My first Prince album. I had "I Wanna Be Your Lover" on 45 but "Dirty Mind" was the first Prince album I bought. I had the "Uptown" 45 already and then I started hearing "Head" on our local "Soul Train" type dance TV show called "Black Gold", then later on the radio. I had to have the song and since it wasn't available on a 45, I bought the album.

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[Edited 10/11/10 11:35am]

JoeTyler said:

BartVanHemelen said:

I'd point to artists like:

• Kraftwerk
• Giorgio Moroder (producer of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love")
• Ultravox
• The Human League
• Devo
• Tubeway Army/Gary Numan

Most of those had had actual hits before Prince had released Dirty Mind.

Dudes, can't you even read?

I thought it was clear that we have said that Dirty Mind mixed synths/dance with funk, new wave and R&B, thus creating the blueprint for dance/R&B oriented acts in the 80s and, to a lesser extent, in the 00s

why the fuck are you including bands that had NOTHING to do with funk/R&B ?? ... is beyond me...

Devo? Kraftwerk? you're the first fool that has ever compared those acts with Prince...pointless, really...

[Edited 10/11/10 5:07am]

I don't hear them on "Dirty Mind" but I definately hear them on the "1999" album. Very futuristic sounding music like those groups and "Automatic" definately sounds like Gary Numan's "Cars".

Spinlight said:

JoeTyler said:

one of the most recognizable melodies in pop history?

Say what? To whom? The song wasn't a hit. It's one of my all-time favorite Prince songs, but I don't know many people who don't already know about old school black music who knows the song "When You Were Mine".... "I Wanna Be Your Lover" or "Do Me, Baby" maybe... But nothing from Dirty Mind is remotely mainstream.

Black radio played the hell out of "Uptown", "Head", "Dirty Mind", and "Partyup" so people were definately familiar with those songs. As for "When You Were Mine", it got no airplay whatsoever and in fact, it became the B side to the 45 "Controversy" on the next album so that goes to show how popular it was back then because popular songs from a previous album don't become B sides on future albums. It was white critics who raved about "When You Were Mine" after "Purple Rain" was huge that made the song become so popular over the years because black radio never touched it.

Damn, Dirty Mind and me are the same age!

JoeTyler said:

Spinlight said:

But I'm saying that I don't think the average joe knows the song "When You Were Mine".... I think people who listened to black radio back then or now probably does. I think Prince fans obviously do. But when you ask the average music listener, they will tell you it doesn't ring a bell.

I know what you mean, but THANKFULLY, pop music doesn't depend on the "knowledge" of the average Joe but on the knowledge of producers, DJ's, execs of international labels, musicians, serious fan of pop music, the owners of "serious" mass media music magazines ...etc

The song has also been covered by numerous musicians including Mitch Ryder, Cyndi Lauper, Tegan and Sara and Ani Difranco. There will be people doing covers of this ditty forever. In addition, the song is on Prince's greatest hits cd which has sold millions. The song is a classic on a classic album.

JoeTyler said:

BartVanHemelen said:

I'd point to artists like:

• Kraftwerk
• Giorgio Moroder (producer of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love")
• Ultravox
• The Human League
• Devo
• Tubeway Army/Gary Numan

Most of those had had actual hits before Prince had released Dirty Mind.

Dudes, can't you even read?

I thought it was clear that we have said that Dirty Mind mixed synths/dance with funk, new wave and R&B, thus creating the blueprint for dance/R&B oriented acts in the 80s and, to a lesser extent, in the 00s

why the fuck are you including bands that had NOTHING to do with funk/R&B ?? ... is beyond me...

Devo? Kraftwerk? you're the first fool that has ever compared those acts with Prince...pointless, really...

[Edited 10/11/10 5:07am]

The Giorgio Moroder reference is really laughable. Bart may have some computer skills but he has absolutely no musical ear. As if the use of synths were what you were talking about. Stevie Wonder would be closer to the mark, but still not to your point.

Ya know, this thread doesn't have to turn into an argument. Folks are gonna dig what they dig and there are various reasons to consider Dirty Mind as one of Prince's classic LPs, but if somebody ain't feeling it, that's cool too.

There's no denying that Dirty Mind was an about-face from his previous efforts, and the rawness of the production really did bring a new DIY direction to music other than punk. Certainly there were synth- and guitar-based records prior to Dirty Mind, but Prince went lean and mean when others were polishing every little detail and using all available tracks at the studio.

