Most interesting thread I've read in a while! Love this type of Prince discussion and agree that Prince's writing is most interesting when he doesn't have all the answers.
Baby I'm a Star, cream etc all work because Prince knows he's bragging and is laughing at himself.He is almost taking on a character in these songs. There is usually a lot of humour in Prince's writing but I think some of his 'bragging'work, particularly in the 90's, lacked this and was therefore abit dull and predictable. Something I never expected from Prince.

I like the fact that Prince's music reflects whatever stage he is at in his life though, and always has, even when he gets it wrong. When an artists' musical career spans 30 years it's inevitable that they will have creative highs and lows. Look at another truly talented artist, Stevie Wonder. Like Prince, he's also had periods of pure musical/writing genius. No one can touch artists like them when they are riding that creative wave but it would be impossible to sustain that level for 30 years. Sometimes they get it wrong but in hindsight you can see they were trying something different to before and you can appreciate that, even if what they did wasn't your favourite period of their work.

Prince is slightly older now and as you'd hope seems to be a little more content with life and whilst it is to be expected that some of his earlier innovation may not be as strong (possibly) as it was when he was in his 20's and 30's, it's also clear that he's developed his musicianship. When you see him play live now, especially at the small gigs, it's exciting and inspiring to watch him play for different reasons. He's developed his guitar and piano playing in a way that has come from years of experimenting and stretching his abilities.It's really all about the live music now and no one can touch him when it comes to playing live and I love that about him.

Baby I'm A Star was Prince's swag at it's best...same with Housequake, Erotic City, Now, Come On, even A Beautiful Night..these are all fantastic songs by Prince that show off his bravado and still manage to be some of his best. Honestly Prince music suffers a bit from the lack of new influences..although I still think he is capable and does produce top rated material on a regular basis...his misses seems to fall with a little more thud than they once did. I'm not to thrilled with Chocolate Box but I thought The One You Want to See was a perfect pop tune and 3121(the song) was as innovative in it's structure as any of his earlier work

xpertluva said:

He said he wrote Cream while looking in the mirror (He tends to lie, so who knows! ) but Cream's lyrics do not contain the word "I", so it did not come across as he was bragging on himself so much but rather he was talking to the listener.

you know I love this thread. you're right. I aint go no money, like those other guys you hang around. It meant Prince was asking to be liked for who he was at the time.

It would make no sense however, for Prince to sing I aint go no money type songs now would it?

Really Prince's new direction is anything but contrived and mt...he has evolved and continued 2 do so...and if u don't c this then y do u continue 2 follow him?
As 4 his lyrics they'r fine...not immature!

Judging the lyrics of "chocolate box" is P trying to tap the pedophile market that exists?? bawhawhawhawawwwww! Here kiddy want some candy! Mature lyrics? No! I find this song extra creepy and not even in a good way like "Mr. Goodnight".

Sorry peeps I'm not feeling this song. I mean this song could easily be a Britney song..etc and we would be hating it. Today I listened to "the Ladder" wow what a great song - me and my mom used to listen to this song (now she is gone bless her soul)..but yeah I think this song is a Throwaway for me. I do love Disco JellyFish! So I still have faith that I will love some of MPLSound and believe that LotusFlow3r will impress.

Judging the lyrics of "chocolate box" is P trying to tap the pedophile market that exists?? bawhawhawhawawwwww! Here kiddy want some candy! Mature lyrics? No! I find this song extra creepy and not even in a good way like "Mr. Goodnight".

Sorry peeps I'm not feeling this song. I mean this song could easily be a Britney song..etc and we would be hating it. Today I listened to "the Ladder" wow what a great song - me and my mom used to listen to this song (now she is gone bless her soul)..but yeah I think this song is a Throwaway for me. I do love Disco JellyFish! So I still have faith that I will love some of MPLSound and believe that LotusFlow3r will impress.

After listening to "Chocolate Box" and "There'll Never B Another Like Me," one of the reasons why I find myself not connecting with the song (musically or lyrically) is Prince just not being convincing to me as a hip hop style braggadocio I rock the party type of artist.

