Prince appeared to have become understandably bitter about the commercial disaster that was UTCM, the break-up of The Revolution, The Crystal Ball debacle with WB, declining sales post-PR, and his failed relationship with Susannah Melvoin, which probably accounts for him turning to ecstacy and the resulting bad trip he experienced during that 'dark night of the soul'. After withdrawing the Black album for spiritual reasons, he produced Lovesexy, which was meant to be a positive spiritual awakening for Prince. Interestingly, unlike today, he performed songs like Head and Sister (despite his proclamations of Christianity) and apparently enjoyed an entourage of groupies during the Lovesexy tour, which leads me to doubt the whole 'spiritual awakening' episode. I'm not saying that as a major rock star he should refrain from these things but it seems quite hypocritical considering the fact that he was encouraging the audience to turn away from the dark side (part 1 of the concert) and embrace the godliness and pure spirituality of part 2 of the concert. I think Prince was without a plan or direction for the first time in his career- he was lost (apart from having Graffiti Bridge on the backburner).

It was a lot more believable and human awakening then than the one he's gone through now, which amounts to nothing but a bunch of arbitrary and contradictory rules imposed on himself so that he can get into heaven.

errant said:

It was a lot more believable and human awakening then than the one he's gone through now, which amounts to nothing but a bunch of arbitrary and contradictory rules imposed on himself so that he can get into heaven.

I truly believe that after the fallings out over Crystal Ball, this was Prince's way of sneaking out a double album right under Warner Bros noses. Black/Lovesexy are 2 very different sides to the same coin.

I think the debacle was just a way to let the fan's know what to look for... After all, the first line of the Black Album is 'So... you found me. Good, I'm glad'.

Who said he had a "spiritual awakening" then (and what does that even mean)?

Prince has always had his own brand of spirituality. Even now, he turns his faith into something that suits him.

One thing he has always been is utterly human.

Genesia said:

Who said he had a "spiritual awakening" then (and what does that even mean)?

Prince has always had his own brand of spirituality. Even now, he turns his faith into something that suits him.

One thing he has always been is utterly human.

lawd hammercy.

The whole concept of Lovesexy is about spiritual rebirth.

I think it was real. This guy has an interesting take on it...

http://www.savetherobot.com/articles/prince_8788.html

I think it was real. I think where Prince is now is real. If its a sham, then so what? That's his problem not any of ours. Lovesexy was where he was in 1988, if that mindset changed in 1989, then that was on him not on you. This is supposed to be entertainment. That entertainment is either hitting you or it isn't. He's a grown ass man and if he wants to change his mind about things, then he can cause it's his right to. You guys do the same thing, you just don't have a fansite critiqing your every move and thought. It's what it was and it's what it is, no more or less.

He was kind of having his cake and eating it too with the concert. But he did that a lot. The way he closes Around the World in a Day suggests a spiritual awakening too that he didn't really stick with. And then Graffiti Bridge was another one.

"Tis nobody funkier -- let the Black Album fly." Spooky
Electric was talking, Camille started 2 cry. Tricked.
A fool he had been. In the lowest utmostest. He had allowed
the dark side of him 2 create something evil. 2 Nigs United
4 West Compton. Camille and his ego. Bob George. Why?
Spooky Electric must die. Die in the hearts of all who
want love. Die in the hearts of men who want change.
Die in the bodies of women who want babies that will grow up
with a New Power Soul. Love Life, Lovesexy -- the feeling
u get when u fall in love, not with a girl or boy but with the
heavens above. Lovesexy -- endorphin. Camille figured out
what 2 feel. Glam Slam Escape -- the Sexuality Real.
Tonight we make love with only words. Girls first. This
feeling's so good in every single way.
God is alive! Let Him touch u and He will quench
every thirst. Let him touch u and an aura of peace will adorn u.
God is alive!
Let Him touch u and your own Lovesexy will be born.
Let Him touch u, let Him touch u, and Heaven is yours.
Welcome 2 the New Power Generation.

...