BartVanHemelen said:

A couple of hours ago ?uestlove informed his followers on Twitter that Dirty Mind (the album) was released 30 years ago today. (*)

He also said that it was the last revolution in soul until rap happened. I don't think I agree with that, for the simple reason that I don't see what DM revolutionised. Sure, it is basically the starting point of Prince (be fair: the first two albums weren't that remarkable and if that's all that Prince had released ever he wouldn't be a footnote), but I don't see how this album spawned any revolution. Compare that to Sly Stone's influence: look at The Temptations' Cloud Nine, for instance.

-------------------------------

(*) I'd link to that tweet, but it contains an "illegal" video on DailyMotion and apparently a website that calls itself "independent and unofficial" continues to succumb to Prince's idiotic and ridiculous and pointless demands.

Speak for yourself! Some people site "Prince" as the start of Prince, "I Wanna Be Your Lover" is still one of his most known songs, that even casual fans could name. Some people don't even like the Dirty Mind ablum. I even know people that don't have a clue about any songs on Dirty Mind or Controversy, for them Prince started at Prince and continued at 1999. And Prince's first 2 ablums were great...2 of his best!! Not a horrible song on either ablum!

Dirty Mind is a classic ablum, definately one of Prince's best ablums and the songs on there are just great!! I can't say anythiing negative about it, but I can say that it definately set the bar high for other artists. This ablum definately transformed his music and his image. I love this ablum, for me it was the 3rd installment in a flawless career up to that point..

Prince's first two albums are very good but Dirty Mind was Prince's first great album which kicks ass from start to finish IMO!

Cinnie said:

jdcxc said:

I agree with Questlove 100% (real musicians know the deal):

* The album basically ended disco.

* Truly groundbreaking, underground and fascinating hit in the R&B audience that totally changed the sound of all funk and roll to follow. The Minneapolis sound had begun and would become the most copied production blueprint for the next ten years.

* It heralded the era of the producer. No more ten-man bands (Ohio Players, Commodores, etc)

* It showed a way for a new experimental, creative voice rarely seen in black music. Prince became our rebel and revolutionary (think Bowie or punk music). The sound was freedom. He played with gender and sex in a way never before seen in a mainstream African-American musical setting (he does owe a lot to L. Richard). Many artists would copy his overt sexuality without the humor.

Most would agree. More people joined the bandwagon with subsequent albums but DM is the foundation. I know ?uestlove is a fan of Prince's frantic drumming on this album.

I agree with Questlove. Thank god it ended disco and made the sound of funk and R&B more kinky with a speed up vamp on a single chord. Gotta disagree about the "it showed a way for a new experimental, creative voice rarely seen in black music". Questlove has been hiding under the bed too long, he needs to get out more and take a look around.

vainandy said:

Black radio played the hell out of "Uptown", "Head", "Dirty Mind", and "Partyup" so people were definately familiar with those songs. As for "When You Were Mine", it got no airplay whatsoever and in fact, it became the B side to the 45 "Controversy" on the next album so that goes to show how popular it was back then because popular songs from a previous album don't become B sides on future albums. It was white critics who raved about "When You Were Mine" after "Purple Rain" was huge that made the song become so popular over the years because black radio never touched it.

^ This is how it went down ^ "When You Were Mine" is ok but not one of my favorites. The white music critics raved about that song because it focused more on a "beach boys" melody and harmony (less nasty/threatening).

This is the album is when i became a fan! party up & head

It never gets old. Lean, mean Prince.

shonenjoe said:

It never gets old. Lean, mean Prince.

Since it's your avatar, this is as good a time as ever to shed some light on the very probable inspiration for the Dirty Mind back cover photography.

A certain somebody* discovered this recently...

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/R-162666-1264786549.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/new-4.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/MPW-38341.jpg[/img:$uid]

Maybe Last Tango In Paris is where Prince also got the inspiration for the line "I got the butter for your muffin". Uh, no thanks Prince - we don't know where that stick has been.

*Step up for the proper credit.

That's great.

JoeTyler said:

BartVanHemelen said:

I'd point to artists like:

• Kraftwerk
• Giorgio Moroder (producer of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love")
• Ultravox
• The Human League
• Devo
• Tubeway Army/Gary Numan

Most of those had had actual hits before Prince had released Dirty Mind.

Dudes, can't you even read?

I thought it was clear that we have said that Dirty Mind mixed synths/dance with funk, new wave and R&B, thus creating the blueprint for dance/R&B oriented acts in the 80s and, to a lesser extent, in the 00s

why the fuck are you including bands that had NOTHING to do with funk/R&B ?? ... is beyond me...

