If I was your one and only friend Would u run 2 me if somebody hurt u Even if that somebody was me?

robertlove said:

Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be

Oh baby, I could find another just like U anywhere Oh baby, they might not have your hips, girl and all that pretty hair, oh

lol

It's strange how, out of context, some of the lyrics I didn't recognize right away!

Not sure if these are my favorite for what they say, or for how they sound... still great:

"When my body starts to shiver from the chill of the scarlett sweat
When my lips eclipse the sun and the moon reflecting from the wet
When the blood of my love outraces every one of the stallions in your pack

That's when U go, u go, u go 2 the max"

leerix said:

Could you please provide your own interpretation for those lines? Thank you. I'm just curious as I'm not sure what he meant by saying that.

fambam93 said:

"The opposite of NATO is Otan" (Or Oten). I think it's a line that is commonly overlooked and not really appreciated for its depth and the incredible thought that's put into it.

[Edited 2/9/13 3:13am]

Here knock yourself out, there's plenty here......

http://prince.org/msg/7/45076

I dont deal in psychobabble, just facts.

In the world of diplomacy, and government to government affairs the international languages used are English and French. NATO is the English acronym and OTAN is the French acronym of the same organistaion.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Organisation du Traité de l'Atlantique Nord

...but hey choose whatever interpretation that rocks your boat.

I always kinda loved the dramaticism and simplistic power of this one:

"I hate you because I love you"

.

[Edited 2/9/13 6:49am]

Dave1992 said:

I always kinda loved the dramaticism and simplistic power of this one:

"I hate you because I love you"

.

[Edited 2/9/13 6:49am]

good one, i always liked that line too

Heavy feather Fickle nipple Baby stop What a ripple

You're the victim, I'm the robba

.

teiemka said:

leerix said:

Could you please provide your own interpretation for those lines? Thank you. I'm just curious as I'm not sure what he meant by saying that.

[Edited 2/9/13 3:13am]

Here knock yourself out, there's plenty here......

http://prince.org/msg/7/45076

I dont deal in psychobabble, just facts.

In the world of diplomacy, and government to government affairs the international languages used are English and French. NATO is the English acronym and OTAN is the French acronym of the same organistaion.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Organisation du Traité de l'Atlantique Nord

...but hey choose whatever interpretation that rocks your boat.

I think it's "Aton".

And it's been puzzling me for years. Until one day, when I suddenly understood (it explained itself to me).

One should learn about Aton (from proper sources, which is what I did before I connected it with the song, out of my own interest) and the way it was introduced in the Egyptian culture (for instance, the Anthem to the Sun by the then-pharaoh, part of which I read, reflects the concept, far superior and more intelligent compared to the way religions and various organisations divide people).

And then connect it with the concept of NATO.

I think it's brilliant.

(Of course, that's how I see it, personally.)

[Edited 2/9/13 8:04am]

Thank you both.

Aelis said:

teiemka said:

Here knock yourself out, there's plenty here......

http://prince.org/msg/7/45076

I dont deal in psychobabble, just facts.

In the world of diplomacy, and government to government affairs the international languages used are English and French. NATO is the English acronym and OTAN is the French acronym of the same organistaion.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Organisation du Traité de l'Atlantique Nord

...but hey choose whatever interpretation that rocks your boat.

I think it's "Aton".

And it's been puzzling me for years. Until one day, when I suddenly understood (it explained itself to me).

One should learn about Aton (from proper sources, which is what I did before I connected it with the song, out of my own interest) and the way it was introduced in the Egyptian culture (for instance, the Anthem to the Sun by the then-pharaoh, part of which I read, reflects the concept, far superior and more intelligent compared to the way religions and various organisations divide people).

And then connect it with the concept of NATO.

I think it's brilliant.

(Of course, that's how I see it, personally.)

[Edited 2/9/13 8:04am]

It was about 1987 and I had just bought my 1999 cd.

My freeking father is a catholic extremist and had some nun over to talk about the Legion of Mary or something equally dreadful.

I had cd on and out came

"I wanna fuck U so bad it hurts, it hurts, it hurts
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna fuck U
Yeah, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna wanna, I wanna fuck U
Look here Marsha, I'm not sayin' this just 2 be nasty
I sincerely wanna fuck the taste out of your mouth
Can U relate?"

