From the LA Times article:

As the music played, Prince singled out a few lyrics. "The songs we sing lift us up to heaven," he said as a song espousing "old-school ways" played. "This one's about Babylonian tricks."

In Ol' Skool Company he sings 'using ancient tricks, changing your state of mind'.

I think that's the same thing he means with 'Babylonian tricks' in that interview right? But the question: What does he really mean with it? Where does the term Babylonian trick come from? The Bible I guess... but.. where and what does it mean? Maybe someone can help me figure this out:-D

This will probably get moved to P&R... Babylon is the seat of false religion, false religion tricks mankind into believing untruths and man made doctrines - I'm sure you get the idea

Hmm really interesting! Thanks very much!

I think he sings about confusion, deception and distraction and how back in tha day people were grounded in family and faith.
[Edited 4/18/09 11:11am]

It's kind of like the "perfect timing," from "Kung Fu fighting." Choppin em' up and choppin' em' down...
In the name of love and world peace...an emotional state of mind can cut through a world of spiritual battles that some of us are aware of.
This world does have some low class demons walking in and out of bodies that are not guarded by the holy spirit. Some people have not accepted the holy spirit and leave their domains open.
When Prince sings..."They stand in the way of love and we will smoke them all, with an intellect and a savoir faire." Is along the same spiritual lines.
Ultimately...Love wins...and the influence of the devil is done for. It's just his tail end on it's way out that we are dealing with right now.
As far as I'm concerned the devil's gone, because that is where U begin to continually demand that(that) negativity and influence cannot harbor itself within U.