Devo? Kraftwerk? you're the first fool that has ever compared those acts with Prince...pointless, really...

[Edited 10/11/10 5:07am]

Are you seriously proclaiming those artists didn't influence disco, funk and R&B? Some of those get SAMPLED by them!

And I'm not comparing them to Prince, that's just BS you made up in your mind. I'm pointing out that all of them had far more influence on the music of the 1980s, not in the least because their music ACTUALLY CHARTED. DM sold how many copies? It didn't even become gold until after PR.

And I bet Prince had heard Devo before he made DM.

BartVanHemelen said:

JoeTyler said:

Dudes, can't you even read?

I thought it was clear that we have said that Dirty Mind mixed synths/dance with funk, new wave and R&B, thus creating the blueprint for dance/R&B oriented acts in the 80s and, to a lesser extent, in the 00s

why the fuck are you including bands that had NOTHING to do with funk/R&B ?? ... is beyond me...

Devo? Kraftwerk? you're the first fool that has ever compared those acts with Prince...pointless, really...

[Edited 10/11/10 5:07am]

Are you seriously proclaiming those artists didn't influence disco, funk and R&B? Some of those get SAMPLED by them!

And I'm not comparing them to Prince, that's just BS you made up in your mind. I'm pointing out that all of them had far more influence on the music of the 1980s, not in the least because their music ACTUALLY CHARTED. DM sold how many copies? It didn't even become gold until after PR.

And I bet Prince had heard Devo before he made DM.

What exactly are you trying to say Bart? That Prince was influenced more by electronic music than funk/R&B? I don't get your point.

On June 6, 1984, DM was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. Purple Rain was released June 25, 1984 after DM was certified gold. I don't hear Devo on DM - how bizarre?

jeromejack said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Are you seriously proclaiming those artists didn't influence disco, funk and R&B? Some of those get SAMPLED by them!

And I'm not comparing them to Prince, that's just BS you made up in your mind. I'm pointing out that all of them had far more influence on the music of the 1980s, not in the least because their music ACTUALLY CHARTED. DM sold how many copies? It didn't even become gold until after PR.

And I bet Prince had heard Devo before he made DM.

What exactly are you trying to say Bart? That Prince was influenced more by electronic music than funk/R&B? I don't get your point.

On June 6, 1984, DM was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. Purple Rain was released June 25, 1984 after DM was certified gold. I don't hear Devo on DM - how bizarre?

He's basically saying that prince fans are giving way too much credit to Dirty Mind which he's got a point.

And I'm sure with the sucess of the 1999 album and the singles released before Purple Rain had even dropped people were buying his back catalog.

Squirrelgrease, that's neat.

It's one of my favorite pictures featured in the album packagings.

Beck has a similar style side shot for his Midnite Vultures album, which, as you prolly know, sounds like a big wet Prince-inspired kiss.

Party up, ya'll.

I think the only song he's never done live from that album is "Sister".

dalsh327 said:

I think the only song he's never done live from that album is "Sister".

He performed it during the Dirty Mind tour

Abdul said:

dalsh327 said:

I think the only song he's never done live from that album is "Sister".

He performed it during the Dirty Mind tour

And in every show of the Lovesexy tour...

MartyMcFly said:

Abdul said:

He performed it during the Dirty Mind tour

And in every show of the Lovesexy tour...

Thanks! Found it!!

Thought it would've been on the list of songs Prince has never performed live, but this is one I'm glad I'm wrong on.

A lot of midwestern bands incorporated synths around that time... there was another band in the Minneapolis around that time called Chameleon. You've heard of the guy that played synths for them. If not, Google it, you'll be amused. Which makes you wonder if there's a possibility he could've been in the band... I think so.

Kraftwork is a legit mention - Afrika Bambattaa sampled "Trans Europe Express"

vainandy said:

JoeTyler said:

Dudes, can't you even read?

I thought it was clear that we have said that Dirty Mind mixed synths/dance with funk, new wave and R&B, thus creating the blueprint for dance/R&B oriented acts in the 80s and, to a lesser extent, in the 00s

why the fuck are you including bands that had NOTHING to do with funk/R&B ?? ... is beyond me...

Devo? Kraftwerk? you're the first fool that has ever compared those acts with Prince...pointless, really...

[Edited 10/11/10 5:07am]

I don't hear them on "Dirty Mind" but I definately hear them on the "1999" album. Very futuristic sounding music like those groups and "Automatic" definately sounds like Gary Numan's "Cars".

