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The Rainbow Children I have a question; I keep hearing people talk about the Rainbow Children on here, some people love it and some people hate it- My question is; is it a Christian album? I think someone on here said it was about the Jehovah's Witnesses? Should I get it or save my money? Thanks-
Btw, I like Chritian type albums so I don't have a problem with that | |
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Yes | |
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Like everyone else, you should form your own opinion of the album. There are a lot of folks on the org who liked it. And there are a lot who don't.
Music is a personal experience, so we can't tell you if you will like it.
BTW - I don't like it, because I don't identify with the lyrics. Musically - it's decent. IMO | |
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Get it, it's his last classic. If you can handle all the 'banished ones' vs. 'rainbow children' propaganda.  | |
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Buy it it's one of my favorites. the Music is prince music
It's not a Christian album It tells some kind of story from beginning to end It's mixed with Jehovahs Witness & Egyptology lore and something else in there
My favorites made bold
November 2001 Rainbow Children | |
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TMO a great album--despite some of the lyrics it'll definitely get you in a good mood. | |
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**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose! http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad | |
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Sorry, but how is it NOT a Christian album?
JW is a CHRISTIAN faith. And, "The Everlasting Now", apparently one of your favourites, clearly states "Accurate knowledge of CHRIST and the Father, will bring the everlasting now".
Its very much a Christian album - of course, I'm open to you explaining how it isn't. ...we have only scratched the surface of what the mind can do...
My dance project; www.zubzub.co.uk Listen to any of my tracks in full, for free, here; www.zubzub.bandcamp.com Go and glisten  | |
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See, this is what he needs to do. An album with meaning, TRC is actually my favorite, its so well thought out, not just a collection of tracks thrown together, its mindblowingly thought out. All the tracks flowing into oneanother with segues and a storyline. Something with a bit of depth and some awsome basslines, the music is just too cool. Funky jazz.
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This album still divides fans, still gets long threads about it's themes and lyrics etc 10 years after.
Even though some love it and some loath it, it's a standout in Prince's catalogue - that alone should be reason enough to check it out.
I love it BTW. | |
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denomination So then is Lovesexy a Christian album too? Save me Jesus, I was a fool you are my lord I am your child etc etc Love is God God is Love...
Was the Lovesexy tour a Christian tour?
how about the Purple Rain album/era Let's Go CrAZY, listen to the extended versions of Computer Blue, the backwards message of Darling Nikki, I Would Die 4 U, God the Dance Electric, the Dance Electric, 4 the Tears in Your Eyes, 17 Days:the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose
Purple Rain music was seriously touched with Christian themes, but it wasn't Christian music.
Jehovahs Witness + Egyptology doesn't = Christianity
A lot of musicians and bands have songs with subjects borrowed from Christian themes doesn't make it a Christian album.
Madonna has albums that have songs that revolve around Catholism and Kabbalah and touches of Hindu themes does it make it that? Would the Ray of Light album be a religious album because most of it's themes are contrived from a combination of the above?
[Edited 1/21/11 9:23am] | |
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Thanks everyone for the input - I am going to order it now! | |
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Be sure 2 let us know what u think of it.
Personally, I think it's an excellent piece of work. **--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose! http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad | |
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Yes, Lovesexy is a Christian album. And so was the tour. Both might have contained things that a conventional Christian may have found challenging, but Prince has never really been conventional. But the fact they were drenched with lyrics about a Christian God and Jesus makes it Christian themed music. Its not difficult. Prince has preached about Christian related subjects since 1981, its really nothing new - the fact he equated religion with sex doesn't detract from the fact that he was singing from a Christian point of view (albeit a very liberated one).
Any artist that releases a song or album where the overarching themes are about Christ/God is speaking/singing from a Christian perspective, its really that simple.
Your point about mixing JW dogma with Egyptology is weak - he mentions ONE thing (the opposite of Nato is Aten) and its to make a reference to MONOTHEISTIC religion - ie, just like CHRISTIANITY.
I don't know what you mean by "Christian music" - if you mean hymns, then you're being pedantic and narrow-minded. To me, a song that contains lyrics preaching about Christian themes makes it Christian music.
With regards to Madonna - sure, she's sung from a Christian perspective (and, like Prince, has been contraversial with it because it was unconventional), but has become more open in time with her obvious exposure to other faiths. So, Ray of Light is not necessarily a Christian album, but it is a spiritual album. Prince, however, has rarely hinted at anything other than Christian based beliefs however and that, of course, is what we are discussing here. ...we have only scratched the surface of what the mind can do...
My dance project; www.zubzub.co.uk Listen to any of my tracks in full, for free, here; www.zubzub.bandcamp.com Go and glisten | |
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I agree with you 100%, it's an absolute classic!...well maybe except Wedding Feast.. | |
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if i had to recommend an album to a non Prince fan, then this is the only one worthy... post 80's material... 
Cool you have your ideas I have mine, I didn't come here to be attacked. We all have our belief about what Christianity really is. Maybe if we asked Jesus and the 12 Apostles if his music is "Christian" according to words in the bible I would say no. It's YOUR opinion. I don't think Lovesexy is a Christian album at all. NOR is the Purple Rain music. Which you seriously didn't comment on. Lovesexy has 1 song with a line with Jesus in it and then another saying I Wish U Heaven(Heaven is not a Christian only theme nor does it have to be a religious statement always)
the KKK also uses Christian ideas and themes and pray to Jesus, it doesn't make them Christian
Christian themes don't make something Christian.
Who is the PHaroah that this women? could be MUSE too? Akashic Records?? That is seriously not a Christian idea or concept
and NO i'm not being narrow minded. If someone makes mention of Islam in a song or an angel it doesn't make it religious, not at all.
Christian album religious album spiritual album. Maybe the Rainbow Children is a spiritual or religious album and not a Jehovahs Witness album
Do you know what he's talking about as far as the banished ones and the digital garden and all that? Because NONE of that is biblical as far as I know. Now if the JW bible has that in it, which I don't know, then it would make it more a JW concept album, because most Christian denominations don't walk in the same ideas of the JW.
None of this below is in any way shape or form Christian. So NO this is not a Christian album it's another PRINCE album with Jehovah Witness and some very Other ideas meshed in. You can find any of this in the bible or interpret it accordingly then we can talk rude mouth.
"With the accurate understanding of God and His law
"The Wise One who understood the law "And 4ever is in subjection 2 God."
"As prophesized, the Wise One and his woman were tempted by the Resistor. The Wise One who understood the law that was handed down
Love, like a rose in bloom
They now fallen into (Love, like a rose in bloom) Or so it seemed And all the Rainbow Children will stand and fight "The Banished Ones approaching the palace shouted obscenities. "'So be it', said the Wise One,
From all over the people came 2 do The Work.
"2 all his good brothers the Wise One spoke highly of his muse because
As she fell into the Sensual Everafter - out of body, out of mind,
One after the other, the Banished Ones fled
Brother, dear brother, I came as quickly as I could Now there must be a wedding (Wedding)
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I'm not attacking you at all! Where have I done that. Its unfortunate you feel that way, because it is clouding your logic and rationalilty.
Lovesexy is a Christian album - the albums theme is largely finding salvation and redemption through God and Jesus. That makes it Christian and its far more pervasive than you suggest.
Eye No -"Eye No there is a heaven, I know that there's a Hell" - Christian concepts "That's when I called HIS name, Don't you know he found me". "I know there is a devil, because he talks so loud" etc etc
Anna Stesia - already mentioned and very obvious. Lovesexy - certainly about loving God. Its even in the liner notes "Lovesexy - the feeling you get when you fall in love, not with a girl or a boy, but with the heavens above". I Wish You Heaven - despite your semantic argument, its still about bestowing God's love. Postivity - still alludes to the "devil's work" through Spooky Electric (euphemism for the devil).
