This might be pointless and boring to most of you, but I noticed a tiny little similarity between two completely unrelated Prince songs today.

On my way to uni I was listening to "Girl" and was (needless to say) completely trippin' on this song's own world, until something I heard in my right ear suddenly made me "wake up". For a second, I thought I was listening to "The Plan" and then had to reaffirm myself it was actually still "Girl".

After listening to the song once more, I finally found out why (and was amazed at the crazy parallels a brain can draw): In the long version of "Girl", at 6:30, there's a keyboard melody in the right channel. It subconsciously reminded me of the melody in "The Plan" at the 1 minute mark.

Fucking crazy, am I not?

To be honest, I'm actually more amazed by the fact that you could listen to this song all the way through than anything Its a hard song to listen to IMO.

I'll say this though, this one falls easily among his "headphone gems" list of his, sonically if nothing else. He - or, I'm assuming Susan Rogers - raised holly hell on the mixing board. It kinda reminds me of David Z's comment about them experimenting in the studio to the point where they thought about recording a guitar playing under water.

It doesn't answer your question though

Harlepolis said:

To be honest, I'm actually more amazed by the fact that you could listen to this song all the way through than anything Its a hard song to listen to IMO.

I'll say this though, this one falls easily among his "headphone gems" list of his, sonically if nothing else. He - or, I'm assuming Susan Rogers - raised holly hell on the mixing board. It kinda reminds me of David Z's comment about them experimenting in the studio to the point where they thought about recording a guitar playing under water.

It doesn't answer your question though

Do you really not find Girl to be a master-piece? I think you might even be in the minority here, on this one!

I adore that song. It epitomises mid 80's Prince to me - dense, quirky, unique, mysterious, weird, imperfect. And this makes it so perfect.

The story when Prince almost forced his engineers to drop the amp into a bucket full of water? I was always wondering how much truth there is to this. I mean, how stupid can someone be?

It was merely more of a rhetorical question. Of course I'm fucking crazy.

Dave1992 said:

Harlepolis said:

To be honest, I'm actually more amazed by the fact that you could listen to this song all the way through than anything Its a hard song to listen to IMO.

I'll say this though, this one falls easily among his "headphone gems" list of his, sonically if nothing else. He - or, I'm assuming Susan Rogers - raised holly hell on the mixing board. It kinda reminds me of David Z's comment about them experimenting in the studio to the point where they thought about recording a guitar playing under water.

It doesn't answer your question though

Do you really not find Girl to be a master-piece? I think you might even be in the minority here, on this one!

I adore that song. It epitomises mid 80's Prince to me - dense, quirky, unique, mysterious, weird, imperfect. And this makes it so perfect.

The story when Prince almost forced his engineers to drop the amp into a bucket full of water? I was always wondering how much truth there is to this. I mean, how stupid can someone be?

It was merely more of a rhetorical question. Of course I'm fucking crazy.

Thats fine by me. I would've enjoyed this song more if it was an instrumental, because the way he sings in it keeps me from listening to it, like he just rolled up outta bed or something. Then again, that was the same reason why I once detested "Tambourine" until the harmony arrangments changed my mind completely, so I might end up savoring this eventually for some reason I'll stumble on in the future.

But the instrumentation and the way this song was mixed are just gorgeous.

Harlepolis said:

Dave1992 said:

Do you really not find Girl to be a master-piece? I think you might even be in the minority here, on this one!

I adore that song. It epitomises mid 80's Prince to me - dense, quirky, unique, mysterious, weird, imperfect. And this makes it so perfect.

The story when Prince almost forced his engineers to drop the amp into a bucket full of water? I was always wondering how much truth there is to this. I mean, how stupid can someone be?

It was merely more of a rhetorical question. Of course I'm fucking crazy.

Thats fine by me. I would've enjoyed this song more if it was an instrumental, because the way he sings in it keeps me from listening to it, like he just rolled up outta bed or something. Then again, that was the same reason why I once detested "Tambourine" until the harmony arrangments changed my mind completely, so I might end up savoring this eventually for some reason I'll stumble on in the future.

But the instrumentation and the way this song was mixed are just gorgeous.

Don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with being in the minority! There's certainly something wrong with not adoring Girl, though

Nah, I understand the reason you don't like his singing and didn't like Tambourine (although I've always loved that songs too).

