Being inspired by something is not the same as ripping it off. The Miriam Makeba connection is obvious but I do not hear much similarities with the Hendrix song. And Prince definitely wrote the lyrics himself, they have this strange religious vibe to them which was what started me wondering in the first place.

alexnvrmnd777 said:

To those who're just hearing about the "similarity" between this song and Miriam Makeba's "Quit It", where on earth have you been??? It was established a long time ago on here that he DEFINITELY ripped "Colonized Mind" off of that song.

Probably because we have other stuff going on in our lives....but good for YOU, you win!!! You were first!!!! YAAAAY!!" />

sweething said:

Without a sense of responsibility to a higher power (whether God or one's internal ethic, we are left with no "accountability".

It is therefore much "easier" for "other" negative values to become commonplace as people are easily led to do "whatever" without fear of some sort of retribution and conscience response.

Some people who profess to "know" God have colonized minds so its not absolute.

I don't think he's necessarily saying if you don't believe in God you have a colonized mind; I think its more that with God (the ultimate power) one is more likely to challenge/question when we are being led to do things and/or led to go against the supreme law of mankind.

These comments are spot on. I'll only add that Prince is being Socratic in his line of questioning by reversing the notion of who has a colonized mind. Often, people who embrace science over religion assert that people who believe in the existence of a God or who practice some type of religion have been mentally colonized or brainwashed. However, in his always providing a different spin on a subject way of songwriting, Prince is simply raising the question of maybe it is those who don't believe in God are the ones who have been mentally colonized. Just as many people have committed atrocities in the name of science, nation, and self-interest as those who have done the same in the name of religion. For instance Hitler did not kill in the name of religion for race supremacy was his religion, and the notion of one man one vote in America is a lie, given the fact that lobbyists run the country, which will be even worse since the Supreme Court has allowed corporations to be protected and treated like individuals. Democracy in America--whose mind is colonized now?

versiongirl said:

alexnvrmnd777 said:

To those who're just hearing about the "similarity" between this song and Miriam Makeba's "Quit It", where on earth have you been??? It was established a long time ago on here that he DEFINITELY ripped "Colonized Mind" off of that song.

Probably because we have other stuff going on in our lives....but good for YOU, you win!!! You were first!!!! YAAAAY!!" />

[Edited 8/5/11 14:22pm]

Dsoul said:

I never get tired of pointing out this song rips off lyrics, instrumental and melody from the following song. All he added was ignorant lyrics misinterpreting evolution and mocking single parenting.

I'll concede that musically and thematically "Colonized Mind" is greatly influenced by "Quit It," maybe even possibly a rip off, but it is still a great song. Do you know how many hit songs sound exactly like other hit songs? However, as someone who accepts the big bang theory as scientifically proven, Prince's statements about evolution are not ignorant, and he does not mock single parenting. As world renown physicist Neil de Grasse Tyson asserts in his essay "In Defense of the Big Bang," science, as of yet, has no explanation for what caused the big bang. Now, as Tyson states, this does not refute the science that proves the big bang nor does it prove that a deity caused the big bang, but Prince is simply stating, as many have stated, if we accept the big bang, is it not plausible that something, like a deity, caused it. If we accept that the big bang created the rock on the shore, we still have the right to ask what caused the big bang that lead to the rock being on the shore. I don't know how that is "misinterpreting evolution."

*

Also, as an African American male who had two loving parents and has also worked as a writer and community activist, I am well aware that in 2011 seventy percent of African American children are born to single-parent households and fifty percent of them are born at or below the poverty line. In fact, even though I define myself as a black nationalist, for my money parenting, not racism, is the biggest challenge facing African Americans. I live in Mississippi, the most racist state in the Union with currently one of the most historically racist governors, but poor decision making when it comes to having and raising babies plays a greater role on the dysfunction that exists in the African American community than the historic racism of America. Additionally, I am not saying that one parent cannot effectively raise a child, and sexism by white males has thrived for centuries when most of these men come from two-parent homes. However, one of the lingering effects of slavery is the destruction of African/African American homes as African American men have been socially, politically, and economically emasculated causing far too many of them to embrace a perverted Mandingo/Bigger Thomas type of manhood of sexual exploitation and oppression as a way to reclaim and reassert their manhood. So, yes, for the African American community far too many homes with absentee fathers is the essential element of African American dysfunction, which continues a perpetuation of second-class citizenship for a high number of African Americans.

1725topp said:

Dsoul said:

I never get tired of pointing out this song rips off lyrics, instrumental and melody from the following song. All he added was ignorant lyrics misinterpreting evolution and mocking single parenting.

