You see, I don't like this Movie that Much, It's good but I keep thinking that Purple rain Is better...

But In graffiti Bridge, He looks Hot!

Now Seriously, Even though I don't quite Like the Movie, I totally Enjoy Most of The Songs... My favorite ones Are The Question of U, Thieves in the temple And elephants And Flowers...

Just wanted to know What do you guys Think about the Music and the main Movie ^^

I think it's a shambles that it was turned into a Purple Rain sequel, I hate things like that and in my mind it is not a sequel - Prince basically only did that to get funding, which is very typical of Prince to be so focused on the NOW that he is willing to sacrifice everything else.

The soundtrack itself is good, but benefits from most of the songs being at least a couple of years old, often more. Had the whole thing been 1989/90 stuff, I think he could've been in trouble, and the material on the album wouldn't be half as good.

Lots of tied up lose ends in this project (musically and ideas from early movie ideas), and the whole thing is like a congealing splatter of cum on the wall after the massive orgasm of the early/mid 80s.

I am proud to say that I love Graffiti Bridge, & I swear I'm the only mouth you'll hear it out of too

It's a movie that lifts my spirits - I understand the spirituality throughout the film & it really does get to me. Yes, I admit the movie can come across as absolutely horrendous but it depends on what mind frame you're watching it from.

I don't acknowledge the fact that it's a sequel to Purple Rain either which makes things alot easier

The film is literally good for looking at cool shots of Prince and the music....I've never been able to watch it all the way through...

As for the album, I've always kinda liked it, literally skipping to the best tracks, but recently I've really been digging the album as a whole.

It's safe to say that it is a bit of a hot mess in terms of structure and allowing so many other artists on it, but it just has such a deep funky feel to it, much like the nude tour, which also I've really been really enjoying lately.

I must admit I agree with Noveaudance as well in saying that had some of the tracks not been vault material, this album could've been far worse, but fortunately it isn't and I definitely dig it more and more over time

NouveauDance said:

I think it's a shambles that it was turned into a Purple Rain sequel, I hate things like that and in my mind it is not a sequel

I agree with you on that.. I don't see it as a 'sequel' at all..Purple Rain is defintely a stand alone film. I think it was to try and make people think "omg a Purple Rain sequel..sweet!"

The album is really great though, I love a lot of the songs on it =)

I know not many Prince fans would agree with me, but I really love Graffiti Bridge. Especially the songs. And not only the ones performed by Prince, but I also like Round and round by Tevin Campbell and loooove Melody cool by Mavis Staples and the rap at the end of New power generation (Pt.II)

But of course I must ad my all-time favorites are New Power Generation, Joy in repetition, Thieves in the temple and The Question of u, which is absolutely my favorite Prince song.

Oh, Don't get me Wrong, I really Love the Movie And the Music Of it, I've Watched it three Times this Week... But c'mon, Let's not compare it to Purple rain!

The question of U Is one of the greatest Songs in Princes Carreer, To me

can't get enough of playing We Can Funk segueing into Joy In Repetition....then replaying it again...

Mya said:

I am proud to say that I love Graffiti Bridge, & I swear I'm the only mouth you'll hear it out of too

It's a movie that lifts my spirits - I understand the spirituality throughout the film & it really does get to me. Yes, I admit the movie can come across as absolutely horrendous but it depends on what mind frame you're watching it from.

I don't acknowledge the fact that it's a sequel to Purple Rain either which makes things alot easier

That.

I Love GB!

Mya said:

I am proud to say that I love Graffiti Bridge, & I swear I'm the only mouth you'll hear it out of too

It's a movie that lifts my spirits - I understand the spirituality throughout the film & it really does get to me. Yes, I admit the movie can come across as absolutely horrendous but it depends on what mind frame you're watching it from.

I don't acknowledge the fact that it's a sequel to Purple Rain either which makes things alot easier

I love it too. I laugh every time I watch it- in a good way. Some of the stuff in that movie was so funny, it just had this hilarious undercurrent, and it was very spiritual. Just this morning when I was making my coffee for some unknown reason, the line, "Morris Day the ONLY!" popped in my head and I giggled.