Lovesexy is saturated with Christian belief and instructs people to love God for a better life. That is PREACHING Christianity and attempting to convert it's audience. This blows away your argument.
Purple Rain is not an obvious contender - but it still has its Christian themes. Prince himself said categorically that the "de-elevator" in the lyrics is the devil.
You said "the KKK also uses Christian ideas and themes and pray to Jesus, it doesn't make them Christian" - I won't pretend to know a great deal about the history of the KKK, but I do know that a majority were Protestant and were anti-Catholic. Do you know what that means? It means they were Christians! Anyone who prays to Jesus is a Christian. Whether they uphold all the values in the bible is another matter, as all denominations have their own ideas and interpretations. But, if someone believes in Jesus, regardless of their behaviour, then they are still a Christian.
Christian themes do not make something Christian. Clearly, I accept that - its all about context. You could be writing a piece with Christian themes, but which is actually anti-Christian. But, Prince doesn't write anti-Christian material - he is always PROMOTING Christian ideas and love of God, that's what makes his music predominantly Christian.
The Pharaoh is, of course, Prince. My opinion is that he uses this term to replace both the word "Prince" and also to convey his "kingship", him being at the top so to speak. Just because he uses an Egyptian metaphor there (and also with the Nato/Aten reference) doesn't mean this song isn't about Christian stuff. Her singing proverbs will make her his queen. Children protected by the word of God. Its all Christian dogma (albeit with the JW twist on things - but its still Christian).
Again, I'm aware of the Akashic Records and that its not a Christian concept. But, again, alot of Prince's religious meanderings are highly unconvnetional, so its hardly a surprise. Still doesn't detract from the album's overall theme.
I'm not going to dissect the lyrics you've posted, but from the very start it talks about God's law handed down long ago. Its talking about the Testaments and how JWs feel they have the right interpretation and went about building "a new nation" (the JW movement). Whilst its not a recital of the bible, it is based on the bible, the CHRISTIAN bible. The "banished ones" are non-believers and the Digital Garden is the modern world and media. Its all artistic expression to tell the JW story. And JWs are Christians.
You don't have to accept any of this, but there is so much evidence of Prince's Christian beliefs that it is ridiculous to pretend that Prince does not preach Christianity and believe that we'd all be better off believing in God.
For the record, I'm an athiest, but I believe people are entitled to believe in whatever they want and it doesn't affect my enjoyment of Prince's music. People who are in denial of Prince's religious projections may, however, have an issue!
...we have only scratched the surface of what the mind can do...
My dance project; www.zubzub.co.uk Listen to any of my tracks in full, for free, here; www.zubzub.bandcamp.com Go and glisten | |
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To stop this debate from flying around in circles, it might be easier if we establish what your definition is of "Christian music". I mean, you keep saying that Christian themes don't make something Christian, so what does? ...we have only scratched the surface of what the mind can do...
My dance project; www.zubzub.co.uk Listen to any of my tracks in full, for free, here; www.zubzub.bandcamp.com Go and glisten | |
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This sounds like it's a very interesting CD! I've ordered it and can't wait to get it! Thanks for all the feedback from everyone! | |
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there are some definite unChristian things in there unless you are member of the Westboro Baptist Church. Here are some of my favs:
"Every time I watch the other people's news"
"The Wise One who understood the law that was handed down from God long ago reflected the true meaning 2 his woman every day. And she surrendered her discerning of it into his care and keeping 4 she trusted he would lead in the right way."
"As prophesized, the Wise One and his woman were tempted by the Resistor.
