delirious26 said:

tricky99 said:

Prince is evolving understand? So you expect him not change perspective as he ages and lives? Who cares what PE was doing then, this is now. None of us should have any expectations on what Prince will do or think. Our only options are to accept or leave. And that is the way it should be when dealing with any artist.

He can make whatever music he wants to but just because he writes some ridiculous anti-America lyrics and performs it in front of an audience doesn't mean I consider it valuable art. There are plenty of other acts with cult followings doing the same thing. I want him to stick with what he's good at-- writing about sex, women, and funk. Otherwise he can convert to whatever religion he wants to be next month, or change citizenship at anytime. The man knows what we want.

johnny2000 said:

There is nothing wrong with political ramblings … but it’s yet another song that is devoid of any real melody. You have to package it in a song to make it work, not just talking over a drum beat. He’s not (and never will be) as poetic and interesting as Gil Scott Heron, his sheltered experiences and opinions living in his cocooned life he leads now are un-relatable to his audience.

Prince is not a struggling poet trying to get by economically or skincolorly, Prince is a struggling poet in other fields, that does not equal that he can't express his thoughts on america - we shouldn't comepair us selves among us selves, or poets among poets.

4everyours said:

How could I guess, another song about how terrible America is. This is getting older to me than all of his bitching about record companies in the mid 90's. I am not here trying to bleed Red White and Blue but this is the same country and system that has allowed him to showcase his incredible talents and become a multimillionaire. All counties have their issues and problems with their systems and leaders but damn Prince enough of the constant America bashing. I am sure the bass is funky but just like Dreamer is rockin, it is just the lyircs that are getting old for me. I feel like Prince is constantly trying to make up for lost time during the 90's when Public Enemy and the likes were rappin/singing about race issues and the system pushing folks down and Prince did not seem to be in touch with "Black America" but now like everything with him, ie religion, record company struggles, he pushes his current agenda too far. We know, you want to make sure that Cornell West, Dick Gregory and Tavis Smiley are fully impressed with you and your messages since you may have been made to feel that you were not down enough for the cause in the 80's and 90's.

This is nothing new. Musicians/artists have been singing about socio-political issues for years; Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Jose Feliciano, Joan Baez, The Temptations, etc., besides, no one can say what Prince was thinking back in the 80s/90s, and who he wasn't "down" with. Crossing over doesn't mean an artist deserts his own kind, so-to-speak. It seems it was more about getting the music across to all segments of the population during his 80s career. Even Motown did the same to their artists, once they established a large, African-American following. No harm done. An artist or any other American shouldn't have to stop exposing or singing about socio-political issues based on what they were able to achieve successfully throughout their career or turn a blind eye to what's going on within their country. That's kind of selfish don't you think?

There's many wealthy and successful people who have concerns for what's going on in their country, who can easily just "turn their back" and ignore any socio-economic and political issues going on around them, as there are many among the wealthy, that just don't give a damn about the average John or Jane Does of America. Now some would say "Why should they?" When others will ask "Why not?' I admire anyone, whether a celebrity, musician, journalist, educator, or the average Joe or Jane, who has had the opportunity to become successful, wealthy, etc, but at the same time, doesn't allow their success or wealth to own their soul, to the point where they have become "blind", "silent" and "cold-hearted" regarding national or international situations going on in the world, and that includes successful musicians/artists who use their music to raise awareness of specific issues that affects the human population. No crime committed there.

[Edited 12/28/10 9:12am]

L4OATheOriginal said:

9037355 said:

please share the lyrics, in it's entirety as accurate as you can, but okay if you only write a quicky of them. Ida is so cool on that bass for the NPG.

welcome 2 america

welcome 2 america

welcome 2 america where u can get hired get fired and get 7 million dollars

somebody is watching u

welcome 2 america

welcome 2 america

we still got a lot 2 learn about race relations if ur in the mood 4 drama

inbetween 911 and hurricane katrina and the election of barack obama

somebody's watching u

big brother is still in effect and if ur still getting hassled at the airport

just remember who u elected

welcome 2 america

welcome 2 america

watching u watching me where the teachers only tell u half of what they know

just 2 not keep u free

now they got u wanting 2 drink some tea who me?

the past 7 presidents b4 george washington making history

i don't care what sly said everybody ain't a star

ain't no one on rolling stone cover

the big star is dead y'all

not all the way accurate but enough 2 let u know how it goes

Thanks for the lyrics.

