do u think he still wants 2 b where he was all them years ago?
why does he keep releasing mediocre albums when surely he must have some huge hits stored away somewhere?
mayb he would hate all the attention that he used 2 get as he's such a private person
mayb he's exactly where he wants 2 b, not 2 popular but popular enough 2 still make all that $$$$$
[Edited 3/8/09 3:39am]

Only the Purple Prince himself knows the answer.

Prince's Sarah

he can afford not to care

but i wonder if it bothers him at all that his new material does not really sell

i mean, Target? u really think people who go to Target are gonna pick up a new Prince record?

Again this subject? Mediocre albums & huge hits are all a matter of opinion.

I'm sure Prince wouldn't mind having the same success from years ago, but he probably realizes how the industry works and all by himself he won't be able to participate in popularity contests (top 40 radio, Billboard charts etc).

This is interesting. I think his actions reflect less a need to be popular than a need to maintain cashflow. I loved TRC, the ONA theatre tour and the NPGMC years more than any but doing business that way wasn't working out and I'm guessing the coffers were getting very dry. So we got 3 comparatively mainstream, commercial old-skoolish albums, staggered over 3 years, a massive stateside arena hits tour and Vegas/London residencies and lots of profile-raising award show-type antics to boot.

So now he's personally in a better position financially and in terms of his profile to do things completely on his own terms again and also in the intervening years the labels have started breathing their last breaths and huge acts like Radiohead and NIN have followed Prince in finding alternative distribution systems.

Maybe now is the time that an alternative online venture might work and be profitable where it couldn't in 2002.

The love Prince got from and showed to the public in 2004 and 2007 proves that he's very comfortable with being popular and loved for his old hits. But for him, unlike other acts such as the Stones, it's equally or more important that he finds a healthy, responsive audience for his current work.

When it's as awesome and fresh as Colonised Mind, it shouldn't be a problem in my opinion.
[Edited 3/8/09 1:59am]

I read your post as doesnt Prince want 2 b Bi-polar anymore!!!!

japanrocks said:

I will be going to Target just for that reason.

Mediocre to you, but fantastic to me. I think Prince is releasing great works now, and I personally can't wait to hear his new album.
[Edited 3/8/09 6:22am]

JOYJOY said:

tafnap said:

You answered both your own questions in your opinion as to your opinion of his albums being mediocre.

Some people often say that Prince's current work is mediocre or not up to the quality that it was in the past (and *most* people mean the 80s when they say the past) but I truly do not agree with that.

I believe that all artists have a period of time when they are in tune with the zeitgeist of the moment. For the most successful artists this appears to be for about a decade. For example,

The Beatles dominated 1963-1970 but had they continued for 30 years like Prince then they simply would not be producing the same highly respective music they were in the past (just look at the solo recordings).

Equally The Rolling Stones. When was the last time anyone claimed they had released an amazing album (actually it was in the mid 90s IMHO).

How about Stevie Wonder. His output in the 60s and 70s was amazing. Do people really hold his 80s onwards output in the same regard ("I Just Called To Say I Love You" anyone?)

The fact remains that "commercial success" is mostly driven by the current "young generation" who are the main record/download buyers. Each generation chooses a new set of musical heroes. Those of us in our 30s grew up in the 80s with Prince but did we really think that Stevie Wonder or Elton John or Led Zeppelin or James Brown were that amazing or were hey "yesterday's heroes"?

So what is that people want?

Prince has been releasing music since 1978 - that's 31 years! The fact that he has had the level of success he has between 2004 and 2007 is a real testament to his talent.

I can honestly take songs from any of the last three albums and drop them onto older albums and they stand up.

As for the recent albums having poor tracks on them, well I'm sorry but Prince albums have ALWAYS contained the odd dud. There is at least one track on every album that I skip!

Now as for whether Prince wants to be popular, well i think the answer is a resounding YES. He likes playing the big venues, selling lots of records and making lots of money. he loves the adulation and being treated like a big star. He obviously missed that during the late 90s and early 00s but slowly became resigned to it (and gave us the amazing ONA shows).

I am simply happy that my favorite artist is still releasing what amounts to a new album every year. Give me that quantity and let me decide on what I deem to be quality (and luckily nowadays we have iTunes to put together our own versions of albums instead of having to put together mixed tapes!)

jaypotton said:

Bravo! Very insightful and well put!

i think he's getting a kick out of being a stars star, his longevity and amazing reputation have afforded him that. Revered at this stage is much more rewarding than popular, and despite this not being his zenith he can still make better deals for himself as opposed to when he was "popular".

No. Not really.
Maybe as a musician.
But not as a (C) or law-expert.

japanrocks said:

Yes I will buy from Target, many people do, they have good quality stuff and the music is always cheeper than other places.

JOYJOY said:

Don't you worry, he still will continue to be bi-polar!

Prince played the Superbowl, the man is huge.

I knew the "popular" threads were coming, they come like clockwork everytime a new cd comes down the line. After the cd comes out there is going to be countless threads about "why isnt Prince promoting Lotus Flower".

Heres the deal, prince has his base, hes been here 30+ years, the people that dug him early on and have hung in, will be buying it. You arent going to get NEW PRINCE FANS, stop dreaming that this happens, it doesnt!

As far as Prince wanting to be popular, I think that train has left.
The young generation usually decides who is 'popular'. And Prince so doesn't fit into what most of the kids are listening today. Let's face it: a 50 year old is not going to be hip enough to win over the entire young generation.
But I think it's great that a few youngsters here love and admire him even though they haven't been around when Prince did his thing.
He had his time to be popular in the 80's, when he was all the rage.
However he is still very much appreciated for his talent and live performances and the mark he has left back then and he will always have his hardcore fans until the end of his days.

tafnap said:

what is mediocre to one person, is volcanic to the next.
prince puts lots of time into each of his songs...some
more than others; but each one means a lot 2 him. special
fans are those who through all the years, have been
intrigued by what he releases, even if all does not interest
them equally.

i am glad that Prince is able to maintain the lifestyle he
has; i want the best for him, and think he has worked hard
enough and influence enough people to walk with those
uptown...

...as for popularity, i think he wants his music to reach
as many people possible, for different reasons (spiritual,
it's his living)

...prince is popular but he is exclusive 2 certain types...i consider myself VERY-UP-2-DATE in the end it is STILL prince the 1 i wanna c..
..mzsexybaby

skywalker said:

he def likes getting paid...lyrics that come to mind are 'movie star'
but he's free...he's taken on the "gate keepers." i don't give a
rat's ass
if he sells his music through target or newspapers, as long
as more people are turned on to his music, and enjoy what we do...

that he is achieving.
[Edited 3/8/09 13:03pm]

well here in Germany he has not been here since 2002 so if he wants to or not( 2 b popular) i dont even know if people knows that he still makes music...

jaypotton said:

That was well said jay.