From the first time I heard this song on Sign "o" the Times, The Cross has been my favourite Prince track. IMO, it contains some of the most meaningful lyrics/ imagery Prince has ever composed and gives an stark incite into the struggles of the poorest in society. I love its musical structure and the way its build from the simplest melody to a thundering all out rock crescendo.

I’ve read a couple of reviews of the "Rave un2 the year 2000" DVD and notice that Prince performs a version of this song with a choir and renames it "The Christ". Could anyone who has heard this version let me know their opinion of it and also if it is worth buying the DVD to hear this version.

tc012009 said:

IMO, it's ridiculous. At the time, he talked about how because of the industry or whatever, he was hesitant to call the song "The Christ", because allegedly that's what he originally wanted to call it. To hear it sung like this is cringe worthy to me. It balks at the original song, and cheapens it. The DVD is not bad over all, although a bit disjointed at times. If you want to hear a great live version, then just watch the Sign O The Times DVD. Or any SOTT concert bootleg.

Totally agree withya Ernest! The Cross was fantastic the first time around and didn't need any stupid changing...

The Christ...

I disagree. The version, The Christ is a full gospel redition. I would like for him to do all of the verses.

STAUROS. Maybe somebody lied about the way somebody died.

Think standard, sexy S&M more than permanent scarring:

Dsoul said:

I think one of the best live performances of The Christ was during the Essence Awards - just fantastic.

"The Cross," is a beautiful song.

Love, LOVE the original track...out of all the lyric changes Prince has made since the JW conversion, THIS is the only one that has seriously irked me. I believe Jesus died on a cross, so "the Cross" is, IMO, a perfectly acceptable metaphor for Jesus. And I prefer the original title simply because it IS a metaphor...it's that way!

I've always been bugged by people who say "Jesus the Christ" and not "Jesus Christ"--even though I realize "Christ" a title and not a surname. I guess I just prefer the way it sounds without "the" in there.

The Rave DVD version of 'The Christ' does not do the original any justice. The SOTT movie DVD/vhs version is much better and heartfelt. The Essence and Rave performances sound forced and heavy handed. The Rave DVD overall is pretty good...it doesn't have the feel of a real concert, but rather staged.
The original title is still one of my favorite songs, esp the Lovesexy concert from Germany. Amazing.

Love the version on SOTT live, such a powerful performance. I haven't seen the Lovesexy live version as I don't have a VCR. Does anyone know if Lovesexy live was released on DVD?

spiritandtruth said:

[Edited 4/11/09 8:00am]

tc012009 said:

NO

tc012009 said:

The Lovesexy live version is almost identical to the SOTT live version. Both are incredible.

This is one of my favorite songs, and I am irritated that he changed the lyric. The original and the two live version I just mentioned are the ONLY versions I will listen to. The original is so simple but so powerful.

I thought the REAL reason he changed the lyric is because JW's don't believe Christ died on a cross but on a solid wood board or something like that.

bluefish said:

I agree, changing it to the Christ just made it a bit untouchable, and the original just can't be touched. during the SOTT/Lovesexy shows that is one of my favorites, Prince and the band wore themselves out on that one, Sheila probably played harder than Prince(Definately takes more body to play the drums)

I know what you mean, but like you said it's a title, Christ Jesus is also used in the scripture, Jesus Christ(the Anointed One) ie Jesus the Messiah

Poplife88 said:

Love the SOTT live version.

I like it.

My least favourite track on SOTT, starts off so silently that you can hardly hear anything which I find irritating. The version on the DVD is a bit better.

Poplife88 said:

I was always wondering what he meant by that during the Essence Awards show "Stauros" ...thanks for the info. Now it makes sense. And i still don't like the way he re made the song.

By the way, you used to be able to purchase the SOTT movie on DVD via amazon in Canada, not the US version. Cost about $22USD. Very much worth it, better sound than the vhs and way better than the Brazilian dvd version which was grainy.