Can you believe it?

The opus double album Sign O the Times is 25 this month, being originally released on 31st March 1987.

As most polls suggest, this album is arguably Prince’s best.

Let’s have some fun remembering it!

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

What track blew you away on first listen?

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Did Prince get the single choices right?

How about them B-sides?

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Sum up the album in one word.

Now go and stick it on your turntable, pod or player....and shut up already, damn!

Happy to go first:

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Bunked off school on the morning of release and snuck home to listen all the way through on my old fidelity turntable, studying the artwork the whole time. I remember it like it was yesterday.

What track blew you away on first listen?

If I was you girlfriend. I had already heard SOTT, Housequake and I could never take the place of your man, so Girlfriend blew me away.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

I think Housequake. It sums up the madness of the era, although my favourite is still If I was you girlfriend.

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Loved the whole look and feel. Prince was going hippy and I loved it.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Yes. I queued overnight for front row seats for the London Wembley Stadium shows, only for P to cancel. Luckily, I went to the Dutch and Belgium shows. The tour was fantastic, but not my favourite.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Yes. Prince’s best material is often born out of anger or resentment .

Did Prince get the single choices right?

No. If I was your girlfriend was not radio friendly and it stalled the project. I think singles should have gone: SOTT, U Got The Look, Strange Relationship, I could never take the place of your man, adore.

How about them B-sides?

Quality! Shockadelica is better than half the album.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I was there!

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

I still think it’s the best album. Only the mastering does not hold up. We need a remaster!

Sum up the album in one word.

Peachy!

.

[Edited 3/9/12 4:12am]

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Me in my room, with the headphones on.

What track blew you away on first listen?

The title track, i'd heard nothing else like it.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Housequake or IIWYG.

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

I liked it, it was in many ways a precursor to the Lovesexy look with the polka dots and all.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

No, at 16 I was deemed was too young to travel abroad on my own.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Not really, but i'm not complaining.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

I have thought loads about this in the past, and despite not agreeing 100% with his choices, they are what they are. I think the choices were bold.

How about them B-sides?

Sublime.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I was old enough.

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

I still think it's one of his best.

Sum up the album in one word.

Varied.

[Edited 3/9/12 4:39am]

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Racing hom eto play it and opening the album sleeves, thinking this is totally the best thing ever.

What track blew you away on first listen?

If I was Your Girlfriend/Dorothy Parker

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Dorothy Parker

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Absolutely cool as fuck!

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

UK - cancelled, damn it!

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Probably, it is still his best album in my opinion.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Probably not, but who cares.

How about them B-sides?

Awesome!

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

N/A

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Totally

Sum up the album in one word.

The Best

What is your first memory of listening to the album? I bought it on cassette. I love it now, but I didn't like it at first... didn't get the hype.

What track blew you away on first listen? See above. I love the album now, but nothing blew me away on first listen. My favorite song then was “U Got The Look”.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now? “Sign O The Times”

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school? It is one of my favorite album covers.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think? No.. but having seen video of the tour, I think it was better than the parade or lovesexy tours.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album? I don't know anything about that..

Did Prince get the single choices right? They were fine. “Sign O The Times”, “U Got The Look” and “I Could Never Take...” were excellent single choices. For the fourth, I would've went with “Adore”.

How about them B-sides? I don't much like them..

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say? I wasn't even born 'til 5 years later. I love many of the songs, but it's not my favorite album, and there's a few songs I don't like.

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up? I hated it on first listen. Now, with exception of a few songs, I love it. Yes, my opinion has changed.

Sum up the album in one word. Music.

[Edited 3/9/12 5:06am]

SquirrelMeat said:

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Yes. I queued overnight for front row seats for the London Wembley Stadium shows, only for P to cancel. Luckily, I went to the Dutch and Belgium shows. The tour was fantastic, but not my favourite.

Crazy! So you would have seen Madhouse too then? What did you think of them?

And what was your favourite tour?

i skipped school to buy it too on the first day of release. there was a clear bag with peace sign o the times logo that it went in, bought from hmv. i think it was the first album i bought on the actual day of release. i think infected by the The was bought same week, but on the wednesday instead of the monday

it's definately one of my favourite albums, it's perhaps a toss up between that and 1999, the two best (double) albums

What is your first memory of listening to the album? Funky & experimental. Great songwriting!

