(Excuse Me...I don't mean to repeat what has already been presented..BUT..Hear me out

I seriously thought it was a myth that Prince said "23 scriptures in a one night stand". I thought people were saying that as a joke. As if, Prince changing his lyrics could one day reach the extreme by going as far as saying something as absurd as that. BUT, THAT demonstrates partially, my lack of knowledge of Prince.... I just watched the 'Rave' DVD, which is Prince in different form. He seems kind of unusual, as if he is pushed to play this image he is not? I don't know..maybe it's me? LOL

Anyways, when I heard 'Get Off'...I was very happy to know he was going to perform this with Rosie Gains...So the guitar is popping, and I just am feeling the groove, reciting the lyrics and all.... then he actually SAYS THE IMPOSSIBLE!!!!

"23 SCRIPTURES IN A ONE NIGHT STAND"...

I want to discuss Prince and his change of lyrics? DO you think it's necessary he chooses to substitute words in his songs because of his new faith or would you rather he not sing the songs at all?

As for curse words, I feel the intent of words brings the meaning, not the actual word. Which is why 'Duck' replaced for "f*ck" on '1+1+1 IS 3' is basically the same thing as cursing to me. He did the same in 'Feel Good, Feel Better, Feel Wonderful' "I feel so good right now, I just can't recall, what the (SCRATCH) I was thinking, when I threw you the ball". Well all know he meant 'Hell/f*ck'...so why add this scratch..the intent is to curse, so leaving the same room to curse is cursing to me. I mean that's the intention right? lol

I am with George Carlin in that words itself aren't bad, but the manner in which they are used could be. The word itself might carry a negative connotation, but in the emotion of feeling, some words express better the feeling rather than a word like 'Artichoke'.

Prince use to curse here and there in the 80's. But the 90's he took it to an extreme, and IMO..it seemed as if he would curse just to remain relevant? So when he performs songs like "Days Of Wild"..No question there is a change of lyrics, but how far can this go?

'DMSR' is considered 'raunchy' because of the demand Prince is giving to the woman, to work her body like a whore. Hahaha..And other raunchy lyrics.

I could go on and on, but I really want to ask you all; Do you think sometimes he may go overboard? YES, these are HIS lyrics and he is allowed to change and edit them up according to how he sees fit, because he wrote them and their are his. (Also he has a younger crowd, and he is responsible for what he evokes:) But changing a whole lyric due to the satisfaction of your new life, seems unworthy of attention UNLESS some of the lyrics are very raunchy and bad. But I think, he should leave the intention of a delivery in its place and time. Meaning, IF he chooses to re-master his albums and send them out to us, he should leave the 'Dirty Mind' Dirty..and not change what was originally delivered in its time or space. You can't edit history, no matter how you try. You can explain it, but that's the best thing you can do, because once it's done...it's done.

It seems appropriate, he would only perform the instrumental of certain songs, instead of replacing them to the extreme. I understand it sometimes. For instance 'Peach'; instead of 'When the titties bounced' he says: "When her thangs bounced"...SAME THING, just a little cleaner.

Prince has become a little more creative when he wants to speak 'sexually' he'll make a word like 'Elixer' and go with that. Which OK in my book! Haha

Can you all give me instances where he replaced a word/lyric and it made you " "? AND do you think this is OK, and if so..how far can this go on?

Thanks an Advance, and sorry for the rambling!

I think for 'remasters'/ rerelease purposes content should remain the same (anyone remember the NPGMC 'live cuts' censoring furore

However, when it comes to concerts - I applaud Prince for cutting the cussing - it means his shows are family friendly and a whole younger generation can get to see him perform - wouldn't offend me but there was a period during 90s when even I, a non prude, was thinking the swearing was OTT.

I guess it's a fact in the 'now' either Prince sings his risque songs with lyric cjanges or doesn't sing them at all

As an aside I just wish he improved his written lyrics for future releases - is's not the cussing miss but the lyrical content - i.e. 20TEN has some abysmal lyrics imho.

I'm getting a little old, but as far as I can remember the lyrical content in the 80's were way worse than the 90's. No? As far as him playing to a younger audience now, I'll call BS on that too! I was 14 when I went to see the Purple Rain movie and concert. He probably had his youngest fans ever during Purple Rain time, just because it was everywhere.

I think some lyrics changes are tongue-in-cheek and based on self-irony (as the one in Gett Off). He's making fun of himself and his seriousness when it comes to censoring sexual material...

motherfunka said:

I'm getting a little old, but as far as I can remember the lyrical content in the 80's were way worse than the 90's. No? As far as him playing to a younger audience now, I'll call BS on that too! I was 14 when I went to see the Purple Rain movie and concert. He probably had his youngest fans ever during Purple Rain time, just because it was everywhere.

