Best song period. Not your biased favorite, but his best orchestrated, sung, performed, lyrically most impressive, song? Not one of, but the absolute best. Every artist has his/her magnum opus. What is Prince's?

My vote goes to She's Always In My Hair. The lyrics, while somewhat cryptic, yearn for desire and love in a metaphysical, metaphorical sense. He loves that she is so in love with him, yet it scares him enough that he looks upon it as infatuation, though her emotion is exactly what he wants. He talks of contemplating marriage, in fact, and it's not pretend.

Musically, you will never find a more intriguing composition, in the poster's opinion. The circular, swirling, diving-yet-uplifting genius evident unfolds as pursuant toward his mindset at the time it was written. In his state, it was perfection. At the time, his state was dichotomy. He hated, but at the same time obsessed, of infatuation. The lyrics and music both expertly describe in this case this multitude.

What, in your definition pertaining to such importance, describes his best song?

The Beautiful Ones.

Falsetto. Quiet. Orchestral. Emotional. Pleading. Loud. Rock. Passionate. Screams. Brilliance.

INSATIABLE

When Doves Cry will always be my fave song.

The Beautiful Ones...my No.1 4ever!

As much as people would hate to admit it, because its the one song everyone knows by him and that's 'uncool' for Prince fans to think is his best because we know his work better and should pick a lesser-known gem -

His best song is Purple Rain.

Take a step back and listen to it for the song and not for the hype or the movie.

squirrelgrease said:

Cosign

and hearing it live at the o2 arena in 2007 just confirmed the fact

crystal ball closely followed by if i was your girlfriend

Computer Blue. It does EVERYTHING. His whole career compressed into one song.

If I Was Ur Girlfriend is probably for me the quintessential Prince song in terms of absolutely nailing what he is about musically, lyrically and in terms of concreting that unique perception of his image and persona.

Again it's a yearning sensitive song, wanting to be everything to that someone, the hypnotic drum beat, altered pitch and layered vocals, sparse slap bass forming the funky groove, keys and effects are just pure Prince to me.

(thanks Istenzek, probably would have gone for a more obvious one if you hadn't reminded me)

It changes every day!

But today, Power Fantastic. It is just total perfection from start to finish.

It's hard to choose, however, I'd have 2 go with, "Do Me Baby."

jamaicanbob said:

Yes it is. Agree with your statements, which I share. There are so many powerful songs, musically and lyrically: If I Was Your Girlfriend, In A Large Room With No Light, The Beautiful Ones , Sometimes It Snows In April just to name a few.
I sometimes think to myself that nothing in his catalogue could compare to these incredible jems, even the most obvious Purple Rain. But when I listen to it, well, I have to put my mind and brain to sleep, 'cuz there, everything uncovers itself.

Purple Rain is the best Prince song.

As found on the first Madhouse compilation:

'8'.

This song, although an instrumental, actually delivers this message:

'Life is tough, I realize...but if you take a minute and just listen, I can soothe your mind. Let's talk, and I promise, before the horns are through, you will float away, smiling, recognizing the transciency of life and the control that you have over any situation...And when our conversation is complete, you will awaken to find that you are forever changed. Not perfect, but realizing and recognizing that you are everyone and everyone is you....'

Yep, that's pretty much what the song does for me! (it's a great companion to my studies of J. Krishnamurti as well)

Great question Digital!

Very Hard but id say as well The Beautiful Ones, it has it all

"Automatic".

The music is dark and hypnotic....a truly haunting composition.This is not only my personal favorite Prince song,I really believe that it's the best song he ever recorded.

Interesting to note that virtually everyone has chosen a song from his 80's output. Surely the answer wouold change from day to day. Personally I would have to choose from If I Was Ur Girlfriend, I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man and When U Were Mine.

I would go for When U Were Mine. A quintessential theme for Prince and musically fantastic (but like I say I would change the answer for tomorrow as no one song can capture his output)

..WHEN THE DOVES CRY..
...mzsexybaby

Computer Blue. Full version.

Purple Rain -- hands down for me.

KeithyT said:

Yes, I totally agree. That song is a masterpiece and probably my fav!

Sign ´o´ the times!

Irresistable Bitch for sure.


Anotherloverholenyohead and Silicon are tied for second best in my opinion.

Hallucination Rain 12"

..BLISS..
...mzsexybaby

If I have 2 pick 1...When U were mine

The Beautiful Ones immediately comes to mind. That song changed me from a hair metal guy into a prince freak.

maybe tied with Purple Rain.

4 the tears in ur eyes.

I'll nominate one that isn't nominated (I agree with Crystal Ball, Computer Blue, Large Room with No Light):

This is not Music, This is a trip

W
T
F

Joy In Repetition.