But something had changed. Prince believed that he had experienced a spiritual and moral epiphany, and that Chavez, serving as a guide, had shown him the way to greater connection with God and other people. The Black Album, he decided, represented the anger and licentiousness that he must leave behind. After casting about for months for a way to truly put the Revolution era behind him, he had found one.

Days after the ecstasy trip, Prince contacted Warner Bros. chairman Mo Ostin and insisted that the Black Album, with its release just days away, be canceled. "Prince was very adamant and pleaded with Mo," recalled Marylou Badeaux. Although Ostin ultimately agreed, halting the release was a logistical nightmare for Warners. Five hundred thousand LPs - which now needed to be destroyed - had been pressed, and were on loading docks ready for shipment to stores. A small number of vinyl records and cds escaped destruction, and The Black Album quickly became available on the bootleg market, with fans selling and trading cassette duplicates of widely varying fidelity.

Prince has never given a clear public explanation of the decision to shelve the album, but the program from his next tour included a cryptic discussion of the Black Album's "evil" nature, and refers to December 1, 1987 (the night he spent with Chavez at Paisley Park), as "Blue Tuesday."

Having shelved the Black Album, Prince immediately threw himself into the recording of his next LP, Lovesexy, which he conceived as a document of his epiphany.

Efan said:

He was kind of having his cake and eating it too with the concert. But he did that a lot. The way he closes Around the World in a Day suggests a spiritual awakening too that he didn't really stick with. And then Graffiti Bridge was another one.

I would consider GB to be more of someone coming to terms with their spirituality rather than a reawakening. Maybe semantics, but it seemed like he already had the right idea and had the goal of God in GB, but that it took someone to explain to him how to process that and release that to actually allow it to come to fruition.

2 centz

Eye No
© 1988 Paisley Park Records

Rain is wet and sugar is sweet
Clap your hands and stomp your feet
Everybody, everybody knows
When Love calls, U gotta go
(I know) {repeat in BG}
Welcome 2 the New Power Generation
The reason why my voice is so clear
Is there's no smack in my brain
(This soul belongs to God)

Hundalasiliah! I know there is a heaven, I know there is a hell
Listen 2 me people, I got a story 2 tell
I know there was confusion, lightnin' all around me
That's when I called His name
Don't U know He found me?

No! - is what Spooky Electric say, it's not OK (No!)
But I know that Love is the only way till my dyin' day (No!)
Till my dyin' day I'll be OK
Cuz Lovesexy is the one till my day is done
Hundalasiliah! (Yeah oh!)

I know there is a devil because he talks so loud
He makes U do things your friends do (Do what your friends do)
Hang out with the crowd
But my Lord, He's so quiet when He calls your name
When U hear it your heart will thunder
U will wanna hear it every day

No! (People) - is what Spooky Electric say (Tell me, what'd he say?) (No!)
But don't U know that I know Love is the only way till my dyin' day (No!)
Till my dyin' day I'll be OK
Cuz Lovesexy is the one till my day is done
Hundalasiliah!

Spinlight said:

Efan said:

He was kind of having his cake and eating it too with the concert. But he did that a lot. The way he closes Around the World in a Day suggests a spiritual awakening too that he didn't really stick with. And then Graffiti Bridge was another one.

I would consider GB to be more of someone coming to terms with their spirituality rather than a reawakening. Maybe semantics, but it seemed like he already had the right idea and had the goal of God in GB, but that it took someone to explain to him how to process that and release that to actually allow it to come to fruition.

2 centz

Yeah, I can see that. Since so much of GB and Lovesexy were made at the same time, it seemed like a continuation of that spiritual awakening in some regards. But judged on its own, your point make sense.

Prince's first midlife crisis...

Spinlight said:

Genesia said:

Who said he had a "spiritual awakening" then (and what does that even mean)?

Prince has always had his own brand of spirituality. Even now, he turns his faith into something that suits him.

One thing he has always been is utterly human.

lawd hammercy.

The whole concept of Lovesexy is about spiritual rebirth.

Yeah, I know what the album's about. That doesn't mean it's autobiographical, necessarily. Do you think everything Prince writes/sings about is to be taken literally?