Watched the movie and fell asleep because I was tired, as well as confused by the film. Gave it a second chance and it wasn't so bad. The comedy is really wacky, the dialogue leaves much to be desired, but I like the meaning behind the film, Prince's hair, Robin Power, Ingrid Chavez, Morris Day, Mavis Staple, "Round and Round", and of course, the music.

PS - And on that note, I think it's kind of sad; Nowadays everything is so manufactured and done so precise and mechanically, that there's never really any true creative "from the mind of ....." kind of stuff. Except for maybe R.Kelley's "trapped in the closet". I like that Prince just made what he wanted to make and didn't listen to studio heads or whoever tried to shut down his ideas, even if they were goofy on the surface. Because the filler is really good! Sorry- does this make sense? It does to me, hope it does to you. So anyway, it was great growing up in that era, when Purple Rain came out (I think I was 9) saw in the theatres, came home so excited! Then saw "Under the Cherry Moon" and LOVED it even though critics hated it. When Graffiti Bridge came out I was in my late teens and waiting tables, I went in to work every day with my hair like Jill Jones had it in the movie in that one scene- pony tail at the nape of her neck- two side pieces hanging- Ahhh memories......

lauralevesque said:

I like that Prince just made what he wanted to make and didn't listen to studio heads or whoever tried to shut down his ideas, even if they were goofy on the surface.

He did though. The finished GB didn't just spring forth from his mind like Athena on to the screen.

IIRC, it was Warners that wanted the Time in the movie. And GB marks Prince's first real concession to bring hip-pop into his image and music (the odd homebrew rap here and there notwithstanding).

NouveauDance said:

the whole thing is like a congealing splatter of cum on the wall after the massive orgasm of the early/mid 80s.

it's amazing how so many ideas from 'Purple Rain' are repeated in 'Graffiti Bridge'...

***Prince and The Time are having a musical battle for supremacy...similar to their "war" in PR.

***Prince and Morris are competing for the affection of a pretty latina chick..similar to the love triangle with Apollonia in PR.

***Prince performs a dirty song ("Tick Tick Bang") which pisses everyone off...similiar to the "Darling Nikki" sequence in PR.

***Prince performs a redemption song ("Still Would Stand All Time") which somehow makes everything alright....similiar to his performance of "Purple Rain" in the first movie.

***Prince performs a "poor-heartbroken-me" song ("Thieves In The Temple"),similiar to the "When Doves Cry" sequence in PR.

***The first song on the album ("Can't Stop This Feeling I Got") bares more than a little resemblence to the opening song on Purple Rain ("Let's Go Crazy").

NouveauDance said:

I think it's a shambles that it was turned into a Purple Rain sequel, I hate things like that and in my mind it is not a sequel - Prince basically only did that to get funding, which is very typical of Prince to be so focused on the NOW that he is willing to sacrifice everything else.

The soundtrack itself is good, but benefits from most of the songs being at least a couple of years old, often more. Had the whole thing been 1989/90 stuff, I think he could've been in trouble, and the material on the album wouldn't be half as good.

Lots of tied up lose ends in this project (musically and ideas from early movie ideas), and the whole thing is like a congealing splatter of cum on the wall after the massive orgasm of the early/mid 80s.

I totally agree

And for people who say "Prince never looks back" this movie is a big example of that idea being wrong.

Using Purple Rain and a combination of SOTT to make this movie, was a big disappointment. I was embarrassed when watching this one as a hardcore fan with others who admired Prince.

The best music didn't even come from this band or time period.

SoulAlive said:

it's amazing how so many ideas from 'Purple Rain' are repeated in 'Graffiti Bridge'...

***Prince and The Time are having a musical battle for supremacy...similar to their "war" in PR.

***Prince and Morris are competing for the affection of a pretty latina chick..similar to the love triangle with Apollonia in PR.