I'll concede that musically and thematically "Colonized Mind" is greatly influenced by "Quit It," maybe even possibly a rip off, but it is still a great song. Do you know how many hit songs sound exactly like other hit songs? However, as someone who accepts the big bang theory as scientifically proven, Prince's statements about evolution are not ignorant, and he does not mock single parenting. As world renown physicist Neil de Grasse Tyson asserts in his essay "In Defense of the Big Bang," science, as of yet, has no explanation for what caused the big bang. Now, as Tyson states, this does not refute the science that proves the big bang nor does it prove that a deity caused the big bang, but Prince is simply stating, as many have stated, if we accept the big bang, is it not plausible that something, like a deity, caused it. If we accept that the big bang created the rock on the shore, we still have the right to ask what caused the big bang that lead to the rock being on the shore. I don't know how that is "misinterpreting evolution."

*

Also, as an African American male who had two loving parents and has also worked as a writer and community activist, I am well aware that in 2011 seventy percent of African American children are born to single-parent households and fifty percent of them are born at or below the poverty line. In fact, even though I define myself as a black nationalist, for my money parenting, not racism, is the biggest challenge facing African Americans. I live in Mississippi, the most racist state in the Union with currently one of the most historically racist governors, but poor decision making when it comes to having and raising babies plays a greater role on the dysfunction that exists in the African American community than the historic racism of America. Additionally, I am not saying that one parent cannot effectively raise a child, and sexism by white males has thrived for centuries when most of these men come from two-parent homes. However, one of the lingering effects of slavery is the destruction of African/African American homes as African American men have been socially, politically, and economically emasculated causing far too many of them to embrace a perverted Mandingo/Bigger Thomas type of manhood of sexual exploitation and oppression as a way to reclaim and reassert their manhood. So, yes, for the African American community far too many homes with absentee fathers is the essential element of African American dysfunction, which continues a perpetuation of second-class citizenship for a high number of African Americans.

A truly interesting post, thanks a lot.

1725topp said:

sweething said:

Without a sense of responsibility to a higher power (whether God or one's internal ethic, we are left with no "accountability".

It is therefore much "easier" for "other" negative values to become commonplace as people are easily led to do "whatever" without fear of some sort of retribution and conscience response.

Some people who profess to "know" God have colonized minds so its not absolute.

I don't think he's necessarily saying if you don't believe in God you have a colonized mind; I think its more that with God (the ultimate power) one is more likely to challenge/question when we are being led to do things and/or led to go against the supreme law of mankind.

These comments are spot on. I'll only add that Prince is being Socratic in his line of questioning by reversing the notion of who has a colonized mind. Often, people who embrace science over religion assert that people who believe in the existence of a God or who practice some type of religion have been mentally colonized or brainwashed. However, in his always providing a different spin on a subject way of songwriting, Prince is simply raising the question of maybe it is those who don't believe in God are the ones who have been mentally colonized. Just as many people have committed atrocities in the name of science, nation, and self-interest as those who have done the same in the name of religion. For instance Hitler did not kill in the name of religion for race supremacy was his religion, and the notion of one man one vote in America is a lie, given the fact that lobbyists run the country, which will be even worse since the Supreme Court has allowed corporations to be protected and treated like individuals. Democracy in America--whose mind is colonized now?

Wow, this ^ is an excellent observation on your part and his (Prince).

Thank you for sharing your keen insight.

Javi said:

A truly interesting post, thanks a lot.

Thanks for the feedback.

sweething said:

Wow, this ^ is an excellent observation on your part and his (Prince).

Thank you for sharing your keen insight.

Thanks, and your initial comments were a perfect map and path for where I wanted to go.

Prince ripping off songs is nothing new.

He did rip off Up The Ladder To The Roof.

when he wrote Little red Corvette...

Who cares.

both amazing tracks.

alexnvrmnd777 said:

To those who're just hearing about the "similarity" between this song and Miriam Makeba's "Quit It", where on earth have you been??? It was established a long time ago on here that he DEFINITELY ripped "Colonized Mind" off of that song.

And to those saying there are no HEAVY similarities, please stop drinking the damn purple kool-aid. I'm looking at you, Laura.

Read the comments from other orgers. Are all of us drinking Purple Kool Aid. It is similar in the tradition of the same 12 bar blues you hear in lots of songs and once again does it past the test of the number of bars/chords that you can use without copyright infringement?

Impress me and answer that question. In addtion, none of this has anything to do with P's lyrics which are really good. Some of you haters are so busy trying to rip dude a new one you cannot give credit were credit is due.

alexnvrmnd777 said:

To those who're just hearing about the "similarity" between this song and Miriam Makeba's "Quit It", where on earth have you been??? It was established a long time ago on here that he DEFINITELY ripped "Colonized Mind" off of that song.

