Prince is a secret scifi/horror geek. Most people have no idea. And from people that have worked for him, is is very smart and arguementive, loves to debate.

I recently got ot ask Richard Linklater about his night spent talking with Prince at Prince's LA house after his premire of A Scanner Darkly a few years ago... but he just said that he was asking a lot of questioons about his film and philosophy and that Prince was perfectly made up and miniature.

PicklesMcMillan said:

^^^^^^lol @ yes, he can....no, he cant..... yes, he can....no, he cant.....yes, he can....no, he cant.....

But he can!

muirdo said:

Prince would like you to think he is an intellectual.

Totally agree.

I think the guy is incredibly talented for music and that's pretty much it.

His teachers said he was more or less a good student (he said he wasn't, though).

Apart from that, he seems to like reading a lot but I think all he reads is nonsense and bullshit.

A 'smart' person -as stated earlier- wouldn't have talked about chemtrails, Lincoln being a racist, the USA presidents before Washington and so on. And a smart person wouldn't let himself get caught by a sect like the JWs as well.

He doesn't seem to be a very cultivated person as far as general culture goes. Aparently, he didn't know Dorothy Parker was a famous American writer until Susannah told him after writing the song. The first time he was exposed to classical music was when he heard Ravel's Bolero, but he didn't listen to it because he was digging into 20th century composers: he heard it on Blake Edwards' film '10'.

He's reported to not be very interested in sightseeing when he started touring the world which denotes lack of interest about other cultures and arts.

Well, his teachers, his bandmates and HE HIMSELF have stated that he CAN'T read music. Would the smartasses in this thread offer ONE fucking proof that he can?

vitriol said:

I think the guy is incredibly talented for music and that's pretty much it.

His teachers said he was more or less a good student (he said he wasn't, though).

Apart from that, he seems to like reading a lot but I think all he reads is nonsense and bullshit.

A 'smart' person -as stated earlier- wouldn't have talked about chemtrails, Lincoln being a racist, the USA presidents before Washington and so on. And a smart person wouldn't let himself get caught by a sect like the JWs as well.

He doesn't seem to be a very cultivated person as far as general culture goes. Aparently, he didn't know Dorothy Parker was a famous American writer until Susannah told him after writing the song. The first time he was exposed to classical music was when he heard Ravel's Bolero, but he didn't listen to it because he was digging into 20th century composers: he heard it on Blake Edwards' film '10'.

He's reported to not be very interested in sightseeing when he started touring the world which denotes lack of interest about other cultures and arts.

Well, his teachers, his bandmates and HE HIMSELF have stated that he CAN'T read music. Would the smartasses in this thread offer ONE fucking proof that he can?

well "10" is a good movie!

Receiving a degree or diploma usually involves classwork and test(ing)....Prince doesn't strike me as the type to willingly put himself in the position of being tested and graded, even for education. I agree with those that say he's more into self-learning.

On the subject of Prince taking a test, I find it kind of humorous to imagine him taking his driver's test or an even an eye exam.

everyone knows school is just a place were you get a degree

no more... no less..

ps.. some episode of house is on and LL cool j is going crazy in that hospital bed

colorblu said:

robinhood said:

apparently mark twain once said "I never let school interfere with my education". maybe there's something to that.

Prince is a genius for listening to and following his People have smarts in different ways and Prince tuned into his truth at an early age

The Road Less Traveled brought him to a place where he's been able to flourish, he trusted his vision and stayed true to himself from the start.

Yet he understands the value of education .... he has donated to charities for underprivileged children to have an education which gives them hope

joyinrepetition said:

Don't let Prince fool you, he can read music.

I thought he could....because in Grafitti Bridge, his songs (in the movie) are transcribed onto treble and bass clefs for piano. Either he can read them...or he gave everyone the impression that he could. I personally would not be surprised if he had formal training to read music. But either way, it doens't matter to me. He's a talented musician, whether he can read music or not.

As far as any other form of post-secondary education, who knows really? He might have taken online classes, or attended some university or community college in his hometown on the sly. It wouldn't surprise me. Prince is a bright, well-read man (from what I gather from his interviews). If Brian May of Queen can go back to school to finish his PhD in astrophysics ( ), then Prince most certainly can take up post-secondary if he so wishes, in any field that he fancies. I don't see why any universities wouldn't accept Prince as one of their alumni.

He seems like an intelligent guy to me. And of course, musically, he's beyond brilliant.

SherryJackson said:

joyinrepetition said:

Don't let Prince fool you, he can read music.

