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PrintableDepends on who you ask. I would think his contemporaries certainly take him seriously; however, the industry Execs probably prefer to "overlook" his attributes because they don't "own" him and therefore cannot realize profits for themselves. His musiic is beyond most artists, living or deceased and his lyrics are better than most but certainly not worse than many artists past and present. | |
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ernestsewell said: Rightly said: ....whilst addressing his maker in Temptation.
That is depth. Gonzo still hasn't surfaced! If you think that tag ending conversation w/ God on "Temptation" is "deep", I have a bridge at a good deal. It's the worst thing Prince ever did on record to that point, and even through 1989. [Edited 11/17/09 20:57pm] that's what I'm saying, the idea of prince being deep is completely ridiculous! small circles, big wheels!
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Rightly said: that's what I'm saying, the idea of prince being deep is completely ridiculous!
Well Prince has had his moments of being thoughtful or clever in a song. He's also a good story teller. But when he tries to be deep or preachy, that's when he gets silly. Therein, also, lies the difference between Lovesexy and The Rainbow Children; the former being a story of a man who went through a dark phase in his life, vs. a man who went balls deep into a near-cult organization and finds himself proselytizing on a regular basis. | |
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chrisslope9 said: assless pants .
 "we make our heroes in America only to destroy them" | |
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ernestsewell said: Rightly said: that's what I'm saying, the idea of prince being deep is completely ridiculous!
Well Prince has had his moments of being thoughtful or clever in a song. He's also a good story teller. But when he tries to be deep or preachy, that's when he gets silly. Therein, also, lies the difference between Lovesexy and The Rainbow Children; the former being a story of a man who went through a dark phase in his life, vs. a man who went balls deep into a near-cult organization and finds himself proselytizing on a regular basis. I get your point. but putting the concept aside in TRC and you've got some serious Jams. If you can't put that concept aside you're missing out on an important landmark album in his career. P. might get close to deep in very few of his instrumentals like God and fathers song but his serious songs with voice range from funky/cute (everlasting now/money don't matter) to awful (Gold/graffitti bridge) small circles, big wheels!
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electric said: i think the closest prince has come to writing anything truly lyrically great is little red corvette... that opening line is probably the most interesting lyric he's written in his vast career. i think one HUGE component missing from p's lyrical work is humility/vulnerability. i was so excited by the prospect of the radiohead creep cover for this reason exactly, i thought it would be incredible to hear prince sing those lyrics of alienation and self deprecation. then i heard it and was SO disappointed... ''u wish u were special, so do i!?!'' talk about missing the point of a song! that made me wonder whether he's even capable of understanding the sentiment behind a song that heavy, having lived the charmed purple life for so long i'm not sure he can even come close to relating with something so isolated and self loathing. missed opportunity. it would go a long way if he showed the world some humility, i think a lot of people would be surprised by something like that from him... and they would relate to it... better than they would to say ''white mansion.'' put on that tune and then cohen's 'tower of song.'' u'll see what i mean. Rightly said: that last post is quite to the point.
