Sorry guys, but he's not coming back! No matter how much you hope it, The Prince we all used to love is gone! He may never release another album of [new] music that will ever blow our minds. It's Over!

It's not like he's the first one, we all saw it with our other heroes {MJ, James Brown, Madonna, Paul McCartney, etc}, but that's what happens when we get old. We become tired, bored, & stuck in our own stubborn ways. This will happen to all of us.

All we have left is the classics to listen to, & the stuff [hopefully] still locked in a vault somewhere. If those unreleased classics still exist.

I'm more than happy with the classic albums & I thank Prince for all of the creativity, passion, work ethic, sexy ladies, impeccable tunes, & inspiration he gave all of us. Prince truly is one of the last living legends we have, & we should cherish all that he has done....

...But we all have to face the facts. We'll never see the splits again. We'll never see the Purple Trench coat again. The days of the stage humping & semen shooting guitars are over. And if he did ever bring that stuff back, we'd probably laugh at him for trying too hard... and Let's not even mention the aggression that's lacking in his music of the last decade. Prince no longer has anything to prove to any of us or himself. He has no competition. He's already proven himself enough. I know a lot of us don't want to even think about this stuff, but hey, somebody has too.

Every now & then, he'll give us a glimpse of his past greatness, but that's all.....

....So with that said, How many of you are in denial?????

He really died, imo, after the slave era.

I'm not. You can't expect a man that is 53 years old to do the same thing he did when he was 23, 24, 25 or 26.

It's great that he can still get down and around for his age. (Which I hope to do if I reach his age). All we can do is appreciate that he is still willing to perform and release music. He could just stop, then people would complaint. He will never win when it comes to fans, people always expect too much from him, when he is human like the rest of us. It's like you said, he has nothing left to prove. At least he's still a great performer than most people half his age, plus he has age gracefully, he is still in shape, and still has pep in his step. So, I say that right there is a accomplishment in it's own right. The change can be due to like you said his age, religion, and the fact that it would be silly for a 53 year old man to be doing that type of stuff on stage, that he did in his 20s or even 30s. People would probably think to themselves that he hasn't change at all, or it would probably just look plain stupid.

Let's just appreciate him and all he has contribute to music and if you want old Prince, well there is lots of old footage to check out, for that nostalgic feeling. If you don't want to be stuck in past, and just accept things the way they are now, then you will be ok with how things are from a logical standpoint.

[Edited 6/13/11 20:56pm]

Today's Prince is different in some ways but that's fine by me. I still love his vibe and don't really miss stuff from his past.

trn22 said:

I'm not. You can't expect a man that is 53 years old to do the same thing he did when he was 23, 24, 25 or 26.

It's great that he can still get down and around for his age. (Which I hope to do if I reach his age). All we can do is appreciate that he is still willing to perform and release music. He could just stop, then people would complaint. He will never win when it comes to fans, people always expect too much from him, when he is human like the rest of us. It's like you said, he has nothing left to prove. At least he's still a great performer than most people half his age, plus he has age gracefully, he is still in shape, and still has pep in his step. So, I say that right there is a accomplishment in it's own right. The change can be due to like you said his age, religion, and the fact that it would be silly for a 53 year old man to be doing that type of stuff on stage, that he did in his 20s or even 30s people would probably think he hasn't change at all or it would look stupid.

Let's just appreciate him and all he has contribute to music and if you want old Prince, well there is lots of old footage to check out, for that nostalgic feeling. If you don't want to be stuck in past, and just accept things the way they are now, then you will be ok with how things are from a logical standpoint.

[Edited 6/13/11 20:51pm]

Very well said!

Tittypants said:

trn22 said:

I'm not. You can't expect a man that is 53 years old to do the same thing he did when he was 23, 24, 25 or 26.

It's great that he can still get down and around for his age. (Which I hope to do if I reach his age). All we can do is appreciate that he is still willing to perform and release music. He could just stop, then people would complaint. He will never win when it comes to fans, people always expect too much from him, when he is human like the rest of us. It's like you said, he has nothing left to prove. At least he's still a great performer than most people half his age, plus he has age gracefully, he is still in shape, and still has pep in his step. So, I say that right there is a accomplishment in it's own right. The change can be due to like you said his age, religion, and the fact that it would be silly for a 53 year old man to be doing that type of stuff on stage, that he did in his 20s or even 30s people would probably think he hasn't change at all or it would look stupid.

Let's just appreciate him and all he has contribute to music and if you want old Prince, well there is lots of old footage to check out, for that nostalgic feeling. If you don't want to be stuck in past, and just accept things the way they are now, then you will be ok with how things are from a logical standpoint.

