ernestsewell said:

"One Of Us" isn't a Prince written tune.

Which is why I didn't mention it in my initial list of suggestions to Daphne

ernestsewell said:

Gohi said:

Yeah, church isn't full of fictional stories used to teach a lesson or anything...

This isn't a discussion on your hatred of God or the church. It's about a song choice.

It's hardly off-topic.

ernestsewell said:

This isn't a discussion on your hatred of God or the church.

Ya can't hate something that doesn't exist.

Good thing too. That bastard Tooth Fairy would have gotten a right kicking by now.

Anyway, to answer your INITIAL question (ie the one in the thread title) - Yes, I have. I performed "Controversy" with my band for a live session on BBC Radio 1 at legendary Maida Vale studios in London.

As for a church - I personally would go for a Marilyn Manson song. Perhaps something off the "Antichrist Superstar" album.

[Edited 9/13/10 17:50pm]

PicklesMcMillan said:

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

I was thinking about posting it too!! But won't since that might make Prince mad, I may not..

oh i was just teasing i think you can but it up now

have you considered act of god?

or i wish you heaven

or the love we make

or saviour

or the holy river

or 7 .... :cough: :cough:

It's funny you mentioned it, but a couple friends of mine were over and we started singing I Wish You Heaven and really played around with it a bit and I was really impressed with how fun it sounded and have been thinking of singing that...but only if I can sing with them. It could be difficult since they have their weeks too and I don't want to throw the schedule off. Prince does have so many good choices to choose from...

Chiquetet said:

ernestsewell said:

I think it's silly that you're considering a Prince song for church. Honestly. "The Ladder" is a story, and unless you're going to stand up there and talk about the king who had a subject named Electra - you should find something else to sing.

I don't think it's silly to consider a Prince song for church - it depends on the congregation of course, but it's not uncommon these days for particular parishes to embrace meaningful pop songs, regardless of artist.

I remember us singing "One of Us" at a couple of school masses and I'm sure that's done the rounds in many progressive churches.

Rather than thinking of "The Ladder" as a story, you could think of it as a parable. The bible is full of parables

It has a really lovely message beyond the initial scene-setting and it builds the feeling and passion behind said message better than most hymns.

Most importantly though, it obviously has particular significance for Daphne, so why not share that with her community? I imagine that's a big part of what this opportunity is about (ie. members of the congregation choosing a song to sing at mass).

Yes, talk of the land of Sinaplenty and a subject called Electra will probably sound strange at first, but I think it will be forgotten once the true essence of the song emerges.

Yes it is very important to me. Much of Prince's music touches me, but this one touches me for all the good reasons, the impact is totally different. I always felt inspired by Prince's songs, like I could do anything and be anybody cause his songs really excited me. But this one has the same affect, but in a humbling way. And like I said, him perforning it just really struck something in me!! I really felt like I saw a new, deeper part of Prince and that in turn made me look within...which is always a good idea!

And the congregation is so diverse, I think someone like Prince is great to reach the majority of people. The song is by a pop singer, so the younger kids will want to listen, and then the older people I think will like the message. I don't know, it really awakens me to the truth and I hope/believe it will have the same effect on many who hear it if they just listen to it all the way through. I've just got to figure out a fun/effective way of doing the talking part...I may just talk it out(if I can indeed find a piano player) and see how it goes. Thanks!

No, but Rainbow Children, Track #3 intro. Sitting in my baracks room doing nothing back then (some of you remember the website). Kinda miss those days. I need those rooms again. Espeically the room with the instruments. Almost had a tune going til he took down the site. Dang!!!!

"When Will We Be Paid"

So soon as you sing that first line or second line, some sister can holla out "Amen, I know thats right, or ShoNuff"!!!!!!

Yes. Many times at open mics, acoustic guitar in tow. On occasion at karaoke nights, as well.

My Go-to's (probably not fitting in OP's situation):

I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man

Little Red Corvette

Starfish and Coffee

Alphabet Street

When You Were Mine

NDRU said:

I Would Die 4 U seems like a nice Jesus message, though it is a one-note song.

I play this song at every one of my shows - for the past what, 6 years?

Slow it down a bit, get the harmonies more in front and it's a GREAT song to sing.

I was going to put this demo on my album (but never ever ever got around to finalizing)

http://tindeck.com/listen/rebm

It's hardly a one-note song. I sing it almost against the religious grain that he intended, but the smiles that light up when they realize it's Prince.

[Edited 9/17/10 9:07am]

I've performed head and jack u off many times.

beauhall said:

I play this song at every one of my shows - for the past what, 6 years?

Slow it down a bit, get the harmonies more in front and it's a GREAT song to sing.

I was going to put this demo on my album (but never ever ever got around to finalizing)

http://tindeck.com/listen/rebm

It's hardly a one-note song. I sing it almost against the religious grain that he intended, but the smiles that light up when they realize it's Prince.

beauhall, that was great! I was actually dancing in my seat.