No.

While I agree that his 80s material was (in many cases) more sexually charged, the blue language increased exponentially in the 90s.

About the worst he got in the 80s (language-wise) was the "bullshit" in Housequake. In the 90s, he was dropping the MFs left and right. It was excessive, IMO.

motherfunka said:

I'm getting a little old, but as far as I can remember the lyrical content in the 80's were way worse than the 90's. No? As far as him playing to a younger audience now, I'll call BS on that too! I was 14 when I went to see the Purple Rain movie and concert. He probably had his youngest fans ever during Purple Rain time, just because it was everywhere.

Call it how you see it but think on this:

You think that cute pic of Prince with the little girl at Rod Lavers from the other day would've happened during 90's live shows? Think not - go listen to original live fersions of DOW; proof of the point Genesia makes

Could've kept 'positions' and said it was just about a game of Twister.

80spfantwp said:

motherfunka said:

I'm getting a little old, but as far as I can remember the lyrical content in the 80's were way worse than the 90's. No? As far as him playing to a younger audience now, I'll call BS on that too! I was 14 when I went to see the Purple Rain movie and concert. He probably had his youngest fans ever during Purple Rain time, just because it was everywhere.

Call it how you see it but think on this:

You think that cute pic of Prince with the little girl at Rod Lavers from the other day would've happened during 90's live shows? Think not - go listen to original live fersions of DOW; proof of the point Genesia makes

I don't know, or haven't seen the pic your referencing, but Prince has been bringing people from the audience up on stage since the 80s (young and old). I don't need to go listen to the original version of DOW live, I was there in person! I just can't think of any lyric worse than "I sincerely want to fuck the taste out of your mouth", saying "Dick was fucking Liz" or "Sexy Motherfucker" isn't near as bad.

What I don't get is - it's still a one night stand! My understanding of "one night stand" is a casual sexual encounter with someone whom you will never see again, unless he means something else, but what could he mean?

So what if you read the bible or played twister beforehand, it's still casual sex.

Anyway, yes, I think it's good, and inevitable, that his shows are family-friendly; the freak shows he did when starting out were great and appropriate for the time and age.

There is a live version of "Gett Off" from 2001 (NPGmusicclub release?) where Prince clearly sings the original lyrics "23 positions in a one nite stand." This is post Rave, obviously. To me, it is all much ado about nothing.

DMSR is oddly even dirtier with the updated lyrics because he is advocating doing it in the middle of restaraunt instead of simly wearing lingerie.

Genesia said:

motherfunka said:

I'm getting a little old, but as far as I can remember the lyrical content in the 80's were way worse than the 90's. No? As far as him playing to a younger audience now, I'll call BS on that too! I was 14 when I went to see the Purple Rain movie and concert. He probably had his youngest fans ever during Purple Rain time, just because it was everywhere.

No.

While I agree that his 80s material was (in many cases) more sexually charged, the blue language increased exponentially in the 90s.

About the worst he got in the 80s (language-wise) was the "bullshit" in Housequake. In the 90s, he was dropping the MFs left and right. It was excessive, IMO.

Agreed. A bit unnatural too. Forced even. Even in casual on stage banter in the 90's it was MF this and that. Watch some of the Act I footage or Gold Experience era concerts for this.

First off, I would hope that if/when he remasters his earlier work, he leaves those lyrics alone!

I understand and appreciate the lyric changes at concerts for the sake of making these events family-friendly and opening them up to a wider audience. Aside from the fun to be had, there's a lot a young person (aspiring musician or not) can learn from seeing someone so accomplished and so obviously dedicated to his craft; it'd be a shame if s/he were to miss out on these lessons because of bad language... I also agree with the poster who said that some of the changes are tongue-in-cheek.

Personally, the profanity in Prince's music has never offended me, and in general, I'm not too bothered by curse words. I also agree with you about the intent of a word having a similar, if not the same, effect. (I wasn't convinced by the "duck" substitution either.) However, I go back and forth because context does matter, also who's saying it and what word is used, and we can't deny that certain words, irrespective of their context, are more charged than others--and "duck" isn't one of them!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but in the Montreux version of "Little Red Corvette," didn't Prince substitute "Trojans" for some other weird word? THAT I don't get. I don't care if your guitar humping/licking days are over, you can't give up the sexy completely!

skywalker said:

Genesia said:

No.

While I agree that his 80s material was (in many cases) more sexually charged, the blue language increased exponentially in the 90s.

About the worst he got in the 80s (language-wise) was the "bullshit" in Housequake. In the 90s, he was dropping the MFs left and right. It was excessive, IMO.

