So many threads cover his lyrics, whether blasting them as in The Rainbow Children, looking for deeper meaning as in Colonised Mind, following his thoughts and experiences as with Anna Stesia or swooning at the sound of them as with any of the ballads, but what I'd like to know is how many of you are ignorant to his lyrics? How many don't pay attention to them and how many of you don't even know a song all the way through even?

I'll start by saying... wait for it... me. Even his most popular tunes I couldn't sing all the way through. Nowadays, with digital downloads, it's made worse as I couldn't even look at my leisure through the cd liners if I wanted to.

Do you have a learning disability?

iloveannie, I hold her, you kick her

PANDURITO said:

Surely we'll need someone to tell us when to stop?

Dayclear said:

So taking that as a gibe, as I'm sure was intended, would you like to explain yourself? Suggesting perhaps that I'm committing some unforgivable act by not examining the lyrical side of Prince's music?

Dayclear said:

That was an unnecessary remark.

Some people only care about the music.
AND what if someone DID have some kind of auditory processing issue, making it difficult to follow along with the lyrics? Is that person not allowed to listen according to your standards?

U have a knack for the tacky, lady.

Personally, I listen several times to songs just to catch the lyrics, every single one. I do this because I'm italian and I speak a very good english and I want to improve my second language.

It's easier with booklets complete with lyrics and liner notes, it's more difficult if on the booklet (if there's any) there are no lyrics.

My listening experience is complete, and paradoxically it ain't over, ever. Because each time I found the correct meaning to some words (due to my learning experience in the english language) that drives me to a totally different vision of a particular song.

It's very exciting to listen to the Prince lyrics for a non-english

By the way; very interesting topic

Music first...lyrics second
'cause english isn't my first language, but wouldn't name this "ignorant"

xtraloveable said:

Would never say that

Anything album past NewPowerSoul is an album I don't know all the words to.

Lyrics are make or break for me. When I have problems with an album, it's rarely because of the music.

Which is why The Rainbow Children and Planet Earth (to name two) will never be top tier in my book - despite some really stellar compositions.

Dayclear said:

..prince is language..period..
...mzsexybaby

most people will know all the lyrics to their fav songs. nuff said.

Sophianestesia said:

I agree. Lyrics are great for improving a foreign language

I can't make out a damn word from, "77 Beverly Park."

I hear the music first but as I listen repeatedly - the lyrics have to pass my own completely subjective criteria. ...For instance - I would love to have an instrumental of Bria's 2Nite. I love the groove but the lyrics ruin it for me.

Brokeback busters - unemployed.

Dayclear said:

I do. I've never learned to not read the stupid shit you say.

iloveannie said:

x 1000

So despite it being an interesting topic (for two at least) it didn't garner much feedback. As a learning tool it would seem that song lyrics help, although how you cope with slang and Americanisms is to be questioned, whilst for others it would seem disadvantageous to read the message within the songs. The "learning disability" goes to the other foot so to speak

And as for Dayclear, not one person stepped in to say stop. How does it feel to be a woman and be thought of as a tosser? It's usually the domain of the male.

Lyrics are an important part and I don't ignore them, but theres so much more to Prince than lyrics, I really listen for as well.
Beats, Musical arrangement, melody, instruments especially guitar and synths, drumming, his voice effects, the vibe of the song and flow. Some times these are better than the lyrics, I mean some of the homophobic, sexist and anti semitic crap on TRC and other lesser albums I can forgive because the songs concerned are just so damn funky.
How funky a song is, is my most important measurement.
Scale of Funkiness. (Best to worst)
Technicolour Junkie in a funky square (We spell colour like that in British Commonwealth countries)
Funkdoobiest
Funkity Funky Funk Funk
Superfunkicalifragisexy
Sexy Motherfunker
Crazy Funky
Really Funky
Funky and then some
Funky
Brings the Funk
Quite Funky
Sort of Funky
Not very Funky
Not all Funky
Unfunky
No Funk
Puts me in a deep blue Funk
Funk Free crap
No comment

iloveannie said:

Sorry...
Yesterday I actually meant to answer your question. But I got so annoyed by the rudeness of a comment that I lost focus!

I listen very carefully to lyrics. When I listen to a song, I try to make sense of what the singer is saying. I hear the kids I teach say that they don't care as long as it has a good beat- I'll ask them, "What does this or that mean?" in a song, and they either haven't paid attention or have no clue. Girls bop their heads and wiggle to misogynist BS, and boys just walk around spouting stupid stuff and it's okay as long as it's danceable.

Sometimes I stare at the speakers like to some of the silly stuff Prince has said.

But I have to admit- there are some songs that just make U move no matter what.

I guess I am weird because I know almost every lyric to every song right on down to little noises he makes..breaths he takes.the little ums and ahs..the screams and the ad lib lyrics and the end of his songs...I just think if you follow all his lyrics(and call me a crazy nut)what he has done is written a modern day version of scripture...(I am going to get so blaststed from that statement)

bobbyc17 said:

Not clear: has Prince created a new writing style or has Prince created a new version of the Scriptures?

I guess U meant the first...
[Edited 5/19/09 8:39am]

bobbyc17 said:

im sure your not alone, others here do the same.....crazy FAMS

I meant as an addition or companion to the Scriptures

bobbyc17 said:

Well, I think Prince had a way to interpret the Scriptures back in the 80s and 90s which is now different, due to his 'religious rebirth' as a Jehovah's Witness.

As others have stated, it's the music itself that has to grab me first. However, there are times when I have gone back and listened to the lyrics of a song that I originally wasn't crazy about and then fell in love with it dispite the music. I have always found Prince to be very imaginative with his lyrics, and some of the things he writes are actually deep and profound if you take the time to stop and think about them. I love listening to him live, because he ad libs alot, and is quite funny. And sometimes it could just be a note that he hits that gives me chills. For some reason that last note he hums on "I Can't Make U Love Me" gets me everytime.

...I'M SURE NUFF DIGGING THESE LYRICS!!...

...lets c..body-oil?..check..incense?..check..environmental records?..double-check...i'm a get some serious drawers 2 night...THINK I AIN'T!??!..lets c..if i tell gilbert and jerome 2 meet me at 11...then i creep at 10...that'll give me an hour of free raid!!..more draws..more draws...9:30..i'm getting dressed...had a couple of sips of wine...i swear 2 God..my suit was hanging F-I-N-E!!...
..mzsexybaby