I thought he could....because in Grafitti Bridge, his songs (in the movie) are transcribed onto treble and bass clefs for piano. Either he can read them...or he gave everyone the impression that he could. I personally would not be surprised if he had formal training to read music. But either way, it doens't matter to me. He's a talented musician, whether he can read music or not.

As far as any other form of post-secondary education, who knows really? He might have taken online classes, or attended some university or community college in his hometown on the sly. It wouldn't surprise me. Prince is a bright, well-read man (from what I gather from his interviews). If Brian May of Queen can go back to school to finish his PhD in astrophysics ( ), then Prince most certainly can take up post-secondary if he so wishes, in any field that he fancies. I don't see why any universities wouldn't accept Prince as one of their alumni.

I know that when we write, some things can appear to sound either sarcastic or straight out mean. So I mean neither of the two. However, I really believe Prince when he says that he does not read music. I mean, I'm sure he knows how to identify notes A through G, and he knows his half notes from his quarter notes, however theres a lot more that goes into actually reading and writing music. It is complex especially for people who were not trained in reading and writing out of the gate, no matter how much of a musical genius you are. It also takes some time, and the older you are when you start, the harder it is. Reading the kind of music that Prince creates and plays requires much more than being able to read chords.

It is very well possible that Prince took some online classes but as far as him going to a "community college" , we ALL would have known about that. It would have leaked out one way or another because pretty much everyone has given interviews on how they know, or where they met prince. And if he attended a college after he became famous no way could that be kept undercover.

While by no means do I think that Prince is a dummy, I don't understand where folks are getting that he's all that bright. I just can't see it.

Lastly, an institution NEVER accepts someone as an alumni, they accept someone as a student, and that student graduates and becomes an alumni.

For me, Prince is a smart guy only interested in music, and some guilty pleasures (trashy movies, "low culture", fashion, porn, bestsellers books, etc. ...)

Also, he has TROUBLE with religion/spiritualism, or perhaps he has read too much about it...

Prince is a grown ass man with lots of experiential knowledge.

He has learned many things along the way, and uses that knowledge to benefit him as much as possible.

simple. No college degree needed to know what'll help you in the long run, just good old fashioned common sense.

JoeTyler said:

For me, Prince is a smart guy only interested in music, and some guilty pleasures (trashy movies, "low culture", fashion, porn, bestsellers books, etc. ...)

Also, he has TROUBLE with religion/spiritualism, or perhaps he has read too much about it...

Wow, Joe! It seems that when 3121 is NOT the subject we can really think alike!

robinhood said:

apparently mark twain once said "I never let school interfere with my education". maybe there's something to that.

I've always liked that quote. And yes there is something to that.

vitriol said:

JoeTyler said:

For me, Prince is a smart guy only interested in music, and some guilty pleasures (trashy movies, "low culture", fashion, porn, bestsellers books, etc. ...)

Also, he has TROUBLE with religion/spiritualism, or perhaps he has read too much about it...

Wow, Joe! It seems that when 3121 is NOT the subject we can really think alike!

JoeTyler said:

For me, Prince is a smart guy only interested in music, and some guilty pleasures (trashy movies, "low culture", fashion, porn, bestsellers books, etc. ...)

Also, he has TROUBLE with religion/spiritualism, or perhaps he has read too much about it...

How is Prince referring to "The Godfather" and Fellini films like 8 1/2 (even if in a trashy way) or taking an entire concert audience to see "Minority Report" or attending the film premiere of "A Scanner Darkly" (and then cornering the director at the afterparty and inviting him to his house for an entire night of film discussion) support that Prince is only interested in trashy movies and low culture?

ufoclub said:

JoeTyler said:

For me, Prince is a smart guy only interested in music, and some guilty pleasures (trashy movies, "low culture", fashion, porn, bestsellers books, etc. ...)

Also, he has TROUBLE with religion/spiritualism, or perhaps he has read too much about it...

How is Prince referring to "The Godfather" and Fellini films like 8 1/2 (even if in a trashy way) or taking an entire concert audience to see "Minority Report" or attending the film premiere of "A Scanner Darkly" (and then cornering the director at the afterparty and inviting him to his house for an entire night of film discussion) support that Prince is only interested in trashy movies and low culture?

I didn't know that movies were considered "High Art"...

Hey, to each his own, I like movies as much as the nex guy, but let's face it: I just can't picture Prince in a museum (hey, and that's perfectly fine by me, anyway)

But it's also clear that there are "charming" snobs like Madonna, Sting, Bowie, Eno or Ferry, and then people like Prince, Gene Simmons or Springsteen...