Prince isn't deep. He's a drama-queen. The lyrics to "sign o' the times" are anything but deep He's too in love with himself to sustain a sober moment for very long. He's the best at was he does but he doesn't do deep I completely agree with both of these posts. I think LRC is Prince's most complete song, lyrically & musically, and it's one of his few truly interesting lyrics. Forever in My Life is another lyric that really stands out for me, mostly due I suspect to the fact it's one of the only times he's allowed himself to sound open and vulnerable. SOTT is a masterpiece musically I feel, but lyrically it's completely hollow to me. | |
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prince at his best ... dig if u will the picture of u and i engaged in a kiss
and his worst... i gotta lotta money and i dont wannna spend it on me i like pretty things and ur just as pretty as blah blah blah gettin dirty at the club again around your waist just like a chain blah blah blah ... he cant even write a rhyme that fits anymore ... why LAZY thats right the man is obsessed with quantity not quality and somewhere along the way his lyrics got really really shallow and unpoetic and uninteresting ... thats right prince music uninteresting ... its very sad knowing how mindblowing his work can be to call prince uninteresting ... he spends much lyrics just talking about how unique he is but lately he's fallen way short ... every prince album now is same old stale production same old r+b, funk, rock, jazz formula he's been jammin for a couple decades ... the lyrics say absolutely nothing he has not said a thousand times better before thats why ... its like kanye west ... as much brilliance he has he does a lot of foolish stupid things too and it takes away from peoples ideas about him www.trevorayer.org | |
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TrevorAyer said: prince at his best ... dig if u will the picture of u and i engaged in a kiss
and his worst... i gotta lotta money and i dont wannna spend it on me i like pretty things and ur just as pretty as blah blah blah gettin dirty at the club again around your waist just like a chain blah blah blah ... he cant even write a rhyme that fits anymore ... why LAZY thats right the man is obsessed with quantity not quality and somewhere along the way his lyrics got really really shallow and unpoetic and uninteresting ... thats right prince music uninteresting ... its very sad knowing how mindblowing his work can be to call prince uninteresting ... he spends much lyrics just talking about how unique he is but lately he's fallen way short ... every prince album now is same old stale production same old r+b, funk, rock, jazz formula he's been jammin for a couple decades ... the lyrics say absolutely nothing he has not said a thousand times better before thats why ... its like kanye west ... as much brilliance he has he does a lot of foolish stupid things too and it takes away from peoples ideas about him www.trevorayer.org Wow, I couldn't disagree with a post so completely...congrats dude. Thanks for the laughs, arguments and overall enjoyment for the last umpteen years. It's time for me to retire from Prince.org and engage in the real world...lol. Above all, I appreciated the talent Prince. You were one of a kind. | |
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One of the problems with a mega-talent like Prince is that he does so many things well his lyrics are hard to concentrate on for the casual music listener. You get caught up in the stage show, the clothes, the image, the guitar playing etc. For me when he writes lyrics like "Would you run to me if somebody hurt you, even if that somebody was me" its over for me. | |
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dreaminaboutu said: One of the problems with a mega-talent like Prince is that he does so many things well his lyrics are hard to concentrate on for the casual music listener. You get caught up in the stage show, the clothes, the image, the guitar playing etc. For me when he writes lyrics like "Would you run to me if somebody hurt you, even if that somebody was me" its over for me.
Good point. That's a terrible line. Pity coz the rest of the song is nice. But it's very clear and you can't miss it. "Free URself, B the best that U can B, 3rd Apartment from the Sun, nothing left to fear" Prince Rogers Nelson - Forever in my Life - | |
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dreaminaboutu said: For me when he writes lyrics like "Would you run to me if somebody hurt you, even if that somebody was me" its over for me.
It fits perfectly into his plea toward the woman. It just makes sense, in the song. | |
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ernestsewell said: dreaminaboutu said: For me when he writes lyrics like "Would you run to me if somebody hurt you, even if that somebody was me" its over for me.
It fits perfectly into his plea toward the woman. It just makes sense, in the song. true I think it's a good line small circles, big wheels!
I've got a pretty firm grip on the obvious! | |
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Bohemian67 said: dreaminaboutu said: One of the problems with a mega-talent like Prince is that he does so many things well his lyrics are hard to concentrate on for the casual music listener. You get caught up in the stage show, the clothes, the image, the guitar playing etc. For me when he writes lyrics like "Would you run to me if somebody hurt you, even if that somebody was me" its over for me.
Good point. That's a terrible line. Pity coz the rest of the song is nice. But it's very clear and you can't miss it. WHAT????!!!!  Are you for real? 
You probably mean it's a WONDERFUL line, one of the best lines ever written by anybody!!! I am but mad north-northwest
when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw | |
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Rightly said: ernestsewell said: It fits perfectly into his plea toward the woman. It just makes sense, in the song. true I think it's a good line It is a great line - works extremely well rhythmically and, as Ernest said, in context of the plea. I think people are missing some of Prince's more vulnerable tracks, perhaps because there are so few - but there are some. Perhaps the most extreme example would be Solo - that's as down as you'll ever hear Prince, I suspect. ...we have only scratched the surface of what the mind can do...
