Oh lawd.

StudioA said:

Effected or affected? And what's with the caps man? Everybody shouting all the time...

Yes, I think his spirituality has always played a huge part in his music, especially lyrically.

As for becoming a JW, I think that's placed significant hurdles into his path, ones that conflict with who he is. A poor choice if you ask me. Which you are

Prince is a sensual, sexual being with a love of God and Goodness. Which God I have no idea but Goodness definitely. His music has always praised Life itself and, like so many others, he gropes about trying to find an answer (Lovesexy anybody?).

I now find that he thinks he has found the answer and in doing so is preaching to others through his music and his-self. The music is still there but the lyrical content is devoid of any free meaning. By this I mean he is following someone else's word and not living as a free person and finding his own way. But that's organised religion for you. Personally I think he is cleverer than this and that is why we are now seeing cracks appearing.

With time and a bit of luck we'll get our old Prince back and then things will start to take on a real meaning: one that we can empathise with.

And that, people, is my most serious reply to date. Not a single mention of bum sex or anal bleaching.

It hasn't done anything detrimental to the music. It's destroyed his lyrical vibe, though.

iloveannie said:

Thank you for your "most serious reply to date". BTW, I've also re-phrased my question to make it a little clearer and removed the caps

I have my own opinions about religion and his music. Mostly though, to people who don't follow Prince's work over the years, the religious messages may be a little vague to them. Especially if they don't know much about him or his religion.

If you haven't watched the Director Kevin Smith's speeches about his experience with Prince while filming at Paisley Park, do a search on YouTube for "Prince Kevin Smith" and watch all 4 parts of Kevin Smith's video where he finds out that Prince's real intentions for filming fans at Paisley Park was to turn it into a recruitment video for the JW's.

He used to be Fearless - he isn't any more.

Prince has grown as a person and a man with his music over the years.

To love Prince from 1978 is to love the road that brought him here today.

Tame said:

I am in total agreement with you.

StudioA said:

"Joined: August 31st 2009"


You have some catching up to do...

They didn't really affect his music. They affected him as a person....for the worst.

Lyrically, his current faith has given him new subjects to explore and closed off others. There are still pretty sensual and erotic songs, but lust for its own sake has pretty much been put on the shelf.

Granted, religion (or spirituality for those who have a problem with the "R" word) has been an element in his music since the 80's. I think the pendulum has just shifted in more recent years to make it a more prevalent element.

I think it's had more of an effect on some of his hardcore fans who disagree with his religion and his expression of it in his music.
[Edited 9/7/09 10:17am]

Tame said:

Very nicely said and on point.

sweething said:

I agree

nurseV said:

I don't. Why should I love the road he has travelled? A good outcome does not necessarily equate from a good decision. Would Tame like to explain?

Some of the worlds greatest art was inspired or commissioned by religious affiliations, so I do not think the "quality" of his art would change much.

It always boils down to the individual and whats going on in his/her head.
Having said that, I have seen religion screw people's heads big time.

I've been out of the loop for a while.What I've noticed so far is that his move to a spiritual path has improved the music.

I'm not quite sure about the lyrics though. I need to listen more I suppose. But so far again, nothing compares to earlier years with outstanding unexpected words and ideas. I don't mean sexy talk, I mean out of the ordinary. Lyrics that are unpredictable and a little on the wayward crazy side. They can make a song extra funky. I am sure a strict religion would put one's mind in more of a box and thinking outside of it would become less of a habit.

iloveannie said:

Indeed. I myself do not like the road he has travelled. I think that his religion has adversely affected his music, causing his muse to be handicapped. Even if he left the lyrics out, the music still leaves something to be desired....