As with many others on here, I personally believe Prince's creative peak was reached in 1988, (as far as actual album releases go). Since then, his output has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but there certainly have been a number of brilliant tracks.

So my question is, what is the last song Prince released that you consider to be absolute genius. Not just something you enjoy, but something you consider to be extremely original/creative.

For me, (and I think this won't be too popular of a selection), it is "What Do You Want Me To Do" from Musicology. I know that album has its' issues, but there's just something about that song that kills me.

I would nominate Digital Garden

It's too short though...

I have to say the songs are all creative in their own way...I know what U mean...The song "Musicology," in itself I think stands out.

Difficult to pinpoint but I remember 2 points in time when is slipped and then crashed.

The slip came with The Morning Papers single when it was just previously released album tracks as B-sides

it crashed when New Power Soul came out I immediately became aware that it was very different to his previous stuff on so much as it had fallen into that mass produced sound with drum machines....it could have been anybody.

To me it's not been the same creative Prince since.

If I had to pin it down the last 'This is Prince' track would be something like The Max....love it or hate it it had Prince mark like we havent heard since

coincidence that this is the point he started urging his foot down about what HE thought should be released

F.U.N.K.

IstenSzek said:

Good point, but there was he'll of a void between and after

"$"

batdance

"Wall of Berlin" is very creative. So is "No More Candy 4 U", although it is very derivative, too. But it's deriving itself from a unique creativity, if that makes any sense.

Tame said:

You're joking.

"Here" - quirky pop ditty with a mild Carribbean flair that doesn't seem like itd fit anyone's radio format per se, but it got stuck in my right away. unexpected emotion in it too.

Fenwick said:

Still don't have Lotus.. So I agree with your song choice here. I think this stands out not simply because it is fantastic but one of those examples where less is so much more, something Prince quite often fails to grasp

Fenwick said:

I'm going with "Alphabet St". There has been a lot of good songs since then, some great but since you said "last creative, original song" I can't go with any of the others.

funksterr said:

Good call. I think he has plenty of great songs in the 90s but they adhere to more conventional, of-the-day aesthetics.

If pushed in the 90s I would pick something like Gett Off. Combines a lot of different ideas all tied up in a Princely bow. Emancipation housed a lot of interesting ideas but the contemporary production may limit its creative originality to many.

The Word from 3121

Hmmm. Creatively speaking??? Id have to say Colonized Mind. Great play on words and thought provoking lyrics. The music was great as well.

As far as the latest, (but not last) creative, original song, I'd have to say "No More Candy 4 U" because of its play on words, and the music behind it.
[Edited 10/28/09 11:23am]

From about 1998 I missed strong melodies in prince's output. He released a lot of throwaway funk jams borrowing heavily from James Brown's grooves. That's not a bad thing, but I missed those brilliant songs from him. But in the last few years he seems to be inspired again.
One of the strongest melodies he wrote in years is Love from 3121. Colonized Mind is just brilliant and Here is a wonderful popsong with a catchy melody.

TwiliteKid said:

No, I'm not...It's all fantastic to me, I really don't even know how to answer this question. All of the music is creative, and all of Prince's moods are stirring around inside him before they hit a record store...That's original...

Should I change my answer to "Black Sweat," or "Boom?"

"Sometimes we go.....BOOM"

This song is amazing, and just think that Prince at 50 could put out something extremly creative, at his age he should be christmas cover albums!!
[Edited 10/28/09 12:08pm]

Absolutely love the OP's choice song "What do you want me to do" but I'd go along with Colonised mind for the most recent. I also love the first intro to the Lotus song. No words but very creative. It can totally change your mood into something special.

Make It Through The Storm

Boom and The Word. Also with you on What Do You Want Me To Do...friggin love that song.

no more candy for you is as creative as it gets yo

Cool.

Glad to see some folks digging the "What Do You Want Me To Do" vibe. I didn't expect that.

I'm somewhat suprised by all the votes from the newer albums.

I think there are a number of very good songs on them. And if forced to pick, lyrics aside Colonized Mind would probably be my favorite. But I just don't see that song as extremely original. (And again, I think it's a very good song).

I see funksterr went all the way back to Alphabet St. That's even more suprising that someone thinks there have been NO original tracks for the past 20 plus years.

While I definitely agree that they are much fewer and far between post 88, I still think there a FEW to pick from.

Oh yeah and the Make It Through the Storm post is hilarious.

No more candy 4 U

No more candy 4 you.

His last two masterpieces were She Gave Her Angels and Space. A recent song like Future Baby Mama is almost a masterpiece, before that it was Family Name.

Fenwick said:

Have to agree with "Colonized Mind" which I just heard...I just wish he had done it in his natural voice instead of a speeded up "sweetened" version of his voice--it would have had so much more impact!