Timmy84 said:

dalsh327 said:

When Prince authorized someone doing his songs, that's not the same as a cover version. A cover song is something that people already know, or maybe something obscure but they found it.

I understand why he speaks out against people covering his old songs, because he's referring to Universal who owns & controls most of his publishing. I don't know why some songwriters have control, and others don't. Maybe part of his Warners re-sign bonus was that he gave that ability up?

I thought it was cool that Prince accepted the Grammy for "I Feel For You" as a songwriter. To me, it just made people take notice on his songwriting ability that night.

Depends on the contract Prince signed and explains why he's so bitter - and seems hypocritical. Last I checked Universal doesn't have his catalog - yet.

All of his music rights were transferred over to Universal in 1999 (when his publishing deal with WB was up).

[Edited 6/30/11 15:09pm]

daPrettyman said:

Timmy84 said:

Depends on the contract Prince signed and explains why he's so bitter - and seems hypocritical. Last I checked Universal doesn't have his catalog - yet.

All of his music rights were transferred over to Universal in 1999 (when his publishing deal with WB was up).

Publishers/Administrators: CONTROVERSY MUSIC C/O UNIVERSAL MUSIC CORPORATION 2100 COLORADO AVENUE SANTA MONICA, CA, 90404 Tel. (310) 235-4700 Email: PEGGY.BERNHARD@UMUSIC.COM

[Edited 6/30/11 15:09pm]

I see.

herrherr said:

Thank You.

I am minded to agree however there are 2 exceptions:

1) I Feel 4 U - Chaka's version is 1000x better IMO

2) Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O Connor seems to capture the emotion of the song more successfully.

Have u heard Head by Ice-T it rocks............

kewlschool said:

Covers are a tricky thing. I never thought Billie Jean could ever be covered, but David Cook's version is good (Not as good as the original) and puts a new spin on it.

His version was based on Chris Cornell's remake. So it wasn't new.

[Edited 6/30/11 17:31pm]

Timmy84 said:

ecstasy said:

lol, im with Prince, just NO MORE COVERS in general. The OP and all the supporters are right when it comes to people "trying" to cover Prince's songs (and Princey stop doing others... Nevermind, u can do whateva u want, baby).

But Nope nope nope. Unmatchable, doesn't compare, even close relation doesn't exist. Others can't do it. Prince has that 1 in a millenium stlye, type, sounds, look. Come on now, a person of any age or experience cannot copy Prince.

Now think about this, a little girl or boy on youtube dancing and singing just like or better than one of these "artists" and/or "singers" now? Hah, their paid talents need to be relooked at...

Uh, if we're gonna stop people from doing covers, Prince gotta stop too.

You can't have one and then have another. It's ALL gotta stop. Otherwise, what's the point?

"Only I can cover it because I'm Prince?" Please.

Lol I know he needs to stop, I just didnt want it comin from me personally, hehe

I like Tevin Campbells version of shhh better. I also like Chaka Khans I feel 4 u, sineads NC2U and Slash's Bambi better than Prince's. I also like Tom Jones version of Kiss better. I do think some can do better. There was a version of Raspberry Beret I liked better too but I cant remember the artist. I think it was teh Hoodoo Love gods? or something. I have it but dont feel like looking for it for this post as its really not that big of a deal. Rod stewart did a nice version of Peach also. There are others but I would have to think about it and I dont really want too right now. lol

kewlschool said:

It's a hard task to take on, but The Time, Sheila E., Tevin Campbell, and The Bangles all did great covers of Prince music. (and Chaka Khan and Ms. O'conner as mentioned above)

Covers are a tricky thing. I never thought Billie Jean could ever be covered, but David Cook's version is good (Not as good as the original) and puts a new spin on it.

This is a great version of Billie Jean and David Cook did it very well. When I saw this performance on AI, I had to listen to the words closely because the time signature change threw me off.

MickyDolenz said:

kewlschool said:

Covers are a tricky thing. I never thought Billie Jean could ever be covered, but David Cook's version is good (Not as good as the original) and puts a new spin on it.

His version was based on Chris Cornell's remake. So it wasn't new.

[Edited 6/30/11 17:31pm]

I hadn't heard Chris Cornell's remake of Billie Jean before I heard David Cook sing it on AI. That was why it was unrecognizable to me at the time.

George Clinton's and Sheila E's version of Erotic City have to be the two best cover I've heard!

joyinrepetition said:

George Clinton's and Sheila E's version of Erotic City have to be the two best cover I've heard!

I forgot about George. I love his version of "Erotic City".