[Edited 6/13/11 20:51pm]

Very well said!

Thanks.

Prince died in 1993. We have to find out what happened to O)+>. That guy was really going places until the rainbow children caught up with him.

Way to bring down the hope of humanity. It's depressing to think that after a certain age "it's over". To think that when you hit 30 or 40 or even 50, that the rest of your life will never compare to the younger days. According to your theory, after a musician, artist, whoever, hits their peak age (30 or 40 perhaps) that it's over for them. Then if that person is going to live to be 100 years old, all they have to look forward to is 70 years of boring dragging years?

I don't buy that. I choose not to accept such a depressing theory. I am 30 and I sure hope I live to be OVER 100 years old. And if that is the case, I certainly don't want the next 70 years to be a drag.

berniejobs said:

Way to bring down the hope of humanity. It's depressing to think that after a certain age "it's over". To think that when you hit 30 or 40 or even 50, that the rest of your life will never compare to the younger days. According to your theory, after a musician, artist, whoever, hits their peak age (30 or 40 perhaps) that it's over for them. Then if that person is going to live to be 100 years old, all they have to look forward to is 70 years of boring dragging years?

I don't buy that. I choose not to accept such a depressing theory. I am 30 and I sure hope I live to be OVER 100 years old. And if that is the case, I certainly don't want the next 70 years to be a drag.

He'll always be performing & dropping albums, but it won't ever match the what he used to do. Jordan will probably always play basketball, but he's not "Air Jordan" anymore. No more jumping from the free throw line dunking for him. Same thing applies to Prince. This WILL happen to all of us. We'll still live & enjoy life, but instead of going out & partying all night, a nice night at home will do us just fine too. I'm just sick of other people always saying "I wish he'd do what he used to"....They're dreaming. It won't be like that again.....

People burn out because they feel like they've accomplished everything they want to accomplish and lose interest in trying, not because they get older. Bettye LaVette worked hard for decades and didn't become a superstar until just a few years ago. Even Paul McCartney can still come up with a great album when he wants to (see Chaos and Creation in the Backyard from a few years ago). Heck, just look what happened in the NBA Finals.

Prince isn't putting out innovative, amazing music because he doesn't think the effort would be worth his time. He's having fun on a neverending greatest hits tour. It doesn't really matter, because there are plenty of artists out there (young and old) who are putting out great music, and there is more great music already available than one person could listen to in a lifetime. I'd like to hear Prince release some good stuff from his vault, or come up with an interesting new album, but life goes on either way.

not sure why it's a bad thing. it's nice to watch someone mature and mellow and deepen their over-all groove.

thisisit said:

not sure why it's a bad thing. it's nice to watch someone mature and mellow and deepen their over-all groove.

I agree! I don't think it's bad at all. Some just can't except it though.....

[Edited 6/13/11 21:45pm]

Tittypants said:

thisisit said:

not sure why it's a bad thing. it's nice to watch someone mature and mellow and deepen their over-all groove.

I agree! I don't think it's bad at all. Some just can't except it though.....

that's ok, they dont have to

If there was a maturity to his work, and growth it would be easier, but there isn't. I haven't really enjoyed an album in it's entirety since his WB years. When I listen for pleasure, I chose a pre Emancipation disk. I still purchase the music now but it is more out of obligation. I am not interested in the origins of his current songs, his band members, etc. He is an amazing musician, in fact, one of the best we'll probably ever see at the top of the pop chart, but it is mostly boring. I don't feel any soul in his work now. Yes, he is stunning with his talent, but for some reason, his song writing abilities have gone stale. He seems to have no inspiration.

In concert is another thing. I was grateful for his 21 night stay in LA. I saw the 5/13 show and it was one of the best Prince shows I've ever seen, and I've seen him over 15 times including at least 5 times in small clubs 5-10 feet away from him. He'll always be amazing on stage, but his new music just leaves me cold. In fact, when he played new music during the show, that is when most people sat down.

Should he stop recording because I am not enjoying it? hahaha The man is an artist and I wouldn't tell him how to make his art. My voice is heard when I don't seek out his music on the first week of release... sometimes it takes me months to hear his new music. Every new album brings the promise of a climb back to the top, but every album is more of a reminder that he doesn't have something in his life that drives him to reveal his soul. I'm sure that someone could list 10 great songs since he's left WB, but I can't. His post WB greatest hits would not sell much because most people have no idea he is still recording.

I've said it before but when was the last time you sat at a stoplight and the car next to you was playing new Prince music... The last time for me was early in the Clinton administration. That says a lot.

had sign of the times never been released previously and instead was released now as a new studio album, people would say even that is not as good as he used to be.

He's older, which happens to all of us, but he hasn't lost his talent. Some of his recent work is brilliant. He doesn't have hits anymore, but he had more grammy nominations in the 2000s than any prior decade.

When he takes musical risks and releases something unlike any previous release (The Rainbow Children), people complain he doesn't sound like he used to. When he gets back to his roots, people complain he's not innovating.

Is his music the same as 30 years ago? Of course not, it would be pretty boring if it was.

I'm really big in the minority on this website. I think Prince's studio work is almost always fantastic. If you look at the few artists over 50 that still record, Prince is by far the best. Sure, he may not have a Mind Blowing SOTT or Lovesexy in him, but Lotus Flow3r reminded me not to doubt him, as I consider it Top Ten in his career, probably ranking around 8-10 in my faves.(Not MPLS Sound...which was one of his worst ever).

Where I differ from most fans, is I think in the studio, he has never really lost it. I think he lost it live. Sure, he can be the greatest live performer in history for a given moment at a show, but he also takes huge shortcuts with medleys in songs, and takes tons of time off letting Shelby and whoever sing lead on songs, and the guy who once claimed to not listen to any other music...is sinking to Rod Stewart level by playing tons of covers...

Yes...the most dangerous musician alive when he wants to be, but very lazy in concert over the years.

trn22 said:

Tittypants said:

Very well said!

Thanks.

You said it right.

berniejobs said:

Way to bring down the hope of humanity. It's depressing to think that after a certain age "it's over". To think that when you hit 30 or 40 or even 50, that the rest of your life will never compare to the younger days. According to your theory, after a musician, artist, whoever, hits their peak age (30 or 40 perhaps) that it's over for them. Then if that person is going to live to be 100 years old, all they have to look forward to is 70 years of boring dragging years?

I don't buy that. I choose not to accept such a depressing theory. I am 30 and I sure hope I live to be OVER 100 years old. And if that is the case, I certainly don't want the next 70 years to be a drag.

not a theory...it's fact. Most ever artist, athlete, engineer, scientist etc peaks when they are in their 20s or 30s. When did Einstein come up with all this great discoveries? google it. And the analogy with Michael Jordon above is a good one.

There's no shame in Prince being and old and tired. It is true for everyone including you..if you live long enough.

Prince had a great run..our only hope is that he will someday release more material from his vault.

[Edited 6/13/11 22:36pm]

You never know.

People counted Dylan as irrelevant and dead, and then in what will most likely be seen as his final period, he releases a great, Oscar Winning single, "Things Have Changed," followed by a triumvirate of classic albums; Time Out of Mind, Love & Theft and Modern Times, that will sit comfortably alongside his best work for the ages.

Paul Simon also continues to release music of a very high quality, but then again he is unusual of his generation in that he has never experienced a dip in quality, outside of his one experiment with Broadway.

[Edited 6/13/11 22:49pm]

alandail said:

had sign of the times never been released previously and instead was released now as a new studio album, people would say even that is not as good as he used to be.

He's older, which happens to all of us, but he hasn't lost his talent. Some of his recent work is brilliant. He doesn't have hits anymore, but he had more grammy nominations in the 2000s than any prior decade.

When he takes musical risks and releases something unlike any previous release (The Rainbow Children), people complain he doesn't sound like he used to. When he gets back to his roots, people complain he's not innovating.

Is his music the same as 30 years ago? Of course not, it would be pretty boring if it was.

Well said. Much of this is not about Prince's talent or lack of motivation or passion per se but that Prince does not have the same message or that his message has been modified along with his music, and that new message along with the new music is not the interest of those who had the same interests as his earlier sound and message. It is so subjective when people say that Prince is not as passionate or inspired because when I hear "Colonized Mind" I can't think of anything that is more passionate or inspired, and I've been a fan since 1980, but the message, of course, rubs people the wrong way. I realize that it is subjective when I say that his current work is just as passionate and moving to me as it was thirty years ago even if it moves me for different reasons as I am in a different place in my life. I'm forty-one, happily married, and have had a great sex life so I don't necessarily need sex songs. The difference for me is that I know my subjective tastes say more about me than they do about Prince. Whether he moves me or not, that is more about my tastes and where I am and not so much about him. There are plenty of songs from the 80s that do not move me as much as songs for the 90s and 2000s. Had he lost it on those songs, or does that just reflect my subjective tastes?