Well the nun was nun to impressed. I laughed for years. I still do when I listen to lets pretend.

Ah halcyion days.

I wish Prince was still cursing

i think all the lines about 'you like my mother, me like my father' in When Doves Cry are honest, universal, and really tragic.

Like when we look for answers after things go wrong, and it's both of us, but probably more me.

I think those lyrics go a long way in explaining that songs popularity.

And i never heard any opening line better than "I guess I should have known by the way you parked your car sideways that it wouldn't last". That is just too too brilliant.

Bring back the honest vulnerability, i guess.

Aelis said:

teiemka said:

Here knock yourself out, there's plenty here......

http://prince.org/msg/7/45076

I dont deal in psychobabble, just facts.

In the world of diplomacy, and government to government affairs the international languages used are English and French. NATO is the English acronym and OTAN is the French acronym of the same organistaion.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Organisation du Traité de l'Atlantique Nord

...but hey choose whatever interpretation that rocks your boat.

I think it's "Aton".

And it's been puzzling me for years. Until one day, when I suddenly understood (it explained itself to me).

One should learn about Aton (from proper sources, which is what I did before I connected it with the song, out of my own interest) and the way it was introduced in the Egyptian culture (for instance, the Anthem to the Sun by the then-pharaoh, part of which I read, reflects the concept, far superior and more intelligent compared to the way religions and various organisations divide people).

And then connect it with the concept of NATO.

I think it's brilliant.

(Of course, that's how I see it, personally.)

[Edited 2/9/13 8:04am]

That's the way I interpreted it. And I believe it's spelt "Oten", but I guess there are probably many spellings of it. Oten was the name of the god in the first monotheistic religion in Egypt. And Prince confirmed my interpretation of it when he dumbed it down live by saying "the opposite of NATO is monotheism" :p

fambam93 said:

Aelis said:

I think it's "Aton".

And it's been puzzling me for years. Until one day, when I suddenly understood (it explained itself to me).

One should learn about Aton (from proper sources, which is what I did before I connected it with the song, out of my own interest) and the way it was introduced in the Egyptian culture (for instance, the Anthem to the Sun by the then-pharaoh, part of which I read, reflects the concept, far superior and more intelligent compared to the way religions and various organisations divide people).

And then connect it with the concept of NATO.

I think it's brilliant.

(Of course, that's how I see it, personally.)

[Edited 2/9/13 8:04am]

That's the way I interpreted it. And I believe it's spelt "Oten", but I guess there are probably many spellings of it. Oten was the name of the god in the first monotheistic religion in Egypt. And Prince confirmed my interpretation of it when he dumbed it down live by saying "the opposite of NATO is monotheism" :p

I don't know, I only came accross "Aton" and "Atum". But it doesn't matter.

That's right, he did say monotheism. I think however (as I've been reflecting a lot when it comes to that verse xD) that monotheism per se, in its literal meaning, is less important, and should be taken metaphorically. And, the way it was presented and the changes that came with it - the art, the architecture-the sanctuaries (Aton is rappresented by the sun, which is very meaningful) of that time are very deep and insightful (as is the entire culture of the ancient Egypt), when you connect it all.

Anyway, to sum up - it's one of my favourite lyrics, too (:

Prince IMO is a lyrical genius! I have so many!

"When my sane twin reigns
Claiming your aim is 2 maim my subconscious into being with U
I dream about U
Betting on the notion that if my lustier twin prevails
Like the ruins of Rome, I'll lie helpless at your feet
Yeah, when I'm alone
I dream about U, I dream about U" (I MEAN COME ON!)

"Everybody knows what happens, when u worship from afar, the ebb and flow of angels, dancing around the stars..AND if the sun rises still in question, the answer is in the dark..." (TOO GREAT)

"As she fell into the Sensual Everafter - out of body, out of mind,
he stroked her hair a hundred times.
And as she fell deeper into the hypnotic unwind,
He counted his way into the suggestive mind.
Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree.
He said, 'repeat after me, repeat after me, repeat after me,
1+1+1 is 3.'"

