A little something I wrote a while back. Thought some of u might enjoy it.

There are many contributing factors of things that drew me to Prince initially and some of those same things still capture my attention as well as my imagination. It’s harder to come back old clips of him in live performances and doing guest appearances, but within those same clips and his music video is something you can’t get from simply listening to the music.

No matter what album you pick up, you feel the energy, the dedication, the artistry that he brings to his music. Seeing that same person perform his work is a tale altogether. Starting out, before I owned a single album, all I had to go on were the music videos of his that I could find. Those were the only way I had to hear his songs and see which ones I liked and which that I didn’t. MTV was originally created to broadcast music videos to aid record sales and making people more aware of the upcoming acts in the industry. Prince’s videos helped market his work to me.

I could do without having the visual and be satisfied with the music itself, but its always nice to have that something extra. In certain videos where there’s a lot of movement, I get to see just the kind of energy that he has. Something draws me in and his movements seem almost as precise as the music itself. He puts the same dedication into making the videos a valid presentation of his work.

The set-up of each video directly corresponds to that particular era of his career. You can look at the set design, how everyone is dressed and Prince’s current “look.” How he appears alone gives a lot of character to the music and another way to interpret it.

One video that stood out [when I wrote this] was “Diamonds & Pearls.” When I originally came across it, I didn’t think too much of it because I didn’t really know what to think of his career in the 90’s. I was just learning that he had one. I used to think he was one of those 80’s artists that disappeared and was making a comeback.
The whole “Diamonds & Pearls” period is an amazing one and most of it is thanks to the DVD released encompassing all of the music videos and selected live performances from the successful US tour. On the one hand, you have a commercial album that’s very listener and radio friendly. On the other hand, you have the video collection that adds some finesse to that period.

The video for “Diamonds & Pearls” itself offers a combination of imagery from sophistication, artistry, and moments that are touching. Though Prince doesn’t dance in this video quite like he did in the one for “Kiss,” he gives a little bit of that energy to it. In one scene, his mastery over his instrument of choice comes into play and you see for a few short moments how he handles his instrument and respects it the way he respects music. A lot of the time, though, how he presents himself on screen boils down to details. The pearls he holds for the duration of the video show just how much attention he pays to detail. The way he looks at them, holds them in his hands and weaves them through his fingers help tell a story aside from the song itself.

There’s one final thing I’d like to point out that strikes me about that video. Through the many years of his career, Prince has had many different looks as well as different sounds. Something about the way he appears in the video in some scenes brings me back to how he came across in certain scenes of his infamous motion picture. Something that transcends time, showing that this is indeed the same person, only now a bit more mature and with a different style. The thing that remains the same with both is the love he has for his work.
[Edited 9/26/08 5:27am]

Prince is absolutely gorgeous in the "Diamonds and Pearls," video.

nurseV said:

I appreciate the gesture, Nurse Great picture

But I think you both missed my point.
I highlighted the D&P video in particular because I was highly in2 it at the time I wrote this little rant. It's not just this song or some of the other videos from this album.

Prince has this way of lighting up the room and certain videos reflect that more than others. And that's part of the overall package of Prince as an artist. Sometimes the visual can do wonders that go beyond the music itself and even show it in a whole new light.

Another example:

Somewhere here on Earth

I just watched it last night for the first time in ages, though I'd only seen it a handful of times. There's not quite as much choreography in it as in his previous videos, but you get a sense of what he's like as a person by simply watching the way he moves. How he expresses with his hands and gestures. Yet another way to show how he lives and breathes music.

nurseV said:

I love this video, it look enchanting to me...I love this song too, its timeless

An interesting read, thanx 4 that Dreamy.
I can't help feelin that music videos generally detract from the 'quality' and/or 'meaning' of a song, and somehow influence 1's own interpretation of it..
The dawn of MTV brought about huge changes in the industry no doubt, but I can't say it was positive overall.. I prefer 2 LISTEN and create my own images in my mind...

U've inspired me 2 dig up a lil somethin I wrote a while back.. entitled 'The Song Remains The Same...'. When fashions, trends and videos r long 4gotten, good music still would stand all time. Hope U like it.