What track blew you away on first listen? ICNTTPOYM, If I was your girlfriend, The cross

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now? If I was your girlfriend. Alternatively : SOTT

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school? Loved the artwork and Prince's look at the times. Cool glasses & turtlenecks

Did you go to the tour, what did you think? I was too young to attend any concerts.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album? Most definitely! Susannah was heaven sent in that (and many other) respects.

Did Prince get the single choices right? No. Even though I loved 'If I was your girlfriend', it was too weird a single for most people. Also, more singles could have been released. Not WB's fault, but Prince's.

How about them B-sides? 'Shockadelica' is a monster. The story behind it is a bad look for P, though. Well, I guess we should thank Jesse for inspiring a great song. (I don't think Jesse feels that way...)

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say? YES!

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up? I used to think it was the ultimate Prince album, but it would have been even better in a Crystal Ball configuration. These days, my favourite album is ATWIAD.

Sum up the album in one word. Breath-taking...

TheDigitalGardener said:

SquirrelMeat said:

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Yes. I queued overnight for front row seats for the London Wembley Stadium shows, only for P to cancel. Luckily, I went to the Dutch and Belgium shows. The tour was fantastic, but not my favourite.

Crazy! So you would have seen Madhouse too then? What did you think of them?

And what was your favourite tour?

Seeing Madhouse was great. I loved the SOTT tour, but I think as a show, Lovesexy was better. Although my personal favourite was the Live Experience (Gold).

SquirrelMeat said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

Crazy! So you would have seen Madhouse too then? What did you think of them?

And what was your favourite tour?

Seeing Madhouse was great. I loved the SOTT tour, but I think as a show, Lovesexy was better. Although my personal favourite was the Live Experience (Gold).

that was my fave tour, but the ONA shows were cool too. so close, and smaller more intimate shows, and great performances

unique said:

SquirrelMeat said:

Seeing Madhouse was great. I loved the SOTT tour, but I think as a show, Lovesexy was better. Although my personal favourite was the Live Experience (Gold).

that was my fave tour, but the ONA shows were cool too. so close, and smaller more intimate shows, and great performances

Yeah, my top 3 are the tours most about the music. Gold, ONA and Parade.

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

- Before that, I wasn't a Prince fan. I had learned to appreciate him, but that album sealed it for me

What track blew you away on first listen?

- The title track. I had heard it on the radio, and was so excited...

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

- Adore. Everyone knows that song.

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

- I was very confused by the SOTT single cover: "Is that Prince?"

Now I think it was a cool idea...

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

- No, I was in college and didn't have a lot of money.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

- Didn't know enough about him for that to be a factor for me.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

- Yes.

How about them B-sides?

- good choices

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

- N/A

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

- Still love it!

Sum up the album in one word.

- Amazing

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I thought it was going to be like controvery with alot of political content but it turned out to be really sexy... sounf nothing like a follow up to Parade.

What track blew you away on first listen?

if eye was u girlfriend... such a strange song. but i love it.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

sign o the times ot the cross

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

still cool, love the album cover. tour stage set was a bit too much though

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

I was only 3ys old... so no but i wish.. the movie was cool how ever

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

yes some of the album pertains to his break up with susannah

Did Prince get the single choices right?

the 1st single yes.. but the second should have been Housequake not if eye was ur...

How about them B-sides?

oooh soooo funkyyyyy

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

almost every song is a prince classic. not my fav album but its up there

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

u can still hear its influence on the radio

Sum up the album in one word.

Housequake

.

[Edited 3/9/12 6:43am]

SquirrelMeat said:

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Loving the 1st single, loving Housequake, loving It, loving Hot Thing, loving Starfish & Coffee, not liking Play In The Sunshine, not understanding why a live song was on teh album, not understanding If I Was Your Girlfriend, thinking The Cross was beautiful

What track blew you away on first listen?

The Cross

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Adore

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Loved it cause it looked old school and made you use your imagination. Could have left Cat at the truck stop he found her at though

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

No

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Yes or it could be he just felt like releasing good music

Did Prince get the single choices right?

No

How about them B-sides?

Not crazy about the Camille thing

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

wasn't too young. Thought it was great then and now

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

No and yes

Sum up the album in one word.