JoeTyler said:

ufoclub said:

JoeTyler said:

For me, Prince is a smart guy only interested in music, and some guilty pleasures (trashy movies, "low culture", fashion, porn, bestsellers books, etc. ...)

Also, he has TROUBLE with religion/spiritualism, or perhaps he has read too much about it...

How is Prince referring to "The Godfather" and Fellini films like 8 1/2 (even if in a trashy way) or taking an entire concert audience to see "Minority Report" or attending the film premiere of "A Scanner Darkly" (and then cornering the director at the afterparty and inviting him to his house for an entire night of film discussion) support that Prince is only interested in trashy movies and low culture?

I didn't know that movies were considered "High Art"...

Hey, to each his own, I like movies as much as the nex guy, but let's face it: I just can't picture Prince in a museum (hey, and that's perfectly fine by me, anyway)

But it's also clear that there are "charming" snobs like Madonna, Sting, Bowie, Eno or Ferry, and then people like Prince, Gene Simmons or Springsteen...

Yep, movies are considered a very serious but relatively new art form and there are fairly universal giant accomplishments, especially something like 8 1/2. And certainly "A Scanner Darkly" is not a commercial mainstream film, but Prince seems very personally interested in it, and also his appearnace and conversations with Linklater were not publicized or promoted so this the "real" Prince Roger Nelson, not the stage persona.

Prince seems to be something of a scifi Philip K Dick fan, and if you google the themes and philosophies that come out of the stories of Philip K Dick,well, it's not stuff that's low brow mainstream like James Cameron's films!

But on another note... Madonna is not charming like the other English gents you listed (as matter of fact she put on a fake english accent that one year)! Have you seen "Truth or Dare"? She is so low brow, crass, and unsophisticated... it's entertaining! But isn't that what she built her image on? Like in "Desperately Seeking Susan".

SherryJackson said:

I thought he could....because in Grafitti Bridge, his songs (in the movie) are transcribed onto treble and bass clefs for piano. Either he can read them...or he gave everyone the impression that he could.

I remember freeze framing those sheets back in the day - to read the music. They were just props, each song has the same notes on the page, but just titled differently.

Years ago Iheard Prince did attend or at least he was enrolled in a college or some sort of post high school program after he graduated from high school.

As far as his musical capabilities iwould say it all came from God and his family.Allof Prince's immediate family members were and are musically inclined.

So if a young person was raised around people who can sing, write,play instruments eventually he or she will pick up on some stuff:-)

DANG GET OFF HIS JOCK! Regardless, whether he's really intelligent or not. he still fascinates people at the end of the day. So, why does it matter? It's almost as if others don't want him to be as great as he is.

Reel said:

SherryJackson said:

joyinrepetition said:

Don't let Prince fool you, he can read music.

I thought he could....because in Grafitti Bridge, his songs (in the movie) are transcribed onto treble and bass clefs for piano. Either he can read them...or he gave everyone the impression that he could. I personally would not be surprised if he had formal training to read music. But either way, it doens't matter to me. He's a talented musician, whether he can read music or not.

As far as any other form of post-secondary education, who knows really? He might have taken online classes, or attended some university or community college in his hometown on the sly. It wouldn't surprise me. Prince is a bright, well-read man (from what I gather from his interviews). If Brian May of Queen can go back to school to finish his PhD in astrophysics ( ), then Prince most certainly can take up post-secondary if he so wishes, in any field that he fancies. I don't see why any universities wouldn't accept Prince as one of their alumni.

I know that when we write, some things can appear to sound either sarcastic or straight out mean. So I mean neither of the two. However, I really believe Prince when he says that he does not read music. I mean, I'm sure he knows how to identify notes A through G, and he knows his half notes from his quarter notes, however theres a lot more that goes into actually reading and writing music. It is complex especially for people who were not trained in reading and writing out of the gate, no matter how much of a musical genius you are. It also takes some time, and the older you are when you start, the harder it is. Reading the kind of music that Prince creates and plays requires much more than being able to read chords.

It is very well possible that Prince took some online classes but as far as him going to a "community college" , we ALL would have known about that. It would have leaked out one way or another because pretty much everyone has given interviews on how they know, or where they met prince. And if he attended a college after he became famous no way could that be kept undercover.

While by no means do I think that Prince is a dummy, I don't understand where folks are getting that he's all that bright. I just can't see it.

Lastly, an institution NEVER accepts someone as an alumni, they accept someone as a student, and that student graduates and becomes an alumni.

