Been watching some old school footage lately from 83-85. Noticed he wore a lot of black (and of course purple). The lace, the chains, the victorian style shirts, the dark eye liner, some of self conflicting songs (like computer blue)...it seemed somewhat goth to me. (Especially when he performs Computer Blue in Atalanta Ga 1985.)

Would some of you consider him to be borderline gothic back then? Just curious to know your opinions on this.

I don't think it was goth at all. Guyliner doesn't equal goth by default.

Prince was "emo' before emo was anything except the name of a quirky 1980's comedian. But goth? Nah.

I'd say the closest he's come to goth was probably his come era style

ernestsewell said:

Hmmm... Yea I can see emo as well.
The eyeliner was just thrown in because of the other things I mentioned.
Ive just looked at some goth guys (the classy kind, not the weird spiked hair big boots, marilyn manson looking guys) and saw them wearing the victorian/pirate shirts, black jackets, black pants, black gloves, some lace, chains, eyeliner..etc etc..
Just thought at times Prince kinda fell into this catagory.

Shorty said:

The come album/era was def close to goth..especially the album cover and sleeve.

Shorty said:

Or them robe type outfits that he wore around these times like that of the performance of Endorphine Machine on that french show.

ronnwinter said:

and the fact that he actually looked dead at that time. you don't get more goth than that.

Dunno. But I would sure like Prince to do a cover of Bela Lugosi's Dead.

I think he ripped off Adam Ant after his first trip to Europe back in '81. The change from his Dirty Mind to Controversy style definitely shows this influence, which he built on up to PR.

bigbrother said:

Totally co-sign. It was more NEW ROMANTIC than goth.