Ok so I know these two forces aren't mutually exclusive and in his illustrious career Prince has had his share of both but I have always wondered what drives him more, and for that matter what drives us more.

With new releases just over the horizon, I was wondering if you had to choose would you rather have the new albums receive critical success or commercial?

Would you rather see it spawn several "pop" hits, or would you like to see it push Prince into new artistic territory (if there even is any left that is uncharted for him).

I ask because the other day I hear Raspberry Beret on the radio and it occurred to me could Prince write a song like this again - a simple catchy pop tune. Or has he grown so much as an artist that his endeavours now are about exploring the musical landscape beyond the simple 3:45 pop hit?

Your thoughts?

If i like then its job done

I don't think that Prince gives a rats about anything other than putting his best work out and the fams getting into it. If it sells beyond that, hits the charts, or gets played on the radio that's a bonus to him.

After 30+ years of success in the industry, does anything else matter?

I don't care because I can't wait to get my hands on the 3 new albums. Has anyone here in Oz heard how it's going to be sold yet?

Swa said:

No, I wouldn't say that in the slightest.

Call7779311 said:

Nothing as yet. I hear it has an early April release in Europe. Might be the same case here (Aus)

neither.

Swa said:

This bugs me because Im torn. I want him to have commerical success. I want people to hear the music and see what we have in our midst. But then again that entails him making music that is meant to be that. Creating to make a hit underscores the creative process in my opinion. Not caring for about the music charts seems to come from a place of actual inspiration to me. That thinking seems like what created seminal songs such as IIWYG, Madrid To Chicago and more. Trying to get a hit looks to me like it created some songs from Rave, Musicology and more. While not terrible songs (arguably), many seem like he could write in his sleep. The LotusFlow3r material seems less commercial to me and not likely to be played on any radio stations (save indy types). The mateial seems more aimed at critical success to me. I guess this go round I'm more content with crtitical success then commerical becasue my ears win out on this one.

It's all red tape...We as fans listen 2 all of Prince's stuff over and over again.

I belive a lot of Prince's music is "Pop Song Oriented," or could find a place in a movie...

Prince's success comes from doing what he wants to do, and that's what matters.

i'd say critical success. for a segment of the fickle record buying public will buy it BECAUSE of the critical success thus leading to commercial success. i like it best when critics are impressed again by Prince's genius and gush about an album.

record/single sales in the traditional sense are so played out and shouldn't be the goal OR barometer by which success is measured for the artist or their public

i've never paid any mind to either.

datdude said:

I'm with you on that one.

NoMoreCandy4U said:

The only meaning of success s mine.

NoMoreCandy4U said:

Really? So there is no sense of pride if the album gets great reviews from the critics, or gets top 10?

My order of importance.

1. Do I like his (new) music myself?

2. Do the 'serious' music critics like it? (so i sorta know that at least some other people with some musical 'taste' share the same experience....lol)

3. Does the big mainstream public like it? Judging on the chart topping succes of the likes of Higschool musical, Britney, The Jonas Brother, Beyonce and Katy Perry, it is my least concern.
[Edited 3/17/09 9:40am]

I think Prince is at point now in his career that he's happy to put out music when he wants. Of course every artist wants both critical and commercial success, but when said artist fans grow old with you, the artist doesn't have to chase all the new pseudo artist that are out there now or his fellow icons. (MJ and Madge) There are no disputes with labels or anything so I'm sure he is happy with what he's making and getting it out to his fans. Plus I think he's more than happy just to go out a play a concert when the feeling hits him. Prince is doing Prince when he wants, how he wants, and how he likes. What better time in life?

Playing the 'devils advocate' here:

When you look at his output during this century so far, you can also say: he is underachieving. As an artist he has a certain kind of creative potential, that he can use to evolve himself on an artistic level, to dare himself, to challenge himself.
But when you are potentially as talented as Prince, that also means you can try just to give 'a bit', using those qualities of yours, and make enough money and still keep your fanbase and the critics sorta interested in what will come next.

IMO that is what Prince is mostly doing for the last 8-9 years: he can produce and record an album like 3121 practically on auto-pilot, and the critics give it 4 stars.

He can take some bits of pieces from older songs (Crimson and clover, Wild Thing), and spice it up with his gifts as a guitarist, and the thing gets heralded.

But what i 'feel' that is happening underneath, that it is coming all to easy for him: it is like on the surface he is showing: Hey, i can still make a focussed pop-album, without going into JW-bizareness, or, when I dont feel my songwriting-muse i can still use a cover, spice it up a bit, and impress the public.

Its all too easygoing. My main question is: when will he stop with playing things safe, and challenge his own musical creativity again? When will we see the new catharsis? The new musical inventions?
[Edited 3/17/09 12:31pm]

xlr8r said:

We really need an acronym database here!

Okay, I get it. "If I Was Your Girlfriend"
These acronyms kill me...
[Edited 3/17/09 14:37pm]

Riverpoet31 said:

You're not. He's 50 years old and has been writing music for 30 something years now. To expect innovation or inspiration like he had in the early days now is foolish. All artists lose that spark eventually, and it's definitely gone for Prince. As I've said before, that doesn't mean he can't still write good/great music, but it's time for folks to stop expecting Prince to produce another (insert fave album from the 80s here). It's not going to happen.