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..)

You should sing the album version of "Come".

zaza said:

Pussy Control or Sister.

I didn't say I wanted to banished from church for life!! I couldn't even admit I listened to those songs around any of the pastors! Good Lord, I can't even imagine what our very strict and outspoken asst. pastor would say to me!

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

sing the ladder just dont record it and put it on youtube

but anywho good luck

Seriously though, I think "The Ladder" is a lovely choice.

Given that you are not playing piano (and presumably nothing else), are you going to simply put the track behind you, or try to get hold of a backing tape (ie. are you going to be singing along with P, or just over the music?)

The Ladder is a tough one to sing, but if you're comfortable with it, I say go for it!

Another option could be The Cross, but you run into a similar issue there, particularly if you're singing along with him, as he might end up drowning you out (you know, being the diva he is )

Depending on your church's beliefs, Welcome 2 the Dawn is really nice, and reasonably straightforward (you might even be able to get someone to accompany you on acoustic guitar for that one?), but it might not be appropriate.

One of my very favourite songs :dons kevlar: is Last December, which has inspiring words for a church service, but you have the problem of what to do during the lengthy instrumental (unless you can do some smooth editing!)

Whatever you choose, I hope it goes really well and you have lots of fun sharing Prince with your church!

Spinlight said:

You should sing the album version of "Come".

the song God is an ideal idea @ church

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..)

still WOULD stand all time

you gotta run to the light................................

then-you could get the chior to do your bv's

I made a video on Bourbon Street way back in the day with friends complete with instruments and special effects. We did When Doves Cry. I wish i could post it on the web. But it would prolly get taken down.

The Cross might be a good selection for you.

[Edited 9/13/10 9:28am]

'Orgasm' is the perfect choice.

if u really tear tha roof off that sucka and sing to the heavens ...

THE QUESTION OF U

Just remember that the verses in The Ladder are spoken, not sung... so that could be a little weird.

I vote: Sexuality! OWWW-AH!!!

TrevorAyer said:

if u really tear tha roof off that sucka and sing to the heavens ...

THE QUESTION OF U

Whoa...never thought about that one! Love Prince singing that live, especially when he does it on The Musicology Tour!! Hmmm, I may have to reconsider....although I can't play guitar, and part of the genius of that live performance is Prince's amazing guitar solo. Hmm, I will have to think about this one. Because I really do love this song. Thanks!

PicklesMcMillan said:

sing the ladder just dont record it and put it on youtube

but anywho good luck

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

Chiquetet said:

Seriously though, I think "The Ladder" is a lovely choice.

Given that you are not playing piano (and presumably nothing else), are you going to simply put the track behind you, or try to get hold of a backing tape (ie. are you going to be singing along with P, or just over the music?)

The Ladder is a tough one to sing, but if you're comfortable with it, I say go for it!

Another option could be The Cross, but you run into a similar issue there, particularly if you're singing along with him, as he might end up drowning you out (you know, being the diva he is )

Depending on your church's beliefs, Welcome 2 the Dawn is really nice, and reasonably straightforward (you might even be able to get someone to accompany you on acoustic guitar for that one?), but it might not be appropriate.

One of my very favourite songs :dons kevlar: is Last December, which has inspiring words for a church service, but you have the problem of what to do during the lengthy instrumental (unless you can do some smooth editing!)

Whatever you choose, I hope it goes really well and you have lots of fun sharing Prince with your church!

Thanks, lovely advice! I was thinking of just singing over Prince's voice. My church has pretty sophisticated equipment. So I think the tech guys could do a pretty decent job with keeping it low enough so Prince's wonder vocals don't overshadow mine. The Cross is a good choice too, but Prince's vocals are so good on there, I don't think I could keep up. I will go listen to Welcome 2 The Dawn and Last December again to see how I like those. I chose The Ladder because I really LOVE the song and Prince's vocals really bring me to tears everytime I hear it, especially when I see him practicing it live from the Lovesexy days. OMG! Just love it, hope I can do it just for him.

metallicjigolo said:

I made a video on Bourbon Street way back in the day with friends complete with instruments and special effects. We did When Doves Cry. I wish i could post it on the web. But it would prolly get taken down.

The Cross might be a good selection for you.

[Edited 9/13/10 9:28am]

Oooo, I'd love to see that video!

Thanks, The Cross I thought about too, not sure I'm good enough to sing that one though?

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

Thanks, lovely advice! I was thinking of just singing over Prince's voice. My church has pretty sophisticated equipment. So I think the tech guys could do a pretty decent job with keeping it low enough so Prince's wonder vocals don't overshadow mine.

Alternatively, if there's a piano player in the house, I could send you the chords!

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.

eh I'm not sure about The Ladder, either. It's half talking, and the rest is sort of a repetitive vocal showoff spectacle (no disrespect to the song, I like it a lot)

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

PicklesMcMillan said:

sing the ladder just dont record it and put it on youtube

but anywho good luck

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:

yeah The Ladder would be good

Still Would Stand All Time ??

[Edited 9/13/10 14:11pm]

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

I would agree with I wish you heaven. It's lyrics are fairly inoffensive and it has a beautiful melody. In fact P's falsetto in this track is breathtaking. Good luck

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.

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

Gohi 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.

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

yeah but you wouldn't talk about Snow White in church would you?

Gohi 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.

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.

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.

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