Someone said in another thread/post that Prince could never again release an album/song that would please most of his fanbase. I agree, but I also have to disagree. I realized a while back that most of us who are displeased with the majority of his current output have similiar complaints: the lack of inspiration/creativity and a complete void of catchy melody and great lyrics combined with the asthetics of a born-again minister in his new material. I truly believe that if a song that was the complete opposite of that emerged, the so-called "negative" voices would mostly unanimously like it. And the rest of you sheep would LOVE it because, well, that's what sheep do.

Could he do it? Yep. Will he do it? Hell-to-the-FUCK noooo!

And one other thing. The whole "Bad Prince songs are still better than most of what's out there" theory is so old and tired. I can name alot of current artists whose work put P's to shame, some who have been doing this for a long time. Porcupine Tree comes to mind (and, fyi, Steven Wilson (as PT and solo) has done several covers of Prince tunes ).
[Edited 2/26/10 16:49pm]

Yo, Billy Jack Bitches...this song is still better than anything on the radio. if u cant figure out what its about..its called KARMA...try not to shyt where u eat bitchsquad.

I do not normally get up at 7:00 am but I did for this
Cause and Effect and I like it oh ! NOT relatives
Pastor Betty( Long )Williams confirmed it long b4 she passed

At least Prince has the eloquent, nuanced fans on his side.

databank said:

Of course it's a contradiction, just like his f'n website. The first comment is more stating my frustration about being duped (once again) by prince and forking over money for another website that does not provide an opportunity to download - yes - even a crappy song as a member. Did you sign up for the site?

Again, how prince sells and markets his web content is rarley consistent with what one actually gets. The site has been functioning about a year now. And not much has been done with it. What the hell, what if it was actually a song worth downloading, then I'd be really pissed.

The song stinks lyrically but the music is interesting. Been a fan since 1981 and still find some of his new music worth repeated listens. Those are very few. It's just over the last many albums I find myself enjoying the anticipation of something that will be memorable far, far more than what is delivered.

The Sparks comment is a perfect one line critique for much of his work (mostly lyrically) over the past 2 decades. I wish half the time he would just do instruemntal albums. I could dig a "Cause and Effect" instrumental.

Yo, Billy Jack Bitches...this song is still better than anything on the radio. if u cant figure out what its about..its called KARMA...try not to shyt where u eat bitchsquad.

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]

NuPwrSoul said:

Good observations about his songwriting. The bible is a lazy "opiate" for his lyrics. But he occasionally returns to the wonderfully perverse and strange Prince world (Boom, Wall of Berlin) that give me hope. I miss the psychological introspection (Lady CD, Automatic, If Girlfriend) that marked his uniqueness.

Genesia wrote:

"Maybe he truly does feel at peace. Hard to imagine, but maybe he does. shrug

Here's another thought: when he was younger, it was easy for him to write about the kind of things that younger people relate to. What does a 50-year-old man write about that doesn't get him clowned? How does he write about the fact that, about two hours into a show, he starts limping noticeably? About the fact that he wears a big gold necklace because he doesn't feel like dyeing his chest hair?That if he goes after a younger woman, he's pretty much in dirty old man territory? Or if he desires an older woman, he's lost his mojo? If he writes a political song, one group of people gets offended. If he writes a religious song, another group of people gets offended.

I think, on some level, we're looking to Prince to make us feel young again. How in the name of heaven is he supposed to do that?"


....

I think if any orger has been so consistently disappointed with Prince's output for an extremely long period of time that it's time to move on already. Obviously he isn't doing what you need him to do as an artist. Keep in mind though many on here bashed other songs and CDs only to have them grow on them over time. so before you go on the 'this song is Prince by the numbers' bandwagon maybe you should give it some time. If it's really over for you then let it be over already.

Sigh! You People Will NEVER Be Satisfied