"Holocaust aside, many lived and died There's a theocratic order This is how it's gonna be
"First of all, the term "black and white" is a fallacy. It simply is another way of saying "this or that". When a minority realizes its similarities on a higher level
Pleased 2 meet U, Mr. Rosenbloom Pleased 2 meet U, Mr. Pearlman Pleased 2 meet U Mr. Goldstruck"
ALMOST TEN YEARS ON AND GOD STILL DONT LIKE UGLY MR. NELSON | |
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I have the Rainbow Children CD but to be honest I've only listened to it twice since I bought it a year ago... I think the music itself on it is wonderful...but the "Darth Vader" speaking voice ("God" or "Jehovah" on the CD) annoys me so much that it is hard for me to enjoy the music itself. I prefer to listen to the songs on ONA live concert compilations. "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato
https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0 | |
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love it. start to finish. loved it from the first listen. absolutely stellar musical execution on this one. never thought of the lyrics as too religious one way or the other. because it floats between a few religions and cultures i dig it as a sort of made up mythology.
if you like any of his music, there's sure to be at least some songs of interest to you here and true love lives on lollipops and crisps | |
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If it helps - A track by track discussion of the album can be found here:
http://prince.org/msg/7/345242
Might give you a feel for the album and let you know what you are missing. "I'm not human I'm a dove, I'm ur conscience. I am love" | |
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I understand that you might not like the voice (although, I've often wondered why people have such a problem with it, its not like Prince hasn't done it before and I haven't seen any other negative comments towards it - ok, its only been in individual tracks, not a pervasive narration, but still), but its a shame that it affects you so much that you can't enjoy the music. That voice probably makes up less than 5% of the album!
Furthermore, may I ask what makes you think that the voice is meant to represent God/Jehovah?! In my view, its just a narrator. ...we have only scratched the surface of what the mind can do...
My dance project; www.zubzub.co.uk Listen to any of my tracks in full, for free, here; www.zubzub.bandcamp.com Go and glisten | |
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I probably need to listen to the album again...in fact, I think I will this evening... When I heard the album the first to times, my impression was that the "Darth Vader" voice was supposed to represent the voice of a "Higher Power" or "God." I guess maybe it depends on the interpretation of the listener. But the album is definitely worth a listen again, if only for the wonderful music. "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato
https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0 | |
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the narrating voice is not god since it mentions god in third person.
i don't imagine anyone when i hear that voice, it's more like the faceless and nameless narrator to a novel.
the fact that it happens to be such a deep voice is purely down to prince probably thinking it was cool and fit the mood. i wonder if he would consider tweeking it if he had the chance to go back and do the album again since so many people seem to be unable to listen to it due to that voice.
personally, i don't care one bit about it. like mindflux said, it takes up about 5% of the total album tops. and whenever it's mixed into the song with music playing at the same time, i mind it even less.
like in "the everlasting now"
"...and in a downward spiral it dripped down the drain"
fits so beautifully with the guitar solo that comes after it. bliss
and true love lives on lollipops and crisps | |
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yes, this is a christian album....jw is a christian faith. definitely worth getting! Don't need no reefer, don't need cocaine
Purple music does the same 2 my brain And I'm high, so high | |
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That's how I see it too, it plays on Prince's made up story combined with a few religious ideas. It's not a christian album at all. People need to get over that, check it out and stop listening to people scare tactics. I did for a while before I bought it, and next to all of his 1980s album the Rainbow Children is right there with it. | |
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we have very different ideas of Christianity. Very different I don't believe anything and everything can be considered christian. Ideology and mythology of christianity is one thing. Prince never confessed to be a Christian during Purple Rain or Lovesexy because he wasn't. Plain in simple.
I'm telling you non of that Digital Garden banished ones stuff is biblical. Anyone can pull what they want out the bible and make a story, doesn't make it Christian. I mean if some believes Jesus is God -the Son of God and they were talking to him face to face about this subject, I don't think he would say oh yes this is what I taught, this is my truth.
Again we can end this so it doesn't go crazy. You have your idea of it I have mine. We won't change each others idea. And that's cool. I LOVE this album | |
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