Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

thebanishedone said:

Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

I think you need to do some music history research and then come back!

Dirty Mind was seen as a bold move by not only Prince but Warners too.

When it was first released on 8th Oct 1980, the album was said to have surprised and confused Prince's audience with it's use of sexually explicit lyrics and themes, and the blend of funk and rock music.

The album was quite a departure musically and lyrically from For You and Prince. Radio airplay for the album was minimal, as was expected, and Warners put warning stickers on the albums cover urging dj's to "please audition before airing."

Some retailers were put off with the nearly nude picture of Prince on the albums cover and refused to stock the record.

It seems that Warners giving Dirty Mind the green light despite concerns about the rough recording quality and lyrical content, paid off. The album was critically well received, and though not a great seller, it was a major step in Prince's evolution from a soul/funk artist to what he was to become, a major star who integrated many different musical styles and genres.

It reached gold status in the USA (500,000 copies sold) only after the success of Purple Rain.

[Edited 7/30/10 18:04pm]

Mindflux said:

thebanishedone said:

Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

I think you need to do some music history research and then come back!

And a right bit of English, too.

Mindflux said:

thebanishedone said:

Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

I think you need to do some music history research and then come back!

Yeah, whatever you do, you shouldn't ask a legitimate question about Prince's musical history here. How dare someone who isn't a Prince scholar post on the org? People might get into a discussion or something.

MikeyB71 said:

When it was first released on 8th Oct 1980, the album was said to have surprised and confused Prince's audience with it's use of sexually explicit lyrics and themes, and the blend of funk and rock music.

Anyone that was familiar with Prince at that time ("Prince's audience") was neither surprised nor confused by the sexually explicit lyrics and/or themes. On the contrary: Those of us who were familiar with Prince (his audience) saw "Dirty Mind" as the closest representation of his stage act to date, over and beyond the two preceding LP's. Neither was the blending of Funk and Rock music "surprising" to any of Prince's audience.

PDogz said:

MikeyB71 said:

When it was first released on 8th Oct 1980, the album was said to have surprised and confused Prince's audience with it's use of sexually explicit lyrics and themes, and the blend of funk and rock music.

Anyone that was familiar with Prince at that time ("Prince's audience") was neither surprised nor confused by the sexually explicit lyrics and/or themes. On the contrary: Those of us who were familiar with Prince (his audience) saw "Dirty Mind" as the closest representation of his stage act to date, over and beyond the two preceding LP's. Neither was the blending of Funk and Rock music "surprising" to any of Prince's audience.

Ok, but it surley would not have been that way for every single person who ever bought a Prince record.

You mention that the blending of funk and rock would not have been surprising to any of Prince's audience, i think that the departure that Dirty Mind was, might have been a surprise to some of his audience.

MikeyB71 said:

PDogz said:

Anyone that was familiar with Prince at that time ("Prince's audience") was neither surprised nor confused by the sexually explicit lyrics and/or themes. On the contrary: Those of us who were familiar with Prince (his audience) saw "Dirty Mind" as the closest representation of his stage act to date, over and beyond the two preceding LP's. Neither was the blending of Funk and Rock music "surprising" to any of Prince's audience.

Ok, but it surley would not have been that way for every single person who ever bought a Prince record.

You mention that the blending of funk and rock would not have been surprising to any of Prince's audience, i think that the departure that Dirty Mind was, might have been a surprise to some of his audience.

In regards to what you copied and pasted (I'm assuming), I would define "Prince's audience" as people who were familiar with Prince at the time, and had seen him perform. And by THAT definition, I would stand by my statement. I would not define "every single person who ever bought a Prince record" as "Prince's audience".

PDogz said:

MikeyB71 said:

Ok, but it surley would not have been that way for every single person who ever bought a Prince record.

You mention that the blending of funk and rock would not have been surprising to any of Prince's audience, i think that the departure that Dirty Mind was, might have been a surprise to some of his audience.

In regards to what you copied and pasted (I'm assuming), I would define "Prince's audience" as people who were familiar with Prince at the time, and had seen him perform. And by THAT definition, I would stand by my statement. I would not define "every single person who ever bought a Prince record" as "Prince's audience".