I took a train ride back home from downtown 2day along the same route I took daily to & from school from 1984-1988. Took my truck in 4 a service and took the pushbike along 2 get home from the station..(it's quite a walk...and the legs aint quite what they used 2 b... )
It mustve been at least 5 years since having done this, and 4 the 1st time I had the pleasure of listening 2 my ipod throughout the journey, which of course includes my entire Prince collection. What a far cry from the mini ghetto blaster I used 2 cart around in my bag, with the numerous cassette tapes 4 my listening pleasure! ipod shuffle is a marvelous thing...
As it was back then, most people were oblivious 2 the goin on's around them, my good self included, when something marvelous happened...
The extended version of God (instrumental) came creeping through my headphones...
A flurry of mixed emotions took hold...and I travelled back in time...
Memories came flooding back of the highs and lows of all those years of train travel, my high school years..
It seemed the sun shone a lil brighter then 2, reflecting the colours of everything I looked at thru the window makin it all appear all the more brilliant. I was approaching East Camberwell station, and I remembered how I used 2 peer thru the window approaching there all those years ago, in anxious anticipation, hoping 2 spot my childhood sweetheart. If the timing was right, she and her friends would board there... yet again, 2day she wasnt there... Ah well... I pictured Prince in the basement scene in Purple Rain...and I smiled.
I wished I could open the window, like I used 2 back then, but in these newfangled trains thats impossible, the climate nowadays is controlled.
I wasnt let down tho, as my mind conjured all those sights smells and sounds of the past as the train rolled past the platform. I smelt the wattles swayin gently in the breeze, glowing under the majestic sun. I heard the laughs and many excited conversations of the groups of schoolkids huddled there in groups, and 4 a split second, like a flashback in a movie scene, I saw them there 2...ghostly figures... Somehow I felt like innocence had returned...and again I smiled.
I looked around at all the ageing buildings I had come 2 know so well, and couldnt help but notice the changed landscape. More buildings.. New roads.. The houses it seemed, had shifted even closer 2gether. Even the graffitti had changed, with the exception of afew large and hard 2 get at pieces... What pride those artists must still feel..
I glanced around the carriage as Princes guitar spoke... Even the people looked different somehow...withdrawn... Perhaps they were conscious of the cameras, they never used 2 b there either..
The nostalgia continued 4 the remaining 30 mins of the trip, as I clicked back every time the instrumental came close 2 ending. Surely Prince could have come up with a 30 min version...
I readied myself as the train drew close 2 my stop, wheeled the bike 2 the door, and looked down at a scar on my shin, compliments of my pedal afew years ago. That wasnt there back then either...
I pressed the button 4 the door 2 open at my stop, and was somewhat amused at the curious look an elderly lady gave me as I motioned 2 her, "after U"... The imposing, tattooed, middle aged guy behind the dark sunglasses might not have done that back then either... I slapped on my helmet, smiled, and chuckled lightly as I peeled a banana...fuel 4 the ride home...
If nothing else, I was thankful that, at least the song remains the same.

Thank you Prince

MrBiGsTuFf

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing that with me. It's nice to see I'm not the only one who can go on and on.
We've got different views on this and yet we're united in the fact we both dig the same music.

Another thing I'd like to add. Prince is just as much a pleasure to look at as he is to listen to. But I not only enjoy getting to know the man within the music, but also the man behind the music. So I take a lot of things into account and music videos are my way of helping me see more of the big picture.

I will agree with one thing, though. Videos mess with the personal visual we make for ourselves when we hear a song. That's the case with me and "Somewhere here on Earth." In my mind, I came up with my own idea of what video runs in my head while listening to that song. But after the video came out, I hardly remember what I dreamt up in the first place.
That is Prince's vision of what comes to mind with the song, though, and in the end, I usually vie for his interpretation than mine. It is his music, after all

Freestyle (how I am feeling now)



When the bubbles burst
When the heart breaks
When the tears fall
When the moments take

What do I hold on to
How do I continue to Love
What is false what is true
Who and what am I made of

Why do I have to believe
and keep "the faith"
I have the choice to leave
and why should I wait

Death does not exist
Life is full of twist
Yet I have to consider the risks
Did I miss Love's kiss?

The sun is shining brightly
and a dark cloud drifts in
its rain drops on me
Heavenly tears cover my body

I look up but see nothing
except water
I look up and think
why bother

There is nothing
in front of me
There is nothing
behind

A dark cloud is above my head
and the earth's flesh supports my feet

I look down
and watch the water
swirl around

Time comes and goes
like the water it flows
so I follow it

I follow the water to the sea
and I walk in
The wavs greet me so happy to meet me
wondering where I have been
I hear its eternal plea
I turn to flee guilty with sin
but then someone grabs my arm
I am alarmed knowing the harm
I thin of where to begin when

I look into his eyes
I touch his face
I see his smile and all sin is erased

"Why did you call me?"
"Because you are mine."

"Then why didn't you save me?"
"I have time after time."

Do your eyes lie
Do they know the right words
Will I even understand with all
That I have heard

"Hold me", I scream, "Love me,
if this isn't a dream"
"Don't ever let me go."
"You are my savior."
"To you. I relinquish control."

"Just hold me, love me and don't ever let me go."
"Thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul."