Kiss. Yes know it's overplayed a little 2 much, but the groove is sooo good.

All the live versions r excellent 2, especially the versions from the Sign O The Times, LoveSexy and Nude Tours.

Other favourites: When Doves Cry, If Was Ur Girlfriend and The Beautiful Ones.

Favourite Live medley: Controversy/Mutiny

The next 10 songs, in no specific order, i will always regard very high:

1. Automatic: His best electro-funk / New-wave jam IMO and when i think of the Minneapolis sound this song comes to mind at first.

2. When You Were Mine: Probably his best 'perfect pop-song in 3 minutes' type of song, I love the shrill, sober New-wave arrangement of it on Dirty Mind (that dry telecaster-sound!), but also in many other styles (by himself, as well as in numerous cover versions by others) this turns out to be a mighty strong composition.

3. Mountains (10 minute remix): the original song is good itself, but the extended version turns it into a mindblowing piece of soul-funk, both Sly and George would be proud or more maybe even jealous off.. lol

4. If I was your girlfriend: If i could pick one song to describe what Princes music is about, this will be probably it. Musicwise (stripped down slowfunk, with weird distorded background vocals, eery spooky sounding synths, and something that sounds like a distorded accordion), lyricwise (the title implies gender-beniding on the surface, obsessions with love and sex lie underneath) and visionwise (the innovative post-modern music combined with psychosexual lyrics) i think its his signature-song.

5. Mia Bocca (as performed by Jill Jones): Probably his best arrangement ever. The combination of the dry electronic funk-beat and the orchestra works like a charm. The way the orchestral arrangement meanders around the beat and the vocals is just brilliant: woodwinds one time, brass the other time etc. I should give Clare Fischer credit for that of course. The way Jill Jones sings it (part typical Prince-protege sexkitten, part Nina Hagen-like punksinger) give the song a strong earthy, pop-song like element that works as a great counterpart for the more sophisticated orchestral arrangement.

6. Willing and Able: south-african 'jive' meeting classic R&B / gospel. And also rather impassioned, sincere sounding lead vocals by Prince (i read somewhere he did record them in one take in his mobile studio while he was touring Japan). I can forgive him for the Tony M rap, otherwise this is a rather underrated but lively, pure nineties-song from him.

7. Crystal Ball (the version with the 'Brothers and sisters of the purple underground' speech): unfortunately he butchered this song for its release on the Crystal Ball set, by removing some of its more daring elements (it sounds like he wanted to 'mix out' Wendy and Lisa as much as possible) and by clumsily sounding overdubs. This orginal version is a testament of him being at his creative peak in the second half of the eighties (for me, that is). Some reviewer described this as if Prince was dreaming about the apocalypse, that description sure does it justice IMO.

8. Lovesexy (the titletrack): a song like a nuclear explosion, a pure blast of energy thanks to the instrumentation and the arrangement: '1999'-synths, synthbass, Zappa-and Clinton-like bridges and vocal arrangements, raw rock guitar, gospel-elements and twiddling with vocal-speed buttons all working together to create a mindfucking wall of sound.

9. Sign of the Times (also the titletrack): almost the aural opposite of the Lovesexy title track: controlled, stripped down instead of exhuberant and restless. In essence this is a blues song with a postmodern production. The best of his 'stripped down' eighties singles IMO, after When Doves Cry and Kiss (In this field i happen to like New Position more then Kiss).

10. Dolphin: my second nineties-song on this list. Composition-wise this might not be as strong as some of his earlier attempts at writing 'perfect pop' songs (When you were mine, Raspberry Beret and the far underrated Glam Slam), but the instrumentation and production sure give it a boost and make it one of his best overal executed nineties songs-for me.The playing by the NPG is as tight as it is tastefull (Michael B's drums!), the prodution is direct but warm (The Gold Experience is one of his best 'sounding' albums IMO), it has an exquisite sounding bridge (a bit Queen / Beatles like-influenced), a great, rather uncharacteristacely controlled guitarsolo by Prince and those counterbalancing background vocals by Prince in the last chorus sound simply brilliant.

Cornelius1973 said:

The next 10 songs, in no specific order, i will always regard very high:

1. Automatic: His best electro-funk / New-wave jam IMO and when i think of the Minneapolis sound this song comes to mind at first.

2. When You Were Mine: Probably his best 'perfect pop-song in 3 minutes' type of song, I love the shrill, sober New-wave arrangement of it on Dirty Mind (that dry telecaster-sound!), but also in many other styles (by himself, as well as in numerous cover versions by others) this turns out to be a mighty strong composition.

3. Mountains (10 minute remix): the original song is good itself, but the extended version turns it into a mindblowing piece of soul-funk, both Sly and George would be proud or more maybe even jealous off.. lol

4. If I was your girlfriend: If i could pick one song to describe what Princes music is about, this will be probably it. Musicwise (stripped down slowfunk, with weird distorded background vocals, eery spooky sounding synths, and something that sounds like a distorded accordion), lyricwise (the title implies gender-beniding on the surface, obsessions with love and sex lie underneath) and visionwise (the innovative post-modern music combined with psychosexual lyrics) i think its his signature-song.

5. Mia Bocca (as performed by Jill Jones): Probably his best arrangement ever. The combination of the dry electronic funk-beat and the orchestra works like a charm. The way the orchestral arrangement meanders around the beat and the vocals is just brilliant: woodwinds one time, brass the other time etc. I should give Clare Fischer credit for that of course. The way Jill Jones sings it (part typical Prince-protege sexkitten, part Nina Hagen-like punksinger) give the song a strong earthy, pop-song like element that works as a great counterpart for the more sophisticated orchestral arrangement.

6. Willing and Able: south-african 'jive' meeting classic R&B / gospel. And also rather impassioned, sincere sounding lead vocals by Prince (i read somewhere he did record them in one take in his mobile studio while he was touring Japan). I can forgive him for the Tony M rap, otherwise this is a rather underrated but lively, pure nineties-song from him.

7. Crystal Ball (the version with the 'Brothers and sisters of the purple underground' speech): unfortunately he butchered this song for its release on the Crystal Ball set, by removing some of its more daring elements (it sounds like he wanted to 'mix out' Wendy and Lisa as much as possible) and by clumsily sounding overdubs. This orginal version is a testament of him being at his creative peak in the second half of the eighties (for me, that is). Some reviewer described this as if Prince was dreaming about the apocalypse, that description sure does it justice IMO.

8. Lovesexy (the titletrack): a song like a nuclear explosion, a pure blast of energy thanks to the instrumentation and the arrangement: '1999'-synths, synthbass, Zappa-and Clinton-like bridges and vocal arrangements, raw rock guitar, gospel-elements and twiddling with vocal-speed buttons all working together to create a mindfucking wall of sound.

9. Sign of the Times (also the titletrack): almost the aural opposite of the Lovesexy title track: controlled, stripped down instead of exhuberant and restless. In essence this is a blues song with a postmodern production. The best of his 'stripped down' eighties singles IMO, after When Doves Cry and Kiss (In this field i happen to like New Position more then Kiss).

10. Dolphin: my second nineties-song on this list. Composition-wise this might not be as strong as some of his earlier attempts at writing 'perfect pop' songs (When you were mine, Raspberry Beret and the far underrated Glam Slam), but the instrumentation and production sure give it a boost and make it one of his best overal executed nineties songs-for me.The playing by the NPG is as tight as it is tastefull (Michael B's drums!), the prodution is direct but warm (The Gold Experience is one of his best 'sounding' albums IMO), it has an exquisite sounding bridge (a bit Queen / Beatles like-influenced), a great, rather uncharacteristacely controlled guitarsolo by Prince and those counterbalancing background vocals by Prince in the last chorus sound simply brilliant.

wow, this is a very interesting list.

sign o times

controversy

its hard 2 many 2 mention

purplethunder3121 said:

If you could pick just one of Prince's songs as your all time favorite, what would it be and why?

After a lot of listening and thought, for me, it would have to be "Days of Wild." To me, there is no better song that gives a sense of what Prince was all about at his most shining time...the sound, the lyrics, the call and response that fit a certain period of time--the warning to "hang on to your wigs..." LOL What a terrific song! Although I love so many others, this, to me, signifies the essense of Prince at his best. Coming in second, by a hair, is "Annastecia." What a spiritual ride that song is! What is your favorite song?

My 1st song I remember of P's and most favorite: Sexy Dancer ... !!!

If Was Ur Girlfriend..

played it to death..

and now still playing it.. (back to life again xD)

[Edited 12/27/10 12:18pm]

Extremely difficult thing to answer; I don't think I could truly choose an absolute favourite, but I will say that I believe "The Truth" is probably the best (released) song he's written, and also one of his greatest ever performances.

Adore....but 17 days comes in at a very close 2nd....and Annastesia comes in at a very close 3rd.

[Edited 12/27/10 13:07pm]

Bohemian67 said:

It just might be Space.

"Space" is the ultimate shit. Yes sir.

Can't do this. Never been able to even approach finding an answer for this question. My brain just goes blank. Reading the responses from others always trips me out, too.

I know I done posted in this thread and said The Beautiful One's and Scandalous, but I'd feel bad if I didn't bring up Do Me, Baby. It's such a smooth song and it's Prince at his all-time best. The sex-crazed, half-naked, shove it all in your face Prince beats the ever-loving hell out of the Prince we have today. Or, in my opinion, anyway.

I could never take the place of your man/little red corvette.

Q of U. And folks that "cheated" and named more than one song should be forced to choose. That makes it real interesting. Like having drop lovers, when you really love them all.

Don't chicken out. Choose!

"Strange But True"

... strange, but true!

Silkilove said:

Q of U. And folks that "cheated" and named more than one song should be forced to choose. That makes it real interesting. Like having drop lovers, when you really love them all.

Don't chicken out. Choose!

If I had to choose one song it would probably have to be Little Red Corvette. Simply because of the fact that it was the song that made me a fan.

If I had to pick just one it would have to be International Lover

When You Were Mine

In No Paticular Order

Optimus Award For Best Vocal - Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife

Princes beautiful wedding song, not only is the main fallesto vocal amazind (have u heard were he holds that not at the end?....WOW!)...Its also the way the backing vocals cummunicate and speak 2 eachother and him reinforcing what the purple yoda is trying 2 say....also the 2nd most beautiful openin lyric 2 a prince song "If I Ever Held A Hand It Was Only...Becuz I Neva Held Ur Hand" awww heart-melting stuff

Optimus Award For Best Rap - Pussy Control/Days Of Wild/Acknowledge Me/Pope

These Hip-Hop tracks all contain passable raps with great humour unlike My Name Is Prince

Optimus Award For Best Production/ Composition - Crystal Ball/Mountains/Erotic City

These 3 songs 4 me are brillaintly performed musically not just vocal....which gives these tracks a great "other worldy" sound

Optimus Award For Best Lyrics - Adore

Dont really have 2 say much about this track...im sure u already understand

Optimus Award For Fav Guilty Pleasure - Chocolate Box

I really love this track....even if every1 else hates it ...and i think its fuckin catchy...on 2?

Optimus Award For Funkyness - Housequake

SHUT UP ALREADY....DAMN!

Optimus Award For Best Rock Track - Dolphin/Peach

Absoloutley "Adore" both these tracks love the guitar work, all around sound and vocal delivery

Optimus Award For Under-rated - Dig U Better Dead

Maybe the Album Chaos and Disorder Isnt Considered Princes Finest Moments by many Purple Hippies (I Like It)...there is a wonderful moment in the stuttering jazz-funk of "Dig U Better Dead," which has a funky yet creepy sound....I love this track i truly do...and the saying Dig U Better Dead Is sooo true in the music world,Lennon, 2pac, MJ etc...there estates made soo much more money...after they died...sad...but true!!!

If I was ur girlfriend

The Ballad of Dorothy Parker

Lady cab driver

Joy in repetition

eyewishuheaven said:

LuneCerise said:

Wish U Heaven

I like your taste in music, and in avatars!

Merci!

Optimus2 said:

the stuttering jazz-funk of "Dig U Better Dead"

Jazz-Funk? I would love to hear your explanation on where the "Jazz" is on this track

toejam said:

Optimus2 said:

the stuttering jazz-funk of "Dig U Better Dead"

Jazz-Funk? I would love to hear your explanation on where the "Jazz" is on this track

Im no music expert....but it kinda sounds jazzy 2 me...in a weird funky kinda poppy toned down way...by the way i cant stand jazz.....so i wouldnt be no expert on that music type

Just one song. It's hard, really hard.

All My Dreams

Very closely Followed by Crystal Ball and Rock Hard In A Funky Place.

Oh yeah, I forgot Rockhard In A Funky Place.

at his ultimate best. That's a rare gem there.

purplerain14 said:

i think mine is electric intercourse...i fall in love with him a little more each time i listen to it.

but its really hard for me to pick just one!!!!!!!!!!

ohh i really like she gave her angels too!, it makes me cry!

I think electric intercourse would be mine too..............

jughead

Not! (Psych)

Probably the one I'm listening to at any given moment.

Diamonds and Pearls

The Old Classice....Baby I'm A Star!

Would Die 4 U, Do Me Baby, 7 and Kiss are not to far behind.

Cornelius1973 said:

5. Mia Bocca (as performed by Jill Jones): Probably his best arrangement ever. The combination of the dry electronic funk-beat and the orchestra works like a charm. The way the orchestral arrangement meanders around the beat and the vocals is just brilliant: woodwinds one time, brass the other time etc. I should give Clare Fischer credit for that of course. The way Jill Jones sings it (part typical Prince-protege sexkitten, part Nina Hagen-like punksinger) give the song a strong earthy, pop-song like element that works as a great counterpart for the more sophisticated orchestral arrangement.

Agree, agree, agree.

I liked the rest of your list too a nice mix.