***Prince performs a dirty song ("Tick Tick Bang") which pisses everyone off...similiar to the "Darling Nikki" sequence in PR.

***Prince performs a redemption song ("Still Would Stand All Time") which somehow makes everything alright....similiar to his performance of "Purple Rain" in the first movie.

***Prince performs a "poor-heartbroken-me" song ("Thieves In The Temple"),similiar to the "When Doves Cry" sequence in PR.

***The first song on the album ("Can't Stop This Feeling I Got") bares more than a little resemblence to the opening song on Purple Rain ("Let's Go Crazy").

add the Jill Jones character with the unrequited Love for the Kid, but in this film she finally get's her performance scene

Graffiti Bridge is my favorite Prince album.

this is a decent movie until the end .. which was not so good .. the music is fantastic tho .. with a few clunkers .. but mostly fantastic .. joy, question of u, release it, round and round, cant stop, we can funk (even if its not the best version) tick tick, thieves in the temple .. lots of great stuff in there

as wack as the movie was

I wonder if it was made in a real life scene 'like PR or UTCM' would that have made it more workable and believable

OldFriends4Sale said:

as wack as the movie was

I wonder if it was made in a real life scene 'like PR or UTCM' would that have made it more workable and believable

Yes, because the sets make it look like some kids TV show. I think the worst offender is the bridge itself. The candyfloss coloured horizon is like 3 feet away from them, and I don't know what the bridge is meant to cross, but it's tiny and way too steep - as shown by Morris when he can't walk up it without help!

The Thieves riding on the bike scenes I suppose would give an indication of what it could've looked like.

I remember reading an interview where he compared it to Westside Story, and that it was meant to be seen more as a play rather than a movie, which makes sense in Prince world I suppose.

Don't get me wrong though, it's one of my favourite bad movies - I did a top ten worst moments thread years ago as a testament to what a celluloid wonder it is.

OldFriends4Sale said:

as wack as the movie was

I wonder if it was made in a real life scene 'like PR or UTCM' would that have made it more workable and believable

Interesting question.

NouveauDance said:

Yes, because the sets make it look like some kids TV show. I think the worst offender is the bridge itself. The candyfloss coloured horizon is like 3 feet away from them, and I don't know what the bridge is meant to cross, but it's tiny and way too steep

True. You see, In the Night scenes, The Bridge looks a Little More believeable. But When they are In broad Day Light, The bridge look Like it's made Of Paper and glue

In the Scene where Aura is Near The Lake, And Kid Arrives In his Motorbike... The Sky Look Like It's Made Of Blue/Purple Fabric...´

I like the movie Tho... I understand What He tried To do with it and I understand All the Spirituality Of it. Since the First time I watched The Movie, i DON'T Know why, But When I wake Up I go to the Kitchen And Say to my Mom: "Are there Really Angels? Or are they Just in Our minds?"

And sometimes when She asks me: "Where Is The Butter?" or "Where Is my hair Brush?" Or whatever, I say to her: "It's Just Around the corner..."

GIOShokadelica said:

You see, I don't like this Movie that Much, It's good but I keep thinking that Purple rain Is better...

But In graffiti Bridge, He looks Hot!

Now Seriously, Even though I don't quite Like the Movie, I totally Enjoy Most of The Songs... My favorite ones Are The Question of U, Thieves in the temple And elephants And Flowers...

Just wanted to know What do you guys Think about the Music and the main Movie ^^

I haven't seen the movie but I absolutely the Music. It was instrumental to the work I was doing when hearing it for the first time I love Prince's amazing imagination

Side one

1. Can't Stop This Feeling I Got – 4:24 from 1982, but later updated in 1986 for his unreleased project Dream Factory,

Can't Stop This Feeling I Got
Originally recorded in 1982, this song was later re-recorded and released on Graffiti Bridge, maintaining the lyrics from this 1986 effort. Recorded during the Dream Factory sessions (but actually intended for a Broadway musical), it segues into "We Can Funk" (1986 outtake). Two alternate mixes of the song exist from this year.

Initial tracking took place in Spring-Summer 1982 at Prince's Kiowa Trail Home Studio, Chanhassen, MN, USA, along with several other tracks that would re-appear over the next several years. The track was re-recorded on 17 June, 1986 at the Washington Avenue Warehouse, Eden Prairie, MN, USA (in sequence after Data Bank and before We Can Funk, the day before recording Girl O' My Dreams). It was re-recorded in 1989 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA, and was included as the first track on a late 1989 configuration of Graffiti Bridge, where it remained for a 1990 configuration and the final release.

1. "New Power Generation" – 3:39
2. "Release It" (performed by The Time) (Prince, Morris Day, Levi Seacer, Jr.) – 3:54
3. "The Question of U" – 3:59 was from 1985 during the Parade sessions

While specific recording dates are not known, initial tracking took place in mid-late July, 1985 at the Washington Avenue Warehouse in Eden Prairie, MN, USA (during the same set of sessions that produced Girls & Boys, ♥ Or $, Neon Telephone, Do U Lie?, Venus De Milo and (U Got The) Good Drawers), but was not included on any known configurations of Parade, or any other projects during 1985-6. An instrumental version was recorded on 28 December, 1985 at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA with Sheila E., Levi Seacer, Jr. and Eric Leeds during the so-called "Paisley Jam" session (that also produced Slaughterhouse, U Just Can't Stop, Run Amok, Mobile, Madrid, Breathless and High Calonic). Eric Leeds named the track 12 Keys, unaware (as were Sheila E. and Levi Seacer, Jr.) that it was an instrumental version of a track Prince had recorded previously. It is unknown if this version was intended for The Flesh album or any other project. When Prince began work on Graffiti Bridge in late 1987, he pulled out the original studio of The Question Of U and recorded additional parts.

Side two

1. "Elephants & Flowers" – 3:54 the title track was updated from the 1987 recording

Initial tracking took place on 6 October, 1988 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA (during two days off from the Lovesexy Tour, between shows in Toronto, ON, Canada and Hampton, VA, USA, on the same day as Still Would Stand All Time). This version contained different verses than the released version, but contains the same chorus. It was initially included on a configuration of the Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic album, dated 27 October, 1988, but was removed for the late 1988 - early 1989 configuration

1. "Round and Round" (performed by Tevin Campbell) – 3:55
2. "We Can Funk" (performed by Prince and George Clinton) (Prince, George Clinton) – 5:28 from 1983, but later updated in 1986 for his unreleased project Dream Factory,

Initial tracking for Prince's original solo version took place on 31 December, 1983 at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA, as We Can Fuck (the day after Erotic City and She's Always In My Hair), with additional work the following day, 1 January, 1984. Prince later toned down the title and lyrics of the song, and re-recorded the track on 17 June, 1986 at the Washington Avenue Warehouse, Chanhassen, MN, USA (in sequence after Data Bank and Can't Stop This Feeling I Got, the day before recording Girl O' My Dreams). The 1983 recording was returned to and updated in 1989 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA, and this updated version, without George Clinton on vocals,

We Can Funk
This cut was recorded June 17, 1986, along with "Can't Stop This Feeling I Got" and "Databank" for a Broadway musical. Segued from "Can't Stop This Feeling I Got", this original is excellent, quite different from the Graffiti Bridge version. It's a slow sensuous funk number with a whispered chorus and brass, heavy bass and lots of organ. It features a guitar solo from Miko Weaver. This song was was originally recorded in 1983 and known as "We Can Fuck", and it is those backing tracks that were used in the Graffiti Bridge version.

1. "Joy In Repetition" – 4:53 outtake from 1986 that survived unchanged

Initial tracking took place on 17 July, 1986 (the day after I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man was re-worked, five days before Soulpsychodelicide (a song mentioned in Joy In Repetition), and an instrumental later released as Easy Does It), but it was not included on the configuration of the album Dream Factory prepared the very next day; it was, however, included as the album developed into the triple-album Crystal Ball (where it segued from The Ball).

Side three

1. "Love Machine" (performed by The Time) (Prince, Morris Day, Levi Seacer, Jr.) – 3:34
2. "Tick, Tick, Bang" – 3:31 was originally from 1981 during the Controversy sessions

Tick, Tick, Bang
Recorded in the summer of 1981 at Prince's home studio, this original is faster in arrangement and instrumentation than the Graffiti Bridge version. This Controversy outtake contains Prince's falsetto vocals, which were similar in other songs from the sessions.

1. "Shake!" (performed by The Time) (Prince, Morris Day) – 4:01
2. "Thieves in the Temple" – 3:19

Side four

1. "The Latest Fashion" (performed by Prince and The Time) – 4:02
2. "Melody Cool" (performed by Mavis Staples) – 3:39

While specific recording dates are not known, initial tracking took place in July, 1987 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA, during the first recording sessions to take place there (during the same set of sessions as No Changes, Graffiti Bridge and a re-recording of If I Love You Tonight, now titled If I Love U 2 Nite).

1. "Still Would Stand All Time" – 5:23

Initial tracking took place on 6 October, 1988 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA (during two days off from the Lovesexy Tour, between shows in Toronto, ON, Canada and Hampton, VA, USA, on the same day as Elephants & Flowers). The original version featured Prince on background vocals, but vocal overdubs by The Steeles were added at some point in 1989 or early 1990.

1. "Graffiti Bridge" – 3:51 the title track was updated from the 1987 recording

While specific recording dates are not known, initial tracking took place in July, 1987 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA, during the first recording sessions to take place there (during the same set of sessions as Melody Cool, No Changes and a re-recording of If I Love You Tonight, now titled If I Love U 2 Nite).

1. "New Power Generation (Pt. II)" – 2:57

Not a big fan of this era but I'll help U out

Music is the Power. Love is the message. Truth is the answer.

Another change in the band, Morris Day & the Time reunion, reappearance of Jill Jones, Ingid & Robin Powers. the Nude Tour and the next level of Prince's Paisley Park seclusion

soundtrack & 3rd movie sorta a Purple Rain II (getting depressed)

"I'm going to make a film about it -- not the next one, but the one after that. I've wanted to make it for three years now..." Prince 1985

OldFriends4Sale said:

Those are nice shots from the movie. It's making me want to go out and rent it, but I fear I will regret it after watching it for 10 minutes. Or maybe it's in the $5 DVD bin at Walmart marked down to $1.

[Edited 3/30/12 12:00pm]

Elephants & Flowers performance

Boy is lonely on a burnin' hot summer night
He's looking 4 some action, he's looking 4 a fight
He's looking 4 a savior in a city full of fools
Maybe he just needs a good talker 2 give him a good talkin' 2
Can we talk, baby?
Strip down, strip down
I think I'm gonna fall in love 2night

Elephants and flowers

Hot sweaty light paints a picture red and gold
On a crowd of naked bodies stripped down 2 their very souls (New Power)
How can he find a shy angel in a city so bold? (Super bold)
He can't even find a place 2 dance
Huh, this is rock 'n' roll
Strip down, strip down (Elephants and flowers)
Is everybody ready? Here we go!

Love the One who is Love (Love)
One who gives us the power (Power)
One who made everything (What?)
Elephants and flowers (What will He do?)
One who will listen when all others will not
There will be peace 4 those who love God a lot

Elephants and flowers

Strip down
I think I'm gonna fall in love 2night
And when I do, there won't be no more (Confusion)
There won't be no more tears (No tears)
There won't be no more enemies so that eliminates all the fear
There won't be no sorrow (Sorrow)
There won't be no pain (No pain)
There won't be no ball and no chain
Strip down, strip down
Elephants and flowers

Boy is lonely on a burnin' hot summer night
He's looking 4 an angel 2 hold him till the morning light
Here we go Love the One who is Love (Well)
One who gives us the power (Power)
One who made everything (Everything)
Elephants and flowers (Oh yeah)
One who will listen when all others will not
There will be peace 4 those who love God a lot
Here we go