I actually quite like Patti Smith's version of "When Doves Cry". I think it works because she's not at all trying to sound like Prince, but instead making an entirely new thing out of it. It's idiotic of anyone who wants to cover a Prince song to try and sound like Prince.

Of course, it's all taste.

Which means it's a shitty song!

If you haven't heard the dump record, 'That Skinny Motherfucker With The High Voice', then I don't think you're entirely informed on this point. You might not call them BETTER. But justice is as done as justice can be!

that is one of my favourite albums of ALL time. HEAR IT!

peace x

MantuaPharoah said:

Okay... so here's the thing.

I just read a comment regarding at post on a clip of The Beautiful Ones, where the viewer said that they had never heard that song until Beyonce did it, and that they like both versions.

That is to say that they would take either version.

Let me just say that I have NEVER heard ANYONE redo a Prince song, in which their version sounded better. It's just not possible. It's just not fathomable. It's just the CRACK talking to these people!!

And of all songs... The Beautiful Ones?? Beyonce's version is just as good?? Seriously??

I don't even need to hear Beyonce's version to tell that this listener must have been on some serious Lindsay Lohan CRACK DOPE!

Even Mariah Carey's version of The Beautiful Ones. Or TLC's version of If I Was Ur Girlfriend.

Or Tom Jones' version of Kiss. PLEASE!!!

Just like no one can do a Smokey Robinson song justice.... no one... NO ONE... not Maxwell, not D'Angelo, not NOBODY (I know that's a double negative) can do a Prince song, nor HAS EVER done a Prince song better than Prince.

And I wish artists would just stop even doing them!

To say that Beyonce's version of The Beautiful One's is "comparable" to Prince's version is like saying Lady Gaga is original! The hell she is!!!

NO BODY can do a Prince song better than Prince himself. PERIOD!

[Edited 6/30/11 11:46am]

alicia keys - adore ...... = fucking brillianntttttt

Cravens said:

I actually quite like Patti Smith's version of "When Doves Cry". I think it works because she's not at all trying to sound like Prince, but instead making an entirely new thing out of it. It's idiotic of anyone who wants to cover a Prince song to try and sound like Prince.

Of course, it's all taste.

Ha, she changed "stomach" to "belly".

I don'y know if this counts;

...but I like Sinead O'Connor's version of "Nothing Compares To You" much, much more than I do Prince's version. (I mean the version from "Hits/B-sides" not the version performed by The Family).

Cravens said:

I actually quite like Patti Smith's version of "When Doves Cry". I think it works because she's not at all trying to sound like Prince, but instead making an entirely new thing out of it. It's idiotic of anyone who wants to cover a Prince song to try and sound like Prince.

Of course, it's all taste.

WOW!! This is fantastic!! I like this version. Going to go get it today. Thanks for posting

Timmy84 said:

joyinrepetition said:

George Clinton's and Sheila E's version of Erotic City have to be the two best cover I've heard!

I forgot about George. I love his version of "Erotic City".

me too!! I think George's is better than Prince's. WAAAAYYY more funky!!

dandeeland said:

Timmy84 said:

I forgot about George. I love his version of "Erotic City".

me too!! I think George's is better than Prince's. WAAAAYYY more funky!!

Clinton's sounds to heavy and steady to me. Prince's has these funky feathery textures ranging form thick to delicate. It sounds more slippery.

1. I Feel For You -- Chaka Khan's version is more superior than Prince's original. Period.

2. Nothing Compare 2 U -- Sinead O'Connor's version just works better than the versions by The Family or Prince.

3. When Doves Cry -- THE definite Prince original classic has no equal no matter who covers it. But the Quindon Tarver's version is pretty good.

4. If I Was Your Girlfriend -- The Prince original & the TLC's version are equally excellent.

joyinrepetition said:

George Clinton's and Sheila E's version of Erotic City have to be the two best cover I've heard!

The George Clinton's version of Erotic City is very underrated.

dandeeland said:

Cravens said:

I actually quite like Patti Smith's version of "When Doves Cry". I think it works because she's not at all trying to sound like Prince, but instead making an entirely new thing out of it. It's idiotic of anyone who wants to cover a Prince song to try and sound like Prince.

Of course, it's all taste.

WOW!! This is fantastic!! I like this version. Going to go get it today. Thanks for posting

Her cover was great. I forget some people can make great/good Prince covers. I liked Etta's cover of "Purple Rain" for example.

dandeeland said:

Timmy84 said:

I forgot about George. I love his version of "Erotic City".

me too!! I think George's is better than Prince's. WAAAAYYY more funky!!

Yeah George put a P-Funk stamp on "Erotic City".