Dave1992 said:

Harlepolis said:

Thats fine by me. I would've enjoyed this song more if it was an instrumental, because the way he sings in it keeps me from listening to it, like he just rolled up outta bed or something. Then again, that was the same reason why I once detested "Tambourine" until the harmony arrangments changed my mind completely, so I might end up savoring this eventually for some reason I'll stumble on in the future.

But the instrumentation and the way this song was mixed are just gorgeous.

Don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with being in the minority! There's certainly something wrong with not adoring Girl, though

Nah, I understand the reason you don't like his singing and didn't like Tambourine (although I've always loved that songs too).

I'm a day late and a dollar short when it comes to appreciating some of his stuff. Not exactly an unprejudiced listener, although I try

But when folks talk about the intricate stuff in a song's structure - like you just did in this post - I'm usually attentive. For instance, the folks @ Peach & Black podcast talked about the presence of harpsichord in the album Around The World In A Day buried way deep into the mix, who would've thought?

[Edited 3/5/12 16:03pm]

Harlepolis said:

Dave1992 said:

Don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with being in the minority! There's certainly something wrong with not adoring Girl, though

Nah, I understand the reason you don't like his singing and didn't like Tambourine (although I've always loved that songs too).

I'm a day late and a dollar short when it comes to appreciating some of his stuff. Not exactly an unprejudiced listener, although I try

But when folks talk about the intricate stuff in a song's structure - like you just did in this post - I'm usually attentive. For instance, the folks @ Peach & Black podcast talked about the presence of harpsichord in the album Around The World In A Day buried way deep into the mix, who would've thought?

[Edited 3/5/12 16:03pm]

Oh yeah, that was actually the reason for my joining the org! I was hoping for more discussions like that. Needless to say, my expectations were probably a bit too high...

But it's good to know there are some people left who actually do enjoy talking about stuff like this.

And, yeah, the harpsichord on ATWIAD; brilliant. Took quite a while for me to hear it!

Interesting, one to check out for sure.

The bigger wonder of course is that you remembered what The Plan sounds like.

Back in the day, I really didn't like "Girl". It was the blip in the b side landscape for me.

Now, 25 years on, its one of my favourites. I've always changed my opinion on some songs, but this one has to be the biggest turn around for me.

Harlepolis said:

It kinda reminds me of David Z's comment about them experimenting in the studio to the point where they thought about recording a guitar playing under water.

It wasn't David Z. but Chronicfreeze, and everybody but Prince (who had the idea) thought it was silly because it would likely kill him

NouveauDance said:

Interesting, one to check out for sure.

The bigger wonder of course is that you remembered what The Plan sounds like.

After I had listened to both songs, looking for the similarity, it wasn't that obvious anymore. Sure, there's some resemblance, but most of my association was subconscious and somehow too far-fetched to be ignored

I know, it gets quite a lot of hate on here (just like the whole Kamasutra album), but I do think it's a nice, quirky introduction to the second side of Emancipation. The cold, synthetic take on ambient music is quite interesting (and probably also what makes me listen to Kamasutra, if only about once in two years).

databank said:

Harlepolis said:

It kinda reminds me of David Z's comment about them experimenting in the studio to the point where they thought about recording a guitar playing under water.

It wasn't David Z. but Chronicfreeze, and everybody but Prince (who had the idea) thought it was silly because it would likely kill him

Yeah, it was chronic. I remember his posts; he's quite a nice and very informative guy!

databank said:

Harlepolis said:

It kinda reminds me of David Z's comment about them experimenting in the studio to the point where they thought about recording a guitar playing under water.

It wasn't David Z. but Chronicfreeze, and everybody but Prince (who had the idea) thought it was silly because it would likely kill him

Hmm I don't know who Chronicfreeze is, but the quote I was refering to was from David's interview from "The Glory Days" DVD, in the deleted scenes.

Since "Girl" was also meant to be listened to backwards, giving you the song "Boy", if you hear that melody backwards, does it sound like another song's melody?

Because if it does, I'm nominating Prince for some sort of Nobel Prize.

Harlepolis said:

databank said:

It wasn't David Z. but Chronicfreeze, and everybody but Prince (who had the idea) thought it was silly because it would likely kill him

Hmm I don't know who Chronicfreeze is, but the quote I was refering to was from David's interview from "The Glory Days" DVD, in the deleted scenes.

Chronicfreeze was a former Paisley Park engineer who posted here for a couple weeks and shared incredible stories and answered all reasonable questions. Then, he had all his posts deleted.

You didn't see that? I figured you were around then. I guess it was two or three years ago.

RodeoSchro said:

Since "Girl" was also meant to be listened to backwards, giving you the song "Boy", if you hear that melody backwards, does it sound like another song's melody?

Because if it does, I'm nominating Prince for some sort of Nobel Prize.

Where did this whole "Boy" things come from? Did someone close to Prince actually confirm they call the backwards version "Boy"?

Listened to it backwards, but the melody doesn't really resemble anything, unfortunately. I think that would have been too much eye for detail, even for Prince (- "'kay, what are we gonna put in there... let's see.. in about ten years I'll record this song called Funky Design and I'll include some three notes in the left channel during the second verse, buried in the mix. I'll put exactly those three notes in here now, only backwards! We'll see if one of those idiots ever finds out").

RodeoSchro said:

Harlepolis said:

Hmm I don't know who Chronicfreeze is, but the quote I was refering to was from David's interview from "The Glory Days" DVD, in the deleted scenes.

Chronicfreeze was a former Paisley Park engineer who posted here for a couple weeks and shared incredible stories and answered all reasonable questions. Then, he had all his posts deleted.

You didn't see that? I figured you were around then. I guess it was two or three years ago.

It must've slipped my radar since I rarely post in this forum.

[Edited 3/6/12 5:01am]

Dave1992 said:

RodeoSchro said:

Since "Girl" was also meant to be listened to backwards, giving you the song "Boy", if you hear that melody backwards, does it sound like another song's melody?

Because if it does, I'm nominating Prince for some sort of Nobel Prize.

Where did this whole "Boy" things come from? Did someone close to Prince actually confirm they call the backwards version "Boy"?

Listened to it backwards, but the melody doesn't really resemble anything, unfortunately. I think that would have been too much eye for detail, even for Prince (- "'kay, what are we gonna put in there... let's see.. in about ten years I'll record this song called Funky Design and I'll include some three notes in the left channel during the second verse, buried in the mix. I'll put exactly those three notes in here now, only backwards! We'll see if one of those idiots ever finds out").

If you play it backwards, you can hear Wendy and Lisa singing the same song, but all the references are to "Boy" and not a girl.

I haven't done this in a long time (probably 20 years) but that was the talk of the Prince community not long after this song came out.

I need to bust out my 12-inch of this song and play it backwards again.

RodeoSchro said:

Dave1992 said:

Where did this whole "Boy" things come from? Did someone close to Prince actually confirm they call the backwards version "Boy"?

Listened to it backwards, but the melody doesn't really resemble anything, unfortunately. I think that would have been too much eye for detail, even for Prince (- "'kay, what are we gonna put in there... let's see.. in about ten years I'll record this song called Funky Design and I'll include some three notes in the left channel during the second verse, buried in the mix. I'll put exactly those three notes in here now, only backwards! We'll see if one of those idiots ever finds out").

If you play it backwards, you can hear Wendy and Lisa singing the same song, but all the references are to "Boy" and not a girl.

I haven't done this in a long time (probably 20 years) but that was the talk of the Prince community not long after this song came out.

I need to bust out my 12-inch of this song and play it backwards again.

I know the backwards lyrics and all that, but is it "semiofficial" information that the backwards "Girl" is actually called "Boy" (or was it Prince's intention that it is called "Boy"), of is it a fan-made title?

Whats the best software to play mp3 files backward?

Harlepolis said:

Whats the best software to play mp3 files backward?

Turn around and press play.

Seriously though, you got pc or mac? For mac you can use audacity to reverse the file. On PC I used to use cool edit, which is a paid for app but you used to be able to preview it for free, which should be enough

Dave1992 said:

RodeoSchro said:

If you play it backwards, you can hear Wendy and Lisa singing the same song, but all the references are to "Boy" and not a girl.

I haven't done this in a long time (probably 20 years) but that was the talk of the Prince community not long after this song came out.

I need to bust out my 12-inch of this song and play it backwards again.

I know the backwards lyrics and all that, but is it "semiofficial" information that the backwards "Girl" is actually called "Boy" (or was it Prince's intention that it is called "Boy"), of is it a fan-made title?

I don't know. But I do know that a lot of official names for stuff like this came from allegedly-unrelated posts or people.

For instance, we all know the official name of CNOTE is CNOTE. But the name itself was disclosed by some poster on this board (long gone, obviously) who "accidentally discovered" that if you arranged the first letters of the cities involved, it spelled "CNOTE" and coincidentally, Prince's NPG Music Club was $100 at the time.

It was all obviously orchestrated by Prince and/or his people, but made to look like a fan had figured it all out.

RodeoSchro said:

Dave1992 said:

I know the backwards lyrics and all that, but is it "semiofficial" information that the backwards "Girl" is actually called "Boy" (or was it Prince's intention that it is called "Boy"), of is it a fan-made title?

I don't know. But I do know that a lot of official names for stuff like this came from allegedly-unrelated posts or people.

For instance, we all know the official name of CNOTE is CNOTE. But the name itself was disclosed by some poster on this board (long gone, obviously) who "accidentally discovered" that if you arranged the first letters of the cities involved, it spelled "CNOTE" and coincidentally, Prince's NPG Music Club was $100 at the time.

It was all obviously orchestrated by Prince and/or his people, but made to look like a fan had figured it all out.

So you don't think that mysterious poster simply might have had a look at the official artwork, which was available as a download?

Dave1992 said:

RodeoSchro said:

If you play it backwards, you can hear Wendy and Lisa singing the same song, but all the references are to "Boy" and not a girl.

I haven't done this in a long time (probably 20 years) but that was the talk of the Prince community not long after this song came out.

I need to bust out my 12-inch of this song and play it backwards again.

I know the backwards lyrics and all that, but is it "semiofficial" information that the backwards "Girl" is actually called "Boy" (or was it Prince's intention that it is called "Boy"), of is it a fan-made title?

That's the parts of some songs where I'm 'out of the loop' ( backwards lyrics ). There are a lot of songs that have that and I would love to listen to the reverse parts one of these days. Girl is one of thoz songs. Funny thing, my wife had to explain to me what some of the lyrics were saying and I find myself playin' it for reasons we all know ...

TheEnglishGent said:

Harlepolis said:

Whats the best software to play mp3 files backward?

Turn around and press play.

Seriously though, you got pc or mac? For mac you can use audacity to reverse the file. On PC I used to use cool edit, which is a paid for app but you used to be able to preview it for free, which should be enough

Cheers

I need that long version..my T's 12 inch mix wont dl to ipod. I only have the vinyl long vers.

It's great to read that there's some love for 'Girl' I love this track - it's one of the many b sides at the time that really cemented P as something special to me at the time - who else would've/ could've released anything like this!

80spfantwp said:

It's great to read that there's some love for 'Girl' I love this track - it's one of the many b sides at the time that really cemented P as something special to me at the time - who else would've/ could've released anything like this!

It kind iof shook me because I think it was the first time I heard him talk about getting married and my young ass felt "oh no..him getting married is going to change the music "etc.

NouveauDance said:

Interesting, one to check out for sure.

The bigger wonder of course is that you remembered what The Plan sounds like.

I sure dont.

Dave1992 said:

RodeoSchro said:

I don't know. But I do know that a lot of official names for stuff like this came from allegedly-unrelated posts or people.

For instance, we all know the official name of CNOTE is CNOTE. But the name itself was disclosed by some poster on this board (long gone, obviously) who "accidentally discovered" that if you arranged the first letters of the cities involved, it spelled "CNOTE" and coincidentally, Prince's NPG Music Club was $100 at the time.

It was all obviously orchestrated by Prince and/or his people, but made to look like a fan had figured it all out.

So you don't think that mysterious poster simply might have had a look at the official artwork, which was available as a download?

LOL, no. I distinctly remember the post, and nothing about artwork was mentioned. In fact, I don't even think any artwork existed at the time. IIRC, these tracks were free downloads from NPG Music Club, with no artwork, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, I still remember reading the post and saying, "There's no way someone figured that out. This is either Prince or someone from his camp doing this, because it's way to obscure for anyone to have figured out on their own".

[Edited 3/7/12 8:10am]