Sorry, I'm just a bit emotical right now!!! I probably have played Colonized Mind 150 if I've played it once. It DOES seem to fit in with the Sign O The Times days. Bravo, Prince, BRAVO!!!!!

Look y'all haters, this country is based on the theory of varying opinions. I think the United States isn't as great as what others think, and the two-party system is a big reason why. I, too, have a "background" in Poli Sci (as well as a Master's in Professional Writing), and I don't think Prince's statements are so absurd. So what if he has made his riches here in the good-old U.S.A.??? Does that mean he can't open his mouth in opposition to the manner in which the government is run?? Does that mean that he can't say it's pointless to vote?? I haven't voted since I was 18 (in 1984), so I guess I'm Benedict Arnold the Third. That's okay, though, because sometimes I wish I were living in another country: one that minded its own business militarily, one that didn't regard the mentally ill as 5th-rate citizen, and one that actually provided all its citizens with appropriate medical insurance. If I were Prince, I'd move to Sweden. If ya have to hate, ya might as well vacate!!!!!

I will never forget the first time i heard this song. It was at the ny show in oct 08 on the roof of the hotel. He opened the show with it. I looked at the guy next to me who i met that night and said 'is he playing all along the watchtower with different lyrics?" It floored me. Great start to a beautiful night. Later when i heard the radio promo i flipped. Loved that it was ont eh album. This is a perfect 10 to me.

Dsoul said:

Oh please every performer makes statements in all their songs, and if they dont they ARE NOT ARTISTS they are just puppets.

One of the Best in Prince history music period!
Who said "teacher"?
What about the guitar solo...
As for the lyrics...Too Deep!

Rebelution said:

He's just regurgitating the jehovah witness line. If you happen to agree with some tenets of it, then thats on you but to suggest we're dealing with an individual viewpoint of Prince's own making is erroenous.

Dsoul said:

Erroneous according to whom?

npggirl77 said:

The Divine counsel of The Watchtower Society. Jehovah tells them no involvement with politics, Prince duly adds anti-voting lyrics to Mr Man, Colonised Mind etc.

I never claimed that what Prince was saying was particularly unique. It's not about THAT. It's about him believing that both past and current government (and I'm a BIG Obama fan, btw) leave more than a lot to be desired. Dsoul or Nick or whoever drew me into this discussion: you can't make a general statement regarding the way you interpret Prince's views without drawing the ire of others. You mentioned--and I'm NOT quoting here--that everyone on this site should be able to share his/her viewpoints without being attacked. Don't/Can't you see that's EXACTLY what you are doing when you criticize Prince's attitudes--whether they come from the Watchtower or out of his own ass--can be labeled in no other way than an attack. You were right when you said Prince is able to say what he likes because of the sacrifices of men and women who came before him. Does that then mean that he should bow down everyday and thank those who did the sacrificing??? Don't forget that those who sacrificed for our freedoms were also sacrificed for. I lived in Ireland--a democratic society--for six years, and I made several friends there. We had discussions about Ireland's history, and to a man, they said they don't spend a whole lot of time praising the deeds of those who came before them. Instead, they believe those men/women did WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO!!!!! I had an uncle who was a fireman. One day, a man was stuck on top of a building, electricity pumping through him like crazy. My uncle was off that day and he was taking one of my cousins hunting when he saw the man on the building. Long story short, my uncle saved his life, and when the city gave my uncle an accomodation, my uncle said, "I was just doing my job." U might wonder why I went off on a tangent,but i think that real-life example works. We spend so much time looking over our shoulders and bowing at altars that we forget that we have to make our own way. We have to believe what's in OUR hearts. We have to look at what's going on in our country and figure out if actions taken by our two-party system is benefitting. Dave Chappelle bought a ticket to Africa. I'm buying one for Sweden, cold climate be damned!!!!!

Wall said:

Bingo

I enjoy the song. I think it's beautiful, and interesting. I know my views and thoughts about the world don't coincide with many. I'm a radical thinker/nonconformist. Hell, I'm a conspiracy theorist as well as a skeptic. I question everything "THEY" tell me, because ultimately I don't trust what THEY say. The gov't is tricky, and anyone who exercises full faith in it is either an employee, or entirely too trusting. I voted, but I'm not involved in the LOVEFEST that is Obama-MANIA. So when Prince says the system is rigged, fixed or whatever, I don't automatically say, "YES!!! It all makes sense now."

I think the man speaks on certain things in his forum. His forum is his album. If you don't want to hear his views, you might as well stop being a fan, because he's been going this for decades. On a side note; there is another alternative, but historically accurate and conflict free music = nonexistent and or extemely boring. I don't seperate what I think and feel from what I write, and wouldn't ask anyone else to. Only if it is scathingly uncomfortable and completely out of hatred would I object to someone's honest opinion. Object, but not revoke it.

I'm sure this is a contradiction to several actions and songs in the past, but again, things are allowed and encouraged to change. It does not necessarily mean that we are supposed to "drink the kool aid". As long as I've been a fan, I have taken things to heart, and many with a grain of salt. Either or is fine for me, some of you are looking too deeply into thise. I'm afraid the accusation of mind control will be next. As long as it's his forum, he can broadcast whatever he chooses, will you listen is the choice to make, because I'm sure he won't change. Gone.

Peace, Hip Hop, and Purple Rain

Gangsta Cru... The Blabber Mouth