And Wherever U Go... is, I think, truly awful. It has weak lyrics and such a childish melody. I've said it before on this board: I think it's way worse than Graffiti Bridge.
[Edited 8/16/08 11:19am]

I can understand the hate for Hot Wit U and I'll admit that the title track sounds out-of-place... but c'mon... give the record some credit for these songs at least:

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold - This is surely one his biggest missed opportunities as far as hit singles go. This got a lot of airplay upon release here in the UK and could've been a massive hit if they hadn't fucked up with the amount of remixes they put on the single, rendering it illegible for chart entry.
I remember a lot of my friends who aren't really into Prince really digging this when it was out. Prince's vocals are classy, the lyrics have that wonderfully poetic quality which made When Doves Cry so great and Mike Scott's guitar playing over the verse is sublime.


I Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore - One thing that astounds me when I see so many Prince fans dismissing Rave as complete fodder is how they can overlook how painfully autobiographical much of this record is. Whatever went down between him and Mayte, it inspired what is surely his most sincere and heartfelt ballad since Adore.


Wherever U Go Whatever U Do - Another lost hit. Lenny Kravitz had massive success with this when he released Again... and this would've made a perfect second single release from Rave.


Strange But True - Again, very personal lyrics, spoken in an almost hypnotic, mantra-like manner. Kinda reminds me of an updated All The Critics Love U In New York. There are so many interesting elements to this song, from the weird synth effects to that great funky guitar line buried deep into the mix.
[Edited 8/16/08 10:58am]

I can understand the hate for Hot Wit U and I'll admit that the title track sounds out-of-place... but c'mon... give the record some credit for these songs at least:

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold - This is surely one his biggest missed opportunities as far as hit singles go. This got a lot of airplay upon release here in the UK and could've been a massive hit if they hadn't fucked up with the amount of remixes they put on the single, rendering it illegible for chart entry.
I remember a lot of my friends who aren't really into Prince really digging this when it was out. Prince's vocals are classy, the lyrics have that wonderfully poetic quality which made When Doves Cry so great and Mike Scott's guitar playing over the verse is sublime.


I Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore - One thing that astounds me when I see so many Prince fans dismissing Rave as complete fodder is how they can overlook how painfully autobiographical much of this record is. Whatever went down between him and Mayte, it inspired what is surely his most sincere and heartfelt ballad since Adore.


Wherever U Go Whatever U Do - Another lost hit. Lenny Kravitz had massive success with this when he released Again... and this would've made a perfect second single release from Rave.


Strange But True - Again, very personal lyrics, spoken in an almost hypnotic, mantra-like manner. Kinda reminds me of an updated All The Critics Love U In New York. There are so many interesting elements to this song, from the weird synth effects to that great funky guitar line buried deep into the mix.
[Edited 8/16/08 10:58am]

Strange But True - Again, very personal lyrics, spoken in an almost hypnotic, mantra-like manner. Kinda reminds me of an updated All The Critics Love U In New York. There are so many interesting elements to this song, from the weird synth effects to that great funky guitar line buried deep into the mix.

I can understand the hate for Hot Wit U and I'll admit that the title track sounds out-of-place... but c'mon... give the record some credit for these songs at least:

The Greatest Romance Ever Sold - This is surely one his biggest missed opportunities as far as hit singles go. This got a lot of airplay upon release here in the UK and could've been a massive hit if they hadn't fucked up with the amount of remixes they put on the single, rendering it illegible for chart entry.
I remember a lot of my friends who aren't really into Prince really digging this when it was out. Prince's vocals are classy, the lyrics have that wonderfully poetic quality which made When Doves Cry so great and Mike Scott's guitar playing over the verse is sublime.

Sun, Moon & Stars - first time I heard this I had the bass cranked up and thought it was a drum n bass track with vocals....brilliant track

Partyman - nice reward for waiting 10 minutes after last track

also liked the song he did with Gwen Stefani

Amen for that one.
A very sensuall song, i also like the instrumental version with maceo parker.

Sure I can.

MattyJam said:

Amen for that one.
A very sensuall song, i also like the instrumental version with maceo parker.

Sure I can. Sorry. The only one I agree with you on is Strange but True. That's one of my favorite songs of his, absolutely wonderful.

But TGRES is tedious and has such inscrutable lyrics that it's not enjoyable to listen to. I have no idea what the hell he's talking about in this song, so I just lump it in with the other songs where he preaches religious mumbo jumbo that I don't relate to.

I Love U... is overwrought and affected, in my opinion. From the opening cough (which seems so self-conscious) to the end, it just doesn't seem truly sincere. I know it gets a lot of love and people consider it great, but sorry. It seems full of false sentiment to me.

And Wherever U Go... is, I think, truly awful. It has weak lyrics and such a childish melody. I've said it before on this board: I think it's way worse than Graffiti Bridge.
[Edited 8/16/08 11:19am]



Agree with you on TGRES and Wherever U Go lyrically. TGRES has a too polished but yet interesting sound. I Love U is brilliant, poignant and beautiful. The type of introspective song he rarely does anymore. And I was happy to see him work with Ani Difranco. I wish they would do more.

The entire album was uneven but not without it's merits. Why the covers on Emancipation and Rave? Too desperate for Prince. The Gwen Stefani duet is a great, clever pop shouldabeen hit. Too bad her record company nixed the single. I also like their other collab Waiting Room.

The real classic on the album is Tangerine. A lovely, melancholy and absorbing slice of beauty. Too short but I can listen to it 20 times in a row.

The real classic on the album is Tangerine. A lovely, melancholy and absorbing slice of beauty. Too short but I can listen to it 20 times in a row.