Agreed. A bit unnatural too. Forced even. Even in casual on stage banter in the 90's it was MF this and that. Watch some of the Act I footage or Gold Experience era concerts for this.

I totally agree with you! Thanks for your reply here as well!

In the 90's his cursing was very excessive and it seemed as if he was trying to remain current. It was a bit out of control. I am glad he has calmed it down now, with not saying it at all. But it's just the intent of the matter.

Dave1992 said:

I think some lyrics changes are tongue-in-cheek and based on self-irony (as the one in Gett Off). He's making fun of himself and his seriousness when it comes to censoring sexual material...

I really agree with you on this one! I think it can be tongue in cheek based on his expressions! I just watched the clip again, and I can tell that he possibly did it in self-irony.

80spfantwp said:

I think for 'remasters'/ rerelease purposes content should remain the same (anyone remember the NPGMC 'live cuts' censoring furore

However, when it comes to concerts - I applaud Prince for cutting the cussing - it means his shows are family friendly and a whole younger generation can get to see him perform - wouldn't offend me but there was a period during 90s when even I, a non prude, was thinking the swearing was OTT.

I guess it's a fact in the 'now' either Prince sings his risque songs with lyric cjanges or doesn't sing them at all

As an aside I just wish he improved his written lyrics for future releases - is's not the cussing miss but the lyrical content - i.e. 20TEN has some abysmal lyrics imho.

YES! He should leave the remasters and re-relases the same as IS.

As I mentioned cutting some of the lyrics for the young generation is acceptable. His swearing was over the top in the 90's! I am glad we can establish that ground.

I agree in that his lyrics can be so out there at times, and you wonder if he really means that or if he is just writing it down because he can? This all is according to a 'Shamelessness' Prince has with him, as always. He just says, what he feels, and that is what makes him PRINCE. Haha

NouveauDance said:

Could've kept 'positions' and said it was just about a game of Twister.

You mean it's not!!!!!?

artist76 said:

What I don't get is - it's still a one night stand! My understanding of "one night stand" is a casual sexual encounter with someone whom you will never see again, unless he means something else, but what could he mean?

So what if you read the bible or played twister beforehand, it's still casual sex.

Anyway, yes, I think it's good, and inevitable, that his shows are family-friendly; the freak shows he did when starting out were great and appropriate for the time and age.

Hahaha...it is still a one night stand, ain't it? Haha. I agree with you in this! It reminds me of a quote when he said he pushed the envelope when he was around, and now the envelope is on the floor. And when we think about it, he has. He really has, so what more can we seriously expect from him? lol

LittleBear said:

First off, I would hope that if/when he remasters his earlier work, he leaves those lyrics alone!

I understand and appreciate the lyric changes at concerts for the sake of making these events family-friendly and opening them up to a wider audience. Aside from the fun to be had, there's a lot a young person (aspiring musician or not) can learn from seeing someone so accomplished and so obviously dedicated to his craft; it'd be a shame if s/he were to miss out on these lessons because of bad language... I also agree with the poster who said that some of the changes are tongue-in-cheek.

Personally, the profanity in Prince's music has never offended me, and in general, I'm not too bothered by curse words. I also agree with you about the intent of a word having a similar, if not the same, effect. (I wasn't convinced by the "duck" substitution either.) However, I go back and forth because context does matter, also who's saying it and what word is used, and we can't deny that certain words, irrespective of their context, are more charged than others--and "duck" isn't one of them!

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but in the Montreux version of "Little Red Corvette," didn't Prince substitute "Trojans" for some other weird word? THAT I don't get. I don't care if your guitar humping/licking days are over, you can't give up the sexy completely!

GREAT Post! And Thank you!

I watched the Montreux shows so often, and I don't think he substitued the words, but then again, I could be wrong? He manages to add some feel of 'Sexy' I guess? It's just burried underneath the mix. Haha

YES, some words are more charged than others! I agree, it's just sometimes it seems he leaves room to curse but not actually doing it? But the answer to that is simply tongue in cheek. Haha..

Dave1992 said:

I think some lyrics changes are tongue-in-cheek and based on self-irony (as the one in Gett Off). He's making fun of himself and his seriousness when it comes to censoring sexual material...

Let's hope it's that, because otherwise, what the fuck?

Plus taking out 'positions' doesn't clean up the song really because the whole meaning of the phrase 'one night stand' has to do with sex anyway.

So it still translates out to '23 scriptures while I fuck a stranger for one night'.

NouveauDance said:

Could've kept 'positions' and said it was just about a game of Twister.

That's what I'm sayin' man.