You have your definition, i have mine. Someone else will undoubtedly have theirs.

thebanishedone said:

Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

Warner Bros allowed Prince to do whatever he wanted with his music. They allowed him creative control on his recordings so WB had no problems with Dirty Mind. Plus remember this is the same company that had no objections to Madonna's graphic material in the early 1990s and also released "Cop Killer" by Body Count much to the chagrin of politrickans (though I think WB later pulled it off shelves).

As far as Prince was concerned in 1980, they didn't care, they just wanted product from him and he was happy to give it to 'em then.

MikeyB71 said:

Dirty Mind was seen as a bold move by not only Prince but Warners too.

When it was first released on 8th Oct 1980, the album was said to have surprised and confused Prince's audience with it's use of sexually explicit lyrics and themes, and the blend of funk and rock music.

The album was quite a departure musically and lyrically from For You and Prince. Radio airplay for the album was minimal, as was expected, and Warners put warning stickers on the albums cover urging dj's to "please audition before airing."

Some retailers were put off with the nearly nude picture of Prince on the albums cover and refused to stock the record.

It seems that Warners giving Dirty Mind the green light despite concerns about the rough recording quality and lyrical content, paid off. The album was critically well received, and though not a great seller, it was a major step in Prince's evolution from a soul/funk artist to what he was to become, a major star who integrated many different musical styles and genres.

It reached gold status in the USA (500,000 copies sold) only after the success of Purple Rain.

[Edited 7/30/10 18:04pm]

It confused the audiences that gravitated to Prince after the first two albums where he was kinda of an R&B teeny bopper act. Dirty Mind made that audience take notice (and the critics). After that, people didn't know what to expect from Prince. That album made him what he eventually became as the '80s continued.

Timmy84 said:

MikeyB71 said:

Dirty Mind was seen as a bold move by not only Prince but Warners too.

When it was first released on 8th Oct 1980, the album was said to have surprised and confused Prince's audience with it's use of sexually explicit lyrics and themes, and the blend of funk and rock music.

The album was quite a departure musically and lyrically from For You and Prince. Radio airplay for the album was minimal, as was expected, and Warners put warning stickers on the albums cover urging dj's to "please audition before airing."

Some retailers were put off with the nearly nude picture of Prince on the albums cover and refused to stock the record.

It seems that Warners giving Dirty Mind the green light despite concerns about the rough recording quality and lyrical content, paid off. The album was critically well received, and though not a great seller, it was a major step in Prince's evolution from a soul/funk artist to what he was to become, a major star who integrated many different musical styles and genres.

It reached gold status in the USA (500,000 copies sold) only after the success of Purple Rain.

[Edited 7/30/10 18:04pm]

It confused the audiences that gravitated to Prince after the first two albums where he was kinda of an R&B teeny bopper act. Dirty Mind made that audience take notice (and the critics). After that, people didn't know what to expect from Prince. That album made him what he eventually became as the '80s continued.

Yes, that is the point i was trying to put across in my post. That maybe some of the people who were familiar with For You and Prince may have been surprised by the way that Dirty Mind sounded. Maybe expecting a sound more akin to the first two albums.

MikeyB71 said:

Timmy84 said:

It confused the audiences that gravitated to Prince after the first two albums where he was kinda of an R&B teeny bopper act. Dirty Mind made that audience take notice (and the critics). After that, people didn't know what to expect from Prince. That album made him what he eventually became as the '80s continued.

Yes, that is the point i was trying to put across in my post. That maybe some of the people who were familiar with For You and Prince may have been surprised by the way that Dirty Mind sounded. Maybe expecting a sound more akin to the first two albums.

Yep. Sounds-wise this was different because he incorporated punk, rock and new wave into his brand of funk, soul and R&B. It made for a good mixture. He wanted to go farther than he did and he showed few hints at it in his first two albums. There was some good rock in Prince.