*

Is Prince the same dude he was ten, twenty, or thirty years ago? Of course he isn't, but it would be pretty pathetic if he was. I enjoy where he is now, and his work, so far, still moves me more than most of what is being produced today.

i dont want the old prince back...i am happy the way he is....

.

its a journey and it aint over...

.

.

blackbob said:

i dont want the old prince back...i am happy the way he is....

.

its a journey and it aint over...

.

.

Me too.

I enjoyed sailing on the good Ship Princey in the 80's. It defined my youth. I still like what he offers now.

If I could wave a wand it would be for one reason. To cement a legacy by looking after the back catalogue and unreleased material in a good way for the fans.

SquirrelMeat said:

blackbob said:

i dont want the old prince back...i am happy the way he is....

.

its a journey and it aint over...

.

.

Me too.

I enjoyed sailing on the good Ship Princey in the 80's. It defined my youth. I still like what he offers now.

If I could wave a wand it would be for one reason. To cement a legacy by looking after the back catalogue and unreleased material in a good way for the fans.

Honestly, I agree with you both. I'm happy with what Prince gives us today. It could be better, but it be far far worst. He could be some strung-out crack-head piece of shit like some our former talents. But he keeps coming with something, & I ain't mad at that. I realise it won't be the same, but others on this site don't. I really hope some outtakes & the remasters come out too. I hope I didn't sound to negative on the topic, but I get really sick of reading the same complaints from people all of the time. Only thing I hope is that he doesn't come out with an album were he re-records his biggest hits, & features rappers & shit on them....

Prince will always be ∞

We all have our selfish notions of what we all want Prince to give us and do for us-

Part of the beauty of Prince- we always want more...

I don't know, Mplsound blew my mind, N.E.W.S. as well... and Madonna's Music, too... so u know...

Tittypants said:

Sorry guys, but he's not coming back! No matter how much you hope it, The Prince we all used to love is gone! He may never release another album of [new] music that will ever blow our minds. It's Over!

It's not like he's the first one, we all saw it with our other heroes {MJ, James Brown, Madonna, Paul McCartney, etc}, but that's what happens when we get old. We become tired, bored, & stuck in our own stubborn ways. This will happen to all of us.

All we have left is the classics to listen to, & the stuff [hopefully] still locked in a vault somewhere. If those unreleased classics still exist.

I'm more than happy with the classic albums & I thank Prince for all of the creativity, passion, work ethic, sexy ladies, impeccable tunes, & inspiration he gave all of us. Prince truly is one of the last living legends we have, & we should cherish all that he has done....

...But we all have to face the facts. We'll never see the splits again. We'll never see the Purple Trench coat again. The days of the stage humping & semen shooting guitars are over. And if he did ever bring that stuff back, we'd probably laugh at him for trying too hard... and Let's not even mention the aggression that's lacking in his music of the last decade. Prince no longer has anything to prove to any of us or himself. He has no competition. He's already proven himself enough. I know a lot of us don't want to even think about this stuff, but hey, somebody has too.

Every now & then, he'll give us a glimpse of his past greatness, but that's all.....

....So with that said, How many of you are in denial?????

He's not dead and that's a fucked-up way to put it.

He changed, so what. I'd be worried if he didn't change and was stuck in the same mindset his entire life.

He's done good work in the past and he's still doing good work now if people will pay attention and stop waiting for Purple Rain part 2.

Where the fuck is that lock emoticon, I don't feel like looking for it right now.

You always make stupid Prince threads, dude. Like, seriously. It's like you have Prince Dick-Envy or something.

The guy has died like 7 times

1985

1988

1990

1994

1999

2002

2010

...

alandail said:

had sign of the times never been released previously and instead was released now as a new studio album, people would say even that is not as good as he used to be.

He's older, which happens to all of us, but he hasn't lost his talent. Some of his recent work is brilliant. He doesn't have hits anymore, but he had more grammy nominations in the 2000s than any prior decade.

When he takes musical risks and releases something unlike any previous release (The Rainbow Children), people complain he doesn't sound like he used to. When he gets back to his roots, people complain he's not innovating.

Is his music the same as 30 years ago? Of course not, it would be pretty boring if it was.

That's a lie. You KNOW that would not happen.

No more splits!? You promise? Thank the heavens.

There was a point there where it seemed like all he did was splits, and sometimes spins into splits. It was as predictable as watching a Hulk Hogan pose down.

His stage show is probably the tightest it's ever been, and he's more in tune with his audiences, that's for sure.