I've seen a lot of complaints about the lyrics on 20TEN (and other recent releases). But just wondering what is the problem that people have with the lyrics on 20TEN? Is it the themes / messages, the simplicity, or both?

Personally, I like words that I can understand. The lyrics on 20TEN are sincere and straightforward (although there are a few that puzzle me). Seems to me that the focus is on the messages, rather than trying too hard to be poetic (translate to cryptic and convoluted).

But I understand, it's hard to compete with sitting on a lilly pad with a horny toad (that is a fun lyric and definitely has its time and place too

"Never mind the birdfeed honey, just tell me your name"

Criticism does not equal "hate."

i respect his work as a poet/lyricist, but i cant take him seriously any more.

i dont believe him on this record. i appreciate he has a quasi childlike approach to his lyrical content

but the sincerity is lacking.

i dont mind if his lyrics arent super cool coded messages or deep and meaningful or basic straight ahead literal prose..

it just feels like he's in some alternate universe where every emotion is a put-on.

that over-all feeling comes through in the lyrics and the way he sings them.

where can i find lyrics

Who here is interested in lyrics about a millionaire who doesn't want to pay his taxes? Who is interested in hearing about "dogmatic persecution"? What about a gospel inflected by the numbers rocker that is likely a JW Watchtower article? What about a wannabe Staples Singers track? Dull, dull, dull.

Lavaux is probably the most honest and well written song he's done in many years. So what if he doesn't want to pay any taxes? Who the hell does?

luvsexy4all said:

where can i find lyrics

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Prin...Ten+Lyrics

There some of his best lyrics in years. Any hate is pure ignorance.

The Purple Yoda has his head on straight.

andykeen said:

"Never mind the birdfeed honey, just tell me your name"

I really don't think it's birdfeed. I think he says "Never mind the bird behind me, just tell me your name." I think when he says "bird" he means woman I could be wrong. That is the only way that makes sense to me.

robinhood said:

i respect his work as a poet/lyricist, but i cant take him seriously any more.

i dont believe him on this record. i appreciate he has a quasi childlike approach to his lyrical content

but the sincerity is lacking.

i dont mind if his lyrics arent super cool coded messages or deep and meaningful or basic straight ahead literal prose..

it just feels like he's in some alternate universe where every emotion is a put-on.

that over-all feeling comes through in the lyrics and the way he sings them.

robinhood said:

i respect his work as a poet/lyricist, but i cant take him seriously any more.

i dont believe him on this record. i appreciate he has a quasi childlike approach to his lyrical content

but the sincerity is lacking.

i dont mind if his lyrics arent super cool coded messages or deep and meaningful or basic straight ahead literal prose..

it just feels like he's in some alternate universe where every emotion is a put-on.

that over-all feeling comes through in the lyrics and the way he sings them.

mayrain said:

andykeen said:

"Never mind the birdfeed honey, just tell me your name"

I really don't think it's birdfeed. I think he says "Never mind the bird behind me, just tell me your name." I think when he says "bird" he means woman I could be wrong. That is the only way that makes sense to me.

did someone say.... bird?

NeoGeo24bit said:

Lavaux is probably the most honest and well written song he's done in many years. So what if he doesn't want to pay any taxes? Who the hell does?

I don't care if he wasnt to pay his taxes or not. I just don't want to hear a song about it. Musically it's an "A", lyrically it's an "F". Average it out and for me the song is a "C". Another self-indulgent so-so song.

funksterr said:

NeoGeo24bit said:

Lavaux is probably the most honest and well written song he's done in many years. So what if he doesn't want to pay any taxes? Who the hell does?

I don't care if he wasnt to pay his taxes or not. I just don't want to hear a song about it. Musically it's an "A", lyrically it's an "F". Average it out and for me the song is a "C". Another self-indulgent so-so song.

paisleypark4 said:

funksterr said:

I don't care if he wasnt to pay his taxes or not. I just don't want to hear a song about it. Musically it's an "A", lyrically it's an "F". Average it out and for me the song is a "C". Another self-indulgent so-so song.

What is the difference between Taxman and Act Of God in lyrical subject!?!?

? I'm not sure anyone mentioned Taxman... which was also self-indulgent, but at least had some classic George Harrison wit in it.

billymeade said:

paisleypark4 said:

What is the difference between Taxman and Act Of God in lyrical subject!?!?

? I'm not sure anyone mentioned Taxman... which was also self-indulgent, but at least had some classic George Harrison wit in it.

Well they want to sit here and talk ish about Prince talking about taxes..(which I love) but not say anything to compare what he is saying to what the beatles said in taxman..its the same thing

paisleypark4 said:

funksterr said:

I don't care if he wasnt to pay his taxes or not. I just don't want to hear a song about it. Musically it's an "A", lyrically it's an "F". Average it out and for me the song is a "C". Another self-indulgent so-so song.

What is the difference between Taxman and Act Of God in lyrical subject!?!?

Some similarities sure, but so what? He still looks like a rich prick for bragging about making a million dollars but having to pay the higher tax rate. How is his personal income tax rate connected to the subprime mortgage crisis? Answer it's not. And he sounds ridiculous for, feigning The Staples Singers civil rights era song style, and attempting to say that it does.

