I always try to keep an open mind about some things that are said within a song.
As the years have gone by we realize that Prince has been a man that has expressed himself even to the point where it may have surprised some people.

I respect that courage.

I think I finally figured out why some lines in songs can bother me, even as a writer that is understanding of cathartic intention.

For one thing I am a biased Prince fan. I have to admit that I have closely studied the man and for no other intention other than love.

I believe that if Prince is behind a lyric or a suggestion that opens a private door, it can feel as if it doesn't protect lovers. The range here, is the difference between, "Close the door, let's have a baby," and "Here I Come."

I believe there is an invisible line that is hard to describe, sometimes it's just a feeling when the song is being experienced that puts an idea on a platform for consideration.

Sometimes it isn't about explicit lyrics such as..."If U love these sheets, U better flow them on the floor, " because that is a concept that still leaves the imagination to the listener. Some other Prince songs have a graphic scene painted for the listener.

Do U know what I mean? and Do U care? Does it only matter if a young child is involved? Or do you believe that some open minded adults draw a line?

As a Prince Fan i really want to comment about ur Thread titled " The Line"
We all know that a so called "Line" has a negative conotation, as in being a "Line". i take offence to it because Prince isn't giving us a line. He is teaching us about things and also graciously sharing his life , experiences and emotions with us. That is something to be respected!!!!!. u should not be referring to Prince's Music as " The Line", because that is disrespectful. His music is Poetry and his music is sincere and his music is generous to us. Prince is sharing his inner feeling with us we all should be respectful. Thank u for reading this, Sincerely, Regina Carman and Remember the World has Karma too! Thank God , because i only want Good Things To Happen!!!!
[Edited 2/25/09 21:07pm]

You can't control his art, no matter how sincerely you paint your intentions.

There are some lines in songs, some scenes in films, some paintings by an artist, that are uncomfortable for a particular listener, or viewer. Another listener or viewer may be completely comfortable and not even bat an eyelid.

I've never particularly found Prince "shocking" or indiscreet as you stated on another thread. I listen to his more adult themed earlier songs as if they are sexual fantasy on his part, not necessarily autobiographical - although much specualtion has been made over the years about which songs were inspired by Susannah, Vanity, Mayte, Manuella etc. I came to his music relatively late (18 or 19 or so in 1989/90) and being from the UK we are a predominantly secular society so I don;t think there has ever been a religion-related backlash to explicit lyrics. I would go so far as to suggest that his mix of non-denominative spirituality linked to sexuality was very palatable to us in the UK and Europe especially because we generally live in liberal societies with little or no exposure to Christian Fundamentalism.

Back on topic, personally I had a slight problem with some of the similes he began to use around the mid to late 1990s (like an embryo in a womb, like an embryo don't abort this dying(?) need...). I found it an uncomfortable image. This is more a reflection on me though cos it's only a lyric in a song. I just found it a bit yuck and maybe even a bit clumsy. With hindsight Prince may have been thinking a lot about this sort of imagery at that time, and he certainly didn't have a problem with using that.

So I do know what you mean (I think!) but I do not think there is "a line" that is the same for every person, and for that reason I do not think it is Prince's duty to know where that line is. He has his own, and even they have changed over the years, and who knows they may change drastically again.

Sorry Tame, I know how much you love Prince but I have to totally agree with ReginaCarmen on this one. (hope I remembered the spelling of your name) My apologies if not.

there is no line with art, but i know where you're coming from..i don't see prince breaking the law, or doing anything unethical so there's nothing that would make me feel uncomfortable, not like damien hirst or that german guy who dissects bodies on tv, now THAT is crossing the line imo
'here i come' is just male fantasy stuff..i mean really, how many women masturbate in the shower? i heard that guys do this & just cuz prince probably does it daily he shouldn't assume women are at it.
after all that time sitting in the shower, bria's gonna be looking like a dried prune with trenchfoot
i actually like the song, but imo it's unconvincing...it's a song 4 the guys!
probably the only time i felt a bit of a voyeur, which meant i couldn't fully appreciate was when listening 2 certain songs from emancipation..u already mention let's have a baby, but friend mother sister but only cuz it was such a personal & public tribute 2 his wife..
i just thought then that the songs lost value cuz they shoulda been private

ReginaCarman said:

No offense, but what are you saying is not entirely true.