Timmy84 said:

MikeyB71 said:

Yes, that is the point i was trying to put across in my post. That maybe some of the people who were familiar with For You and Prince may have been surprised by the way that Dirty Mind sounded. Maybe expecting a sound more akin to the first two albums.

Yep. Sounds-wise this was different because he incorporated punk, rock and new wave into his brand of funk, soul and R&B. It made for a good mixture. He wanted to go farther than he did and he showed few hints at it in his first two albums. There was some good rock in Prince.

I still prefer Prince to Dirty Mind or Controversy.

Fantastic album.

Timmy84 said:

thebanishedone said:

Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

Warner Bros allowed Prince to do whatever he wanted with his music. They allowed him creative control on his recordings so WB had no problems with Dirty Mind. Plus remember this is the same company that had no objections to Madonna's graphic material in the early 1990s and also released "Cop Killer" by Body Count much to the chagrin of politrickans (though I think WB later pulled it off shelves).

As far as Prince was concerned in 1980, they didn't care, they just wanted product from him and he was happy to give it to 'em then.

Actually, it was Ice-T that made the decision to pull the album and re-release it without the track Cop Killer. WB was willing to stick behind it despite the boycotts that were occurring. At least that's the way I remember it...

thebanishedone said:

Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

Go back to 1979 and listen to The Knack's album "Get the Knack" - and then submit your post again.

Prince wasn't the only one talking dirty back then.

Genesia said:

thebanishedone said:

Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

Go back to 1979 and listen to The Knack's album "Get the Knack" - and then submit your post again.

Prince wasn't the only one talking dirty back then.

Hell albums by Funkadelic and Parliament were graphic going back to the '70s especially consdering George Clinton left out these lyrics on "Atmosphere" (from Take It to the Stage):

"I hate that word called 'dick'

It sounds awfully thick

So I think I'll call it 'prick'

Because I hate that word called 'dick'

I hate that word called 'pussy'

It sounds awfully squishy

So I think I'll call it clit

Because I hate that word called 'pussy'."

It wasn't like Prince wasn't actually cutting new ground, maybe for people who perceived his image as a pretty boy singer or something lol

Efan said:

Mindflux said:

I think you need to do some music history research and then come back!

Yeah, whatever you do, you shouldn't ask a legitimate question about Prince's musical history here. How dare someone who isn't a Prince scholar post on the org? People might get into a discussion or something.

If, like the OP, you think that Prince was the first, or even only one of a few, who sang about those sort of sexual subjects, then perhaps you also need an education?

Its nothing to do with being a "Prince scholar" and more to do with having a general awareness of music history. If a question is asked that is based on falsehoods, is that a "legitimate question"?

Frank Zappa on Crossfire 1986, discussion about what's "offensive" on TV & radio:

Prince's "Dirty Mind" (Sister) is mentioned at 5:30 & 8:00:

No question that the "Dirty Mind" album was very controversial when it was released in 1980.

[Edited 7/31/10 2:37am]

[Edited 7/31/10 2:38am]

Discussion about "Darling Nikki" and "pornography" at 1:15 & 2:30

thedance said:

Frank Zappa on Crossfire 1986, discussion about what's "offensive" on TV & radio:

Prince's "Dirty Mind" (Sister) is mentioned at 5:30 & 8:00:

No question that the "Dirty Mind" album was very controversial when it was released in 1980.

[Edited 7/31/10 2:37am]

[Edited 7/31/10 2:38am]

Zappa - genius!

And how well he handles himself amonst the ridiculousness of those zealots!

Furthermore, there we have an example of someone who was writing "lewd" material way before Prince.

Mindflux said:

If a question is asked that is based on falsehoods, is that a "legitimate question"?

Of course it is.

If a question asked is misinterpreted as meaning something else, is the answer still valid?

Tha original question was, as I read it, more about the difference between Dirty Mind and its two predecessors than it was about the general musical climate at the time.

Artist Robert O'Dell :

"...“Dirty Mind” is like a major Warner underground release that they pressed up in the middle of the night on coke, laughing, because there was no-one around to stop them;

then sunrise came and they started packing that shit on the truck and it was too late. Then “Controversy” came out… mega star!..."