You all should go check this out!

beauhall said:

NDRU said:

I Would Die 4 U seems like a nice Jesus message, though it is a one-note song.

I play this song at every one of my shows - for the past what, 6 years?

Slow it down a bit, get the harmonies more in front and it's a GREAT song to sing.

I was going to put this demo on my album (but never ever ever got around to finalizing)

http://tindeck.com/listen/rebm

It's hardly a one-note song. I sing it almost against the religious grain that he intended, but the smiles that light up when they realize it's Prince.

[Edited 9/17/10 9:07am]

Glad to see Universal and/or P hasn't or can't mute this!!! hee hee

ernestsewell said:

"One Of Us" isn't a Prince written tune.

But he did a Excellent cover of it.

beauhall said:

NDRU said:

I Would Die 4 U seems like a nice Jesus message, though it is a one-note song.

I play this song at every one of my shows - for the past what, 6 years?

Slow it down a bit, get the harmonies more in front and it's a GREAT song to sing.

I was going to put this demo on my album (but never ever ever got around to finalizing)

http://tindeck.com/listen/rebm

It's hardly a one-note song. I sing it almost against the religious grain that he intended, but the smiles that light up when they realize it's Prince.

[Edited 9/17/10 9:07am]

Wow beau, that was fantastic!

beauhall said:

NDRU said:

I Would Die 4 U seems like a nice Jesus message, though it is a one-note song.

I play this song at every one of my shows - for the past what, 6 years?

Slow it down a bit, get the harmonies more in front and it's a GREAT song to sing.

I was going to put this demo on my album (but never ever ever got around to finalizing)

http://tindeck.com/listen/rebm

It's hardly a one-note song. I sing it almost against the religious grain that he intended, but the smiles that light up when they realize it's Prince.

[Edited 9/17/10 9:07am]

Hey, that's a great rendition! Really brings out the song (which, to me, is a little too electronic and simple on the record IMO).

That bass line is straight from Pop Life, though.

beauhall said:

NDRU said:

I Would Die 4 U seems like a nice Jesus message, though it is a one-note song.

I play this song at every one of my shows - for the past what, 6 years?

Slow it down a bit, get the harmonies more in front and it's a GREAT song to sing.

I was going to put this demo on my album (but never ever ever got around to finalizing)

http://tindeck.com/listen/rebm

It's hardly a one-note song. I sing it almost against the religious grain that he intended, but the smiles that light up when they realize it's Prince.

[Edited 9/17/10 9:07am]

I like the music//arrangement on that cover! Clear and strong.

I cannot advise on a selection for your church.

but to answer the Q.. I made a karaoke-esque version of

"When Doves Cry", Diamonds & Pearls and "N.P.G" when i was like 16.

Sister or P. Control at church? Ya'll a trip. lol

vainandy said:

I've performed head and jack u off many times.

Thanks all! I'm going to do the Ladder, I've got a piano player lined up...so I hope it goes well, I've been practicing nonstop!! Each service has 2 songs during the offering...so the Ladder is for the 2nd song during Sunday Morning early service and the 1st song during regular service, then a couple friends of mine and I are going to do I Wish You Heaven (with the background music playing and we will add lib on the end accapella) for the 2nd song during regular service and the 2nd song during the evening service. So I will be doing each song twice...hope I don't screw up!

I've sung 17 Days, Pop Life and SAIMH with my friends band.

beauhall said:

NDRU said:

I Would Die 4 U seems like a nice Jesus message, though it is a one-note song.

I play this song at every one of my shows - for the past what, 6 years?

Slow it down a bit, get the harmonies more in front and it's a GREAT song to sing.

I was going to put this demo on my album (but never ever ever got around to finalizing)

http://tindeck.com/listen/rebm

It's hardly a one-note song. I sing it almost against the religious grain that he intended, but the smiles that light up when they realize it's Prince.

[Edited 9/17/10 9:07am]

Great cover man!!!! Really, really good.

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

So it's my turn in to sing @ church 2 Sundays from now. I don't really mind doing it, but I'm at a lost as to what song to sing. So I've been thinking of doing a Prince song! I LOVE "The Ladder" and think it would make a great solo. I've done Prince songs before in music class at school/college, but never at church. Plus I can't play the piano, so I have no idea what to do while on stage. But "The Ladder" seemed like the perfect choice, and I feel really inspired and touched when I hear it. Plus when people ask me who it's by, I can say Prince and maybe make a few more fans out of it?

What do y'all think? Any other song ideas if you don't like this one? (Oh, my church is very traditional in ideology, but very up-to-date when it comes to music since about 1/2 of our 2000 members are under the age of 25. If that helps with picking a song..)

yes, i tried the soapbubleslanguage ,

but i can,t

now talk only with living being