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Thread started 06/08/09 3:23pm

Hatman

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My Good Brother Steve

Feel Good Feel Better Feel Wonderful contains the line "You tried to play me like my good brother Steve". Is there a specific incident anyone is aware of that this refers to? Stevie Wonder getting played by his record company? Or maybe he meant "you tried to play me like my good brother Steve tried to play me". In that case, Steve Fargnoli seems to be a good theory. Any ideas?

Or is it just another "I won't do it like Kevin" line? (hmmm...need something to rhyme with 'Heaven', I already used '11'...)
Take it - like Clarence said:
"I got a million of them -
all different U know."
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Reply #1 posted 06/08/09 3:35pm

ernestsewell

"Kevin" is Kevin Costner. "I'll fill your cup, I won't do it like Kevin." Watch Waterworld. Kevin Costner fills someone's cup with his own urine. It's a movie reference.

Prince explained on Tavis Smiley that Steve is record company executive that Prince has good conversations with about the industry, and how things are run. Go watch the interview. Tavis brings up that song, and that line specifically is mentioned by Prince.
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Reply #2 posted 06/08/09 3:57pm

nyse

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ernestsewell said:

"Kevin" is Kevin Costner. "I'll fill your cup, I won't do it like Kevin." Watch Waterworld. Kevin Costner fills someone's cup with his own urine. It's a movie reference.

Prince explained on Tavis Smiley that Steve is record company executive that Prince has good conversations with about the industry, and how things are run. Go watch the interview. Tavis brings up that song, and that line specifically is mentioned by Prince.


nail on the head hammer
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Reply #3 posted 06/08/09 5:25pm

mzsadii

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BINGO>>>>Right On.
Prince's Sarah
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Reply #4 posted 06/08/09 7:35pm

fanatic4ever

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Steve Fargnoli. Prince's old manager. They had a falling out awhile back but he is dead now.
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Reply #5 posted 06/08/09 7:43pm

billymeade

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Really, Waterworld?? I always thought it was a reference to "Tin Cup", which came out in 96, in which Costner plays a "player" sort of character?
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Reply #6 posted 06/08/09 8:26pm

ernestsewell

fanatic4ever said:

Steve Fargnoli. Prince's old manager. They had a falling out awhile back but he is dead now.


Nope.
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Reply #7 posted 06/08/09 8:27pm

ernestsewell

billymeade said:

Really, Waterworld?? I always thought it was a reference to "Tin Cup", which came out in 96, in which Costner plays a "player" sort of character?


Ever see a guy pee in a cup? "I WON'T do it like Kevin". He won't piss in your cup either.
[Edited 6/8/09 20:27pm]
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Reply #8 posted 06/08/09 9:20pm

tollyc

I think the reference is related to Kevin Costner in the movie Tin Cup. Looks like we will never know.
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Reply #9 posted 06/08/09 9:47pm

ernestsewell

tollyc said:

I think the reference is related to Kevin Costner in the movie Tin Cup. Looks like we will never know.


Nope.
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Reply #10 posted 06/08/09 11:41pm

manray10

ernestsewell said:[quote]"Kevin" is Kevin Costner. "I'll fill your cup, I won't do it like Kevin." Watch Waterworld. Kevin Costner fills someone's cup with his own urine. It's a movie reference.

Prince explained on Tavis Smiley that Steve is record company executive that Prince has good conversations with about the industry, and how things are run. Go watch the interview. Tavis brings up that song, and that line specifically is mentioned by Prince.[/quote

Did Prince specifically say that the record company executive's name was
Steve? I though Steve referred to Stevie Wonder and that Prince was talking about an exec at Universal while 3121 was out. At that time Prince and Stevie were associated with Universal at the same time. Btw, this tune is phuncky!
[Edited 6/8/09 23:44pm]
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Reply #11 posted 06/09/09 12:08am

Dayclear

I told you, if you make Prince mad, he WILL write a song about you. eek
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Reply #12 posted 06/09/09 12:10am

ernestsewell

manray10 said:

Did Prince specifically say that the record company executive's name was Steve? I though Steve referred to Stevie Wonder and that Prince was talking about an exec at Universal while 3121 was out. At that time Prince and Stevie were associated with Universal at the same time. Btw, this tune is phuncky!


Yes, it's not my conjecture, it's Prince's words. Steve is a record company exec. It's NOT about Wonder or Fargnoli. There's more Steve's in Prince's life than those two. I'm surprised no one thought it was about Parke too.
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Reply #13 posted 06/09/09 12:17am

manray10

ernestsewell said:

manray10 said:

Did Prince specifically say that the record company executive's name was Steve? I though Steve referred to Stevie Wonder and that Prince was talking about an exec at Universal while 3121 was out. At that time Prince and Stevie were associated with Universal at the same time. Btw, this tune is phuncky!


Yes, it's not my conjecture, it's Prince's words. Steve is a record company exec. It's NOT about Wonder or Fargnoli. There's more Steve's in Prince's life than those two. I'm surprised no one thought it was about Parke too.


I disagree. "You tried to do me like my good brother Steve!" I think he's talking to the record exec in the song. And he never said the record exec's name. I just watched the interview.
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Reply #14 posted 06/09/09 12:30am

ernestsewell

manray10 said:

I disagree. "You tried to do me like my good brother Steve!" I think he's talking to the record exec in the song. And he never said the record exec's name. I just watched the interview.


Okay well I know what Prince said. People are over thinking shit TOO much. I mean...the man said what it was about and who Steve was. It wasn't Wonder, Parke, Fagnoli, Baldwin, Carell, Jobs, Harvey, Wozniak, or Colbert. We don't know ALL the people in Prince's life and what he does day to day, and who he talks to. Some might WANT it to be a slam or something to Stevie Wonder, but fact is, Prince's life is more than what any of us know. We WANT to know more, but we can't/don't/won't.

People aren't even listening to "Damned If I Do" and getting the "Waterworld" reference. "Tin Cup...must be that." No..it's not. It's about Waterworld. LISTEN to the song and what he's saying, then watch Waterworld, that scene, and see the similarities. It ain't got shit to do with GOLF.
[Edited 6/9/09 0:33am]
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Reply #15 posted 06/09/09 12:38am

manray10

ernestsewell said:

manray10 said:

I disagree. "You tried to do me like my good brother Steve!" I think he's talking to the record exec in the song. And he never said the record exec's name. I just watched the interview.


Okay well I know what Prince said. People are over thinking shit TOO much. I mean...the man said what it was about and who Steve was. It wasn't Wonder, Parke, Fagnoli, Baldwin, Carell, Jobs, Harvey, Wozniak, or Colbert. We don't know ALL the people in Prince's life and what he does day to day, and who he talks to. Some might WANT it to be a slam or something to Stevie Wonder, but fact is, Prince's life is more than what any of us know. We WANT to know more, but we can't/don't/won't.

People aren't even listening to "Damned If I Do" and getting the "Waterworld" reference. "Tin Cup...must be that." No..it's not. It's about Waterworld. LISTEN to the song and what he's saying, then watch Waterworld, that scene, and
see the similarities. It ain't got shit to do with GOLF.
[Edited 6/9/09 0:33am]

It ain't that serious! Chillax!
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Reply #16 posted 06/09/09 5:53am

joyinrepetitio
n

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I think he's talking about Stevie Wonder and how things broke down between him(Stevie Wonder) and Motown records. Motown was stealing from all their artist and thats why most of them left, like Rick James, the Jacksons and a whole bunch of other artist. Homework people.
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Reply #17 posted 06/09/09 9:06am

ernestsewell

joyinrepetition said:

I think he's talking about Stevie Wonder and how things broke down between him(Stevie Wonder) and Motown records. Motown was stealing from all their artist and thats why most of them left, like Rick James, the Jacksons and a whole bunch of other artist. Homework people.


THAT is ridiculous.
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Reply #18 posted 06/09/09 9:13am

Giovanni777

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ernestsewell said:

joyinrepetition said:

I think he's talking about Stevie Wonder and how things broke down between him(Stevie Wonder) and Motown records. Motown was stealing from all their artist and thats why most of them left, like Rick James, the Jacksons and a whole bunch of other artist. Homework people.


THAT is ridiculous.


Yeah, I'm pretty sure Prince made it clear it was about a rec exec, but if it WERE about Stevie, it would make sense. Stevie made a demand 2 Berry Gordy that if he wasn't allowed 2 release what he wanted 2 and when, then he would record his new music at Electric Lady studios (RIP) in NYC, and find a way 2 release it on his own. He set up Black Bull publishing, and Taurus productions. Stevie won, and the result was 'Music of My Mind'...

Stevie wasn't going 2 do the cookie cutter Motown formula any longer.

Prince's WB battle was over what he could release and when as well.

.
[Edited 6/9/09 9:14am]
"He's a musician's musician..."
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Reply #19 posted 06/09/09 9:26am

ernestsewell

Giovanni777 said:

ernestsewell said:



THAT is ridiculous.


Yeah, I'm pretty sure Prince made it clear it was about a rec exec, but if it WERE about Stevie, it would make sense. Stevie made a demand 2 Berry Gordy that if he wasn't allowed 2 release what he wanted 2 and when, then he would record his new music at Electric Lady studios (RIP) in NYC, and find a way 2 release it on his own. He set up Black Bull publishing, and Taurus productions. Stevie won, and the result was 'Music of My Mind'...

Stevie wasn't going 2 do the cookie cutter Motown formula any longer.

Prince's WB battle was over what he could release and when as well.


Bingo.
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Reply #20 posted 06/09/09 9:38am

JustErin

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ernestsewell said:

tollyc said:

I think the reference is related to Kevin Costner in the movie Tin Cup. Looks like we will never know.


Nope.


How do you know that it's not that?
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Reply #21 posted 06/09/09 9:46am

joyinrepetitio
n

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Giovanni777 said:

ernestsewell said:



THAT is ridiculous.


Yeah, I'm pretty sure Prince made it clear it was about a rec exec, but if it WERE about Stevie, it would make sense. Stevie made a demand 2 Berry Gordy that if he wasn't allowed 2 release what he wanted 2 and when, then he would record his new music at Electric Lady studios (RIP) in NYC, and find a way 2 release it on his own. He set up Black Bull publishing, and Taurus productions. Stevie won, and the result was 'Music of My Mind'...

Stevie wasn't going 2 do the cookie cutter Motown formula any longer.

Prince's WB battle was over what he could release and when as well.

It's funny that when someone clarifies something, then it's right. It's primarily what I said that Gio said. Ernest you are a special type of guy.

.
[Edited 6/9/09 9:14am]
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Reply #22 posted 06/09/09 9:51am

Giovanni777

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Giovanni777 said:



Yeah, I'm pretty sure Prince made it clear it was about a rec exec, but if it WERE about Stevie, it would make sense. Stevie made a demand 2 Berry Gordy that if he wasn't allowed 2 release what he wanted 2 and when, then he would record his new music at Electric Lady studios (RIP) in NYC, and find a way 2 release it on his own. He set up Black Bull publishing, and Taurus productions. Stevie won, and the result was 'Music of My Mind'...

Stevie wasn't going 2 do the cookie cutter Motown formula any longer.

Prince's WB battle was over what he could release and when as well.


joyinrepetition said:


It's funny that when someone clarifies something, then it's right. It's primarily what I said that Gio said. Ernest you are a special type of guy.


.
[Edited 6/9/09 9:14am]
[/quote]

But Ernest didn't say it was about Stevie, and I said IF IT WERE, then it would make sense. I was sort of backing up your theory as a logical possible source, but also said that I thought P made it clear from the interview that it's about a rec exec.

.
[Edited 6/9/09 9:53am]
[Edited 6/9/09 9:54am]
"He's a musician's musician..."
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Reply #23 posted 06/09/09 9:51am

joyinrepetitio
n

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Believe me I know what I'm talking about when it comes to music Ernest
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Reply #24 posted 06/09/09 9:53am

joyinrepetitio
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Giovanni777 said:

joyinrepetition said:



But Ernest didn't say it was about Stevie, and I said IF IT WERE, then it would make sense. I was sort of backing up your theory as a logical possible source, but also said that I thought P made it clear from the interview that it's about a rec exec.


Gio I have a friend who I work with and he was telling me about the same thing with Stevie Wonder and how people at Motown did him dirty so thats why he left.
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Reply #25 posted 06/09/09 9:57am

Giovanni777

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joyinrepetition said:

Giovanni777 said:



But Ernest didn't say it was about Stevie, and I said IF IT WERE, then it would make sense. I was sort of backing up your theory as a logical possible source, but also said that I thought P made it clear from the interview that it's about a rec exec.


Gio I have a friend who I work with and he was telling me about the same thing with Stevie Wonder and how people at Motown did him dirty so thats why he left.


Yup, and Marvin did the same thing, only he said he would just stop recording if he didn't get his way, then released the seminal 'What's Goin' On?'.

.
[Edited 6/9/09 9:57am]
"He's a musician's musician..."
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Reply #26 posted 06/09/09 10:02am

thaCONcept

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manray10 said:

ernestsewell said:



Okay well I know what Prince said. People are over thinking shit TOO much. I mean...the man said what it was about and who Steve was. It wasn't Wonder, Parke, Fagnoli, Baldwin, Carell, Jobs, Harvey, Wozniak, or Colbert. We don't know ALL the people in Prince's life and what he does day to day, and who he talks to. Some might WANT it to be a slam or something to Stevie Wonder, but fact is, Prince's life is more than what any of us know. We WANT to know more, but we can't/don't/won't.

People aren't even listening to "Damned If I Do" and getting the "Waterworld" reference. "Tin Cup...must be that." No..it's not. It's about Waterworld. LISTEN to the song and what he's saying, then watch Waterworld, that scene, and
see the similarities. It ain't got shit to do with GOLF.
[Edited 6/9/09 0:33am]

It ain't that serious! Chillax!



I heard the song is about STEVE MARSHALL and those damned WBAI bootleg specials hahah

thaCONcept
thaCONcept
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Reply #27 posted 06/09/09 10:02am

joyinrepetitio
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Goto Youtube and type in Rick James interview 1988 and Rick also talks about how Motown was getting their artist. It's also a classic Rick interview, funny as hell and he mentions his rivalry with Prince. Check it out.
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