Why can't he write a song about how he perceives America?

Why should he write about other countries when America is his country and also the most powerful in the world?

Why should he just write about dance music sex romance?

Prince has always written politically loaded songs, including most ones about America not being really positive, for example: Party Up, Ronnie talk to Russia, Free, America, SOTT, Dance On, Money don't matter tonight, Live for love, We March, Right the wrong.

Those complaints say more about those complaining than about Prince.

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

[Edited 12/28/10 10:52am]

he can and he did

Tremolina said:

Why can't he write a song about how he perceives America?

Why should he write about other countries when America is his country and also the most powerful in the world?

Why should he just write about dance music sex romance?

Prince has always written politically loaded songs, including most ones about America not being really positive, for example: Party Up, Ronnie talk to Russia, Free, America, SOTT, Dance On, Money don't matter tonight, Live for love, We March, Right the wrong.

Those complaints say more about those complaining than about Prince.

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

[Edited 12/28/10 10:52am]

So when is he touring America?

2elijah said:

L4OATheOriginal said:

welcome 2 america

welcome 2 america

welcome 2 america where u can get hired get fired and get 7 million dollars

somebody is watching u

welcome 2 america

welcome 2 america

we still got a lot 2 learn about race relations if ur in the mood 4 drama

inbetween 911 and hurricane katrina and the election of barack obama

somebody's watching u

big brother is still in effect and if ur still getting hassled at the airport

just remember who u elected

welcome 2 america

welcome 2 america

watching u watching me where the teachers only tell u half of what they know

just 2 not keep u free

now they got u wanting 2 drink some tea who me?

the past 7 presidents b4 george washington making history

i don't care what sly said everybody ain't a star

ain't no one on rolling stone cover

the big star is dead y'all

not all the way accurate but enough 2 let u know how it goes

Thanks for the lyrics.

np ..i knew the lyrics 2 every other song he did that night this one i took my time 2 listen 2

u going 2morrow?

L4OATheOriginal said:

2elijah said:

Thanks for the lyrics.

np ..i knew the lyrics 2 every other song he did that night this one i took my time 2 listen 2

u going 2morrow?

Absolutely, without question:-D !

[Edited 12/28/10 19:09pm]

2elijah said:

L4OATheOriginal said:

np ..i knew the lyrics 2 every other song he did that night this one i took my time 2 listen 2

u going 2morrow?

Absolutely, without question:-D !

[Edited 12/28/10 19:09pm]

well hopefully u have checked out the group meet up thread and will make it

funky... would be a cool album opener... love the harmony the girls have on it...

4everyours said:

How could I guess, another song about how terrible America is. This is getting older to me than all of his bitching about record companies in the mid 90's. I am not here trying to bleed Red White and Blue but this is the same country and system that has allowed him to showcase his incredible talents and become a multimillionaire. All counties have their issues and problems with their systems and leaders but damn Prince enough of the constant America bashing. I am sure the bass is funky but just like Dreamer is rockin, it is just the lyircs that are getting old for me. I feel like Prince is constantly trying to make up for lost time during the 90's when Public Enemy and the likes were rappin/singing about race issues and the system pushing folks down and Prince did not seem to be in touch with "Black America" but now like everything with him, ie religion, record company struggles, he pushes his current agenda too far. We know, you want to make sure that Cornell West, Dick Gregory and Tavis Smiley are fully impressed with you and your messages since you may have been made to feel that you were not down enough for the cause in the 80's and 90's.

If you don't like it, don't listen to it. There are plenty of people who like listening to something other than love songs all the time. Pointing out what can be fixed isn't bitching about the potential of America, its talking about the current state of affairs, and unless you are blind, there's plenty that needs improvement. When I look at the news each day I dont see any ideal state of affairs such that I should ho hum along and act as if everything were perfect. Silence = complacency AND complicity.

Tremolina said:

Prince has always written politically loaded songs, including most ones about America not being really positive, for example: Party Up, Ronnie talk to Russia, Free, America, SOTT, Dance On, Money don't matter tonight, Live for love, We March, Right the wrong.

X10

L4OATheOriginal said:

2elijah said:

Absolutely, without question:-D !

[Edited 12/28/10 19:09pm]

well hopefully u have checked out the group meet up thread and will make it

Thanks, but I probably won't be able to do the meetup, since I may not get into MSG until close to 7pm, but at least I'll be at MSG enjoying the show with everyone else attending tonight. !