My dance project; www.zubzub.co.uk Listen to any of my tracks in full, for free, here; www.zubzub.bandcamp.com Go and glisten  | |
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i think hes had his moments  his purple rain and SOTT album lyrics were taken seriously | |
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because he is a weirdo. Plain and simple.
People in general have a very difficult time with accepting and showing respect for weirdos. "Hyperactive when I was small, Hyperactive now I'm grown, Hyperactive 'till I'm dead and gone"
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ___ "Midnight is where the day begins" |
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chewymusic said: because he is a weirdo. Plain and simple.
People in general have a very difficult time with accepting and showing respect for weirdos. That would be most artists of all times... 
Remember, Mozart wasn't even close to the "normal" kind of guy... And what about Dali or Warhol? Your argument just falls to pieces I'm afraid... I am but mad north-northwest
when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw | |
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vivid said: He has written some great lyrics such as SOTT and When Doves Cry, and even some of his sexy stuff is brilliant such as IIWYG and Little Red Corvette, but a lot of his material has fallen far below these heights both in terms of depth, intelligence or emotional punch.
Personaly, I think this could have something to do with the speed at which he works, and his not engaging with the outside world as a man among equals. He rules his world and I don't think this is an environment that has brought the best out of him lyrically, but what do I know? He's a bloody genius and I'm not. Unfortunately, he has put such a huge quantity of material out there and the really great lyrics are not the rule. Also, he is so talented in other areas that it throws this into relief at times. [Edited 11/16/09 8:27am] [Edited 11/16/09 8:27am] Great points. I think he has the ability to write great lyrics and should more often. | |
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electric said:[quote]truth is prince has never written a single lyric to put him into the category of some of the artists u mentioned.... i love prince, but he would be one of the last artists i would go to looking for any lyrical depth or enlightenment.
inevitably people on here are going to read this and get defensive of ol' p but throw on a leonard cohen song, any one really, and the weakest line in it will still be better than anything prince has written. that is not to compare these 2 artists, which would be apples and oranges anyway, but to illustrate a point. some people are better at certain things ( i wouldn't want to hear leonard cohen sing the scream intro to gett off  )
i think the closest prince has come to writing anything truly lyrically great is little red corvette... that opening line is probably the most interesting lyric he's written in his vast career. i think one HUGE component missing from p's lyrical work is humility/vulnerability. i was so excited by the prospect of the radiohead creep cover for this reason exactly, i thought it would be incredible to hear prince sing those lyrics of alienation and self deprecation. then i heard it and was SO disappointed... ''u wish u were special, so do i!?!'' talk about missing the point of a song! that made me wonder whether he's even capable of understanding the sentiment behind a song that heavy, having lived the charmed purple life for so long i'm not sure he can even come close to relating with something so isolated and self loathing. missed opportunity. it would go a long way if he showed the world some humility, i think a lot of people would be surprised by something like that from him... and they would relate to it... better than they would to say ''white mansion.'' put on that tune and then cohen's 'tower of song.'' u'll see what i mean.[/quote] | |
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the line is a big part of that whole song, If u took out that line the song would lose it's strength , he is in way apologizing in advance maybe preemptively or does he expects to hurt her? | |
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ernestsewell said: He was taken seriously until 1993. He never quite regained that full respect back. And we all know why, whether we want to admit it or not.
With Prince, the respect paid wasn't always about lyrics. It was the whole persona of a prodigy, a young black man from the middle west who doesn't speak much, seems shy but is known for singing about oral sex, and any other sort of copulation, all while conjoining that with the idea of being closer to God with every orgasm. Prince is a poet.....in a way. He's an urban poet. He's the voice of your dick, your vagina, and your soul. It's like comparing Bruce to MJ. Both sang about social issues at times, but their muse, their source, their delivery, their idealism were quite different.
Aww, Ernest, you always have the right words! We all seem to agree here when it comes to Prince as a songwriter : He wrote overwhelming lyrics, but their overshadowed by his more "simplistic" songs, lyrically speaking... Everybody is somebody, but nobody wants to be themselves. | |
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I was going to walk away but felt rather angry about these inaccurate comments. Prince is a musical genius ... that’s agreed and you don't always have to right deeply to illustrate groundbreaking song writing skills ... music is meant to be entertaining and fun and most songs are about love and romance lets face it.