The Rebels « Those City Nights

Robert O’Dell « Those City Nights

irreverence said:

Mindflux said:

If a question is asked that is based on falsehoods, is that a "legitimate question"?

Of course it is.

If a question asked is misinterpreted as meaning something else, is the answer still valid?

Tha original question was, as I read it, more about the difference between Dirty Mind and its two predecessors than it was about the general musical climate at the time.

How did you infer that from the original post? The OP CLEARLY asks how did Dirty Mind get to be released uncensored when there were no/few artists around at that time singing about such themes. Did you just make that up to support your original point (which doesn't actually challenge what I wrote anyway). If not, please show how, from the words used in the original question, you came up with this being ANYTHING to do with his first 2 albums!

A question based on falsehoods is NOT a legitimate question. The question "Why is the sun the centre of the universe?" is not valid because the premise is not true. Interpreting it to mean something else and then providing an answer based on that assumption is a different ball-game entirely. The answer is only vaild to your interpretation - but if that interpretation does not meet what the questioner intended then, of course, the answer is not valid to them! Also, logic would dictate that an answer provided on a MISinterpretation is not valid, as you have answered something that you did not understand - hence the answer is WRONG!

The original question here is not valid, as artists had been releasing "lewd material" in popular musicfor at least 25 years prior to 1980 and in many other artforms for centuries! Furthermore, as there was no organisation in existance to censor popular music at that time, who exactly would have censored the album?

Which leads me to another point - can you or the original poster point me to ANY album that has been censored? The only censorship I am aware of (in the UK and US that is - there are other countries that DO censor music) is censorship for radio broadcast (usually profanity). Other than that, can you think of a single album that was censored before release because of its subject matter? Unless you can, this only further undermines the question of this thread.

[Edited 7/31/10 3:59am]

The main thing is, not how he released it, the fact is he did release it, that album made Prince into the cult artist he is, there was nothing mysterious or that original about Prince until that album came out, it was like a revelation in music. After that he was the trend setter.

ernestsewell said:

Mindflux said:

I think you need to do some music history research and then come back!

And a right bit of English, too.

?????

This does not make sense?!

Mindflux said:

thebanishedone said:

Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to

release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome...

How did that album wasn't censored.

Did Prince and WB had problems for releasing that album.

I think you need to do some music history research and then come back!

Lovely, this is the response you get when you ask a perfectly innocent question...

Mindflux said:

Efan said:

Yeah, whatever you do, you shouldn't ask a legitimate question about Prince's musical history here. How dare someone who isn't a Prince scholar post on the org? People might get into a discussion or something.

If, like the OP, you think that Prince was the first, or even only one of a few, who sang about those sort of sexual subjects, then perhaps you also need an education?

Its nothing to do with being a "Prince scholar" and more to do with having a general awareness of music history. If a question is asked that is based on falsehoods, is that a "legitimate question"?

No, I don't think that. I just think that the final question in his post--Did Prince and Warner Bros. [have] problems...releasing [Dirty Mind]?--is a good (albeit grammatically challenged) one. Or at least one that could lead to an interesting discussion. Of course there were a lot of sexually themed albums already by then, but it's not like Dirty Mind didn't cause any waves (even Rolling Stone's review commented on being surprised by the album). I think the thread is a good opportunity to talk about some musical history as well as a brilliant Prince album; that's all.

Efan said:

Mindflux said:

I think you need to do some music history research and then come back!

Yeah, whatever you do, you shouldn't ask a legitimate question about Prince's musical history here. How dare someone who isn't a Prince scholar post on the org? People might get into a discussion or something.

How about you read what he wrote instead of making up shit.

pepper7 said:

Mindflux said:

I think you need to do some music history research and then come back!

Lovely, this is the response you get when you ask a perfectly innocent question...

The OP claimed "Year was 1980 and not too many artist had a chance to release album with themes such as incest,oral sex,sex in daddy's car,threesome..." which is bullshit. If the OP knew about music history, then he wouldn't state such nonsense as fact.