And the more I thought about it, I started thinking that the Prince I liked has nothing to do with old vs. new, but with vulnerable vs. cocky. Ever since "My Name is Prince and I am Funky" I've thought Prince's attempt at being cocky on record came off as corny, contrived, and weaksauce imitations of rappers bragging.

The Prince I connect with is the Prince who sings "I ain't got no money... ain't like the other guys you hang around..." (I Wanna B Your Lover) not the one who sings "I got a lot of money and I want to spend it on you" (The One You Want to See).

I guess in his early days he had "The Time" to channel his "I'm so cool" aesthetic through--they were the mouthpiece of the cockiness... and it worked for them. And him. He's always been more effective in my opinion of conveying that outsider, that person that isn't totally accepted, the misfit, who's just doing his own thing trying to get put on (by a girl, a public, etc.).

I know his circumstances have changed greatly since the hungry artist, but still... for me some of his greatest, most interesting music is made when singing from a perspective of vulnerability, someone asking questions, someone trying love. (The Beautiful Ones, Sometimes It Snows In April, When Does Cry, hell the whole Purple Rain, Pop Life, America, Condition of the Heart, even more recent stuff like Wasted Kisses, The Dance, Reflection, I Love You But I Don't Trust You Anymore, Somewhere Here On Earth, Fury, etc.)

These days it seems we're getting a whole lot of impenetrable facade, self-assuredness, almost arrogant preaching, giving answers, someone sweating himself. Life of the Party, The One You Want to See, There'll Never B Another Like Me, Undisputed... they just seem to fall flat for me.

realm said:

See, the pedophile comment is bad. The song does not make me think he is trying to hit on a teeny bopper, however it makes me feel like Prince is having fun no matter what age he is.
He apparently still "feels" young....does not mean he is being a perv. C'mon now.
I just do not see things that way when I hear that. And never felt it while listening to Mr. Goodnight either.
Oh, ps...it is totally cool that u are not digging this song.
[Edited 3/22/09 18:06pm]

from Dateline to Cath A Purple Predator

Chris Hanson: "A box of choclates eh Prince? I have the lyrics/transcripts right here. Gonna offer ME box of chocolates too, Prince?"

xlr8r said:

50yo man offering girls candy? does he have a cool van? puppy dog? stereo that he wants to give them???

Nah..I find these lyrics totally uninspired. This could easily be a Britney song. It's rubbish.

After listening to "Chocolate Box" and "There'll Never B Another Like Me," one of the reasons why I find myself not connecting with the song (musically or lyrically) is Prince just not being convincing to me as a hip hop style braggadocio I rock the party type of artist.

And the more I thought about it, I started thinking that the Prince I liked has nothing to do with old vs. new, but with vulnerable vs. cocky. Ever since "My Name is Prince and I am Funky" I've thought Prince's attempt at being cocky on record came off as corny, contrived, and weaksauce imitations of rappers bragging.

The Prince I connect with is the Prince who sings "I ain't got no money... ain't like the other guys you hang around..." (I Wanna B Your Lover) not the one who sings "I got a lot of money and I want to spend it on you" (The One You Want to See).

I guess in his early days he had "The Time" to channel his "I'm so cool" aesthetic through--they were the mouthpiece of the cockiness... and it worked for them. And him. He's always been more effective in my opinion of conveying that outsider, that person that isn't totally accepted, the misfit, who's just doing his own thing trying to get put on (by a girl, a public, etc.).

I know his circumstances have changed greatly since the hungry artist, but still... for me some of his greatest, most interesting music is made when singing from a perspective of vulnerability, someone asking questions, someone trying love. (The Beautiful Ones, Sometimes It Snows In April, When Does Cry, hell the whole Purple Rain, Pop Life, America, Condition of the Heart, even more recent stuff like Wasted Kisses, The Dance, Reflection, I Love You But I Don't Trust You Anymore, Somewhere Here On Earth, Fury, etc.)