And to those saying there are no HEAVY similarities, please stop drinking the damn purple kool-aid. I'm looking at you, Laura.

search "colonized mind" and african history...
even makeba knew and said as much

search also "on colonizing and decolonizing minds"

peace

1725topp said:

sweething said:

Without a sense of responsibility to a higher power (whether God or one's internal ethic, we are left with no "accountability".

It is therefore much "easier" for "other" negative values to become commonplace as people are easily led to do "whatever" without fear of some sort of retribution and conscience response.

Some people who profess to "know" God have colonized minds so its not absolute.

I don't think he's necessarily saying if you don't believe in God you have a colonized mind; I think its more that with God (the ultimate power) one is more likely to challenge/question when we are being led to do things and/or led to go against the supreme law of mankind.

These comments are spot on. I'll only add that Prince is being Socratic in his line of questioning by reversing the notion of who has a colonized mind. Often, people who embrace science over religion assert that people who believe in the existence of a God or who practice some type of religion have been mentally colonized or brainwashed. However, in his always providing a different spin on a subject way of songwriting, Prince is simply raising the question of maybe it is those who don't believe in God are the ones who have been mentally colonized. Just as many people have committed atrocities in the name of science, nation, and self-interest as those who have done the same in the name of religion. For instance Hitler did not kill in the name of religion for race supremacy was his religion, and the notion of one man one vote in America is a lie, given the fact that lobbyists run the country, which will be even worse since the Supreme Court has allowed corporations to be protected and treated like individuals. Democracy in America--whose mind is colonized now?

I couldn't say it better. Just as religion, science, the nation, the "people"... have become since the 19th century objective foundations for the values of many social and political movements, so their values have become absolute and intolerant as well. God was replaced by science, but in many aspects nothing changed.

This happens constantly today, but the secularists ignore that they're falling into the same sad mistake.

There's equally many ignorant people among religious and non religious, believers and followers of science. Atleast based on own experience.

A colonized mind is a mind that is not thinking for itself. A man or woman that never question "the truth" that is served by others. One who never seeks own answers, and is just absorbing "the truth" from one source is colonized.

Javi said:

1725topp said:

These comments are spot on. I'll only add that Prince is being Socratic in his line of questioning by reversing the notion of who has a colonized mind. Often, people who embrace science over religion assert that people who believe in the existence of a God or who practice some type of religion have been mentally colonized or brainwashed. However, in his always providing a different spin on a subject way of songwriting, Prince is simply raising the question of maybe it is those who don't believe in God are the ones who have been mentally colonized. Just as many people have committed atrocities in the name of science, nation, and self-interest as those who have done the same in the name of religion. For instance Hitler did not kill in the name of religion for race supremacy was his religion, and the notion of one man one vote in America is a lie, given the fact that lobbyists run the country, which will be even worse since the Supreme Court has allowed corporations to be protected and treated like individuals. Democracy in America--whose mind is colonized now?

I couldn't say it better. Just as religion, science, the nation, the "people"... have become since the 19th century objective foundations for the values of many social and political movements, so their values have become absolute and intolerant as well. God was replaced by science, but in many aspects nothing changed.

This happens constantly today, but the secularists ignore that they're falling into the same sad mistake.

I do not believe that "the secularists" have taken over to the degree that you may think. Maybe when there is an agnostic or atheist president you will have a point but until then the religious folks in America still have more power and representation than the non religious.

rialb said:

Javi said:

I couldn't say it better. Just as religion, science, the nation, the "people"... have become since the 19th century objective foundations for the values of many social and political movements, so their values have become absolute and intolerant as well. God was replaced by science, but in many aspects nothing changed.

This happens constantly today, but the secularists ignore that they're falling into the same sad mistake.

I do not believe that "the secularists" have taken over to the degree that you may think. Maybe when there is an agnostic or atheist president you will have a point but until then the religious folks in America still have more power and representation than the non religious.

That may be true, since I don't live in the States and am not a connoisseur of its society. I wasn't talking about USA. I live in Spain, a traditionally catholic country who has changed a lot in the last decades.

I'd like to clarify that I don't celebrate neither religious nor secularist power. I just say that there is a certain arrogance in the secularists, who often think that being independent of religion makes them autonomus people, while in reality they also refer to objective foundations of their values, mainly, but not only, science.

As Replica said, a colonized mind is a mind that doesn't question the truth received from an external source, whether it is religion, science, tradition, common sense, etc. Actually, not having a colonized mind is a fight that lasts all life, and I don't think it is that easy. But the fight is worthy, as only so can one live a meaningful life.

And as sweetthing said, we need "accountability", and that isn't possible with values that become commonplace and are accepted without questioning.

