Ok this subject has kinda already been picked up b4 in thread back in 09 (prince.org/msg/7/311436). However, the original posts tended 2 focus on the impact of not having Prince's music around nor his ideologies on life regarding openess/love4oneanother etc etc. It was an interesting thread and I certainly c no need 2 duplicate that content here..

However, the reason I'm revisiting the subject is because I recently turned 40 and milestones in life such as these make one ruminate & reflect on life. Becoming 40 has got me thinking about the man I'd be today if Prince had neva sprinkled his magic back on me back in 1982. I think about how he's shaped all manner of things in my life and not just my musical tastes. For example;

My use of language; phrasing/cadence/use of written text etc.

My appearance; the way I wear my hair/my clothes/my style

My mannerisms; facial gestures/body language/the way I dance etc

My interactions with other people

My choice of friends/lovers

My lifestyle/aspirations

My love of purple....

The list could go on and on and 2 the casual observer one could think that Prince has had WAY TOO much influence in my life! However, it is contextual (I'm a reasonably successful 40 year with a wonderful family and material/emotional stability) and much more subtle than appears when written down. There4 my question 2 fellow orgers is this:

How has Prince shaped the person u r 2day? Not ur taste in music nor ur view of life. Rather the person who u c when u look in the mirror, the person u r when u sit alone watching the world go by, the person inside ur mind...

Peace

I learned how to speak to women.

I also learned how to do splits.

I wouldn't have met a really good friend if it wasn't for Prince.

I started to listen to him, mid 80’s when I was a young teen,

so in a way he was sorta my soundtrack during my coming of age phase.

Self acceptance – Love

Sometimes I think of him as my true religion.

Trying to keep an open mind in this world of label sticking, box thinking & easy answer solutions.

Therefore he has influenced me on how I look towards life and people.

I sincerely thank him for that.

chocolate1 said:

I wouldn't have met a really good friend if it wasn't for Prince.

Now thats cool

Nothing profound for me though, if by shaping the person I am today meaning he expanded my musical knowledge, then hell yeah he did, he opened many doors.

I give good head!

Harlepolis said:

chocolate1 said:

I wouldn't have met a really good friend if it wasn't for Prince.

Now thats cool

Nothing profound for me though, if by shaping the person I am today meaning he expanded my musical knowledge, then hell yeah he did, he opened many doors.

That too!

Actually, I've been personally more influenced by other of the musicians I love, such as Ray Davies and David Bowie.

I've always thought of Prince as an excellent musician but as a non-interesting personality. Recently I've been changing this view, since I've discovered he's a more interesting human being than I thought. So he may have a bigger influence on me in the future! For example, Prince's work ethic is admirable, and his spirituality is also quite interesting.

Prince also had something to do with my meeting a really good friend 20 years ago. I was the only one in school who liked Prince until a new guy came in. He had heard me defend Prince from the attacks of all my other pals, and he told me he also loved him. After all these years, we're still very good friends... and still love the Purple Yoda!

My sexuality (his lyrics taught me how to make love when i was a teen).

My spiritual life in general, God, etc. (even though i ain't a christian, Prince's lyrics nurtured me a lot when it comes to spirituality, religion, politics and personal philosophy).

My attitude towards the world as an artist (being daring and provocative, being proud of my work, communicating in eccentric ways, trying to have you own personal style regardless of what other artists do, borrowing the best elements of the artists I admire to reinvent them in my own mix).

My poetry (Prince's lyrics were a major influence in my writing style, even though I write in french).

My vegetarism (Prince wasn't the main reason but knowing that he is veg' certainly helped me making my decision back in the days).

he has shaped me alot, im in high school and im VERY into the arts, (singing,music,dance,theatre) and im a male, i LOVE dressing up (being fashionable, and having a different style than everyone else..) and i AM STRAIGHT...but i get picked on ALOT,and idk.. prince has showed me its okay to be who you are and that you dont have to please everybody, and idk i just really look up to him.

TylerHippie said:

I learned how to speak to women.

I also learned how to do splits.

I can't do the splits (impressive!) but agreed, lyrically Prince taught me how 2 speak 2 women 2. All the great loves of my life were romanced according 2 Prince

chocolate1 said:

I wouldn't have met a really good friend if it wasn't for Prince.

Indeed. We all have our Prince families out there..

TessDeKegel said:

I started to listen to him, mid 80’s when I was a young teen,

so in a way he was sorta my soundtrack during my coming of age phase.

Self acceptance – Love

Sometimes I think of him as my true religion.