These days it seems we're getting a whole lot of impenetrable facade, self-assuredness, almost arrogant preaching, giving answers, someone sweating himself. Life of the Party, The One You Want to See, There'll Never B Another Like Me, Undisputed... they just seem to fall flat for me.

npggirl77 said:

You maybe correct, the lyrics maybe about something else.

from the urban dictionary:
chocolate box: Anal orifice, esp. that of an attractive female.
After Mike played three consecutive John Mayer CD's, Ashley finally opened up her chocolate box to him.

realm said:

Sweet!

And U are a fan that finds something to love right up to the "Planet Earth," cd it appears. I betcha find sharp cuts that U cling 2 next week.

PurpleRain747 said:

I got a box of chocolates that'll rock your socks

is not immature? Not only is that immature, that is corny and embarrassing. Box, rock, socks - that's like Hip Hop Rhyme Writing 101. Jeesh. Worse when it's sung on autotune or with a voc box to emulate something T-Pain and Kanye West started doing LAST YEAR. It's not groundbreaking... it comes off as a pathetic attempt to be hip. And that's a problem with his swag songs of late, they seem desperate to compete with what is burning up the charts/radio these days.

It's like musically (and lyrically thematically) Prince is sweating all the latest trends and fads by emulating them... but then tells us in his songs that we should sweat HIM! It comes off as disingenuous and again, weak sauce.

emesem said:

I do not see him as bitter (maybe very disappointed in how some things are). I think he has always had some "Insecurities" and has always been one with the need to "control" things. However, these are part of him as a person and I do not let his personal acts influence how the music makes me feel. And we all have flaws that would shine through if we were famous. I do not feel he is a broke down 50 year old millionare either.
When I sit down and think about why he does some of the things he does, I just try to imagine being in his shoes. It must be tough to be in the limelight for so long and all the goods and bads that go with that life. I am sure that in itself can change a person.
I listen to the music, appreciate the man/legend, and simply hope he keeps bringing the hits and hope he tries not to worry so much about what goes down on the net.

I will also add...I do think he wishes and feels the need to "control" what happens to and with his own masterpieces/music. And honestly, I cannot blame him for that. However these days with the internet and so on, it is something he just will not be able to control as he wishes...and I am sure that bothers him...But it is just the way it is these days. People want things that are not out there, and people want things for free. Not that is it the "right" thing to do, but it is done.
[Edited 3/22/09 14:52pm]

After listening to "Chocolate Box" and "There'll Never B Another Like Me," one of the reasons why I find myself not connecting with the song (musically or lyrically) is Prince just not being convincing to me as a hip hop style braggadocio I rock the party type of artist.

And the more I thought about it, I started thinking that the Prince I liked has nothing to do with old vs. new, but with vulnerable vs. cocky. Ever since "My Name is Prince and I am Funky" I've thought Prince's attempt at being cocky on record came off as corny, contrived, and weaksauce imitations of rappers bragging.

The Prince I connect with is the Prince who sings "I ain't got no money... ain't like the other guys you hang around..." (I Wanna B Your Lover) not the one who sings "I got a lot of money and I want to spend it on you" (The One You Want to See).

I guess in his early days he had "The Time" to channel his "I'm so cool" aesthetic through--they were the mouthpiece of the cockiness... and it worked for them. And him. He's always been more effective in my opinion of conveying that outsider, that person that isn't totally accepted, the misfit, who's just doing his own thing trying to get put on (by a girl, a public, etc.).

I know his circumstances have changed greatly since the hungry artist, but still... for me some of his greatest, most interesting music is made when singing from a perspective of vulnerability, someone asking questions, someone trying love. (The Beautiful Ones, Sometimes It Snows In April, When Does Cry, hell the whole Purple Rain, Pop Life, America, Condition of the Heart, even more recent stuff like Wasted Kisses, The Dance, Reflection, I Love You But I Don't Trust You Anymore, Somewhere Here On Earth, Fury, etc.)

These days it seems we're getting a whole lot of impenetrable facade, self-assuredness, almost arrogant preaching, giving answers, someone sweating himself. Life of the Party, The One You Want to See, There'll Never B Another Like Me, Undisputed... they just seem to fall flat for me.