Prince has done something that I never expected. He has left me bored. Just a little introduction to those who don’t know me. I was a writer and researcher for UPTOWN and have been a super fan of Prince for YEARS, but lately… he and I have had different paths. I can look through my CD collection and remember how much his music is the soundtrack for my adult life. I remember the date I had to Purple Rain, the girl at the Recka Stow that sold me SOTT (we ended up dating based on our mutual appreciation for Prince) and how I used to play his sexy songs to seduce the woman that became my wife, but somehow, Prince and I have not grown together. I still respect his art and his amazing artistry and would never tell the man what to do, but as a listener and a fan (oh sorry, FAM), I’ve stopped paying attention. I saw him in Vegas and he was amazing. It reminded me of when I used to be against the stage at GLAM SLAM LA back in the 90s, but I also saw him recently here in LA, and the stage set up looked like a high school dance decoration and his shtick hadn’t changed. He posed more than he performed. He was doing a greatest hits of his moves, but anyone who had seen him as much as I had knew that he was walking through it. His latest 3 disk set had so little memorable music on it, that I stopped listening to it after a few tries. It sits on the shelf next to his last several uninteresting disks… at least to me they are uninteresting and uninspired.

I used to want to hear every note, including the outtakes, but lately… it all blends into each other and I realized something important. Every album, every tour, every pronouncement is filled with the promise of greatness. Sadly, most of it goes unfulfilled. Yes he will occasionally do a Super Bowl show or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame show that blows us all away and reminds us of why he is indispensable to music, but the rest of the time it is largely a let down. I say this as someone who was right there during his biggest times and literally listening and watching every concert that was circulating. I say this as someone who thought the man could do no wrong (I defended UTCM for God’s sake!). I was an addict.

Back then there was a buzz for him. There was a solid group of collectors who traded music, videos, memorabilia and scripts. I remember waiting for packages from all over the country and for my issue of Prince Family magazine. I remember trading for tapes (yes tapes) and looking for a version of a song I may have already had that was 1-2 generations better than what I already had. I miss that time, and realize that my life has gotten more complicated and my Prince habit went from a daily jam to checking out the Prince.org site ever few weeks, or even months. I realized that with the lawsuits, etc. goofy videos, cancelled plans, etc. that my interest in Prince has faded. His music went from erotic to erratic and (for me) sadly bland. If he was making groundbreaking music still, I could overlook how little respect he has for his fans, but he isn’t. He is cranking out music that he likes, but the songs don’t speak to me anymore. Again, I would never tell a talented artist like him how to make music, but I also don’t have any obligation to continue following him and I’ve realized that is what my interest in him is… obligatory. I can’t let go completely because I know that there is that amazing album or box set or something even better to come, but mostly… I am chasing a high and not getting the same buzz I used to get from his music. I know I am not the only person out there that hopes that Prince’s best days are ahead but wonders if they are mostly in the past.

I also wonder if he knows it too.

blackguitaristz said:

And we gave him back our own opinion. That's our right as well. He knew that when he posted his opinion on a public forum. So what's the fuss?

HonestMan13 said:

Thank you! I'm glad someone here gets it. If I am bored with something or someone, I do what I have to do not to be bored by changing things up or leaving it altogether. I don't need to let the world in on it. Prince doesn't bore me. If he did, I wouldn't be here right now and I damn sure wouldn't start a thread about that. There's enough mess in this part of the site already, I wouldn't want to add anymore mess to this forum but that's me.

purplecam said:

You're late to the party, purplecam. I had already "got it" as well as others on here. I already stated that if I wasn't into something, I would bounce. So what though? My thing is WHY does everybody get "offended" over somebody else's opinion? If somebody cut in line in front of you and you say nothing then that's on you. Don't get mad if somebody steps in line in front of me, and I sock the cat in his temple and crack his jaw. You chose your way and I chose mine. It isn't anything to "get". I don't know WHY the cat started the thread he started but he did.

blackguitaristz said:

Wow... you're gangsta dude.. I just 2-step right back in front of him.

pplrain said:

That was an example....But that's good. I hope u say to the gentleman, "Oh, pardon me, but I believe that THIS was my place in line. Thank you."