Trying to keep an open mind in this world of label sticking, box thinking & easy answer solutions.

Therefore he has influenced me on how I look towards life and people.

I sincerely thank him for that.

I agree wit the open mind, avoiding labels & thinking outside the box. Especially on a personal level.

nebkheperrure said:

TylerHippie said:

I learned how to speak to women.

I also learned how to do splits.

I can't do the splits (impressive!) but agreed, lyrically Prince taught me how 2 speak 2 women 2. All the great loves of my life were romanced according 2 Prince

This is what I said to one chick:

Me: Hi, my name is Tyler...and yours?

Her: Ally.

Me: Can I have your number so we can...talk(I got distracted thats why I paused)?

Her: Yeah, we can talk but I'm not gonna tell you any personal things.

Me: If I was your girlfriend, would you tell me all your secrets?

Her: Girlfriend?

Me: aha Girlfriend as in bestfriend.

Her: That is so sweet and cute.

We later had sex ahaha Thanks Prince.

Harlepolis said:

chocolate1 said:

I wouldn't have met a really good friend if it wasn't for Prince.

Now thats cool

Nothing profound for me though, if by shaping the person I am today meaning he expanded my musical knowledge, then hell yeah he did, he opened many doors.

Nebula2020 said:

I give good head!

The power of a good song lyric eh?

Javi said:

Actually, I've been personally more influenced by other of the musicians I love, such as Ray Davies and David Bowie.

I've always thought of Prince as an excellent musician but as a non-interesting personality. Recently I've been changing this view, since I've discovered he's a more interesting human being than I thought. So he may have a bigger influence on me in the future! For example, Prince's work ethic is admirable, and his spirituality is also quite interesting.

Prince also had something to do with my meeting a really good friend 20 years ago. I was the only one in school who liked Prince until a new guy came in. He had heard me defend Prince from the attacks of all my other pals, and he told me he also loved him. After all these years, we're still very good friends... and still love the Purple Yoda!

Bowie was a genius when he was on the top of his game. A true visionary.

databank said:

My sexuality (his lyrics taught me how to make love when i was a teen).

My spiritual life in general, God, etc. (even though i ain't a christian, Prince's lyrics nurtured me a lot when it comes to spirituality, religion, politics and personal philosophy).

My attitude towards the world as an artist (being daring and provocative, being proud of my work, communicating in eccentric ways, trying to have you own personal style regardless of what other artists do, borrowing the best elements of the artists I admire to reinvent them in my own mix).

My poetry (Prince's lyrics were a major influence in my writing style, even though I write in french).

My vegetarism (Prince wasn't the main reason but knowing that he is veg' certainly helped me making my decision back in the days).

Thanx 4 this response. Reading it was like reading bout myself (though I paint not write poetry). I think the nature of our 'relationship' with our heroes is that we can often personalise their creativity in order 2 develop our own. The greatest artists, writers & musicians seem 2 have an ability 2 use their work, their ideas, their own stories 2 connect with the individual and thus we make it our own. I think the very fact ur post resonates with me demonstrates this

Made me not give a fuck what ppl thought or had to say

Turned me out into a super freak

Made me wanna party & have funn

Showed me how music should be played and appreciated

TylerHippie said:

nebkheperrure said:

I can't do the splits (impressive!) but agreed, lyrically Prince taught me how 2 speak 2 women 2. All the great loves of my life were romanced according 2 Prince

This is what I said to one chick:

Me: Hi, my name is Tyler...and yours?

Her: Ally.

Me: Can I have your number so we can...talk(I got distracted thats why I paused)?

Her: Yeah, we can talk but I'm not gonna tell you any personal things.

Me: If I was your girlfriend, would you tell me all your secrets?

Her: Girlfriend?

Me: aha Girlfriend as in bestfriend.

Her: That is so sweet and cute.

We later had sex ahaha Thanks Prince.

lmao, how attractive

dm3857 said:

he has shaped me alot, im in high school and im VERY into the arts, (singing,music,dance,theatre) and im a male, i LOVE dressing up (being fashionable, and having a different style than everyone else..) and i AM STRAIGHT...but i get picked on ALOT,and idk.. prince has showed me its okay to be who you are and that you dont have to please everybody, and idk i just really look up to him.

Absolutely! Back in the day Prince was very much promoting the idea that it was cool 2 just b urself no matter what anyone else thought. His albums from Dirty Mind through to Lovesexy seemed 2 encapsulate this idea. U sound like he's making a big impression on ur formative years & ur using this influence in a positive way

TylerHippie said:

nebkheperrure said:

I can't do the splits (impressive!) but agreed, lyrically Prince taught me how 2 speak 2 women 2. All the great loves of my life were romanced according 2 Prince

This is what I said to one chick:

Me: Hi, my name is Tyler...and yours?

