What do you think about this song? When did Prince started to play it? Is there a studio version of it? Thx

refresh my memory, I'm getting old...it does ring a bell!

I remember: 'Lovesexy'-tour 1988

very cool bluesy-jazzy intermezzo, Atlanta on Miles-style trumpet!

I remember it being great but I've only heard it once, gotta break that one out again

CalhounSq said:

I only know that it is on the LoveSexy live video...Did he every record this?

There is a studio version, it is quite different from the live version on the Lovesexy tour.

Not really one I like that much to be honest.

The studio version is totally different than Livesexy. It's more jazzy, upbeat, not much guitar. Not very interesting. Live version is cool.

"If I had a harem baby, here's what I'd do: I'd get me five, six, seven, eight, nine ladies...just to take care of you."

"I'll give you one to wash your body, two to wash your hair, three to wash you here and another one to wash you there!"

I sung this to my mum once, luckily she laughed.

Also known as "Blues In C".

I loved it on Livesexy (only version I've heard) just for that guitar solo - lovely.

If you watch towards the end of the solo, when he's strumming some damn nasty, augmented chords, he using his thumb and 4th finger to strum, with the pick held between second and third fingers. As he's working towards having to pick again, he deftly rolls the pick up from between those fingers to be pinched between thumb and second finger, and immediately, seamlessly, starts playing single-string again - wonderful to watch for any guitarist! (Myself, being principally a drummer who can play guitar, I'm just too ham-fisted to do it!)

squirrelgrease said:

Exactly, I was looking for that title!

(L) IT (L) IT (L) IT (L) IT!!!

One of my favorites!!!
But then I love all his bluesy stuff.

The studio version was recorded in 1988 (prior to July), and originally lined up for release on the 1988 'Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic' album which he worked on in October 1988.

Although still fundamentally built on a blues structure, the music, melody line, arrangement, style and tempo are different. Lyrics are basically the same.

The song was registered in the title 'If I Had A Harem' at the Library of Congress on 15 November, 1988 with lodgment of a tape and lyric sheet.

abierman said:

The only one I've heard is the live one...

Wow thanx 4 ur answers, I knew you guys could help me out! :kiss:Where is it available? And do you know when it was recorded?

CalhounSq said:

You're covered then, Calhoun. I love the track on Livesexy and couldn't wait to get hold of the studio version. When I finally heard it, I was shocked. The studio take is so different it's practically a separate (and less interesting) song.

Peace, David

livewire said:

That's good to know, I wasn't even aware there was a studio version

***

Gold: I'm pretty sure I found it on Kazaa a while back...

I this song!

ahhh, the memories from my favorite show...I was in 9th grade and signed up for all this mail order crap so I could get bootleg lists and get the show on tape...mainly to have this song

thanks for the reminder, i'd forgotten all about it!

gold said:

To provide more precision on my previous reply regarding dates:

The studio version was recorded some time after early February, 1988 (completion of Lovesexy) and Prince's departure for Europe for the Lovesexy tour on July 2nd 1988. I've never seen an exact date for the recording.

I'm sure he sang it on the Nude tour too.

Mindflux said:

Yeah, he is a complete wanker isn't he?

.. if i had a harem baby.. like all the papers say... if i had a harem baby... like all the papers say... i'd have me a ...different lady... for each and every day



i dig it... but i'm a blooos freeeak!

This song inspired what was quite possibly my worst "mis-heard" lyric moment ever! (Although I prefer my version to Prince's!)

Prince says...

If had a harem, I'd have 'em baby just 2 make sweet love 2 U

Jimmy hears...

If had a harem, I'd have a baby just 2 make sweet love 2 U


I thought that Prince was saying that he wanted 2 "slip the 7 inch in the computer" so bad that it was worth getting her pregnant and having a baby just for that one oppurtunity!

Mindflux said:

YES YES YES YES!!! Finally some1 who noticed/appreciated this! It is so cool 2 watch.

Although do u also notice the bum note he hits during the fast fret work?

Marrk said:

Yeah he did. He sang it at Wembley Arena when I was there for the 3rd time. Bit different than on LoveSexy Live tho.

Let's see how good my memory is...




If I had a harem
like all the papers say



I'd have me a different lady
for each and every day



If i had a harem
Here's what I'd do



I'd give you 5, 6, 7 ladies
Just to take care of you

Eric, blow your horn...



I'd give you one two wash your body





Two to wash your hair
Three to wash you here
And another one to wash you there.

If I had a harem...



I'd have a baby just to make sweet love to you.

never heard it.

yamomma said

See! I'm not the only one!!!
[This message was edited Fri Feb 21 9:34:03 PST 2003 by JimmyNothing]