This article may have inspired Prince, who knows:

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/15/financial-meltdown-act-of-god-or-just-the-ungodly-acts-of-bank/

funksterr said:

NeoGeo24bit said:

Lavaux is probably the most honest and well written song he's done in many years. So what if he doesn't want to pay any taxes? Who the hell does?

I don't care if he wasnt to pay his taxes or not. I just don't want to hear a song about it. Musically it's an "A", lyrically it's an "F". Average it out and for me the song is a "C". Another self-indulgent so-so song.

Wait... you're calling a Prince song self indulgent (ok) and then saying you don't want to hear him sing about those topics? Who is the one being self indulgent? Him or you? LOL.

NeoGeo24bit said:

funksterr said:

I don't care if he wasnt to pay his taxes or not. I just don't want to hear a song about it. Musically it's an "A", lyrically it's an "F". Average it out and for me the song is a "C". Another self-indulgent so-so song.

Wait... you're calling a Prince song self indulgent (ok) and then saying you don't want to hear him sing about those topics? Who is the one being self indulgent? Him or you? LOL.

Let's not get it twisted, I'm the customer, pal. Prince doesn't put cash in my pocket, I put it in his if he offers me something of value TO ME. There is a reason why P is down to giving this sht away.

paisleypark4 said:

billymeade said:

? I'm not sure anyone mentioned Taxman... which was also self-indulgent, but at least had some classic George Harrison wit in it.

Well they want to sit here and talk ish about Prince talking about taxes..(which I love) but not say anything to compare what he is saying to what the beatles said in taxman..its the same thing

There's no need to compare "Act of God" to a Beatles song at all; Also, "Act of God" is NOT the same subject as Taxman. They both contain the word "tax", that's where the similarity ends.

lyrics are not hitting pickles with feeling

pickles doesn't get a sensation when reading the lyrics

music is good

but pickles says the lyrics are just hollow

funksterr said:

NeoGeo24bit said:

Wait... you're calling a Prince song self indulgent (ok) and then saying you don't want to hear him sing about those topics? Who is the one being self indulgent? Him or you? LOL.

Let's not get it twisted, I'm the customer, pal. Prince doesn't put cash in my pocket, I put it in his if he offers me something of value TO ME. There is a reason why P is down to giving this sht away.

Prince isn't giving anything away. The Daily Mail paid him for the album. I have to laugh when people say it's "free". He already got paid!

funksterr said:

paisleypark4 said:

What is the difference between Taxman and Act Of God in lyrical subject!?!?

Some similarities sure, but so what? He still looks like a rich prick for bragging about making a million dollars but having to pay the higher tax rate. How is his personal income tax rate connected to the subprime mortgage crisis? Answer it's not. And he sounds ridiculous for, feigning The Staples Singers civil rights era song style, and attempting to say that it does.

This article may have inspired Prince, who knows:

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/15/financial-meltdown-act-of-god-or-just-the-ungodly-acts-of-bank/

So he is not supposed to speak for people who are actually going through stuff in the world today? Is there any difference when he talked about the topics in Sign O The Times even though he was a millionare then? I guess we just supposed to hear about all his fancy women cash clothes and cars...

Last he never connected his income tax to the mortgage crisis..he compared himself doing his tours .... seperate verses different matter; and you tired to connect the two?

[Edited 7/21/10 12:19pm]

Love the music, Love the lyrics, Love it all.... oh, my... an opinion.

billymeade said:

paisleypark4 said:

Well they want to sit here and talk ish about Prince talking about taxes..(which I love) but not say anything to compare what he is saying to what the beatles said in taxman..its the same thing

There's no need to compare "Act of God" to a Beatles song at all; Also, "Act of God" is NOT the same subject as Taxman. They both contain the word "tax", that's where the similarity ends.

no it doesnt

Let me tell you how it will be;
There's one for you, nineteen for me.
'Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.

Should five per cent appear too small,
Be thankful I don't take it all.
'Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.

not too far off

mayrain said:

andykeen said:

"Never mind the birdfeed honey, just tell me your name"

I really don't think it's birdfeed. I think he says "Never mind the bird behind me, just tell me your name." I think when he says "bird" he means woman I could be wrong. That is the only way that makes sense to me.

andykeen is correct

funksterr said:

NeoGeo24bit said:

Lavaux is probably the most honest and well written song he's done in many years. So what if he doesn't want to pay any taxes? Who the hell does?

I don't care if he wasnt to pay his taxes or not. I just don't want to hear a song about it. Musically it's an "A", lyrically it's an "F". Average it out and for me the song is a "C". Another self-indulgent so-so song.

I think the point is more that he has to give up the money he earned to pay for stuff like bombs and has no choice in the matter, just like everyone else. Seems important enough to sing about to me.

none of the sites have lyrics yet

2freaky4church1 said:

There some of his best lyrics in years. Any hate is pure ignorance.

The Purple Yoda has his head on straight.

Tell'em 2freaky4church!!!!