It's been said that Marvin Gaye wrote songs that gave a voice to the everyday man. This couldn't be further from the truth when it comes to Prince most of the time.

He has created songs such as Endorphinmachine, Crystal Ball and Paisley Park that allow us to escape into wholly unfamiliar worlds. Other times, he's written songs like The Holy River and Colonized Mind (both of which, I like) that are so unique to his world view that it's virtually impossible to make any kind of real connection with them. Then there are songs like When Doves Cry and virtually every song on every album up to Purple Rain that are simply universal and speak to everyone. Although, I still love a lot of Prince's "new" music, perhaps there should be more of those songs with a universal appeal these days.

So which was the last song that hit you in the heart?

The last one that REALLY spoke to me and gave me a flash of the "real" (old) Prince was Black Sweat!

Act Of God was pretty good too...

Okay if not naming recent bootleg songs then...

Actually, the new song "Superconductor" has that completely crazy Prince feel where he seems to dip into an unexpected mood and put it out there.

Examples of this are "Graffiti Bridge" or even "Everyone Loves Me" which can infuriate listeners.

This one seems like a Xanadu ELO kind of vibe. It also seems like it could annoy most listeners.

I'm entertained when Prince pulls this kind of stuff. More so than something that seems like a solid hit. Because it makes me think... what? why? what? and then... "How?"

So basically even though I hated the tone of what I heard the first seconds I heard it... the melody and some of the vibe of that song are stuck in my head.

An example of a song that plays it completely safe is the one that follows right after:

"People Pleaser"

This song is expertly produced, fits into a "sound" that seems to fit the rules of a certain genre. But it's not puzzling, it's certainly not mysterious. It's got the Stevie Wonder/ Earth Wind and Fire type sugar to the ears vibe. It's a perfect production. but it's normal.

SuperSoulFighter said:

Hey, maybe this universal storytelling that everybody can relate to, is what he's trying to get back at with R&R Affair!

I find this very interesting. That song reminds me of Raspberry Beret. It's sung in the same kind of "monotone" if you will and tells a story. Even if I don't like the music, I will listen to any song that tells a story.

colonized mind, act of god and lavaux

colonized mind (even with the religious right lyrics)

future soul song - beautiful

oddly enough

'She Spoke 2 Me'

okay maybe not

maybe Cinnamon Girl

don't know about "speaking" to me but black sweat and 3121 certainly make me want to wiggle my bottom. rest of the album is stool though.

Prince has so many songs which have spoke to me. 3 songs in particular speak to me, recently.

Alligence - (This outtake from the 90's has such a weird attack on me..His vocals and bass are so good here...I can't stop listening to it! It makes me wonder how someone can have such a mysterious effect on you, to make you pledge your alligence...It is very toxic! '

In my sleepin’ R.E.M. state, U are on my mind, love
If I’m workin’, if I’m playin’, U’re with me all the time, love
Your languid body, how it moves me mysterious ways, yeah
If I’m happy or if I’m sad, it moves me every day, love' That just blows me away!)

Xpedition - I talked about this before, it has such an effect on me. Every damn instrument takes its own being! SO great!

Rainbow Children - I know what everybody likes to say about this song, but I love the faith Prince presented in this song. The instrumentation is so very good, the way the guitar sounds towards the end is so aggressive yet lush at the same time! *The wise one held fast to his belief, that The Lord will bring him another one who loved him so...' That line makes me smile, because whether you believe in God or not..his faith in that quote just sounds so assuring to me'. I love it!

Those songs have just spoke in great details for me!

future soul song ...

a gem in a very dissapointing 20ten

ZsaZsaJackson said:

101 said:

future soul song ...

a gem

I agree.

My love for it was revived when I heard a piano cover that was posted in SC. It was a reminder that he didn't lose his knack for making a simple yet effective melody.

There have been a lot of new songs that I really 'like', but as far as something that really moved me or speaks to my soul... I'd have to go with 'The Love We Make'.

xpertluva said:

Then there are songs like When Doves Cry and virtually every song on every album up to Purple Rain that are simply universal and speak to everyone. Although, I still love a lot of Prince's "new" music, perhaps there should be more of those songs with a universal appeal these days.

So which was the last song that hit you in the heart?

I also like those universal songs. Although for me it's not that they're universal, rather that they are something that I relate to. It's also great if people who are important to me can relate to them, too. Recent songs that speak to me:

$

$ is the most recent song where I love every bit of it. I like the lyrics, music, tone, attitude, everything.

BLaB

On a more emotional level, believe it or not, it's Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed. I like the way Prince opens up about himself a bit and how it has a universal message, too. And I'm not even religious.

controversy99 said:

And I'm not even religious.

I hear you there. I'm not religious either, and for me, it's Last December. Just the epic-ness of it, the sounds, the changes, the choir... in fact, I won't even let this song play unless I'm in a situation where I can give it my full attention.

EyeJester7 said:

Prince has so many songs which have spoke to me. 3 songs in particular speak to me, recently.

Alligence - (This outtake from the 90's has such a weird attack on me..His vocals and bass are so good here...I can't stop listening to it! It makes me wonder how someone can have such a mysterious effect on you, to make you pledge your alligence...It is very toxic! '

In my sleepin’ R.E.M. state, U are on my mind, love
If I’m workin’, if I’m playin’, U’re with me all the time, love
Your languid body, how it moves me mysterious ways, yeah
If I’m happy or if I’m sad, it moves me every day, love' That just blows me away!)

Xpedition - I talked about this before, it has such an effect on me. Every damn instrument takes its own being! SO great!

Rainbow Children - I know what everybody likes to say about this song, but I love the faith Prince presented in this song. The instrumentation is so very good, the way the guitar sounds towards the end is so aggressive yet lush at the same time! *The wise one held fast to his belief, that The Lord will bring him another one who loved him so...' That line makes me smile, because whether you believe in God or not..his faith in that quote just sounds so assuring to me'. I love it!

Those songs have just spoke in great details for me!

Funny, I'd choose TRC and Xpedition too! Both artistically strong statements with a certain kind of edge.

Aristotle said:

There have been a lot of new songs that I really 'like', but as far as something that really moved me or speaks to my soul... I'd have to go with 'The Love We Make'.

I've always felt as if "The Love We Make" contains some of Prince's best lyrics. It definitely moves me in a big way.

controversy99 said:

xpertluva said:

Then there are songs like When Doves Cry and virtually every song on every album up to Purple Rain that are simply universal and speak to everyone. Although, I still love a lot of Prince's "new" music, perhaps there should be more of those songs with a universal appeal these days.

So which was the last song that hit you in the heart?

I also like those universal songs. Although for me it's not that they're universal, rather that they are something that I relate to. It's also great if people who are important to me can relate to them, too. Recent songs that speak to me:

$

$ is the most recent song where I love every bit of it. I like the lyrics, music, tone, attitude, everything.

BLaB

On a more emotional level, believe it or not, it's Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed. I like the way Prince opens up about himself a bit and how it has a universal message, too. And I'm not even religious.

I listened to this recently and really got into it. I'm surprised it didn't get more recognition. Maybe that's a testament to how strong some of the other tracks are on 3121.