"23 "positions" in a one night stand, Left foot to blue girl and don't move yo' hand!"

Shit, I'd take that shit over "scriptures." Lawd.

I don't care, I'm just glad Tony M isn't there saying the lines!

artist76 said:

What I don't get is - it's still a one night stand! My understanding of "one night stand" is a casual sexual encounter with someone whom you will never see again, unless he means something else, but what could he mean?

So what if you read the bible or played twister beforehand, it's still casual sex.

Anyway, yes, I think it's good, and inevitable, that his shows are family-friendly; the freak shows he did when starting out were great and appropriate for the time and age.

i take it to possibly mean a night stand, as in a table or cabinet next to your bed, where most bible reading people might keep a copy. that could be taken a bit tongue in cheek that way.... him having fun maybe with changing lyrics... who knows

[Edited 5/18/12 14:06pm]

^Prince talking about furniture?!

The Ride: "You're going to be looking for a good time. I'm going to be trying to read... If you like to be alone, I like to watch... television."

Some of the changes that make you go....hrmmmmm for me it's the 23 scriptures in a 1 nite stand was just corny.

I think the problem that I have with Prince's changing of his original lyrics is that he didn't go far enough.

I mean, if you're going to introduce JW thinking or Larry Graham inspired brainwashing into your songs, go all the way.

Make sure it's as controversial as it can be--I mean, prince did deliberately put a sticker on TRC saying that it was "a controversial new album", so he was deliberately marketing his new ideas as provocative.

Perhaps he should have said:

How can I put this in a way so as to offend as many fans as I can,

But if my words won't do it, then maybe I'll just sue and alienate my fans,

Chemtrails, akashic records, wedding feasts and digital gardens help me connect,

Because I tell them what I think they need, and ain't concerned about their intellect.

Get OFF!

23 scriptures and a 1 one stand,

You'll only call me later if U ain't jewish or a man,

GET OFF!

Let us believers take yo woman, and a man be a man,

If U want to Mrs Graham, get permission from Mr. Graham!

Oh, you folks get the idea.

imago said:

I think the problem that I have with Prince's changing of his original lyrics is that he didn't go far enough.

I mean, if you're going to introduce JW thinking or Larry Graham inspired brainwashing into your songs, go all the way.

Make sure it's as controversial as it can be--I mean, prince did deliberately put a sticker on TRC saying that it was "a controversial new album", so he was deliberately marketing his new ideas as provocative.

Perhaps he should have said:

How can I put this in a way so as to offend as many fans as I can,

But if my words won't do it, then maybe I'll just sue and alienate my fans,

Chemtrails, akashic records, wedding feasts and digital gardens help me connect,

Because I tell them what I think they need, and ain't concerned about their intellect.

Get OFF!

23 scriptures and a 1 one stand,

You'll only call me later if U ain't jewish or a man,

GET OFF!

Let us believers take yo woman, and a man be a man,

If U want to Mrs Graham, get permission from Mr. Graham!

Oh, you folks get the idea.

Dave1992 said:

imago said:

I think the problem that I have with Prince's changing of his original lyrics is that he didn't go far enough.

I mean, if you're going to introduce JW thinking or Larry Graham inspired brainwashing into your songs, go all the way.

Make sure it's as controversial as it can be--I mean, prince did deliberately put a sticker on TRC saying that it was "a controversial new album", so he was deliberately marketing his new ideas as provocative.

Perhaps he should have said:

How can I put this in a way so as to offend as many fans as I can,

But if my words won't do it, then maybe I'll just sue and alienate my fans,

Chemtrails, akashic records, wedding feasts and digital gardens help me connect,

Because I tell them what I think they need, and ain't concerned about their intellect.

Get OFF!

23 scriptures and a 1 one stand,

You'll only call me later if U ain't jewish or a man,

GET OFF!

Let us believers take yo woman, and a man be a man,

If U want to Mrs Graham, get permission from Mr. Graham!

Oh, you folks get the idea.

You're hilarious imago! LOL, I see what you mean him going all the way, but he even knows how to market himself. He wasn't going to release 'The Rainbow Children' on a MAJOR releasing company, because he would have known how that would turn out. BUT, I am glad he does not go all the way, I would not know how to handle that..lol

LittleBear said:

^Prince talking about furniture?!

The Ride: "You're going to be looking for a good time. I'm going to be trying to read... If you like to be alone, I like to watch... television."

Hahahaha...I like to watch..

TELEVISION!..lol. That would be hilarious.

What if he did that for Alphabet Street. lol

"Excuse me baby, I don't mean to be rude, but tonight, I am not in the mode, so if you don't mind, could I just..Watch.....The Basket ball game? lol