Princeneedstowriteandrecodmoremusiclikethis

SquirrelMeat said:

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Psycadelic - I was so amazed, Prince was spooky to me, when I saw that cover artwork in mylocal record shop - I think it was the first time buying a Prince album on CD (not vinyl LP), I was living in a very small single room appartment, a very happy time for me, this album really made me trippin'... I tried to convert my girlfriend into Prince - I gave her my original "1999" double album vinyl (Damn I regret that today)... se loved it... good memories..

What track blew you away on first listen?

The SOTT title track, Starfish & Coffee and If I Was Your Girlfriend.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Every song is fantastic, appart from Slow Love... I can't choose between these "pearls".. it's so beautiful...

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Prince's look, the peach and black, extremely cool...

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

I saw the show in Sweden, Gothenburg (Göteborg), Isstadion I think.. and I believe Madhouse (the Prince band) played as opener... I did not knew about that band at the time, but it was "ok" haha.. it was fantastic, I especially remember "Girls And Boys", the live arrangement, great - the Prince concert was amazing, it was my first - I remember I thought it all ended so suddenly, like it was very short..

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

I don't know - the brakeup with Susannah, the UTCM flopping in cinemas...? I have no idea...

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Yes, right choice imo, and excellent b-sides, I was really trippin'... to bad for the missing video to "If I Was Your Girlfriend"... strange and I think it did hurt the sales of the album, and that strong song was overlooked, what a shame...

How about them B-sides?

EXCELLENT, Lalala Hehehee, Shockadelica, MoQuake... wow....

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

Newbies don't get the early music, they sometimes rave about the new music as if it was as great as back THEN..... silly... opinions. Ha...

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

SOTT is a classic, I will never change my mind, sublime...

Sum up the album in one word.

Bloodyexcellent.

Now go and stick it on your turntable, pod or player....and shut up already, damn!

Haha, yes... sir...

SquirrelMeat said:

What is your first memory of listening to the album? I was @ an older friends house, sitting on their bed & listening to it for the first time & was pretty speechless. They dubbed the whole album for me, but I went & bought the real album the very next day [on cassette] without even hearing but the first 4 songs.....

What track blew you away on first listen? All of them were great, but TBODP & Starfish & Coffee blew me away equally.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now? It's hard to say, but "TBODP" is just crazy dope to me. Some of Prince's best Drum Machine work imo....very inspiring.

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school? I would say it was some of his best. The look definitely matched the album imo...the album cover may be his best one imho.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think? Nope. I was only 5 & hated Prince to even care [blame my uncle for that ]. I think the Concert film is Fantastic, though.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album? Without question.

Did Prince get the single choices right? Almost, but nope.

How about them B-sides? I like them.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say? I never really heard about the hoopla surrounding the album when it first came out [I was 5 years old]. But I know what I heard when I finally got to hear it [@ age 13 or 14, I can't remember exactly the age].....

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up? This album may hold up better than most of his albums honestly [with Parade]. If this album got a proper remaster, it would really be something special [but so would pretty much all of his 80's stuff].

Sum up the album in one word. Fantastic.

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I must have been 13, 14. I was just getting into music at that point (as a musician) and didn't get into SOTT until a year or so after the release. Didn't even know it existed. I kept reading about it in reviews tho in old music magazines. I remember not liking Prince but I went and got the cassette and thought "ok...not my thing but whatever". Then I remember listening toit again and again and eventually it grew on me.

What track blew you away on first listen?

None.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Oh definaitely the title track.

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

It was awesome. It was sort of hippie and chic at the same time.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Didn't see the tour.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

No I think he just hit a great streak.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

The SOTT singles were brave choices and they were also unique for 1987 radio.

How about them B-sides?

Genius.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

Stands the test of time.

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

To me that was the birth of neo-soul. If it came out today, it would be like listening to a new indie artist or even people might mistake it for D'Angelo.

Sum up the album in one word.

Masterpiece.

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I bought it in Paris, and listened on headphones: I didn't want my parents to hear in case there was any swearing or sexiness!

What track blew you away on first listen?

The Cross was stunning in it's dynamics and production

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

If I was your girlfriend: originality in music, lyrics and arrangement that has never really been surpassed by anyone

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Great. Cool and colourful

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Bought tickets for Wembley - had to see my headmaster to get time off school. I told him I was going to see this old school jazz musician .... it worked! Even bought my peach and black outfit! Then the gig was cancelled. Then it was on again at Earls Court. Then it was cancelled again. Had to wait another year or two before I saw Prince in Lovesexy. Well worth the wait though...

