Do you find Prince Nelson to be a poet as well as a musician ...?

(or simply a musician with a great lyrical skill ?)

Do you think Prince Nelson sees his own self as a poet ?

In my opinion the way a musician plays an instrument can communicate poetry as well.

Prince himself only have 3 references to poet/poetry (correct me if there are more please):

1) D.M.S.R

I don't wanna be a poet cuz I don't wanna blow it

2) Joy in Repetition

All the poets and the part time singers always hang inside

3) 21 nights in London

Book of poetry lyrics and pictures

Also feel free to share some of the, in your opinion, most poetic lyrics PRN-made.

"Sometimes It Snows In April" ... best lyrics he ever wrote. The title alone is beautiful and poetic.

I wouldn't call Prince a poet, though. I'm honestly not even sure if I'd say he has "great lyrical skill". You must have never heard "Poom Poom" or "Laydown" before...

But going by the 21 nights book, I'd say he probably does see himself as a poet.

Edit: I hope nobody interpreted what I said as meaning I think Prince is a terrible lyricist. I think he's good, I just don't think he's great. At least not consistently great. He's definitely done some great songs, but the majority of his music is just average lyrically, and some of it's quite weak.

[Edited 6/15/11 8:25am]

The 'poet' aspect is definitely what's lacking in his recent output.

All he rhymes about these days is how badass he wants everyone to think he is.

Clever when it was done on 'Movie Star' not so much when half of 'MPLSound' is dick waving.

No.

His lyrics, as with most, certainly work better in songform than layed out as free verse. Poetic primal boasts, but he isn't a poet.

I don't think he can be considered a poet, but his lyrics aren't as mediocre or one-dimensional as some people think.

Sometimes It Snows In April is certainly his best lyrical effort, but Don't Talk To Strangers is almost as beautiful. Paisley Park, Sign O' The Times, Lion Of Judah... great lyrics too.

But not a poet, definitely.

yes i do think he's a poet. for me most song lyrics are poetry in some way. there's many different types.

speaking of poetry (it's funny you should mention it) my son wrote this earlier and read it out to me about ten minutes ago. he'll be 16 this year. it's called 'Eternal Cycle'.

I've been impressed and moved by Prince's lyrics for sure, but I wouldn't say he's a poet.

Um he has some pretty poetical songs, such as Sometimes it snows in April. The1592 was right on with that one.

But I love poetry, and I love P's lyrics, but there's obviously a difference to them, in my eyes and ears. Prince is a great lyricist, but he is not a poet, beyond ocassionally writng something almost poetic sounding. He has the creativity/skill 2 be a poet, but judging from My name is Prince, he just dont give a D*mn 2 even try

thisisit said:

yes i do think he's a poet. for me most song lyrics are poetry in some way. there's many different types.

speaking of poetry (it's funny you should mention it) my son wrote this earlier and read it out to me about ten minutes ago. he'll be 16 this year. it's called 'Eternal Cycle'.

Visions of chaos and disorder

Dreams of harmony and peace

Destruction incarnate, heavens resolve

Battle for the world and it's gold

Purified steel, harnessed crystal power

Claws of hatred, immense black sacred

Battle for the world and it's gold

The shadows scatter, compassion reigns

Cosmos loves, while Chaos feigns

Eternal cycle, in bittersweet slumber

Forgives but never forgets

just thought i'd share that

Thanks for sharing. He certainly sounds 15.

i have always perceived most of Prince's music as poetry to put to music,

or vice versa

lyrics are poetry, but it is like saying Britney Spears is a musician. It's only technically true.

Prince has some good lines, but he is a terrible poet

But even the best lyricists does not necessarily write great poetry. Great songs are a union of words and music, and each does not necessarily work on its own. They need each other.

Poetry can stand on its own.

NDRU said:

But even the best lyricists does not necessarily write great poetry. Great songs are a union of words and music, and each does not necessarily work on its own. They need each other.

Poetry can stand on its own.

this is true...but 2 each his/her own

NelsonR said:

NDRU said:

But even the best lyricists does not necessarily write great poetry. Great songs are a union of words and music, and each does not necessarily work on its own. They need each other.

