Since the other threads for this classic, brilliant unreleased P track are old, I'm starting a new one. In going over a few of the old threads, I saw that a lot of people show little love for the song, which is nuts because it is great! It's much better than "Free", a song in which it closely resembles. If there's a track he needs to do live, it's this one.

Some people are going to say that this thread's been done to death, but those people are old, bitter, and fattys. This song is AWESOME. I only wish I had it in better quality.

It really seems strange to me that Prince put Free on 1999 instead of Moonbeam Levels. Moonbeam seems to fit in much better with the theme of 1999, as well as just being a superior song. The live version of Free on ONA is pretty good, but I think the album version is pure cheeseball crap. I have always dreamed of someone going back in time and replacing Free with either Moonbeam Levels, or dare I say it Baby, Ur a Trip.

It's strange too that while 1999 is a double album, Prince doesn't seem to really go out of his way to fill up all four sides of vinyl. There actually was plenty of room for BOTH Free and ML. IDK Something to think about

nice track, very interesting lyrics. Its definately worthy of an official release.

Wildboy said:

Some people are going to say that this thread's been done to death, but those people are old, bitter, and fattys. This song is AWESOME. I only wish I had it in better quality.

It really seems strange to me that Prince put Free on 1999 instead of Moonbeam Levels. Moonbeam seems to fit in much better with the theme of 1999, as well as just being a superior song. The live version of Free on ONA is pretty good, but I think the album version is pure cheeseball crap. I have always dreamed of someone going back in time and replacing Free with either Moonbeam Levels, or dare I say it Baby, Ur a Trip.

It's strange too that while 1999 is a double album, Prince doesn't seem to really go out of his way to fill up all four sides of vinyl. There actually was plenty of room for BOTH Free and ML. IDK Something to think about

I agree, there was plenty of room for both songs. I just love the way he sangs that shit, particularly towards the end.

A gem from the days when Prince really knew how to write an opening line.

One of his best unreleased tracks.

It's a crime that he had chosen the much poorer 'Free' for the album. I've yet to find any similarities between them.

What a pity the circulating versions are faded out before the real ending and the only one that features the (seemingly) complete ending has precisely that part full of tape hiss (and that's why all other versions are faded out early).

But, with all respect, I don't see the point of bringing back a haevily discussed thread just because you think people didn't show as much love for the song as you expected.

People like what they like, you cannot force them.

Gosh! Some even like his latest albums!!

vitriol said:

One of his best unreleased tracks.

It's a crime that he had chosen the much poorer 'Free' for the album. I've yet to find any similarities between them.

What a pity the circulating versions are faded out before the real ending and the only one that features the (seemingly) complete ending has precisely that part full of tape hiss (and that's why all other versions are faded out early).

But, with all respect, I don't see the point of bringing back a haevily discussed thread just because you think people didn't show as much love for the song as you expected.

People like what they like, you cannot force them.

Gosh! Some even like his latest albums!!

I wasn't bringing the topic back to force those who don't care for the song to start liking it. I brought it back because (to me) the song is great, and all the other threads are too old to continue adding to the discussion about it.

I prefer Free way more myself..

i love the both of them equally

I love this song, one of his best unreleased.

I don't recognize the lack of love for it that you mentioned. It always seems to get high praise. It's a fan favorite.

irreverence said:

I love this song, one of his best unreleased.

I don't recognize the lack of love for it that you mentioned. It always seems to get high praise. It's a fan favorite.

Oh it gets lots of praise, but there are those select few who always say "it's overrated" or "I don't get the hype." Their opinions, true, but... Someone even said Neon Telephone was better. What in THEE hell...?

Moonbeam Levels is my favorite unreleased Prince track. Sure, I don't really know what the lyrics mean, but it doesn't matter. The mood is exactly what I want from Prince, and there's some great vocal work here.

Speaking of which, have you heard Prince's live version of the the opening during his piano medley on the City Lights set?

Prince has been going through his vault recently. I think it's time for this one to get an official release and to be played live.

Wildboy said:

Some people are going to say that this thread's been done to death, but those people are old, bitter, and fattys.

Best. Comment. Ever.

I love Moonbeam Levels, or "A Better Place 2 Die" as it was called on early vinyl bootlegs.....

but............ nothing wrong with "Free" though.

Both are great Prince songs, imo.

Prince should release those re-mastered, with bonus extended/ outtakes the sooner the better!!

Damn, I really need some re-master albums. What's wrong with this guy (Prince) ????

I LOVE Moonbeam Levels!!!!! One of my Favorite Songs!!

SEANMAN said:

irreverence said:

I love this song, one of his best unreleased.

I don't recognize the lack of love for it that you mentioned. It always seems to get high praise. It's a fan favorite.

Oh it gets lots of praise, but there are those select few who always say "it's overrated" or "I don't get the hype." Their opinions, true, but... Someone even said Neon Telephone was better. What in THEE hell...?

Well, that song does have a better ring to it...

ok, maybe i'm stupid. I've never listen Moonbeam Levels, but 2day have heard a cover by backinnyc2010 and that's great. Can anyone send me this via orgnote or e-mail ?

yes its a good song .....another great unreleased track from the 80s but i prefer free myself...and so did prince...

PurpleColossus said:

I prefer Free way more myself..

Me too, I see the point he put it on 1999. I love the song, but I also like MoonBeam Levels too, one of the most coolest tracks indeed it is. But Fee was rightly placed on 1999. I'm surprised there was more room on both sides.

Would've made a nice b-side for the era (for "Automatic" perhaps).

"yesterday I tried to write a novel, but I didn't know where to begin, so I lay down in the grass trying to feel the world turn"

Perfectly describes when I feel stuck in my life and wonder what now?

I love it at first I couldn't see what people liked about it, but after about two listens I started to love it

Awesome track. Deserved far more of his attention.

A great song. My wife recommended this one and I've loved it ever since. Some1 must have read my mind because as little as 2 days ago, I had it on repeat and mused, why do songs like this stay unreleased. Oh well, I'm glad that it was made.

This song is overrated here.

If it was released on 1999 instead of Free, it would still be the low point of the album.

^^No way. Your opinion, but nope.

802 said:

If it was released on 1999 instead of Free, it would still be the low point of the album.

I don't disagree, actually. But not because the song is weak. It just wouldn't at all fit on 1999. I could see it attached to some project between Purple Rain and Parade, at least as a B-Side.

Lammastide said:

802 said:

If it was released on 1999 instead of Free, it would still be the low point of the album.

I don't disagree, actually. But not because the song is weak. It just wouldn't at all fit on 1999. I could see it attached to some project between Purple Rain and Parade, at least as a B-Side.

It's the low point both ways.

The rest of the album has the MPLSound all over it, Moonbeam Levels sounds like a British glam rock song. Not that glam rock is bad, David Bowie is one of my favourite music artists you see. I just don't think that Moonbeam works all that well.

Lammastide said:

Awesome track. Deserved far more of his attention.

Totally agree. Love the lyrics. Would be so cool if he pulled this one out of the vault and performed it, the die hards would go nuts.