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Bad news (or really good news) gives anyone something to write about

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Not in terms of promoting the album, but who cares (except Warners!): I was only interested in 12" and b-sides. So getting extended versions of SOTT, UGTL, Shockaledica, Hot Thing, Housequake, LLLHHH, LMFUU did me fine

How about them B-sides?

LLLHHH was just the funkiest and funnest song in the schoolyard!

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I am privaledged to have been in my teens when P was releasing his masterworks. Every release was an exciting event

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

The production sounds a bit dated perhaps, but it's still a great listen. Remaster anyone?

Sum up the album in one word.

Adore

SquirrelMeat said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

Crazy! So you would have seen Madhouse too then? What did you think of them?

And what was your favourite tour?

Seeing Madhouse was great. I loved the SOTT tour, but I think as a show, Lovesexy was better. Although my personal favourite was the Live Experience (Gold).

That's great, my first tour was D&P so that holds a special place for me, but ONA and the Gold tour (both from a musical standpoint) were the best for me personally.

Great you got to see Madhouse though.

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I "borrowed" the cassette out of a car in a mechanics shop where I was supposed to be working that summer. I listened to it for a bit in the car. One of my high school buddies also bought it on vinyl and I borrowed it for a couple of weeks after he listened to it. I remember really studying the album art on the sleeves and cover, and I clearly remember reading the lyrics on the cassette foldout BEFORE I EVEN LISTENED TO ANY OF THE SONGS. Of course I had heard the title track on the radio.

What track blew you away on first listen?

Housequake

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Sign O' the Times

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Cooler than cool

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

I went to the movie.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Of course, also he seemed fearless to really be different from the mainstream

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Partially: Sott, U Got the Look were good choices. He should have had a Housequake/Hot Thing single.

How about them B-sides?

Great. This is the album that really made the b-sides a huge element. I remember me and a friend looking at the "If I Was Your Girlfriend" 12" in the store and just wondering what the hell "Shockadelica" would sound like.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I think that the album has problems in the pop context of that day. People didn't like it. The minimal beats and hard compression, the stripping of ear friendly bass notes and warm rhythms was hard to most people's ears. They liked more conventional funk/dance arrangements that had more warmth and rhythm support. This was mostly all percussion, guitars, and vocals with the barest melodies.

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Hindsight (or should that be hindsound?) makes it sound really cool. Even songs that fell completely flat to me like "It" are fun to hear now.

Sum up the album in one word.

GigerPop

Wow, it's hard to believe it's 25 years. This is one of my all time fav Prince releases, and it came out at a crucial time in my life.

In many ways, it was confusing...Prince's gospel rock in "The Cross." It was sexual "It." It was joyful.."Play in the Sunshine"

Damn, this album was so many things

[Edited 3/9/12 7:43am]

Great picture.

Oldfriends4sale needs to start a SOTT 25th anniversary picture thread!

SquirrelMeat said:

Great picture.

Oldfriends4sale needs to start a SOTT 25th anniversary picture thread!

sorry, deleted it...thought it was taking up a lot of space

ufoclub said:

I remember me and a friend looking at the "If I Was Your Girlfriend" 12" in the store and just wondering what the hell "Shockadelica" would sound like.

Exactly the same here.

The 12" if IIWYG came out in the States first, so I had to travel into London to get the import from Greek Street in Soho.

I remember picking it out of the rack in the store and looking at the back (I think the art work on this 12" was the best of the era) and thinking "Shockadelica"!? WTF??

It was released on Monday, March 30th in the UK. I remember buying the album on the morning of release but deciding to leave it to the following day, my 17th birthday, until breaking the shrinkwrap. I left it sealed on the living room mantlepiece and stared at it in frustrated anticipation.

On the 31st I carefully slit the opening, making sure to leave the shrinkwrap and the heart sticker intact. After examing the inner sleeves and inspecting the labels I set up my speakers on either side of my bed, dropped the stylus, and turned off the lights. When each side came to an end I lay there for a while playing what I'd heard over in my head before turning the light back on to flip over the vinyl. I can clearly recall the day, but I can't honestly pull back the memory of my first impressions. Not that it matters: I'd long ago learned never to trust my initial reaction to any Prince song.

