HonestMan13 said:

I think this type of thought, along with the "You people just want him to go back to (Insert 80's album)", is the biggest misconception on the beloved org.

As if people were sitting around grumbling about the preaching in The Cross but then reminded themselves there were 'swear words' in Erotic City so all's forgiven.

There was great music over the top of the lyrics, be they sacred or profane in nature, and it's always been the music that made Prince worth listening to. The Cross is nothing more than a trite piece of devotional poetry that could have been written by a 15 year old, but the druggy, rock music building to a sublime climax and then releasing is what makes the song a classic. I had no interest in joining him declare God is Love and Love is God in '88 but I did enjoy listening to him solo with the precision and force of a prize fighter each time he played The Cross or any other ridiculous pseudo-Christian song of the era.

I frankly could care less if the man doesn't use profanity in his lyrics--they've always been disposable and I'd argue that at 50-whatever singing about fucking the taste out of someone's mouth would sound more than a little ridiculous--but when the music suddenly matches the Christian Pop sound of the lyrics, then you're in trouble.

For me, 'Cause and Effect" got a bit of that crazy crowded feeling which appears mostly in" Rock N Roll is alive" but also in "PFunk" and others... Sharp throws, good traction and spiced with a little psychedelic spirit. Good, fun and musically impressive, without being a song that you remember and can go on and humming.
"Cause and Effect" also got a bit of Controversy spirit, like "No more candy 4 U". Someone mentioned "Horny Toad" past here and I am prepared to agree.
In conclusion, I appreciate when the Prince makes this type of song, although even this is something which we actually heard before. But there is not much we can do about that. We can not require him to constantly change themselves and to shock us, even if sometimes it is frustrating that he is acting acting safe. Why not break up completely from the old band members and locking himself in a garage with a local jazz band and see what happens. Or throw out on a tour, alone only with his piano.

I like "Cause and Effect", and disturbed only by the fact that the Prince stuck in religion, and that it has bad influence on his music. For me, living in Scandinavia, besides, it is inconceivable and unintelligible that people in a so many regards highly developed country like the United States in 2010 still believe in religions!? But I guess it's an entirely different discussion

The usa is full of idiots obviously.

MichaelHogberg said:

The usa is full of idiots obviously.

With this track, Prince continues the dual trend that he's been on over the past few releases: on the one hand the song evidences greater technical & compositional proficiency than before in terms of phrasing, chord changes, and playing; yet on the other hand the lyrics showcase his increasing emotional distance from his audience (& from himself, if I can be so bold).

Lyrically, he is no longer willing to share his struggles (of the flesh, mind, heart, or soul) with his art or his audience (even though he HAS to have struggles because that is what makes us human). Instead we get someone trying to convince himself that everything is okay because he is saved (of the Elect) because he is made in the image of God (not "cause" as the circulating lyrics indicate) and is subject to no man.

His art no longer asks questions, but aspires to provide answers. It's not inviting. When he declares, "I am here" and then asks "Where are you?" one gets the sense that he's not really interested in where "you" are, as much as he is preoccupied in telling us where "I am." This artist believes his "here" is where everyone should be.

When this phrasing first appeared in his work, it was the Rebirth of the Flesh, and the declaration was "We are here, where are you." WE. There is no more WE in Prince's world. Prince is in autobiographical mode. This is about him. He is writing/reflecting on HIS life story, and trying to fit the pieces into the narrative of what he considers "The Greatest Story Ever Told."

It's an old and tried true story, but one gets the sense that in his work it is forced or contrived--it's not organic. His metaphors and language is too easily and directly drawn from religious scripture. Maybe Prince feels if you're going to, what better to signify on than what's believed to be Divine words? What it means is that we're not going to get yellow daisies in the yard, bubble baths with pants on, animals striking curious poses or any of that weird-only-Prince-could-come-up-with-this-shit type of language.
[Edited 2/26/10 17:52pm]

Let's keep it real up in here. Not a single orger minded all of Princes religious songs (God, The Cross, Wish U Heaven, No et al.) back in the day because he also had nasty profane tracks (Erotic City, Bob George, Irresistible Bitch) to counter them.

NuPwrSoul said:

Fantastic post.

lazycrockett said:

That's a bit harsh. There are a lot of very intelligent indivduals living there, but also a lot of complete idiots. You'll find stupid people in every country, but the amount has imho a lot to do with the educational system and welfare system. And europe has much higher standards than the USA. Cause and effect.
[Edited 2/28/10 1:15am]

Of course one can not speak generally, when talking about a country with over 200 million inhabitants, but it is certainly stunning that religions still have such a large place in American society. On some levels are unthinking religious influence in American daily to treat with the feelings you get when you're Middle Eastern or in underdeveloped countries in Africa. I admire and love the United States in many ways, but can not stop marvel at how technological development can go hand in hand with such a low level of religious liberation.

HonestMan13 said:

I think it's more because stuff like The Cross are great tracks. Cause & Effect is not.

Terrible song is terrible, no other justification is needed.

Well, U take a couple of days out and this kicks off.....

The song? I want to like it, but it leaves me kind of "meh?" It could be good, could have been great.....but it just comes in as mediocre.

It has the right elements, but it's Prince by numbers - he's treading water all be it very polished water .

Not bothered about the lyrics, I don't like the overt dogma when it comes up in any of his songs of late, it seems forced - almost an obligation.

I wonder if this is an outside influence sitting on his shoulder again (I'm thinking back to when he first converted to JW here) in the form of Larry?

His older religious type stuff (and no I don't live in the past) was more natural, maybe euphoric in it's delivery, but it felt real....The Cross remains one of my fave tracks of all time.

I'll hold out for better to come - although I worry with Larry about we're heading into New Power Soul territory!

I put this through my stereo (by hooking the computer to it of course, downloading is bad ).

If you are relying on the Current's stream and computer speakers, you're not doing the song justice. It sounds completely different. The LF mp3 is much better to listen to.

But he's not done, he's more like the high school senior taking PE and crafts courses. He has a lot more ying & yang in him lately that is so concentrated into such specific areas of his once broad-ranging scope, to now alienate specific "fans" of one genre or another with songs that ultimately please Prince more than anyone else. Which at this point in his career is cool, when you reach icon status, are well-off financially and dont really NEED please anyone with your art to make a living, you deserves to please yourself and fuck whatever one thinks.
Whether its taking off to Florida and taking up golf, or PE and crafts courses, as a long time fan of his music watching him progress in life from the sidelines is fascinating to me either way, whatever I think its cool.

MichaelHogberg said:

As I said, the USA are underdevolped in many ways, too. It's a land of extremes. Their social and educational system is horrible in comparison to european standards.