Before you say "any age", let me explain myself.



When I was 12 years old, I heard Computer Blue for the first time. Although I had liked Prince mildly since 1999/Little Red Corvette less than 2 years before, I was not a 'fan'. This is due in large part because I had never actually heard the entire 1999 album, which I would have immediately become a fan based on DMSR and Lady Cab Driver alone.

I had also just recently heard Let's Go Crazy and When Doves Cry on the radio, and it was announced that Prince would be touring in my city. It's probably difficult for young fans to understand this, but for one hot minute in the 80's Prince was bigger than Michael Jackson. Purple Rain was his year, and the halo effect from MJ's Thriller album was wearing thing. People were looking for more mature subject matter introduced by Prince by way of explicit content and Bruce Springsteen by way of social commentary. Punk and Gen-x was giving way to post modern and college music. The underground 80's was in full swing (and we would see much of that blossom during the supposed 'alternative music' revolution of the early 90s).

There simply was NOTHING like the songs of Purple Rain on the radio at the time. In one hour I would hear at least 2 Prince songs and maybe another 2 or 3 songs from The Time and Appolonia 6. The radios were saturated with Prince. He was EVERYWHERE.

I saw Purple Rain that year, and just about fell out of my chair when Prince humped the stage while singing about masturbation, sex, etc. Remember, I was 12 years old at the time---I was fucking horning ALL. THE. TIME. I couldn't even get up to go pee without risking an obvious hardon pushing through my trousers. If it moved, I wanted to fuck it (thank goodness household pets are so hard to catch and pin down :shew: ).

I was then made privy to to 1999 and Controversy, his two previous albums, and I was blown away. It's hard for me to believe now, but I was mesmerized... even hypnotized by the spoken word solo at the end of Do Me Baby. Remember that? I feel s-s-s-s-s-s-s-so c..coc.cocl.ccooooold



So here's the conundrum. I'm not a new-world grownup. I don't believe that kids should be exposed to sexuality at very young ages before they understand the ramifications of such behavior (emotional, psychical, financial, etc.). Although I acknowledge '18' as an arbitrary distinction for adulthood and therefore maturity, I still subscribe to the notion that 18 year olds are the true starting point for adulthood. 12... not so much.

HOWEVER, it's not Warner Bros's responsibility to censor such music. It should be available. It's the parents and grownup's responsibility to moderate and observe what their children are listening to. Far more likely that the early Prince material is harmless to kids than some of the music out today that glamorizes all the wrong virtues in people (avarice, jealousy, violence, etc.).

But that being said, I don't a new fan, even a young new fan, should break away from the chronology of Prince's career.

Part of the reason why it's so important to do his 80's releases in a sequence is because he was obviously growing as a musician and song writer in the 80's. From his debut to Dirty Mind, you see a real heavy shift in the way he expresses himself. Also his style changes from derivative (and yes, his first two albums were derivative in my opinion of disco and funk) mimicry to wildly fresh (Dirty Mind), to insanely unique (Purple Rain) to absolute genius (SOTT). With each subsequent release he grows a little. The subject matter matures. The palette upon which he paints expands. To listen to his albums in a sequence is to experience this growth as a musician. To be a fan back in the 80's and eagerly await the lead single with the words inscribed on his cassette single "Music from the forthcoming album..." was a thrill I can hardly describe. It was an exciting time. And I think new fans should try and experience it that way.

The issue of course arises from the fact that the older material was ballsy and raw. He didn't censor himself due to any external influences (no cursing so as not to offend families) or religious reasons. If he thought about it, he wrote and sang about it, and it was up to you to either tune him out or to listen and blush. ERGO , I don't know what my stance is with underage or very young 'new fans'. On the one hand, I would recommend you listen to everything from Rave Un2 and after as it is all safe (for the most part), but on the other, you're missing out on what it really means to experience Prince the musician.