Within a few months I had painted my bedroom peach and put up two Prince posters affixed to black frames. I used to walk around town in a black leather jacket with a Sign O' The Times silver heart pinned to the sleeve, which attracted a few threatening stares. My best friend and I spent ages sorting out our peach and black gear for the concert only for the UK tour to be cancelled; I can't tell you how gutted we were. Even so, those were happy days.

I couldn't pick out one track and say it defined the whole album, but for some reason I would say that side 2 is the one that really puts me in the Sign O' The Times space. It's not so much about the tracks themselves;it's just something about the feeling I get as it moves through It, Starfish and Coffee, Slow Love, Hot Thing, and finally Forever In My Life.

It's an album that takes me back to a time when I was a confused teenager. The songs got tangled up with work, friendship, attempted suicide, and sexuality. The word that brings it all together for me would simply be 'seventeen'.

SquirrelMeat said:

ufoclub said:

I remember me and a friend looking at the "If I Was Your Girlfriend" 12" in the store and just wondering what the hell "Shockadelica" would sound like.

Exactly the same here.

The 12" if IIWYG came out in the States first, so I had to travel into London to get the import from Greek Street in Soho.

I remember picking it out of the rack in the store and looking at the back (I think the art work on this 12" was the best of the era) and thinking "Shockadelica"!? WTF??

Great artwork and styles for sure. Made me think of "Apocalypse Now" but in a Prince universe.

SquirrelMeat said:

Can you believe it?

The opus double album Sign O the Times is 25 this month, being originally released on 31st March 1987.

As most polls suggest, this album is arguably Prince’s best.

Let’s have some fun remembering it!

What is your first memory of listening to the album? my mom persuaded my dad to put up the money on his next paycheck to buy me this double lp because I begged my dad to buy me this album. I remember when my dad gave her the cash....he said " please buy him that new Prince album....that boy know he loves Prince...." I remember play in the sunshine, it, adore, and I can never take the place of your man were so mesmerizing for me when I first heard it especially the way he sung adore.....with the organs and soulful tone....adore sounded like a traditional soulful church song at that time. The cross also sounded like a loud protest rock song especially with the riff at that time. my mom wore out adore on the turntable and my stepdad liked I could never take the place of your man.

What track blew you away on first listen? I remember when I toke this double lp to my uncle and he played it on the turntable, it was the beat of if I was your girlfriend that got us.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Adore...

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

old school

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

no because Prince didnt tour the U.S. for this album. I saw the signs o the times concert film at the movies with my mom and my stepfather and we were the only 3 in the entire screening for the movie....the floor lights were lit up, the sound was loud and it was only 3 of us on that sunday. they were disappointed by the film but I still loved it.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

I dont know.

Did Prince get the single choices right? No, the album would have been bigger had adore been a chosen single.

How about them B-sides? I remember when my uncle put the needle on the lp of shockadelica and I heard the sped up voice and it sounded so weird to me because I didnt know at the time that Prince's voice could go that high......lol

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say? Yes.....it is.....Versatile....it is.....

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Yes....it has aged very well.....I could never take the place of your man still sounds great.

Sum up the album in one word.

Versatile

Now go and stick it on your turntable, pod or player....and shut up already, damn!

let me also add that my mom used to dance to housequake all the time. my uncle bought me the vhs to the signs o the time concert film back in december of 2011.

I also remember that inside the double lp, it included a fan club invitation post card with the peace sign on it for you to fill out and send in the mail.

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Bought it on vinyl, got it home and played it out in my bedroom whilst absorbing the liner notes/ pics - huge anticipation and excitement

What track blew you away on first listen?

Strange relationship

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Dorothy parker

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Brilliant - the whole concept/ band/ imagery so unique

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Don't get me started - was due to go at Wembley stadium, london, Uk and had 2 tickets for me and my then partner - heard via radio 1 when at work that he cancelled - this mere days before - gutted!!

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Very much so - I was so upset about the Revolution disbanding fiasco but he came back with a killer album and live show/ band

Did Prince get the single choices right?

No (surprise, surprise)!, IIWYG was not IMO single material despite my love for the track - cannot believe Adore wasn't a single!

How about them B-sides?

Part ot the magical memories aren't they! LaLaLa, He,He, He and Shockadelica are the bombs!

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I was there - (19 years old)

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Still love it - and all the boots Top 3 for sure.

Sum up the album in one word.

mindblowing