For me I put both MJ and Prince as one of the best songwriters the world has know. People are forgetting songs like Sometimes it snows in April I would die for you. Beautiful ones When doves Cry. Purple Rainer Kiss Signs of our times Little Red Corvette Pink Cashmere Nothing compares to you I cant go on cause I will be here all day. (very well written lyrics) Talented songrwiting is about the structure of words and rhythm whether your taking about sex, love, war or nothing. Lack of deep meaning in songs does not mean there is a limit to Prince is songwriting talent. I can honestly say there is no song from prince that I do not love. He hit the right buttons for me. Indeed there are some silly lyrics here and there and sometimes he has lacked the flair Michael ahs to right spot on pop tracks. For instance Life of the Party and Gett off (one of my favourite prince songs) has some very silly lyrics to me only highlights his sheer talent ….. THIS MAN CAN MAKE ANYTHING SOUND GOOD! The point is Prince can sing and write anything silly, graphic, deep, eloquent, romantic’s sweet, sad e.t.c and he even beats Michael in that aspect. | |
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BECAUSE
PRINCE IS  in his OWN weird little way ...
PRINCE JUST PLAY MUSIC !!! QUIT BEING WACKY !! 
. . [Edited 12/21/09 8:33am] | |
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dartluv5 said: Well, my personal opinion is because of his attitude towards the music industry itself. Prince likes to make his own rules when it comes to the distribution and promotion of his music and music execs don't take kindly to people who dog them out, then expect them to promote their music to the public through radio and television. As for not being acknowledged in the "rock" genre, in my opinion it's still a very segregated genre for people of color to get the praise they deserve. I listen to the rock airwaves all the time and very rarely will I hear even Jimmy Hendrix let alone Prince! Surprisingly, I hear more Bob Marley on the rock channels than I do Lenny Kravitz and or Van Hunt. It's the nature of the industry. Not only that, Prince is seen as more of a multi - genre artist, so to place him in the singular category of "rock" music genius wouldn't be accurate. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Eric Clapton etc. are seen as outstanding rock artists because it's the only genre they play.
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the way this question was structured, makes me wonder if those of us who really dig and appreciate Prince's lyrics are welcome to participate in it.
from my side, I think Prince's lyrics are taken very seriously. evidence of this, is what 'mainstream' radio/tv play; it's easy to play a Prince love song or party groove, but the digital garden must think twice about self-destruction, if it plays a tune like family name, dreamer or even 'the work.' Prince has a unique world-view which manifests itself via his lyrics...but the lyrics are not the artist and we should consider what the lyrics suggest in and of themselves.  | |
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Dayclear said: Okay, I won't pull the race card. but look at your question.
 Yup. | |
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I would say the "jack of all trades/master of none" perception has a little to do with it, not to mention he has a penchant for frivolous lyrics for tracks that are basically meant for a good time. Then there is the race thing - not necessarily that he himself is slighted because of race, but outside of Stevie Wonder, mainstream critics of what is considered "black music" have never really given it credit for being poetic. Much like for P's guitar playing - proclamations of virtuosity are reserved for their heroes ... | |
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I like Prince's lyrics. Sure most of them aren't "deep" but that's because most of his songs are about having a good time, partying, sex, nothing too dramatic. My favourite is "The pants were wet, they came off, but she didn't see the movie cause she hadn't read the book first". Great play on words! Although I agree that a lot of his lyrics are hard to relate to, especially one's where the title doesn't even have any real meaning. Purple Rain anyone? "if you know what i'm talkin about raise your hands..." & then everyone raises there hands, like they know what it means LOL... Love 2 the 9's, love the song, but what? Shockedelia, Glam Slam, Compute Blue... love all these songs but I have NO idea what they're supposed to be about lol.... | |
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sweething said: Depends on who you ask. I would think his contemporaries certainly take him seriously; however, the industry Execs probably prefer to "overlook" his attributes because they don't "own" him and therefore cannot realize profits for themselves. His musiic is beyond most artists, living or deceased and his lyrics are better than most but certainly not worse than many artists past and present.
I agree | |
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