I apologize for my late response, but I started yesterday, my internet connection was faulty and I lost all I wanted to say. But I finally have the patience to write it down again.

First off, I didn't mean to sound sarcastic or mean or anything. If I did, I apologize. I merely said that I wouldn't be surprised if Prince had formal training to read music. I thought so because I saw sheet music in Grafitti Bridge which gave that impression. However, EML3 has brought it to my attention that they are really props. Either way, I'm indifferent as to whether or not he can read and write music. He's still a great musical talent and I respect him for that. Heck, I know how hard it is to read and write music. I have had formal training myself and I wish I could write music the way that he does . And despite it's complexity, learning to read and write music is not impossible to learn. It just takes hard work and dedication. If Prince ever decided to expand his musical knowledge further, he's more than capable to do so, IMO.

Secondly, about education, I said the option is open to him if he feels up to it (hence, my example of Brian May). Whether he wants to take online classes or actually attend, it doesn't matter. Yes, I think he's a bright, well-read person and would be an impressive student if he ever decided to go back for school. But as some on this thread have mentioned, you don't necessarily need to go to college to be "smart". College is just a way of expanding your knowledge. And again, it makes no difference to me. If you don't think he's that brilliant, that is your opinion and I respect it.

And finally (last bolded text) that's what I meant to say. I just badly-worded my sentence. I meant if Prince applied as a student to any university/college of his choice and graduated, any university/college would be proud to say he is one of their alumni.

Whether Prince is brilliant or not, college-graduate or life-graduate, he's still a fascinating person to me. And he'll always have my respect and admiration.

PicklesMcMillan said:

^^^^^^lol @ yes, he can....no, he cant..... yes, he can....no, he cant.....yes, he can....no, he cant.....

Hahahaha!! An indecisive one, I doubt he is. But, this is funny. Yes..no...maybe so!!

Reel said:

I think that Prince tries to "catch up" and "self-educate" when he has the opportunity to do so. However, when you really listen to the content of what he discusses it really does not sound very "intellectual" in my opinion. Rather it sounds like he's read some mambo jambo from uncredible sources and he does the best that he can to rehash it in a way that sounds intelligent. (Ie. Chemtrails and the number of Presidents of The United States of America prior to George Washington. Not only did he get the number wrong, but he got the fact that these was not presidents of the "United States" because "a more perfect union was not yet formed" but they were presidents of the Continental Congress0. Heck unlike many would like to believe Prince is not God. The man can only focus on so many things at once. Music seems to be his priority, kind of hard to really get totally engulfed in education because that takes a bit of time. [Edited 5/30/10 2:00am]

The level of arrogance on this board is amazing. I wonder what IQ level some of you have or if you do not think discussing the intellect of someone you do not know from Adam based on a television interview might say something about your level of intelligence. I do not think that P is a brain surgeon but I do not think for one minute that he is a nitwit. Dude has been around in the music industry (a hard industry to make it in) for over 30 years and it is not because he is all ways at the top of a popularity poll. Even if you do not, like him, he has heart and sometimes that can get you a lot further along then all the book smarts in the world.

muirdo said:

Prince would like you to think he is an intellectual.

So he's a fukin idiot then?

vitriol said:

I think the guy is incredibly talented for music and that's pretty much it.

His teachers said he was more or less a good student (he said he wasn't, though).

Apart from that, he seems to like reading a lot but I think all he reads is nonsense and bullshit.

A 'smart' person -as stated earlier- wouldn't have talked about chemtrails, Lincoln being a racist, the USA presidents before Washington and so on. And a smart person wouldn't let himself get caught by a sect like the JWs as well.

He doesn't seem to be a very cultivated person as far as general culture goes. Aparently, he didn't know Dorothy Parker was a famous American writer until Susannah told him after writing the song. The first time he was exposed to classical music was when he heard Ravel's Bolero, but he didn't listen to it because he was digging into 20th century composers: he heard it on Blake Edwards' film '10'.

He's reported to not be very interested in sightseeing when he started touring the world which denotes lack of interest about other cultures and arts.

Well, his teachers, his bandmates and HE HIMSELF have stated that he CAN'T read music. Would the smartasses in this thread offer ONE fucking proof that he can?

"A 'smart' person -as stated earlier- wouldn't have talked about chemtrails, Lincoln being a racist, the USA presidents before Washington and so on. And a smart person wouldn't let himself get caught by a sect like the JWs as well."

He was repeating what Dick Gregory said. I can't understand how all you smart people have not been able to pick up on that.

Reel said: