I've been a Prince fan for about 17 years now (I'm 31) - and songs I listened to in, and discovered, in 1993 are just as fresh and good to me now as they were then. More than that, seeing Prince live is always a new, inspiring experience. Why?

I think the answer is that, above all else, above the image, above the religion, above sets, the clothes, he takes his music seriously and he forces his musicians to take his music seriously.

With many many exceptions, Prince writes pop songs. Live, at least nowawadays, he performs mostly those pop songs. Many artists who perform pop act like it's pop -but unlike many artists who perform pop - Prince treats songs, no matter who flippant the melody or corny the lyric, as serious works of art - his musicians play the most poppy song with an integrity that matches musicians at the Opera. Prince demands it - each time he sings "SHHHH" about having sex like homework - even at 50 - he sings it like he's feeling the music and like it's a serious serious song. And to me, it becomes serious - I feel it - and as a listener I also take his music seriously and constantly get something from it.

Part of the brilliance of Prince is taking each lyric no matter how out there, taking each hook or chorus, no matter how light, and playing it like it's a serious work of art -- and by doing so - it becomes a serious work of art. Raises some interesting questions about what makes good art good art - I think it has more to do w/ the perception and attitude of the artist than we may think.

Jatrig said:

And to me, it becomes serious - I feel it - and as a listener I also take his music seriously

It's all very well taking his music seriously, I do too at times. It's also good that you get something out of it, but don't forget to have fun. Don't take it all too seriously.

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Jatrig said:

I've been a Prince fan for about 17 years now (I'm 31) - and songs I listened to in, and discovered, in 1993 are just as fresh and good to me now as they were then. More than that, seeing Prince live is always a new, inspiring experience. Why?

I think the answer is that, above all else, above the image, above the religion, above sets, the clothes, he takes his music seriously and he forces his musicians to take his music seriously.

With many many exceptions, Prince writes pop songs. Live, at least nowawadays, he performs mostly those pop songs. Many artists who perform pop act like it's pop -but unlike many artists who perform pop - Prince treats songs, no matter who flippant the melody or corny the lyric, as serious works of art - his musicians play the most poppy song with an integrity that matches musicians at the Opera. Prince demands it - each time he sings "SHHHH" about having sex like homework - even at 50 - he sings it like he's feeling the music and like it's a serious serious song. And to me, it becomes serious - I feel it - and as a listener I also take his music seriously and constantly get something from it.

Part of the brilliance of Prince is taking each lyric no matter how out there, taking each hook or chorus, no matter how light, and playing it like it's a serious work of art -- and by doing so - it becomes a serious work of art. Raises some interesting questions about what makes good art good art - I think it has more to do w/ the perception and attitude of the artist than we may think.

Mike Judge is a serious artist, too.

But you gotta take his good with his bad, also.

Prost!

I don't take any of it seriously. It's a short man in high heels with pounds of makeup on. That is not something I can take seriously at all. Twenty years ago, when I was buying my first Prince records, I had to retain some sort of suspension of disbelief given I'm not Christian, straight, or black.

I find that if you are peeling the onion with Prince, you are seeing his art out of context. It isn't meant to be torn apart and refashioned into something more palatable for you (ie. "look past the clothes, etc").

That being said, he sings even less about the things he and I always had in common nowadays.

Spinlight said:

I don't take any of it seriously. It's a short man in high heels with pounds of makeup on. That is not something I can take seriously at all. Twenty years ago, when I was buying my first Prince records, I had to retain some sort of suspension of disbelief given I'm not Christian, straight, or black.

I find that if you are peeling the onion with Prince, you are seeing his art out of context. It isn't meant to be torn apart and refashioned into something more palatable for you (ie. "look past the clothes, etc").

That being said, he sings even less about the things he and I always had in common nowadays.

He sings about those topics that only the luxuries of wealth can give a man time to ponder on. I also have nothing in common with him anymore.

With some of his music; you can't take it or him serious. Some songs he was just being silly

Jatrig said:

I've been a Prince fan for about 17 years now (I'm 31) - and songs I listened to in, and discovered, in 1993 are just as fresh and good to me now as they were then. More than that, seeing Prince live is always a new, inspiring experience. Why?

I think the answer is that, above all else, above the image, above the religion, above sets, the clothes, he takes his music seriously and he forces his musicians to take his music seriously.

With many many exceptions, Prince writes pop songs. Live, at least nowawadays, he performs mostly those pop songs. Many artists who perform pop act like it's pop -but unlike many artists who perform pop - Prince treats songs, no matter who flippant the melody or corny the lyric, as serious works of art - his musicians play the most poppy song with an integrity that matches musicians at the Opera. Prince demands it - each time he sings "SHHHH" about having sex like homework - even at 50 - he sings it like he's feeling the music and like it's a serious serious song. And to me, it becomes serious - I feel it - and as a listener I also take his music seriously and constantly get something from it.

Part of the brilliance of Prince is taking each lyric no matter how out there, taking each hook or chorus, no matter how light, and playing it like it's a serious work of art -- and by doing so - it becomes a serious work of art. Raises some interesting questions about what makes good art good art - I think it has more to do w/ the perception and attitude of the artist than we may think.

Im feeling this.^^^^

I think a lot of the recent criticsms in the recents years are that folks dont think he is trying to hard or that he doesn't care as much as you state with these new pop songs. But I see what youre getting at and I agree that at least him performing these new songs is with the utmost sincerity and skill.

I just wish he would stray fomr pop for a bit and try to go deeper for songs that are more substantial like Dreamer, TRC material etc.

Brilliant post Jatrig.

And I am COMPLETELY with you, too, RD.

I hope, perhaps fololishly, that he will no longer shy away from his naturally controversial, deeper stance. Something's clearly spooked him, however, which is why he seems to be playing it as safe as he can.

love,

Spirit