The fact that you feel this way proves that Prince's effort to portray a certain "image" has worked and is still working well.

I say "image" because thats what it is...a planned and calculated effort to give you a certain impression about who he is and what he does. Image is everything when it comes time to sell something for a profit and artists go to great lengths to have themselves appear a certain way to the public.

This is also true when it comes to songwriting. A smart artist won't try to sell you a song that doesnt jive with his or her image. For example, you won't see Prince genuinely trying to portray country and western themes...although in all reality he could probably write country songs just as well as the next guy.

Yes, there are some of Prince's songs that were probably written based on a real life experience...but the rest are simply made up. They are made-up stories and scenarios completely fabricated to give the listener something to relate to. Songs like this are constructed in such a way as to specifically make you believe that he or she is giving you a glimpse into their inner soul.

Please understand that not all blues singers are oppressed black men.
Not all country singers are from the country.
Prince may or may not have actually been asked to sleep on the couch...
(but its such a common (and humorous)scenario in relationships around the world that its the perfect subject for a song - that lots of people can personally relate to...but it doesn't necessarily mean that it actually happened to him)

In fact, the more you listen to Prince's music, the more you'll notice that controversial subject matter, sex and seduction are common reoccuring themes. (and exclusive parties)

...because sex will sell anything and controversy breeds free publicity.

Furthermore, to quote a wise man named Ralph Murphey:

"..Our world of entertainment is always ultimately about “The Woman.” With rare exceptions, it is men singing to women and women singing to women. So, the mantra for the songwriter parallels that of the restaurateur. When looking for a restaurant to invest in, there are three factors to consider: location, location, location. Likewise, to be a songwriter, there are three things you should consider: What’s in it for the woman? What’s in it for the woman? What’s in it for the woman? "

sorry. don't mean to burst your bubble. I think Prince is exceptionally talented but songwriting is ultimately the same as producing greeting cards...just capture the right "message" or emotion and it will sell sell sell.

Very ironic considering the fact that in 2005 Prince was considering going into the greeting card business

schming said:

That may be true, schming, but only our inner world, is Real.

ReginaCarman said:

ReginaCarman, Hi, I am referring 2 a "Line," within your own imagination as a listener. Perhaps this is a topic about sexual suggestion.
Within a range of an open canvas, your mind, you can consider, "Break it down, this love is a Private affair." or you can be offered a sexually graphic seed.
I Love all that Prince is, I still have my personal line that only I can understand as you have yours. It is merely a line that says, "Hey, once you get to this point in what you have to say, you have a choice as to how you express an idea that is offered to a listener as a songwriter. My point is that Prince is capable of offering everything He can feel and think, yet should he?
I as a writer could write a filthy sex novel. Will I? Maybe. Will I sell it? No. Will I share it with someone I Love? Of course.

KeithyT said:

This is an interesting Point of View. I agree. That line in particular is bothersome.
My reference is intended to be more light-hearted than that spoken lyric. Sometimes it is hard to see the "Line," when we are basing it on something we hear. When it comes to sex...We can listen to and comprehend the idea of that spiritual or animalistic union between two people, however, when a song, beautiful as it may be, is explicitly, "Orgasm," related, it is offered to a world heart...not within a private domain for "Lovers." This behavior is accepted by some, although the song, "Here I Come," does not suggest that Prince or Bria respect the concept of celebacy in whole. Perhaps partly, although it has a hypocritical overtone.

lottielooloo1968 said:

It's a "Personal Line." That you subject yourself to or not. Just because I am not 18 years old, There wasn't a warning that came with "Here I Come," before I heard the song. As a Prince fan I am going to listen to his work. I didn't want to listen to a diary page.

To end on a light-hearted note. Because I as a Prince fan have this particular opinion about Prince's shower duet. Should I whipp Prince on National Television? Or should I Slam the door behind us?