After reading the beginning of Per Nilsen's 'Dancemusicsexromance', I found his comments interesting where he suggests that Prince started out as a great musician, an okay vocalist but an immature lyricist.

I find it quite amazing how Prince grown very quickly to become accomplished at all 3 tasks. It got me thinking about his lyrics, because I mostly just focus on the other 2 aspects. I have to say that as a whole piece and perhaps you could call it poetry also, 'Sign O The Times' is such a well crafted and deep piece of writing.

As a whole song, not just segments or lines, what lyrics do other orgers rate highly?

I agree. The songwriting on SOTT and Parade is brilliant. I love his take on the natural tension and sexual dynamics in intimate relationships (If I Was Your Girlfriend, Strange Relationship, Anotherlover). You really don't see these themes examined by other pop music writers in the same brilliant strange Princely way. Prince truly hit his soulful, deep and introspective peak around this era.

I miss his weird, funky and introspective take on relationships. He rarely goes there anymore.

I've read something similar to what you're saying where Chris Moon was saying that about P's lyrics and that his music was stronger then his lyrical style at the time.

Some enthusiast may debate the Prince of 2010 with the Prince of say 1988 and he's had the opportunity to study different cultures and ways of life and he reads A LOT from what I've read and I find that with him being well read that translates to the lyrics we hear. I have to admit, I do not listen to the lyrics first when I get a new album or even when I listen to older music. I'm like a kid that will sing it but, not understand per-se what I'm singing. His lyrics do have a 'other worldly' vibe.

I'd say since he was with Mayte back when he believe in re-incarnation is where he was 'peaking' lyrically. He's not too far off now but, with him being a JW I understand with that way of life, he changed and would change, who wouldn't.

I'd give high marks to his lyrical abilities from Controversy through Graffiti Bridge. Before that, he was okay; I agree with the immature part. He was still growing up and developing.

After that, I would say he could go either way. And lately, he's just been atrocious. Lotus, MPLSound, and 20ten all have embarrassingly bad lyrics. And the songs in between albums are even worse (Purple & Gold, Hot Summer, Cause & Effect).

I'd like to see him change this downward trend.

When Prince is writing about pussy, it's usually vapid and juvenile. When he has conflict in his life, especially with girlfriends, he's really good at honing in what he feels and making a great song with great lyrics. Some examples of great lyrics is:

Strange Relationship

Adore

Condition of the Heart

America

The Beautiful Ones

I Feel For You

Forever In My Life

If I Was Your Girlfriend

3 Chains O Gold (how many songs do you know that uses the word "nucleus" in it?)

Billy Jack Bitch

I Hate U

etc etc

I love the lyrics on "Boom" because they're so out there.

I'll meet Ernest's "nucleus" from 3 Chains O Gold and see him with a "primordial" from Boom.

ernestsewell said:

When Prince is writing about pussy, it's usually vapid and juvenile. When he has conflict in his life, especially with girlfriends, he's really good at honing in what he feels and making a great song with great lyrics. Some examples of great lyrics is:

Strange Relationship

Adore

Condition of the Heart

America

The Beautiful Ones

I Feel For You

Forever In My Life

If I Was Your Girlfriend

3 Chains O Gold (how many songs do you know that uses the word "nucleus" in it?)

Billy Jack Bitch

I Hate U

etc etc

All music at it's heart is about pussy (Freud).

Efan said: