "Willing & Able" at the Super Bowl several years ago, no one in Nashville takes Prince seriously from a "country" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "country" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for country that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although I know I'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in New York and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the country community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some boots from Willie Nelson, as well as some guitar inflections from ZZ Top, in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "country?"

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the country"?


brilliant stuff!
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Reply #9 posted 08/27/08 7:41am

Tame

avatar

Country music is a style. Prince has the ability to play a country song, and sing with a country accent. Add some violins...and wear a cowboy hat...and end the record with yee-ha...

Why? When we love Charlie Daniels...and The list goes on...I don't even wanna start going down the list of country greats...That's that style of music expressing itself the best that it can through those people. cool
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight...
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Reply #10 posted 08/27/08 7:49am

vjh

avatar

Does the 'gator' sketch in the Muppet Show count? Sorry I dont have the clip? smile
2xMaybe3
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Reply #11 posted 08/27/08 7:51am

purplecam

avatar

viewaskew said:

You know, I really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Jessica Simpson forums has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince-related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one I keep hearing lately about how The NPG wasn't "country." Or was so much less "country" than later incarnations of his band. Or when I hear another artist being put down for not being as "country" as Prince.

Well here's the deal I'd like to discuss now.

Prince isn't that "country". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word "y'all" around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of playing a white-washed tune like "Willing & Able" at the Super Bowl several years ago, no one in Nashville takes Prince seriously from a "country" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "country" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for country that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although I know I'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in New York and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the country community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some boots from Willie Nelson, as well as some guitar inflections from ZZ Top, in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "country?"

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the country"?

falloff That was great!
I'm not a fan of "old Prince". I'm not a fan of "new Prince". I'm just a fan of Prince. Simple as that
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Reply #12 posted 08/27/08 7:54am

pynkcashmere

avatar

Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret and Pink Cashmere are all country diddies and they are all splendid. biggrin
[Edited 8/27/08 7:55am]
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Reply #13 posted 08/27/08 7:57am

RodeoSchro

I can tell you for a fact that Prince is not country because you cannot identifiably whistle a country tune. And yet, most of Prince's songs are eminently whistleable. Ergo, Prince is not country.
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Reply #14 posted 08/27/08 8:03am

rnljs

vjh said:

Does the 'gator' sketch in the Muppet Show count? Sorry I dont have the clip? smile

Oh yes!!! That was funny!
Peace. Love. Prince
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Reply #15 posted 08/27/08 8:05am

Genesia

avatar

pynkcashmere said:

Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret and Pink Cashmere are all country diddies and they are all splendid. biggrin


You should hear the bluegrass version of When Doves Cry! nod
We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
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Reply #16 posted 08/27/08 8:14am

2elijah

kenlacam said:

Thank GOD Prince isn't country, because if he was, I wouldn't listen to him. Purple Rain (the song which topped the country charts back in the 80's)is the only exception, as this is a great song, even though it has country overtones.



Exactly. Besides, there's a lot of people that use country slang, if that's what you want to call it like the term"y'all", doesn't make them country, so-to-speak.

I don't care too much for country artists, I find most of their songs depressing and the sound much too similar. I don't think the world would crumble without country music, just not my cup of tea. However, there's just a couple less than 5 fingers who have made a few good songs, but country music...I could survive without it. lol
[Edited 8/27/08 8:18am]
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Reply #17 posted 08/27/08 8:23am

Graycap23

ImAKawak said:

Prince Is Funky

lol.....
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Reply #18 posted 08/27/08 9:05am

pennylover

avatar

viewaskew said:

You know, I really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Jessica Simpson forums has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince-related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one I keep hearing lately about how The NPG wasn't "country." Or was so much less "country" than later incarnations of his band. Or when I hear another artist being put down for not being as "country" as Prince.

Well here's the deal I'd like to discuss now.

Prince isn't that "country". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word "y'all" around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of playing a white-washed tune like "Willing & Able" at the Super Bowl several years ago, no one in Nashville takes Prince seriously from a "country" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "country" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for country that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although I know I'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in New York and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the country community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some boots from Willie Nelson, as well as some guitar inflections from ZZ Top, in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "country?"

