From 1982 to 1993, Prince was a prolific songwriter 4 other artists (i mean others than protégés and Paisley Park artists), and then it stopped at once just after he became

I can accept the idea that less people asked him 4 songs because he wasn't considered a "hits-machine" anymore by the industry, but i can't believe NO ONE ever asked him anymore considering the icon he is & how many fans he has amongst recording artists, not 2 mention his post-2004 mainstream comeback.

A more believable theory IMO is that HE chose to stop writing 4 others because he didn't want to lose the rights of any more master-tapes to record companies, but that's just me guessing...

Does anyone know any fact about this?

do you want these people to not have a career?

I'm sure he wouldn't mind.
People just don't ask! It's quite intimidating asking a person with a repertoire like Prince's for a song

IAintTheOne said:

Because he can't write them for himself?

databank said:

I would expect he has chosen not to do it. If he is no longer interested in having hits himself (which has been for some time now) then he's certainly not going to be interested in generating a potential hit for someone else.

IAintTheOne said:

Ouch. but yeah, i get it. He's been the kiss of death for a few folk. I never got that, some of his stuff for other acts is as good as his own. Jill Jones, The Family, Sheila's albums, all great.

Never was fond of the comedy antics of The Time albums though.

He has no interest in climbing up the charts, writing songs for others, anymore.


"I've seen the mountain top and it ain't what you say"

Dave1992 said:

Well, it's not like he doesn't still get fat checks from the other songs he's written for other people:

"I Feel For You" from Chaka still gets lots of spins.
"Manic Monday" still gets lots of spins
"Sugar Walls" seems to have quite a few hits on iTunes and gets played on 80s stations.
Celine Dion's self-titled album sold MILLIONS and he got a piece of that pie.
Madonna's Like A Prayer album sold millions and he still gets royalties for "Love Song".
[Edited 3/22/10 8:06am]

Dave1992 said:

He's not as prolific at creating quality tunes as he was in his halcyon decade. To be expected really.

Maybe no one is asking.

Prince has placed/produced songs on these albums in the last 10-12 years

George Clinton (Paradigm) co-write/produce
Stevie Wonder (So What The Fuss) played guitar
No Doubt (Waiting Room) co-produced
Tamar (whole album - withdrawn)
Chaka (whole album)
Larry Graham (whole album)
Bria Valente (whole album)
Beyonce/Destiny's Child (attempted to place a song???)

I'm sure there are more - the problem mainly is he is not part of the back-scratch record industry anymore, so his outlets are limited.

Simples.
...

lotusflw3r said:

The ones in bold don't count, they're Prince side-projects.
I don't know anything about Beyonce/Destiny's Child (???)
Playing one or 2 instruments (Stevie Wonder, Common, Ani DiFranco, Rhonda Smith...) & finishing songs (No Doubt) is one thing but nothing to do with what i'm about.

I think the only songs Prince just properly gave to a non-protégé artist since 1993 are "Pain" (1995), "Van Gogh" (1997) and, indeed, "Paradigm" (2001). I don't count the Rosie Gaines songs because she actually had them in store since way before she released them, neither the Maceo songs because they're kind of cover versions and i don't know what to do with the FunkyBaldHeads song since it's said Prince didn't actually co-write it.

Before that, Prince had given songs to Sue-Ann, Sheena Easton, Chaka Khan (before she became a side-project), Debbie Allen, Céline Dion, Earth Wind & Fire, Howard Hewett, Tevin Campbell, The Bangles, Kenny Rogers, Mica Paris, Joe Cocker, André Cymone, Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx, Martika, Elisa Fiorillo, Ren Woods, Louie Louie, Candy Dulfer, Monie Love, Madonna, BrownMark and probably others i'm not thinking about, let alone all the "non-side-projects" Paisley Park artists (Three O'Clock, Mazarati, Dale, TC Ellis, George Clinton, Kahoru Kohiruimaki...)

That's weird.
[Edited 3/22/10 15:35pm]

He is no longer creative, that's why.

2freaky4church1 said:

The "he's no longer creative" or "Because he can't write them for himself?" arguments don't hold: Prince keeps recording more material than what he releases . You can, of course, argue about the quality of said material, but the quantity is here.

Dave1992 said:

Not all the songs he used to give others were singles (though a lot of them were).

NouveauDance said:

That would be so strange.

Alicia Skeez wants to work with him. Work with him, not let him take over, which is what he prefers, especially with women.

lawd these chillren.....


who said he didnt? or hasn't? or wont??

IAintTheOne said:

I don't know if people ask him for songs but there are so many artist who want to work with him.

also this CD was released (promo only)
The songs hoewever were released on the One Nite Alone Live Cdset

MUSIQ SOULSTAR 2003-12-09

Musiq CD USA Promo DEFF 15954-2 Soulstar - including Justfriends (Sunny) / If You Want Me To Stay

COMMON ELECTRIC CIRCUS 2002-12-10

Common 2LP USA Electric Circus - including Star 69 -
Common CD Japan UICC 1083 Electric Circus - including Star 69 -
Common CD USA Electric Circus - including Star 69 -

FONKY BALD HEADS FONKY BALD HEADS 2001-06-11

Fonky Bald Heads CD USA 89577 09072 Fonky Bald Heads - including Rowdy Mac -

I would guess its because none of todays produced artists floats his boat, hes a bit flickle about who he gives his "children" too remember.

Then again could you see any of todays main stream artists wanting to sing a song with JW messages, no swearing or cursing etc? dont think so!

Besides Simon Cowel loves Purple Rain but not Prince's attitude after the pop idol iccident and as he like a music deal god guy then I guess when simon says No it means no.

Didn't he recently make a song for the Minnesota Vikings?

databank said:

SINEAD O'CONNOR

NIOTHING COMPARES 2 U

biggest smash hit ever.

Tremolina said:

That is classed as a cover version though as it was a Family song, and Sinaed had the album & decided to cover it. Prince didn't actually give it to her.

Moot point, as it's the same with I feel for You - Chacka Khan, but I thought I'd point it out.

xenophobia2002 said:

He didn't co-write it, he just plays guitar & keys