I never understood what it was about this song that folks like, but now I do that music is crazy very unique sounding I like it Any appreciation?

I love it. I really want to learn how to play it, but I doubt I could sing it very well. But I'm gonna try!

RodeoSchro said:

I think you'd do great Killer song to learn-I'd love to hear you try

nurseV said:

If I ever figure it out, I'll post the music to it.

RodeoSchro said:

K-I will wait

well I hope I hear it someday, it always gets brought up

I don't know this song either...

Tame said:

mayb u kno it as "A better place 2 die",

after all, i spent the latter half of the '80s thinking that was the title !

like with "A large room with no light", being known as "Welcome 2 the rat race"

Moonbeam Levels
Often titled "A Better Place 2 Die" by bootleggers, this classic was recorded towards the end of the 1999 sessions. Prince played a brief part on tour in Los Angeles, March 28th, 1983. It's an excellent melodic mid-tempo rock number focusing on piano in the versus with a guitar giving the chorus added punch, similar to "Free." The musical resemblance to "Free" may be one of the reasons it was left off 1999. The lyrics dwell on imminent nuclear war destruction and looking for "a better place to die."

* * * * * * *

Yesterday I tried 2 write a novel but I didn't know where 2 begin
So I laid down in the grass tryin' 2 feel the world turn
Boy loses girl in a rain storm, nuclear World War III
All that's left is pain and sorrow, as far as he's concerned

CHORUS:
He says please send all your moonbeam levels 2 me
Please send all your moonbeam levels 2 me
Please send all your moonbeam levels 2 me
I'm lookin' 4 a better place 2 die

Maybe he's lookin' 4 a different world
Maybe he's lookin' 4 a brand new high
Maybe he would like a nice condo overlookin' the rings of Saturn
Maybe he wants affection instead of a plastic life
Maybe he doesn't know what he wants at all

CHORUS

A newborn child knows nothing of destruction
Nothing of love and hate
What happens in between is a mystery
Because we don't give a damn about his fate

He said he'll never keep diaries 2 learn from his mistakes
Instead he'll just repeat all the good things that he's done
Fight 4 perfect love until it's perfect love he makes
When he's happy then his battle will be won (It's never 2 late)

Please send all your moonbeam levels 2 me
(Send your.. send 2 me)
Please send all your moonbeam levels 2 me
(Send your levels 2 me)
Please send all your moonbeam levels 2 me
(Sending me your.. send 2 me)
I'm lookin' 4 a better place 2 die (Better place 2 die)

Please send all your moonbeam levels 2 me (Oh yeah!)
Please send all your moonbeam levels 2 me {x2}
He don't, he don't, he don't really wanna die
He don't wanna, he don't wanna, he don't wanna die {x2}
He don't really wanna die

just glorious

nurseV U on a roll!
Ditching Luther, tonight's about those old P boots
after class though

One of the best outtakes, hands down. The first time I heard it, I loved it, and have since.

wow, easily one of his MOST overrated "outtakes" to me. sooooo unmemorable for me. played only 2-3 times

ernestsewell said:

I agree

This song is just WOW

I love this song...but I sure don't know what the hell a moonbeam level is.

Shorty said:

well in general Moon beam light is something that pierces thru the dark

that song deals with sad or dark issues and he's asking for light in these dark situations and/or hope when the world one lives in is confusing or seems hopeless
[Edited 11/19/09 10:27am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

I think it's more about him wanting to NOT be here when destruction happens, in a physical sense. To literally be on the moon (a recurring theme in Prince's music and 'movies'), is a place of elation and bliss and near Utopia for him.

nurseV said:

I liked it from the 1st time I heard it. I cannot explain why. It's just a cool song. It creates a "aura" or "feeling" for me.

Beautiful track. He should definitely start doing this one live.

Great song, it's a shame he never released it formally...

And it's actually really easy to learn for guitar. Like, extremely easy. I was listening to it a lot about two weeks ago and I decided to try and play along with it... Just a little descending riff and some power chords.

Mmm, LOVE this song!! Love love love it!