Efan said:

Spinlight said:

I would consider GB to be more of someone coming to terms with their spirituality rather than a reawakening. Maybe semantics, but it seemed like he already had the right idea and had the goal of God in GB, but that it took someone to explain to him how to process that and release that to actually allow it to come to fruition.

2 centz

Yeah, I can see that. Since so much of GB and Lovesexy were made at the same time, it seemed like a continuation of that spiritual awakening in some regards. But judged on its own, your point make sense.

I think Prince had the concept for Graffiti Bridge near 1985/1986 I'll search my interview logs I think he talked about it ...

When you talk abut God, which God are you talking about? The Christian God? Jewish? Buddhist? Is there any God in particular you have in mind?

Yes, very much so. A while back, I had an experience that changed me and made me feel differently about how and what and how I acted toward people. I'm going to make a film about it -- not the next one, but the one after that. I've wanted to make it for three years now. Don't get me wrong -- I'm still as wild as I was. I'm just funneling it in a different direction. And now I analyze things so much that sometimes I can't shut off my brain and it hurts. That's what the movie will be about.

What was the experience that changed you?

I don't really want to get into it specifically. During the Dirty Mind period, I would go into fits of depression and get physically ill. I would have to call people to help get me out of it. I don't do that anymore.

What were you depressed about?

A lot had to do with the band's situation, the fact that I couldn't make people in the band understand how great we could all be together if we all played our part. A lot had to do with being in love with someone and not getting any love back. And there was the fact that I didn't talk much with my father and sister. Anyway, a lot of things happened in this two-day period, but I don't want to get into it right now.

How'd you get over it?

That's what the movie's going to be about. Paisley Park is the only way I can say I got over it now. Paisley Park is the place one should find in oneself, where one can go when one is alone.

You say you've now found the place where you can go to be alone. Is it your house? Within the family you've built around yourself? With God?

It's a combination of things. I think when one discovers himself, he discovers God. Or maybe it's the other way around. I'm not sure...It's hard to put into words. It's a feeling -- someone knows when they get it. That's all I can really say.


Rolling Stone
Article publication date: April 26, 1985

PRINCE TALKS
BY NEAL KARLEN

Prince always had a grasp on his spirituality and it's been true.

The better question is were the fans screaming when Prince asked "Do U believe?" shamming? Since nowadays when he brings up religion everyone starts .

I always thought the black album was a stunt. That he intended it to be bootlegged.

I do not care what he said in the video or the notes. I think he wanted the Black Album to be a BLACK market album.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

I always thought the black album was a stunt. That he intended it to be bootlegged.

I do not care what he said in the video or the notes. I think he wanted the Black Album to be a BLACK market album.

Think about the bigget picture of how the industry works, and the mechanics of the physical product itself if nothing else.

They certainly worked the publicity of it for sure, but there's a difference between putting info about something out there and letting copies go astray, and actually printing up thousands of copies only to destroy them.

Genesia said:

Spinlight said:

lawd hammercy.

The whole concept of Lovesexy is about spiritual rebirth.

Yeah, I know what the album's about. That doesn't mean it's autobiographical, necessarily. Do you think everything Prince writes/sings about is to be taken literally?

Well, not everything. But a lot of it, sure. I think he uses a lot of alleghory and a lot of metaphors and sometimes he conflates ideas, people, names, history, etc. But the heart of it all is mostly autobiographical.

I can think of some tracks I wouldn't necessarily consider autobiographical ("Rockhard in a Funky Place", "Hot Thing", etc) because they depict actual fantasies he is having. But on the real, I believe "I Know" and "Anna Stesia" and "Posivity" are fairly autobiographical tunes. 'least I've always thougth them to be.

NouveauDance said:

OnlyNDaUsa said:

I always thought the black album was a stunt. That he intended it to be bootlegged.

I do not care what he said in the video or the notes. I think he wanted the Black Album to be a BLACK market album.

Think about the bigget picture of how the industry works, and the mechanics of the physical product itself if nothing else.

They certainly worked the publicity of it for sure, but there's a difference between putting info about something out there and letting copies go astray, and actually printing up thousands of copies only to destroy them.

what of the totally mixed signals?

