I wanted to revive my Dreamer thread because it is nominated for a grammy. Prince

it is??? thats awesome!

It's a pretty good tune, but way too Hendrix like. This is bad because Prince generally has very original sounding stuff.

Wall of Berlin, I think, beats this anyday.

pplrain said:

...and it was definitely a very popular thread to say the least, but at the same time very interesting opinions.

Spinzilla said:

The intro is almost note for note "Homage" to Hendrix. jeez people .
[Edited 12/2/09 20:25pm]

I wonder if we will ever see a video for "Dreamer?"

2elijah said:

there was a target commerical video for it but i dont if its ever been completed or not

PurpleDiamond2009 said:

Oh yes, I remember the commercials promoting the cd, but would be nice if an actual video was created specifically for "Dreamer".

I hope Prince is invited to perform this gem at the grammys and he rocks the roof off the building!!

Riverpoet31 said:

I usually don't get into the fray, but I would like to know how old you are.
I think you do make some valid points, but I think you treat racism and race issues as simple subject, and we all know it's not.

You can't regulate people's feelings. You clearly have had limited contact with black people on a deeper level. Because if you did, you would ask sincere questions about black culture and might get answers.

I have conversations about race with my friends, and they respect me well enough to know if they have a "real" question about my cluture I will answer it- or might give them some insight.

You don't have to be raised in a ghetto to sometimes feel the stigma of racism.

I don't know your experience with black people, but I do get the feeling that your experiences have tainted your view.

And getting back to the song:

When he says:
"I was born, raised on a same plantation/
In the United States, of the red, white and blue
Never knew that I was different, till Dr. King was on a balcony
Lyin' in a bloody pool."

That to me clealy states to me he's not just talking about black people.
He's comparing all of us in the USA as slaves to the system.
He later says he didn't realize he was different until Dr. King was killed.

To me, that analogy rings true to many of us growing up.
As kids we can play with each other and nobody cares, until 1 thing/event/person reminds you that you are different, and that is a sobering thought, that leaves a lot of complicated questions.

And like Prince, you start thinking- wow I expected so much more from a place that says we're all equal.. then you realize it's not that simple.. as folks will sometimes remind you.

That's my 2 cents. I would like to hear your take on the whole thing. I'm not attacking you, I just would like to kind of see where your head is, realizing this is just a forum on the internet.

pplrain, I've been reading this entire thread and I'd like to comment on something that happened to me last year. You said you wanted to revive your thread because of the grammy nomination and I respect that. Let me know when you're comfortable with me relating my story, ok? In the meantime, let's celebrate P's nomination! Peace friend, Sandra =)

Elle85n09 said:

Post away, you don't have to ask me.

violetblues said:

Don't waste your time - some people will just NEVER get it!

I'm wondering if orgers will use this thread to lobby for/against this song winning a grammy

All the ladies love a dreamboat, but if dreaming disturbs Mr Prince I could give him something for that.

I like it

great song, great lyrics! i love it when gets political. too many of his fans can't take it. they're still in denial that RACE still matters and Prince IS a black man and sees it and is affected by it. i ain't mad at him for "wanting" to talk about it.

datdude said:

all true

nurseV said:

Haha... busted! Mani? Is that you?

one of the best songs he's written in a while. very powerful.

datdude said:

For me it's got nothing to do with the subject matter, it's just that it's simply not that good.

The music sounds like an advertising agency's response to being asked to make 'something Hendrix-y without being sued'; while the lyric is embarrassly uninspired & trite.

Mindflux said:

co-sign!

pplrain said:

Though I do not particularly LOVE this song, I still believe it is very radio worthy, and the Grammy nomination proves that. Too bad Prince is so hated by the powers over the radio.

daPrettyman said:

Thanks for this. I was a fan Parts 1 through 3 and then Part 4 just left me... er, sorry?
I find it strange and disturbing that of all of it, that was what made an impression on Prince.

TyphoonTip said:

Ok - firstly, no advertising agency asked him to do it. Nobody asked him to do it - it came from within.

None of his contemporaries would be able to do an homage to Jimi and pull it off - for anyone else, it would be an embarrassment. There are few people I've heard that can "do a Jimi" - and, usually, they are covering one of his tracks, not inventing something entirely new, albeit with obvious nods. Stevie Ray Vaughan springs to mind. Want to inform us of any contemporary artist you thinks fits the bill?

How are lyrics about race ever going to be trite? Hardly an insignificant subject is it? The lyrics have promoted masses of debate - that wouldn't be the case if they were as bad as you think they are.

Its cool if you don't like the song, but you're reasons are pretty weak - if you're coming at it with that mindset, you're never going to enjoy it. Get past your own musical snobbery (which, in essence, is all this is) and you might find yourself agreeing with the majority that this is, in fact, a great track!

Mindflux said:

Exactly. and here we go again on this. I agree, nothing wrong with the lyrics. If people actually "listen" to the lyrics and comprehend some of the points being made, I believe they'd have a clearer view of it. Not saying they have to believe parts that speaks of specific conspiracies, but good points are being made in the song. I think some have misread the lyrics as soon as they see the word "slave" and misinterpret that for "playing victim" in relation to a different issue.

For example, I've thought of many interpretations of the line, "slave on the plantation of the red/white/blue" as you and I and others discussed last week on this thread. In my opinion, "slave" used in the song, can simply refer to this country's Americans citizens being slaves to the system. We pay taxes through our salaries;and when you're born you're given a social security number as your lifetime identification. That number follows you for life, and is your identity, until you die. So basically you are your government's property--a slave to the system, so-to-speak.

Now it is only in the next few verses that speaks of race issues, where it speaks of Dr. MLK, in the song. Where he states he didn't know he was "different...", basically reminding listeners, about the time period when many of this country's citizens, fought against racial prejudices and injustices, but yet even in this century, race issues still seem to matter in America, and he is basically stating that when he says in the song, in so many words, that he expected this country to be better than that.

Which since this country gives the impression to the rest of the world that its citizens are treated right and how "free" they are, then why not lead by example, and live up to what you want the rest of the world to believe of America, insteading of promoting lies and pretending America has no existing social ills?

Another example to support the race issue in America that is used in the line of the song, is where it states,"clutching the steering wheel so tight hoping the police helicopters pass you by, which references "racial profiling" , in which quite a few groups in American society have and still experience that situation in many forms, and this is one of the lines of the song obviously inspired by Dick Gregory.

Further in the lyrics, it then goes on to "question" the conspiracy theory of "Are there chemtrails" being sprayed in our communities, but the lyrics does not "confirm" if there are, nor does it specify which communities, it just questions the conspiracy theory of chemtrails. Just my two cents.
[Edited 12/4/09 11:23am]

Mindflux said:

Because, of course, that's exactly what I said. You've got a bad case of literalism.

You seem to think that profound subject matter automatically equals a poignant lyric. I wish that were the case, but unfortunately it's not. As prince has proved in this instance.

Also note, that I prefaced my initial post with 'For me', which should indicate, even for least observant amongst us, that this is 'my opinion.'

Now as an opinion on an art form, including yours, it is neither an unequivocal truth, nor fundamentally incorrect.

So as much as you or I think we're right. We're not. Sorry to disappoint.

I find Prince's song "Free" which deals with a simular topic to be far more uplifting. I like the sound of the song I just prefer something a bit more possitive when it comes to what I choose to play over and over again.