I think Questlove was on point with his comments. I love the "Dirty Mind" album and the tour was cool as well. This is such a raw album and those videos were cool. The Time's self-titled debut might as well be the flip-side of the "Dirty Mind" album (in terms of being raw). "Uptown" is one of my all-time favorite songs. I still play the album and I get a kick out of it when ever I listen 2 it. It's a classic purple album.

It also set the stage 4 what was soon 2 come, once Prince figured out what direction music was going he would meet it head on, Every artist has their beginnings & while yes it is raw & 4 alot of people extremely crude, i enjoy going back 2 early Prince just 2 hear him sing unrestrained! He just lets loose- what other artist has sung about some of the most taboo topics in human history & somehow still come out alright at the other side! If u like it play it if not then don't! The choice is yours! Love 2 u all!

I din't think I said enough about it initially, but in case you don't know Dirty Mind has always been one of my favourite albums by anyone, let alone Prince as well. I love the sparse, raw demoey sound it has, yet its the melodies, the rock and infectiousness of it as well. At 30 minutes it was short and shocking enough to love. All of the songs work really well, theres no fillers and Prince was so hungry when he recorded it that you could feel it, he knew he was on the verge of being really big. The album was such a departure from his first two, which played it safe and followed soul/funk/disco music of the late 70s, but Dirty Mind was more punk than funk and he had discovered his penchant for very explict lyrics, here was a man with an unstoppable libido.

Dirty Mind was a great opener, its funky, great falsetto vocals and very sexually frank lyrics, Prince bluntly states he wants sex all of the time, and dosen't care, where, when or whos around.

When U were mine slows it down, its a pleading ballad, his girl who treated him bad has left him, but now shes gone, he wants her even more.

Do It all night is a superb dance number with again some very forthright lyrics, but he dosen't want you to get shocked. Superflous to say what it is they are doing all night

Gotta Broken heart again is also fey, in amongst the marathon sex sessions of tracks 1 and 3 it seems that Prince is having girlfriend problems again, maybe if he was after their hearts more than their bodies he would do better.

Uptown, after all the sex and heartbreak lets party, Prince was never more open minded than here, here he says that weshould forget about a persons race or sexuality or way they express themselves and just do what we want because we don't give a damn. Shame he's not so accepting now, Uptown was also a loving homage to the Twin Cities.

Head One of the two tracksthat required closer listening, Prince is in his horny mode again and this time he is talking a virgin whose about to bed wed into having oral sex with him, she gives in to the pint sized Casanova and he ejaculates on to her wedding gown. Despite the lyrics the song was funky and had a great melody as well.

Sister Easily the most controversial song on the album, here the narrator admits hes 16, bisexual and is the passive partner in sexual liaisions with his 32 year old sister, even for someone like Prince and the general raunch of later 70s r and b, this was some pretty hot stuff.

Uptown, needless to say after sexing virgins and his elder sister, the last thing he wants to do is fight a war, instead he wants to party, a la Uptown, along with that song, this was the finest track on the album, a tight funk/ dance strut, great lyrics and melody made this track a great way to end one of the most provocative albums ever made.

The Cover, what can I say the fine image of our pint sized nymphomaniac in authentic flasher mac against a back ground of bed springs. The band shot with the group looking just as sexualised as him and then a photo that looks like he is masturbating on a bed, with song titles spray painte don the wall, it was obvious he was hardly going to be singing nursery rhymes here

squirrelgrease said:

shonenjoe said:

It never gets old. Lean, mean Prince.

Since it's your avatar, this is as good a time as ever to shed some light on the very probable inspiration for the Dirty Mind back cover photography.

A certain somebody* discovered this recently...

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/R-162666-1264786549.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/new-4.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n276/squirrelgrease/MPW-38341.jpg[/img:$uid]

Maybe Last Tango In Paris is where Prince also got the inspiration for the line "I got the butter for your muffin". Uh, no thanks Prince - we don't know where that stick has been.

*Step up for the proper credit.

my two favourite artists of the 20th century....and they both had similar career patterns...both geniuses .....and now it looks like brando was the inspiration for the back picture on dirty mind which i never knew...but brando was also a teen rebel idol clad in black leather well before james dean or elvis took it .......

.

dirty mind was thee most important album in prince's entire back catalogue because it saw him take a left turn after two good but unremarkable albums that were predictable...dirty mind wasnt and made him the interesting artist that he is today......it didnt sell as well as the 'prince' album and little radio support but he no doubt knew this but it was something he had to do to develop as an artist...his best early album by far and the start of his golden period of albums...

Excellent album.. there's no weak track on Dirty Mind.

A motherf*ckin masterpiece. 10/10 from me......