So let's see.

I hadn't heard this song in about a year. It's funny, because The Beautiful Ones is EASILY in my top 20 Prince faves of all time, but I rarely listen to it.

It's such a unique song. Much like Prince, it doesn't fit the normal "slow jam by number" song that you hear on radio.

Some of the cheesiest songs off all time include "Didn't We Almost Have it All", "You are so Beautiful", ... or "Hello (Lionel Ritchie) slow jams.

But there's always been something special about this song.

Maybe it's because when Prince screams in this song, you know what he wants. You know who he wants. And he seems determined to make it happen.

Also, maybe because this ballad sings of a tale that we're all too familiar with. A love triangle doesn't seem to be going our way for sure.

"Don't make me waste my time. Don't make me lose my mind."

"Can't you stay with me tonight. Don't my kisses please you right."

"You were so hard to find. The Beautiful Ones, they hurt you every time."

Such a sincere song.

This is another piece of art that Prince turned into music. It's timeless. It sounds just as good today as it did... dare I say... 25 years ago. WOW!

I think the scene in Purple Rain made it an instant classic, but even without the movie cementing its' popular status, this song would still be legendary.

Prince sings in a lower register. He uses his masculine voice. Thank goodness, because I don't think the falsetto would have gotten the point across.

Gem of a song. It would still be a hit if it was released today.

Simply a timeless masterpiece.


By the way... I know that many of you don't like Prince's slower songs. I'd love to know if there's any negative thoughts about this song, and if so, why?

Kind regards.....

Yes, Beautiful song

and the background being he wrote it for Susannah to woo her from her boyfriend

give another level of meaning to the song

OldFriends4Sale said:

Wow. He must have really dug Susannah. Adore... The Beautiful Ones... and I wonder what else. Makes you wonder why he messed things up! LOL Insatiable desires, I suppose. lol

MantuaPharoah said:

She was one of his best muses from creating music:Strange Relationship too

You wrote beautifully about your appreciation. The song is beautiful and Prince makes the song what it is.

MantuaPharoah said:

Nothing Compares 2 U
Strange Relationship
Adore (?)

I forget if "She's Always In My Hair" was about her or Jill. I wanna say Jill. Anyone?

It took me a long time to warm up to this song back in the day. It was background noise to me, too screechy, just TOO everything. It's grown on me over the years of course, and I've never quite seen it performed live to be given justice to.

ernestsewell said:

That was Jill.

He had SO much emotion in performing that song in Purple rain.. It will always be my favorite Prince performance.

[Edited 6/19/09 4:02am]
[Edited 6/19/09 16:05pm]

No negative thoughts here!

I LOVE this song but I don't listen to it frequently either

I agree with everything you said; great song.

But he actually does use his falsetto a lot in that song, how come you said otherwise?

I remember feeling the intensity of that song when I watched PR for the very first time at the movies I was 20.

He stared right at me (Well that's what it felt like) it was like he was singing it to me.

I was with a group of six girls, I was the only big Prince fan then they thought he was Gay / weird / what ever.

Later that evening we all went out for drinks and my friends admitted that they all had the same reaction.

It was freaky and I got shivers down my spine.

That year we all went to see PR together on two more occasions. We were hooked!

No other song or artist has ever had that effect on me.

Great Movie, Great Song, Fantastic Musician.

ernestsewell said:

Yeah Jill Jones

I started listening even more when I got the 'full version' there was more build to it which added to the intensity

Love this song. It was my main track back in September of 98 (I remember silly stuff like this).
This thread has inspired me to watch that part of the movie tonight.

chocolatehandles said:

Absolutely, in my top 5 of ALL time songs, totally unique, passionate, amazing, amazing song... whenever I hear those first few notes... I get shivers, my heart beats faster..... and it happens EVERY time I hear it.
[Edited 6/19/09 6:45am]

Dave1992 said:

You're right. He does use a little bit of falsetto... when he's being sincere and tender.

But when the song really gets INTO IT, and he needs to be firm and understood, he uses his more manly register and becomes bold with it. That's what I was thinking of.

Prince knows how to use his voice. He knows what tone is necessary to evoke which feeling... and the dominant feeling in this song is toward the end.

"I gotta know. I gotta know."

Fantastic tune. The stuff of legend. An instant classic. It's funny though, because I listen to Adore maybe every other day... but rarely do I listen to this song. Maybe because it's not a "fun" listen, and the feelings are intense... not relaxing and serene. I don't want to be INTENSE every day! lol

But I recall being 13 and listening to this song over and over... 10x in a row maybe, when it first came out.

Total respect for this song. One of Prince's finest moments.
[Edited 6/19/09 7:38am]

Jeffiner said:

I agree too. I remember watching this movie in the theatre when I was 13, and when Prince POINTED and said "Do you want him, or do you want me, 'cause I want you"... I was like... DAMN!!!!!

GOD DAMN!!! (pardon the vulgarity)

But I had never heard any artist put it like that in a song, with so much boldness, and so much strength, and force, and intensity, and straight-forwardness.

Don't we ALL wish we could be that upfront, without dancing around a bit. (Or maybe that was me back then... kinda young and kinda shy, which made the song THAT MUCH BETTER!)

I got chills. I was like... NOW what's she gonna do.

And even the look on Appolonia's face afterwards was like... "Holy Shit"... but in a good way.

I love the way this forum allows us to share thoughts and express appreciation, and get feedback, and relive songs and moments.

The Beautiful Ones... I don't think there's ever been a song quite like it... and for the emotion it evokes, it's gotta be moved up into my top 5 Prince tunes of all time.

MantuaPharoah said:

Oh.... I'm feeling a bit hot and bothered just reading that....

Jeffiner said:

Settle down, Beavis! lol