Today's Prince has said and done things which, if I was a new music listener, would have immediate caused me to not even bother picking up his music. So if you're a new fan who's been able to cut through that bullshit, congratulations in the name of the Purple and Gold.

15

Fauxie said:

TheVoid said:

What?

I did read all but the last four paragraphs. I was wary it might turn into some smurf-blanket recollection.

I was 15.

It was 3 years ago so I would have been 14 when I bought the very best of

this question is rendered useless in todays world.

children are exposed to far more sexually driven themes in music via radio and television

prince's innuendo is less graphic and can be metaphorical at times and most kids just want to dance around instead of paying attention to cryptic lyrics.

when i was growing up all of the things i heard on the playground and in songs were simply a mystery until i came across the internet.

visuals are far more intriguing.

a final statement to summarize my post.....

any child with a computer is a typo away from animal porn.

i was 12 when he released dirty mind. i got it from an older cousin and i think the work was flammable in my horny little hands. i was already on the course of oversexualization and the wasting of my youth. Prince was able to provide a soundtrack and content resource for my upcoming debauchery lol.

15. Its where you are developing clear set of preferences and opinions, and also you usually are beginning to generate your own income and have your first job, so your no longer relying on allowances and birthday and xmas gifts. Also someone who sang about sex all the time like Prince, would be hard to understand his ideals before that age. I was 15 in 1991 when I discovered Prince. Yet I had first heard of him when I was 9, and got into other music when I was 12, but Prince was the first artist I truly respected, rather than thought that he "was just cool, because he had a funky sounding hit", but as a gifted musician who had a history of great songs and musically diverse styles along with a chameleon like persona on stage. Basically at 15 I could distinguish a true artist and musician apart from someone who sang or gave us an instant catchy smash and little more.
[Edited 2/2/10 3:08am]

strange question; I take it you are an american asking this?

Imo.... there's no "Appropriate age",

remember the dancing baby on YouTube, this baby was 1-2 years old and was enjoying and dancing to "Let's Go Crazy".... and later got sued by Prince. What a disgrace... (but that's another discussion)..

back on topic: If you are old enough to like music, then you can listen to Prince at any age.

there's no restrictions or limits for this in Denmark, anyway. I believe only americans are "aware" of "the danger" in music,

Silly imo.

TheVoid said:

I question your use of the simple past here.

Other than that, is there not a difference between what is 'appropriate' and what is affecting? What I mean is, it probably wasn't appropriate for me to get into Prince at the age I did, but that was the whole point.

There isn't any age at all, come on
I have always listenned to Prince since I was 14, my children have been raised listenning to him specially one used to sit in front of speakers when Prince was playing..
As for Love, emotions, feelings, there isn't any "age"..this is unsignificant.
Of course when you listen to Prince at 14, or younger, you won't get touched the same way as when you are 30 or 40..
Of course some time, you will feel the sound, of a certain instrument, and some other moment, you will be touched by lyrics..
As for a book, never happened to you? to read one at a young age, whithin your teens, then as an "adult" or grown up, you read the same, and suddenly the words speak to U in other ways???
That's the same for Music Prince or someone else...

My kids both started at birth. They're 16 and 13 now. Of course, there are still some songs I won't let them hear.

Depends... appropriate age for back then or now?
Back then, yeah, teenager
Now, lol 5 years old
But I don't think there's any age either

I was 9 when I first got into "Partyman" and the Batman record but became a fan at 10 when I saw him perform on the diamonds & pearls tour. I now have the ticket as my keyring as it was the first gig I ever went to.
I think 10 is fine!

TheVoid said:

the same age you let them watch the evening news.

RodeoSchro said:

Mine too! Cept mine are older and theyve heard them all by now

I was 12 when I heard, "I Wanna Be Your Lover." I might have heard "Soft & Wet," also, not knowing it was Prince at the time.


People's behaviors are gonna be what they are. Being exposed to promiscuous thoughts shouldn't guide your experiences...However, it can.

In 2day's world...Education is lacking in "Life Classes." Too many unnecessary behaviors are expressed by Public figures. Actors and Musicians. I suppose it comes down to the parents to make sure their kids can see the difference between a Lady and a Man...And behaviors that represent less than a mature level.

Not until they know how to read!

5 like me

Well, a few years ago I was 14. I think that's a good age.

However, I've loved Purple Rain and I Wanna Be Your Lover since pre-puberty so maybe certain songs should be saved for a later time when the maturity level is right.

All of mine started at an early age, though I chose which songs to let them hear...until The Boy got to watch Purple Rain at 2.

That did him in. Now he's 6 and already playing guitar, piano and drums, emulating what he's heard on Prince albums.

Granted, he hasn't heard "Head" yet...

i didnt get into him fully until i was 14 which was last year

I kid you not i started at 5. Lol with the black album, and come. How inappropriate ididn't understand orgasm till 10 years old. Then at like 9 i would sing if i was your girlfriend and darling nikki outloud and my mother would yell at me and i had no idea what was wrong with what i was saying. I moved on to rainbow children which thank god had no new profanity to me because by then i knew almost everything. lol prince taught me all my swear words and everything about sex. He ruined my innocence but i thank him for that. Better him then some pervert or health teacher or disney movie. wait till your about 12 because i got obsessed with him at 7 and i bought purple rain and i got my first taste of nudity which my parents weren't happy with. sing pussy control at 10 lol.
[Edited 2/2/10 19:44pm]

I started at like 8. (I'm 20, BTW.) My dad had the Hits 1 on tape and played it in the car. At that age, I watched VH1 all the time (when it used to play a whole lot of old and new videos), but for some reason, I had NEVER heard Prince. And I was in that car like "who IS that?"
He told me, I went to the computer on CDNow and listened to as many 30-second clips as I could, trying to find the songs I'd heard. "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?", "When You Were Mine", and "Uptown", they were.
After that I started with the Prince album, worked my way round through Dirty Mind, For You, and Controversy. In that order. I got my dad 1999 for Christmas and kept nicking it out of his dresser to listen to myself - after he heard what was on Controversy, he gave it to me. The first five were all I had for years until I came across Purple Rain on sale. But for years, I was MESMERIZED by "Do Me Baby" and "Lady Cab Driver".

Surprisingly, I used to be such a prudish little child. Gee, I wonder what happened?

EDIT: I forgot the point of the topic. I'd say 12, 13. If the child is raised well enough to make smart decisions (or just smart enough and sheltered enough on their own, like I was) Around this time, the sexual awakening starts for most, so it's a fitting time.
[Edited 2/3/10 2:35am]
[Edited 2/3/10 2:35am]

I disliked Prince in my youth, because i grew up in the "New Power Generation Era". As a kid i was very confused if he is gay or not. Especially because my neighbours Parents had some Prince Posters hanging in their living room, in very gay poses.

I discovered the REAL Prince around 18-19, after i knew that Prince wasn't just a bad rapper, but an awesome Rock Artist once.

I always liked Princes music growing up but was never a fan if you get my logic. I heard his stuff but didn't hold any intention of finding more. I really started getting into his music at 16....

most of his songs are fine for any age.

Is anyone... I mean ANYONE actually reading the original post?


I understand that the vast majority of Prince's work is ok. I also understand that you can pick or choose what your child can listen to from his vast collection of music.


But my question was based on the premise that my personal belief is that to experience Prince you really should do so sequentially (at least for his 80's poutput) so you can see how he's changed and evolved. The sticky situation is that his early material primarily has the objectionable content which parents would discourage.

But isn't skipping songs like "sister" and "head" sort of diminishing the overall impact of the music? Wasn't experience those songs for the first time while we ourselves were growing up part of the allure and shock value of listening to prince?

TheVoid said:

Frankly my dear, no. But 'poutput' is genius, especially if it was a mistake.