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the country"?

This is so funny I forgot 2 laugh falloff I'm glad hes not the keeper of country. lol
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Reply #19 posted 08/27/08 12:54pm

wmendoza36

avatar

hmmm

WASNT THIS TOPIC POSTED BEFORE? ONLY INSTEAD OF COUNTRY,IT WAS FUNK

I MEAN EVERYTHING IN YOUR POST IS EXACTLY THE SAME EXCEPT A FEW CHANGES IN SONG REFERENCES

ARE WE GOING TO GO DOWN THE LIST OF ALL THE GENRES PRINCE HAS EXPLORED?
IF SO,WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE A WHILE
"a body like yours oughta be in jail..it was on the verge of being obscene"
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Reply #20 posted 08/27/08 1:07pm

L4OATheOrigina
l

avatar

spit

i don't know what's funnier, the fact that thread was so tongue in cheek or the people taking it seriously


falloff
man, he has such an amazing body of music that it's sad to see him constrict it down to the basics. he's too talented for the lineup he's doing. estelle 81
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Reply #21 posted 08/27/08 1:08pm

rnljs

L4OATheOriginal said:

spit

i don't know what's funnier, the fact that thread was so tongue in cheek or the people taking it seriously


falloff

The fact that they are taking it seriously. wacky
Peace. Love. Prince
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Reply #22 posted 08/27/08 1:09pm

Flowers2

Genesia said:

pynkcashmere said:

Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret and Pink Cashmere are all country diddies and they are all splendid. biggrin


You should hear the bluegrass version of When Doves Cry! nod


falloff
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Reply #23 posted 08/27/08 1:15pm

robinesque

falloff

ok... but you're all mean bastards for making fun of country.. grrrr
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Reply #24 posted 08/27/08 1:17pm

robinesque

robinesque said:

falloff

ok... but you're all mean bastards for making fun of country.. grrrr


(actually, i pull out my dolly and prince cd's for many of the same reasons)
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Reply #25 posted 08/27/08 1:22pm

soulyacolia

avatar

clapping thumbs up!

You ain't country at all!! You're just a little old prude!!

smile
if you've gotta pay for things that you've done wrong I've gotta big bill coming at the end of the day- Gil Scott Heron

Prince.org where fans of Prince meet and stay up too late
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Reply #26 posted 08/27/08 1:34pm

Flowers2

viewaskew said:

You know, I really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Jessica Simpson forums has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince-related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one I keep hearing lately about how The NPG wasn't "country." Or was so much less "country" than later incarnations of his band. Or when I hear another artist being put down for not being as "country" as Prince.

Well here's the deal I'd like to discuss now.

Prince isn't that "country". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word "y'all" around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.
Short of playing a white-washed tune like "Willing & Able" at the Super Bowl several years ago, no one in Nashville takes Prince seriously from a "country" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "country" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for country that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although I know I'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in New York and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the country community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some boots from Willie Nelson, as well as some guitar inflections from ZZ Top, in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "country?"

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the country"?


spit spit
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Reply #27 posted 08/27/08 2:59pm

Dayclear

What the hell is this thread about?? Somebody from the country must have started this. eek confused
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Reply #28 posted 08/27/08 3:02pm

DesireeNevermi
nd

vjh said:

Does the 'gator' sketch in the Muppet Show count? Sorry I dont have the clip? smile


falloff

Evenin' Ted, Evenin' Ned


Prince aint county unless you call some gospel overlays country. I like 2 call his music Soulfood.
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Reply #29 posted 08/27/08 3:04pm

Genesia

avatar

Flowers2 said:

Genesia said:



You should hear the bluegrass version of When Doves Cry! nod


falloff


You think I'm kidding! There really is a bluegrass version of When Doves Cry. I just wish I could remember the name of the group that did it...
We don’t mourn artists because we knew them. We mourn them because they helped us know ourselves.
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