Javi said:

rialb said:

I do not believe that "the secularists" have taken over to the degree that you may think. Maybe when there is an agnostic or atheist president you will have a point but until then the religious folks in America still have more power and representation than the non religious.

That may be true, since I don't live in the States and am not a connoisseur of its society. I wasn't talking about USA. I live in Spain, a traditionally catholic country who has changed a lot in the last decades.

I'd like to clarify that I don't celebrate neither religious nor secularist power. I just say that there is a certain arrogance in the secularists, who often think that being independent of religion makes them autonomus people, while in reality they also refer to objective foundations of their values, mainly, but not only, science.

As Replica said, a colonized mind is a mind that doesn't question the truth received from an external source, whether it is religion, science, tradition, common sense, etc. Actually, not having a colonized mind is a fight that lasts all life, and I don't think it is that easy. But the fight is worthy, as only so can one live a meaningful life.

And as sweetthing said, we need "accountability", and that isn't possible with values that become commonplace and are accepted without questioning.

WOW! That is such an excellent post! I really enjoyed reading this! Your insight is spot on, and just what I needed to hear. I think these points are often ignored too. I know some people who says they are "Independent of religion, which makes them autonomous" But they fail to realize, they also refer to these objective foundations. Replica; nailed it, on the head too! Questioning what is presented to us, is essential....If we are just satisfied with the presentation, without taking out the guts and seeing the deeper anatomy, WHILE ALSO neglecting "Accountability" because we are use to what has been told...As Prince said..."It's just the blind leading the blind" Regardless of what one holds as truth...NO one wants the blind leading them if they are blind. Hahaha..Well let me speak for myself; I don't! Nevertheless I agree with you, and your post is inspiring, as with many here on the board, it's an interesting read! Thank you all!

EyeJester7 said:

Javi said:

That may be true, since I don't live in the States and am not a connoisseur of its society. I wasn't talking about USA. I live in Spain, a traditionally catholic country who has changed a lot in the last decades.

I'd like to clarify that I don't celebrate neither religious nor secularist power. I just say that there is a certain arrogance in the secularists, who often think that being independent of religion makes them autonomus people, while in reality they also refer to objective foundations of their values, mainly, but not only, science.

As Replica said, a colonized mind is a mind that doesn't question the truth received from an external source, whether it is religion, science, tradition, common sense, etc. Actually, not having a colonized mind is a fight that lasts all life, and I don't think it is that easy. But the fight is worthy, as only so can one live a meaningful life.

And as sweetthing said, we need "accountability", and that isn't possible with values that become commonplace and are accepted without questioning.

WOW! That is such an excellent post! I really enjoyed reading this! Your insight is spot on, and just what I needed to hear. I think these points are often ignored too. I know some people who says they are "Independent of religion, which makes them autonomous" But they fail to realize, they also refer to these objective foundations. Replica; nailed it, on the head too! Questioning what is presented to us, is essential....If we are just satisfied with the presentation, without taking out the guts and seeing the deeper anatomy, WHILE ALSO neglecting "Accountability" because we are use to what has been told...As Prince said..."It's just the blind leading the blind" Regardless of what one holds as truth...NO one wants the blind leading them if they are blind. Hahaha..Well let me speak for myself; I don't! Nevertheless I agree with you, and your post is inspiring, as with many here on the board, it's an interesting read! Thank you all!

Thanks! Yes, I think this thread is really interesting. I'm glad these song has prompted it, because, even apart from the lyrics, I think it's great.

Javi said:

rialb said:

I do not believe that "the secularists" have taken over to the degree that you may think. Maybe when there is an agnostic or atheist president you will have a point but until then the religious folks in America still have more power and representation than the non religious.

That may be true, since I don't live in the States and am not a connoisseur of its society. I wasn't talking about USA. I live in Spain, a traditionally catholic country who has changed a lot in the last decades.

I'd like to clarify that I don't celebrate neither religious nor secularist power. I just say that there is a certain arrogance in the secularists, who often think that being independent of religion makes them autonomus people, while in reality they also refer to objective foundations of their values, mainly, but not only, science.

As Replica said, a colonized mind is a mind that doesn't question the truth received from an external source, whether it is religion, science, tradition, common sense, etc. Actually, not having a colonized mind is a fight that lasts all life, and I don't think it is that easy. But the fight is worthy, as only so can one live a meaningful life.

And as sweetthing said, we need "accountability", and that isn't possible with values that become commonplace and are accepted without questioning.

Whoops, my mistake. For what it is worth I am not an American either, I'm a canuck.

I'm sure that it's possible for the pendulum to swing too far in the other (secular) direction too but I just want the best ideas to win. Whether those ideas come from a person of faith or a non believer does not matter to me. It seems like in America it is virtually impossible for a non religious person to be elected to the congress and certainly the presidency.