Computer Blue (hallway speech)

Purple Rain. Hardcores, casuals, people who aren't even fans appreciate it.

[Edited 12/4/11 19:34pm]

It's "Purple Rain" by popular vote or default. But as far as one song that embodies the sounds and, more importantly, Prince's overall message, and lyrical content, "Controversy" fits the bill much more accurately. It has the MPLS funk, the love, the sex, the political (or anti-political) message and the inspiring feeling one gets when absorbing the full Prince experience.

"The n*gga's got a laser !"..... He meant that.

Erotic City

I'd suggest the extended version of Raspberry Beret. It has all the riffs, melodies and effects, and a bit of that humour that is present in so much of his earlier catalogue.

(By the way, has anyone noticed how much he looks like Liza Minelli in the video?)

[Edited 12/5/11 7:13am]

Gee1973 said:

I'd suggest the extended version of Raspberry Beret. It has all the riffs, melodies and effects, and a bit of that humour that is present in so much of his earlier catalogue.

(By the way, has anyone noticed how much he looks like Liza Minelli in the video?)

[Edited 12/5/11 7:13am]

Wendy looks like she's stepped out of a Salvador Dali painting

rdhull said:

ANJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right back atcha, RD. I miss Supernova.

Raspberry Beret Or Computer Blue

Heck so many though!

I am just going to go with Alphabet Street! Haha

kevinpnb said:

It's Lovesexy for me. Sums up everything-- the funk, the amazing arrangement, the gospel, the sex.. Everything. And it just gets better the more you hear it.

Same here...pure Prince!!!

Some people here seem to confuse the word 'quintessential' with the word most 'popular'.

Indeed, when you look at it on a worldwide level, Purple Rain is probably his most 'popular' song.

But when you look at which songs are 'quentessential' when it comes to what Princes legacy is about, both musically and lyrically, IMO you end with either When Doves Cry or If I was your girlfriend.

i would love to say 1999 or if i was your girlfriend but its really when doves cry

why?

because all at once its a rock song,a dance song,an r&b song,a ballad,retro and futuristic.which bye default makes it the best pop song ever.re-arrange it and its a country song.

the best thing..as much as people praise it's minimalist sound there is A LOT going on in that song musically,all kinds of subverse and weird sounds.

My vote- WDC. He doesnt seem to ever play the full version live anymore, though. Maybe he thinks it's too sad.

It has to be a songs that either includes masturbation or God or a combination of the 2

OldFriends4Sale said:

It has to be a songs that either includes masturbation or God or a combination of the 2

EXACTLY! Which is why LoveSexy is the One, Till my day is done Hundalasiliah!!! Haha

EyeJester7 said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

It has to be a songs that either includes masturbation or God or a combination of the 2

EXACTLY! Which is why LoveSexy is the One, Till my day is done Hundalasiliah!!! Haha

y'all are tripping! Lovesexy is very esoteric and a very specific period in his musical journey.

I originally said DMSR or 1999 but reading th posts ave, when doves cry really does define it all;

Intricate/innovative linn drum programming

guitar

synths

lyrics

no bass yet totally full

A song unlike any other that came before, and none that came after

Uptown

Trite answer, but really - When Doves Cry

She's Always In My Hair (Extended)

Automatic

The Beautiful Ones

For me, "Raspberry Beret". Ah, the joys of working part-time for minimum wage and humping at Old Man Johnson's farm.

Last December

Day's Of Wild

Dinner with Delores

- lyrically gentle

- melodically beautiful

- genre wise, easily-2-accept amongst the rainbow child'rn

errant said:

If I have to choose a hit, for a non-fan, or something, I'd pick the full 6 minute version of When Doves Cry. It does a nice job encapsulating his musical style and deeper psycho-sexual lyrical sensibilities.

If I went with something a little more obscure, I'd probably say Crystal Ball. It's really rather impressive, when you think about it.

Heh - that is EXACTLY what I was going to say!

Touché

A D O R E