The song "love" from 3121 appears to be a direct message to the fans about how Prince feels about the divisiveness concerning his music/career/life. I think it also serves as a way for Prince himself to deal with the negativity that is thrust his way by fans. If he can concentrate on "love" it allows him to keep his eye on the ball and proceed with his career without getting bogged down by negative opionions. How do u interpret these lyrics?

LOVE

Stop telling me what U want me 2 hear
Stop telling me what U want me 2 fear
Stop trippin' on something U overheard
Love is winning without a word
Stop giving me Ur "wish list"
Love is free from all this

Like a bird flyin' over the hilltops
Love is like the sky, U know it never stops
From the abudance of the heart the mouth speaks
Love is whatever... whatever... U want it 2 b

Love is not a game U can play on the floor
U gotta stop keepin' score
If U wanna, If U want 2 play me like U did b4
U better stop and walk out the door
U can skate around the issue if U like
But who's gonna get U high in the middle of the night?

Like a bird flyin' over the hilltops
Love is like the sky, U know it never stops
From the abudance of the heart the mouth speaks
Love is whatever... whatever... U want it 2 b

I c U standing with Ur back on the wall
U better, better get Ur hands up and clap if that's all
and uh, if U don't wanna get Urs, then let me get mine
See, ain't gonna b no drama 'cause we have a good time

What's the point of giving me ultimatums?
Smiling at my friends when U really hate 'em
Trying 2 convince me that eye should 2...
what's the point?

Stop worryin' about what people say
When it ain't gonna stop them anyway
Love can do anything if U try
Come on... Spread Ur wings... Let's fly, fly so high

flyin' over the hilltops
Love is like the sky, U know it never stops
From the abudance of the heart the mouth speaks
Love is whatever... whatever... whatever...

Like a bird flyin' over the hilltops
Love is like the sky, U know it never stops
From the abudance of the heart the mouth speaks
Love is whatever... whatever... U want it 2 b

Whatever U want it 2 B
alright
let's skate

I c U standing with Ur back on the wall
Better get Ur hands up and clap if that's all
If U don't wanna get Urs, then let me get mine
See, ain't gonna b no drama 'cause we have a good time

Bounce
aww, shake that thing, c'mon
ahh, bounce it baby
aww, shake that thing c'mon
good god

I never thought of the whole song as being directed at us but when I read the lyrics after reading what you posted Tricky, it makes sense. A lot of sense. This is also one of the few songs Prince has done where a part of the lyrics actually touched me. This one spoke to me the most:

Stop worryin' about what people say
When it ain't gonna stop them anyway
Love can do anything if U try
Come on... Spread Ur wings... Let's fly, fly so high

I actually rewinded the song on CD or the iPod to hear that part again. To me that said that I need to keep on doing me regardless of who likes it or not. For me, God is Love and if I believe and focus on Him, I will go high and far in life.

With this thread, it makes me wanna listen to the song again. It's one of his best songs.

purplecam said:

Yes it is very empowering. I think Prince sometimes needs to psych himself up to continue down the road.

tricky99 said:

Yeah and with the fans he has and all the other stuff going on around him, I can totally understand why.

I've always thought this was posted to his fans and critics alike. "Pearls B4 The Swine" was too. No matter who it's directed toward, there's a lot of truth in it. Some of the lines are old cliche's, but the truth in them are still real today. I'd love to hear this song live.

ernestsewell said:

I'd love it too. I'd probably pee in my pants if he did this song live.

Funny, I always thought that this jam was directed toward his ex, Manuela. Kinda like some of the jams on Rave were directed towards Mayte. I could be wrong though.

Klick

Anyway love it...

makes a lot of sense indeed...never saw it that way...friends..Larry ofcourse...

klick2me said:

I did too... interesting take on it, though

Prince is walking contradiction. this song is a great example

On one hand, he is saying that love is whatever you want it to be, then he tells you what it is.

Typical power syndrome. "you are free, as long as you do as I say".

Every word of Love...every silent prayer of Love...is a seed. What U plant in Love, grows in Love.

Damn, are you late!

I'm really glad he's able to help his fans' perspective. I mean, here they are giving him their money, flocking to websites to talk about the impact his artistry has had on their lives.

It's odd, though, that he didn't release a lovingly worded valentine to his fans when siccing his legal team on fansites. No, he opted for PFUnk... which many took as a "message to fans."

Context... it's everything.

Most of the time I side with fansites/zines ect. but this shit takes the cake.

If your only source of revenue is YOU then you have a right to dictate when,where,why, and how YOU is being used. It's cool to have Housequake,and UPTOWN,and CONTROVERSY but when shit starts crossing the line (not to say those people did) you have to create boundries.

Now the best people to help you create the boundries are the people (aboved mentioned + Ben) who have done it for free but some of the stuff I've seen on the net is going above and beyond what should be done for free.

The messages sent by Prince has been very clear. We cannot tell him what to do period. The song is one of my favs of this recent era. I got it from jump. Hell he is in control if you are listening to his product.

klick2me said:

me 2

or like an old gf...

I really don't think its a message to Prince Fans at all
and I happen to Love this song btw

SquirrelMeat said:

love is unconditional
unless you cheat on me while i'm out with my other girlfriend
then, you're just a part of my past

poetry, my friends ---^

chillichocaholic said:

same here

SomewhereHereOnEarth said:

klick2me said:

It is

Prince didn't write this to the fanbase. He doesn't talk to fans, so how can anyone tell him anything?

funksterr said:

'u tell us,' as the npg e-mails used to ask.

i think prince often writes things that have more than one meaning. i think the song is probably about both the fans and a woman.

remember in the 'love4oneanother' tv special where it turned out that prince's soul mate was the audience?

remember in 'purple rain' when he bitch slapped apollonia?

1+1+1=3

The song demands love, but offers none.

It issues commands: Stop telling me this, don't do that. And his description of love as a "bird flying over the hilltop," and "anything u want it 2 b," point to fantasy, desire for freedom, not love.

Prince's idea of love seems to be total freedom for himself, while telling others what to do and what not to do. He refuses to hear other people's wish lists and ultimatums, but the whole song is basically his wish list and ultimatums.

Then there's the line, "If u don't wanna get yours, then let me get mine." So let's break it down: He doesn't want to listen to others. Has no intention of fulfilling anyone's wishes. And he doesn't care if anyone else is happy, just so long as he is.

Where exactly is the "Love"?

padawan said:

same relationship with paying customers, unfortunately.

erm actually I think him saying to the girl...stop telling me what u want me to hear...etc is saying that he does not want to be controlled

Have u ever been in a controlling relationship when someones idea of love is telling u who u can speak to how u should behave what u should wear that ure friends and family are no good?
Love should be like a bird flying over the hilltop...as in it should be allowed to soar and rise...not be stiffled with demands and control

If u dn't want to get ures ( ure taste of real love) then let me get mine ( let me go so I can find real love)....


Just a thought

stanleylieber said:

Yeah, it applies to his business practices too. Emphasizing his needs over others.

chillichocaholic said:

Doesn't that pretty much describe what all Prince women are subjected to? He dresses them, he tells them what to sing, when and if she can call him.

The song should have been sung by one of his proteges! You know, the girl telling Prince off: "Stop controlling me! Gimme my freedom, you tyrannical control freak!" Then it would have made sense.

padawan said:

Good Point

padawan said:

thats true...