jayquan said:

Even if he did, you wouldn't be able to listen with the excitement of a 9-year-old discovering the world, would you? C'est la vie...

purplecam said:

You're late to the party, purplecam. I already "got it" as well as others on here. I already stated that if I wasn't into something, I would've have bounced. So what though? My thing is WHY does everybody get "offended" over somebody else's opinion? If somebody cut in line in front of you and you say nothing then that's on you. Don't get mad if somebody steps in line in front of me, and I sock the cat in his temple and crack his jaw. You chose your way and I chose mine. It isn't anything to "get". I don't know WHY the cat started the thread he started but he did. If you can't get with it and you don't agree, if you were at peace with whatever it is that Prince makes you feel, then right on for you. His opinion shouldn't challenge yours.
[Edited 9/10/09 0:54am]

Ummmm...I don't think it's Prince's responsibility to keep you entertained.

[Edited 9/9/09 4:39am]

Genesia said:

Ummmmm....yes it is. At least if he still wants my money that is.

blackguitaristz said:

Actually you're the one who's late to the party since I was here earlier than you with this thread. Look, madhouseman has the right to say what he wants to say, as do you and everyone else in here but so do I and if I'm not feeling what anyone in here is saying, I will say something and you have the right say if you disagree with my view and vice versa. I'm not losing sleep over this issue and it's not a challenge to my beliefs. I simply don't see the need to start a thread like this just because someone in here is "bored" with what an artist is doing. I think that it's very important to stay happy in your life and if something or someone isn't giving you the satisfaction you want or/and need, then you need to do what you gotta do to be happy, even if that means giving something up and that applies to Prince and his music. You can always come back if he gives you what you want later but I don't see the need to announce it to the world as if what you are saying is the biggest announcement of 2009.

The person who started the thread seems to have made a big portion of his life all about Prince in some way, shape or form and he expressed it in a public forum where chances are, he'll get challenged for his views. If I did that, I would know that I'm going to get called on for what I say in here too. Why does it bother you that people may challenge him or others who don't agree with him? Last time I checked, it wasn't a crime to do so. Hell, you're doing that to me right now, so if its good enough for you, it's definately good enough for me. Paraphasing what you said on this thread, you go your way and I'll go mine. I will not apologize for saying what I said here because I meant everything that I said, period, end of discussion. I don't mean to come off harsh but I'm just being honest with you.
[Edited 9/10/09 6:49am]

purplecam said:

I'm not doing anything to u. I just attached your post because you attached mine. I thought u were implying that I didn't "get it"" when I had already stated that I had long since gotten it. It seemed like it bothered you because I was asking what difference should it make what the cat thinks. It doesn't bother me that people challenged him. My point was should it matter to anyone if he's bored? If you aren't then AGAIN, cool. Why should it matter? That's all I've been asking. Like I stated, I don't know WHY he ran a thread like this on here either BUT he did. Just because I don't understand WHY he did doesn't mean I have to attack the cat either.

jeez....i think Prince's best days are over but I don't think his career is. He's still the greatest live performer out there, imo.

he's never going to have that buzz like he used to with every release. He's past that and so is the industry. that was 20 years ago. there has been lots of new music that has come out.

kinda get over it.

kenlacam said:

Sit your sorry ass down with that bullshit! It's not about him not doing anything wrong, its about whether people are feeling Prince or not! You're not feeling him, fine, move the fuck on until you do, if you do but if you don't go, then deal with it! It's not fucking rocket science and Prince hasn't put a gun to your or anybody else's head to stay with him, you CHOOSE to be here. PERIOD! It's YOUR issue of being bored or choosing to stay bored, NOT PRINCE's. Take responsibility for your own ass. Shit.
[Edited 9/9/09 14:22pm]

EXACTLY!!!!!

You are spot on, 100%

blackguitaristz said:

Now I'm seriously bored of reading about all your boredoms...
Why not take up knitting and spare us the boring details?

HonestMan13 said:

porfyrivrohi said:

I was about to write that. The bored boars on this board are boring me to death..

Sorry your "bored".
I know for sure I am not bored of Prince.
[Edited 9/10/09 15:50pm]