Her: Ally.

Me: Can I have your number so we can...talk(I got distracted thats why I paused)?

Her: Yeah, we can talk but I'm not gonna tell you any personal things.

Me: If I was your girlfriend, would you tell me all your secrets?

Her: Girlfriend?

Me: aha Girlfriend as in bestfriend.

Her: That is so sweet and cute.

We later had sex ahaha Thanks Prince.

Ha ha that's a funny story! We all have our 'If I was ur girlfriend' moments right?

I think because of Prince I developed somewhat of an obsession with pretty boys. Basically, Prince taught me to kick ugly men to the curb.

ecstasy said:

Made me not give a fuck what ppl thought or had to say

Turned me out into a super freak

Made me wanna party & have funn

Showed me how music should be played and appreciated

Prince didn't really have that kind of influence on me (though agreed that he did make me appreciate true musicianship) but I do appreciate wot u mean. It wasn't till I discovered Rick James that I learnt the true value of partying like a superfreak!

nebkheperrure said:

TylerHippie said:

This is what I said to one chick:

Me: Hi, my name is Tyler...and yours?

Her: Ally.

Me: Can I have your number so we can...talk(I got distracted thats why I paused)?

Her: Yeah, we can talk but I'm not gonna tell you any personal things.

Me: If I was your girlfriend, would you tell me all your secrets?

Her: Girlfriend?

Me: aha Girlfriend as in bestfriend.

Her: That is so sweet and cute.

We later had sex ahaha Thanks Prince.

Ha ha that's a funny story! We all have our 'If I was ur girlfriend' moments right?

I know right? That's the easiest Prince pick-up line.

ecstasy said:

TylerHippie said:

This is what I said to one chick:

Me: Hi, my name is Tyler...and yours?

Her: Ally.

Me: Can I have your number so we can...talk(I got distracted thats why I paused)?

Her: Yeah, we can talk but I'm not gonna tell you any personal things.

Me: If I was your girlfriend, would you tell me all your secrets?

Her: Girlfriend?

Me: aha Girlfriend as in bestfriend.

Her: That is so sweet and cute.

We later had sex ahaha Thanks Prince.

lmao, how attractive

Thanks friend.

Well, I should say that I have shaped myself by myself and still I am doing so..Prince has his contribution in many ways though:

Thanks Prince makes me enjoy much more listenning and speaking english..

Prince accompanies me through all my Path to someplace, anywhere, he's always there in my mind, as a precious and warm feeling, as some kind of happiness onto which I rely when I need to escape, when I think deeply..

Some words of Prince's are stuck in my mind such as: face down, Purple of course, one of my fav color, Come...it's weird, because even a french word : ENCORE which means more makes me think of Prince..?? who knows why

My high heels Suede boots I enjoy having on look like Prince's high heals, maybe his feet are very curved as mine...

My straight hair ain't got not curl..

I love the sound of some motorcycle engines, make me think of "undertaker"

Whenever I travel, International Lover is on my mind..

When I turned Vegetarian, not because of him, afterwards I read that he was also..

Well, so many things I could write pages about that..

It's just a Positive contribution to my Life

Thanks Prince, and thank you for allllllllllll the moments you've given this summer, and moments to come, thank you for your pretty smile when you seem relaxed while you are playing;

I love your smile

[Edited 7/28/11 12:33pm]

[Edited 7/28/11 12:42pm]

Harlepolis said:

chocolate1 said:

I wouldn't have met a really good friend if it wasn't for Prince.

Now thats cool

Nothing profound for me though, if by shaping the person I am today meaning he expanded my musical knowledge, then hell yeah he did, he opened many doors.

Right here.

When it comes to sexuality, Prince music and message really did help me feel free and alot more sexually attractive. I always knew I had the looks, but being shy and insecure towards women changed alot when growing older. And as I grew older I got to know his music well as it kind of explained alot about growing up and being ready to "take over the world", do something with your life. Prince is no god, he is inspiration to me just as my father, grand father, mother and brother is.

He sure had an influence on my English (I just learned English when I listened to his music a lot) and on my taste in music

Back then I started travelling to see him live and I have many awsome memories of these days and all the experiences I had made me more self confident at a time when I was not

And most important: Because of Prince I met my ex-boyfriend who I was together with for 17 years and a lot of both very close and not so close friends .