Poetry can stand on its own.

this is true...but 2 each his/her own

I'm not sure why you're rolling your eyes at me. That was not a criticism of anyone or anything, just an opinion on lyrics vs poetry

NDRU said:

NelsonR said:

this is true...but 2 each his/her own

I'm not sure why you're rolling your eyes at me. That was not a criticism of anyone or anything, just an opinion on lyrics vs poetry

sorry, didn't mean it like dat

NelsonR said:

NDRU said:

I'm not sure why you're rolling your eyes at me. That was not a criticism of anyone or anything, just an opinion on lyrics vs poetry

sorry, didn't mean it like dat

ah, okay

NDRU said:

But even the best lyricists does not necessarily write great poetry. Great songs are a union of words and music, and each does not necessarily work on its own. They need each other.

Poetry can stand on its own.

This is 100% true. Words and music combine 50/50 to make a great song. No matter how much effort Lenny Kravitz puts into his music, his low-brow lyrics make him worth LESS THAN two tugs of a dead dog's dick as a songwriter.

another poetic tune is 'starfish and coffee' which i still do not understand 100%.

if anybody had history or understood the symbolism of this chune, please let

a brethren know

NelsonR said:

another poetic tune is 'starfish and coffee' which i still do not understand 100%.

if anybody had history or understood the symbolism of this chune, please let

a brethren know

Its about a girl who has special needs. Its about how different Cynthia (the girl the song is about) is differnet from the other kids "cynthia wore the prettiest dresses with different colour socks". The song is basically a positive king of tune about a girl with special needs. Sussanah Melvoin and Prince co wrote this song.

NelsonR said:

another poetic tune is 'starfish and coffee' which i still do not understand 100%.

if anybody had history or understood the symbolism of this chune, please let

a brethren know

"If u set your mind free, baby, maybe you'd understand." (Sorry, I couldnt resist putting in that lyric!) Actually, I think there was another thread on this song, maybe u could do a search. I think it was about a special needs child. Good luck trying to understand why Cynthia would say she had starfish and coffee, maple syrup & jam (plus all the rest)..for breakfast. I think it is meant to be abstract.

hhhhdmt said:

NelsonR said:

another poetic tune is 'starfish and coffee' which i still do not understand 100%.

if anybody had history or understood the symbolism of this chune, please let

a brethren know

Its about a girl who has special needs. Its about how different Cynthia (the girl the song is about) is differnet from the other kids "cynthia wore the prettiest dresses with different colour socks". The song is basically a positive king of tune about a girl with special needs. Sussanah Melvoin and Prince co wrote this song.

thx for that

I always figured Starfish & Coffee was just meant to be silly or surreal, like Purple Rain or I Am the Walrus.

Cynthia struck me as a free spirit more than a special needs kid, but I have not analyzed the lyrics too much.

[Edited 6/15/11 13:27pm]

NDRU said:

I always figured Starfish & Coffee was just meant to be silly or surreal, like Purple Rain or I Am the Walrus.

Cynthia struck me as a free spirit more than a special needs kid, but I have not analyzed the lyrics too much.

[Edited 6/15/11 13:27pm]

ever since '87, the meaning of the tune has eluded me, like a warm bath in the middle of snowy field...but i have been open 2 interpretation, as i am 2 those shared here 2day

[Edited 6/15/11 13:34pm]

Poetry: 1. The art of apprehending and interpreting ideas by the faculty of imagination; the art of idealizing in thought and in expression

Poet: 1. One skilled in making poetry; one who has a particular genius for metrical composition; the author of a poem; an imaginative thinker or writer.

He is quite the poet. Read the lyrics to "When 2R In LOVE" AND MANY, MANY OTHER OF HIS SONGS.

thisisit said:

Poetry: 1. The art of apprehending and interpreting ideas by the faculty of imagination; the art of idealizing in thought and in expression

Poet: 1. One skilled in making poetry; one who has a particular genius for metrical composition; the author of a poem; an imaginative thinker or writer.

Prosody - The art of versification.

Verse should cultivate rhythm and meter, or at least anyone claiming to be a Poet should have an understanding of the mechanics of prosody. Free verse was so-called because it had something to be free from.

[Edited 6/15/11 19:09pm]

Yes he's definitely a poet. He has written some very clever and beautiful and moving lyrics.

What I always liked about Prince is that he writes in a very conversational tone. It sounds like he just talking to you in his songs rather than a proper "poem"...just works better for me and probably with most of you too.

.

[Edited 6/15/11 20:53pm]

PositivityForever said:

He is quite the poet. Read the lyrics to "When 2R In LOVE" AND MANY, MANY OTHER OF HIS SONGS.

The interesting thing is he walks and talks just like a poet....dreamingly.