'don't buy the black album please I'm sorry' but then release one and preform, what I would call the 2 worst (in terms of 'negative content'), two other songs in concert--and release them officially.

Spinlight said:

Genesia said:

Yeah, I know what the album's about. That doesn't mean it's autobiographical, necessarily. Do you think everything Prince writes/sings about is to be taken literally?

Well, not everything. But a lot of it, sure. I think he uses a lot of alleghory and a lot of metaphors and sometimes he conflates ideas, people, names, history, etc. But the heart of it all is mostly autobiographical.

I can think of some tracks I wouldn't necessarily consider autobiographical ("Rockhard in a Funky Place", "Hot Thing", etc) because they depict actual fantasies he is having. But on the real, I believe "I Know" and "Anna Stesia" and "Posivity" are fairly autobiographical tunes. 'least I've always thougth them to be.

And that's fine. I do, too. But I don't think their mere presence indicates an "awakening." It's just as likely that he always felt like that - and that this was just the first time he said it.

HonestMan13 said:

Prince always had a grasp on his spirituality and it's been true.

The better question is were the fans screaming when Prince asked "Do U believe?" shamming? Since nowadays when he brings up religion everyone starts .

Very good question HonestMan13.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

NouveauDance said:

Think about the bigget picture of how the industry works, and the mechanics of the physical product itself if nothing else.

They certainly worked the publicity of it for sure, but there's a difference between putting info about something out there and letting copies go astray, and actually printing up thousands of copies only to destroy them.

what of the totally mixed signals?

'don't buy the black album please I'm sorry' but then release one and preform, what I would call the 2 worst (in terms of 'negative content'), two other songs in concert--and release them officially.

The songs were performed live as part of the theme of the show - it being a live representation of the themes of the album. So the first half naughty Prince, second half, he's redeemed. Lovesexy exists because of the Black album's cancellation. It was recorded after the album was cancelled (except W2RIL and reworking The Ball into Eye No).

bigbrother said:

which probably accounts for him turning to ecstacy and the resulting bad trip he experienced during that 'dark night of the soul'.

I've never known anyone to have a 'bad trip' on Ecstacy. You can have a dud pill, but 'bad trip' makes it sound like he'd dropped a tab of bad acid or something.

Anyway, that aside, I'd love to know what happened that night from Chavez's point of view - although I imagine now that she'd play along with 'the game' due to the original story now having long since fallen into the annals of rock mythology.

Finally, whilst I don't fully hold with the notion that Prince fully intended for the Black Album to be bootlegged (like NouveauDance mentioned, it's one thing to allow a few hundred copies out of the gates, it's quite another to press and package hundreds of thousands), I DO think that he knew exactly what he was doing with releasing a 'double album' under Warner's noses.

He can be very shrwed when he wants to be, even back then he knew how to work the system and bend the rules as far as he could.

The argument of flooding the market with too much product is one for another thread.

Prince always had a grasp on his spirituality and it's been true.

The better question is were the fans screaming when Prince asked "Do U believe?" shamming? Since nowadays when he brings up religion everyone starts .

Truth.

Prince said that "let's go crazy" was more spiritual than what ended up on record. I wonder if that was true or just something he made up?

also he said in 85 how his spiritual beliefs are sincerer so, it was not something that happened in 87.

Love Sexy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Always gets me excited..... what a fantastic piece of music.....

The whole album.....

.

[Edited 2/2/11 16:13pm]

HonestMan13 said:

Prince always had a grasp on his spirituality and it's been true.

The better question is were the fans screaming when Prince asked "Do U believe?" shamming? Since nowadays when he brings up religion everyone starts .

I believe the fans screamed "Yes" because he presented a joyful spirit connecting with God and he invited you along. I'll always be thankful for the term Lovesexy.

He seems content now, but I think folks roll their eyes now because his once free spirit seems to have settled into a dogmatic self-righteousness that is a turn off.

His previous invitation to spiritual joy has turned into "you better get the accurate knowledge as I give it to you, or else".