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Thread started 08/23/10 2:37pm

DarlingNikki10
25

Is "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker" inspired by the actual poet, Dorothy Parker?

I was just curious if anyone knew or thinks that the song, "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker" was

in fact named after or inspired by the 20th century poet and writer, Dorothy Parker. I know

Prince alludes to folk singer, Joni Mitchell in the song a couple of times. Maybe, Mrs. Parker

is like a composite character, her unique characteristic traits paired with other individuals.

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Reply #1 posted 08/23/10 2:40pm

Spinlight

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yes

and water is wet

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Reply #2 posted 08/23/10 2:55pm

ufoclub

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NO... according to the Prince books, he was told about the historical persona after he played the song to peeps (Lisa?)... lemme check...

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Reply #3 posted 08/23/10 2:59pm

vitriol

It was Susannah who told him there had actually been an American writer with that name.

He chose the name for the song as he could have chosen Megan Carrington, or Erin Bowles.

Simply, he didn't know who she was.

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Reply #4 posted 08/23/10 3:01pm

ufoclub

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" What's surprising about "Dorothy Parker" (which is not about the famous american humorist/poet/short story writer; according to Alex Hahn's Possessed, Susannah Melvoin told Prince about her after he had already written the song) is that it's drum part sounds through composed rather than programmed.." - from Sign 'o' the Times by Michaelangelo Matos (Music Editor at Seattle Weekly)

by the way, this is a great little book in the "33 1/3" series of thoughtful essay type books that each focus on one album by an author obsessed by that album.

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Reply #5 posted 08/23/10 3:12pm

DarlingNikki10
25

Thanks 4 the information! All this time I thought Prince was a Poetry buff, guess not! smile lol wink

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Reply #6 posted 08/23/10 3:45pm

StonedImmacula
te

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Apparently the song came to him in a dream. After recording, Susannah asked if it was about the poet and Prince said "Who?" She then explained.

Susan Rogers is quoted in Nielsen's DMSR book as saying something to the effect of Prince thought the whole thing was hilarious because Susannah didnt believe his dream story. She thought Dorothy was some new chick Prince was foolin with and was extremely jealous.

blunt music She has robes and she has monkeys, lazy diamond studded flunkies.... music blunt
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Reply #7 posted 08/23/10 4:25pm

deepabove

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Dorothy Parker wrote some interesting poetry to say the least smile

Read some of it and it's easy to tell she's definitely NOT the kind of girl written about in the song.

Her poetry is worth a read anyway -- she had a unique voice.

open yo mind, the entire universe you'll find
~love
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Reply #8 posted 08/23/10 6:23pm

ernestsewell

Spinlight said:

yes

and water is wet

So is yo' brain. It ain't about Dorothy Parker the poet.

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Reply #9 posted 08/23/10 6:50pm

TRON

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It's funny, cuz there are a whole series of poems by Dorothy Parker with the word "Prince" in them.

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Reply #10 posted 08/23/10 8:46pm

tbag

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Anybody ever track down the rumored extended/12 inch version of this song? I always thought it was too short.
~And even when I'm right, I'll be wrong...it's Automatic too.
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Reply #11 posted 08/23/10 8:46pm

Spinlight

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ernestsewell said:

Spinlight said:

yes

and water is wet

So is yo' brain. It ain't about Dorothy Parker the poet.

You know NOTHING.

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Reply #12 posted 08/23/10 8:53pm

MoneyMade

Like the flow.............

Dorothy Parker

Oh, I can smile for you, and tilt my head,
And drink your rushing words with eager lips,
And paint my mouth for you a fragrant red,
And trace your brows with tutored finger-tips.
When you rehearse your list of loves to me,
Oh, I can laugh and marvel, rapturous-eyed.
And you laugh back, nor can you ever see
The thousand little deaths my heart has died.
And you believe, so well I know my part,
That I am gay as morning, light as snow,
And all the straining things within my heart
You'll never know.

Oh, I can laugh and listen, when we meet,
And you bring tales of fresh adventurings, --
Of ladies delicately indiscreet,
Of lingering hands, and gently whispered things.
And you are pleased with me, and strive anew
To sing me sagas of your late delights.
Thus do you want me -- marveling, gay, and true,
Nor do you see my staring eyes of nights.
And when, in search of novelty, you stray,
Oh, I can kiss you blithely as you go ....
And what goes on, my love, while you're away,
You'll never know.
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Reply #13 posted 08/24/10 8:39am

ufoclub

avatar

MoneyMade said:

Like the flow.............

Dorothy Parker

Oh, I can smile for you, and tilt my head,
And drink your rushing words with eager lips,
And paint my mouth for you a fragrant red,
And trace your brows with tutored finger-tips.
When you rehearse your list of loves to me,
Oh, I can laugh and marvel, rapturous-eyed.
And you laugh back, nor can you ever see
The thousand little deaths my heart has died.
And you believe, so well I know my part,
That I am gay as morning, light as snow,
And all the straining things within my heart
You'll never know.

Oh, I can laugh and listen, when we meet,
And you bring tales of fresh adventurings, --
Of ladies delicately indiscreet,
Of lingering hands, and gently whispered things.
And you are pleased with me, and strive anew
To sing me sagas of your late delights.
Thus do you want me -- marveling, gay, and true,
Nor do you see my staring eyes of nights.
And when, in search of novelty, you stray,
Oh, I can kiss you blithely as you go ....
And what goes on, my love, while you're away,
You'll never know.

Niki Minaj just put that down on a rap!

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Reply #14 posted 08/24/10 8:42am

ernestsewell

Spinlight said:

ernestsewell said:

So is yo' brain. It ain't about Dorothy Parker the poet.

You know NOTHING.

You don't know nothin' about nothin'.

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Reply #15 posted 08/25/10 10:06am

TRON

avatar

ernestsewell said:

Spinlight said:

You know NOTHING.

You don't know nothin' about nothin'.

Freeway?

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