When I hear a lot of Prince's latest work -- especially the one-off tracks this past year (Hot Summer, Cause & Effect, Rich Friends) -- I get the impression that he's relying on a few clever lyrical ideas to carry an entire song.

It's all about context, really.

The lyric "I think it's gonna be a Hot Summer". Now that's a pretty cool lyric or even the basis of a complete verse, but not enough to base an entire song around. The verses in that song fall flat to the point of being generic, in effect "wasting" that good lyric in a crap song.

Again with Rich Friends. "Who needs money when you've got Rich Friends". That could easily be the spoken outro to a song in the same vein as Hello: Extended Version ("words are like shoes, they're just something to stand on. . . come now isn't life a little better with a pair of good shoes?"). It could also be the spoken intro to a song like One Song.

Prince has the ideas, clearly. It's the way they're "fleshed out" into actual songs that seems off lately.

Prince has run out of (good) ideas, both lyrically and musically.

^ bullshit

vitriol said:

Prince has run out of (good) ideas, both lyrically and musically.

oh shut up.

Keith Urban just released a song called "Long Hot Summer", and Sugarland just released a song called "Stuck Like Glue". Both of those are very close to Prince's own titles (Hot Summer and Sticky Like Glue) that he released first.

So, his ideas are definitely there but somehow aren't enough to complete great, whole songs.

'Long Hot Summer' was also a song by The Style Council and dates back from 1983.

He's making the worst music he ever did. His lyrics are laughable (to put it mildly).

But, hey, if you insist he's not out of ideas so be it. I'll keep thinking the same and that's all that matters to me.

^

Are you saying Sticky Like Glue (just 1 example) sucks ?

vitriol said:

He's making the worst music he ever did. His lyrics are laughable (to put it mildly).

Nice to hear someone has the same ears as me. His stuff has been sooo bad lately. He needs to take some time off, or let someone else produce him for a little bit. He's Lost the funk

The songs you mention are ones that pop up and never appear on cd. Apparently it's happened before over the years. I think these songs are just in between snacks, like chocolates from a choc box. It's not meant to be the main course but a teaser. Cause & Effect did give two titles on 20Ten. Compassion and Future soul song.

As far as context and lyrical content goes in newer stuff it seems to follow themes to me.

Why don't you give examples where the titles or lyric lines don't flow with the song theme in current stuff? It would be easier to discuss.

Dewrede said:

^

Are you saying Sticky Like Glue (just 1 example) sucks ?

No, not saying Sticky Like Glue sucks . . . I was just giving an example of how someone else with seemingly the same basic idea for a song theme makes a more complete song and has a hit with it. I actually prefer Prince's song.

Part of what I think is missing is a band atmosphere where song ideas and lyrics are "brainstormed" and fine-tuned.

Dewrede said:

^

Are you saying Sticky Like Glue (just 1 example) sucks ?

I think that song is completely awful.

its gonna be a hot summer

who needs money when you've got rich friends?

small scope = "gee thats a crap lyric" - big scope = hehe

what ur looking for is already in the lyrics. you want substance right? its already there, in a very simple form.

lyrical complexity and poetic prowess dont always indicate a 'better' or more 'well-written' lyric.

simplify your mind and remove your expectations and comparisons and you will understand the poignant beauty of the simple, and extremely relevant, simple lyrics.

just my two cents.

Dewrede said:

^

Are you saying Sticky Like Glue (just 1 example) sucks ?

I never said it 'sucks'.

The chord progression makes for a great tune, and I like his falsetto.

On record, he mars it with a cringeworthy rap.

Live, he mars it with a lifeless rendition (as 99% of what he plays nowadays).

A great couldabeen.

Se7en said:

When I hear a lot of Prince's latest work -- especially the one-off tracks this past year (Hot Summer, Cause & Effect, Rich Friends) -- I get the impression that he's relying on a few clever lyrical ideas to carry an entire song.

It's all about context, really.

The lyric "I think it's gonna be a Hot Summer". Now that's a pretty cool lyric or even the basis of a complete verse, but not enough to base an entire song around. The verses in that song fall flat to the point of being generic, in effect "wasting" that good lyric in a crap song.

Again with Rich Friends. "Who needs money when you've got Rich Friends". That could easily be the spoken outro to a song in the same vein as Hello: Extended Version ("words are like shoes, they're just something to stand on. . . come now isn't life a little better with a pair of good shoes?"). It could also be the spoken intro to a song like One Song.

Prince has the ideas, clearly. It's the way they're "fleshed out" into actual songs that seems off lately.

I completely agree.

Spinlight said:

Dewrede said:

^

Are you saying Sticky Like Glue (just 1 example) sucks ?

I think that song is completely awful.

such nonsense

had it been an outtake from the eighties you would've raved about it , i'm sure

vitriol said:

Dewrede said:

^

Are you saying Sticky Like Glue (just 1 example) sucks ?

I never said it 'sucks'.

The chord progression makes for a great tune, and I like his falsetto.

On record, he mars it with a cringeworthy rap.

Live, he mars it with a lifeless rendition (as 99% of what he plays nowadays).

A great couldabeen.

couldn't agree less

what the hell are you hearing ?

the Copenhagen show and aftershow on october 20 were very lively and nice

as was the Herning show on the 22th

[Edited 10/27/10 8:39am]

vitriol said:

Prince has run out of (good) ideas, both lyrically and musically.

I have to agree with you, sadly.