"When a minority realizes its similarities on a higher level
not just "black", but "people of color", and higher still "indigenous", and even higher still, "from the tribe of", and yet higher:
"The Rainbow Children".
When this understanding comes, the so-called minority becomes a majority in the wink of an eye.
This action will cause a reaction or resistance.
The source of this resistance must be banished as it is in direct conflict with the initial action.
It cannot be assimilated, 4 its very nature is resistance.
In other words, one cannot serve 2 masters.
U are either "this" or "that which is not this"." (Does it count? lol)

"The undulating acrobat ready 2 do your bidding says:
"Come, U must let me dress U
But first, I must do a fitting"
Do U like it fast?
Do U like it slow?
I know it's better if we make it up as we go" (PURE AWESOME!)

"I will get 2 U
I will, I will
And then I'll help U get through
I will, I will
U've preyed on many a fool
Until, until
No one cared about U
But I will, I ... (I will)
I will"

"Minor G is the chord of pleasure, it will be played 11 measures"

AHH SO MANY! I'll be here ALL DAY! lol

soulyacolia said:

Did u get the tape I sent u? Thought it'd be better in a song Better than the used condom u sent me Baby that was wrong

That's one of my favorites! Love the voice he sings it in.

But, I'll say this is my favorite;

In a purple spotlight...a figure spins around. Tell me baby, baby. Do you like the sound? Untarnished memories... Are you ready baby, let me hear you scream? Are you ready baby for One Night Alone With Me...?!

Lawd, lawd, lawd! It's like he's singing that song to me only.....whole body melting!

EyeJester7 said:

Prince IMO is a lyrical genius! I have so many!

"When my sane twin reigns
Claiming your aim is 2 maim my subconscious into being with U
I dream about U
Betting on the notion that if my lustier twin prevails
Like the ruins of Rome, I'll lie helpless at your feet
Yeah, when I'm alone
I dream about U, I dream about U" (I MEAN COME ON!)

"Everybody knows what happens, when u worship from afar, the ebb and flow of angels, dancing around the stars..AND if the sun rises still in question, the answer is in the dark..." (TOO GREAT)

"As she fell into the Sensual Everafter - out of body, out of mind,
he stroked her hair a hundred times.
And as she fell deeper into the hypnotic unwind,
He counted his way into the suggestive mind.
Planting a seed that bears fruit on the tree.
He said, 'repeat after me, repeat after me, repeat after me,
1+1+1 is 3.'"

"When a minority realizes its similarities on a higher level
not just "black", but "people of color", and higher still "indigenous", and even higher still, "from the tribe of", and yet higher:
"The Rainbow Children".
When this understanding comes, the so-called minority becomes a majority in the wink of an eye.
This action will cause a reaction or resistance.
The source of this resistance must be banished as it is in direct conflict with the initial action.
It cannot be assimilated, 4 its very nature is resistance.
In other words, one cannot serve 2 masters.
U are either "this" or "that which is not this"." (Does it count? lol)

"The undulating acrobat ready 2 do your bidding says:
"Come, U must let me dress U
But first, I must do a fitting"
Do U like it fast?
Do U like it slow?
I know it's better if we make it up as we go" (PURE AWESOME!)

"I will get 2 U
I will, I will
And then I'll help U get through
I will, I will
U've preyed on many a fool
Until, until
No one cared about U
But I will, I ... (I will)
I will"

"Minor G is the chord of pleasure, it will be played 11 measures"

AHH SO MANY! I'll be here ALL DAY! lol

These are so good. Dreaming about you has always been one of my favorites. Especially that line! And the line in Soul Sanctuary when he says "All of me, I give to thee, down at your feet" :p

And One Nite Alone is a beautiful song! "Tell me now, what's your name? I'll let it sweeten my tongue just once then never speak it again.

And there are far too many awesome lines in Rainbow Children. Like the entire song "Mellow":

I wanna get lost in the composition of you

Learn the rhythm and play only the notes you want me to

I'm a good learner and once I understand

I'll stand under you and let you show me

How you want your man to be

I could dance for you; a little comical minuet

If you desire I'll shed my attire, anything to get you wet

I love that.

[Edited 2/9/13 18:47pm]

Aelis said:

teiemka said:

Here knock yourself out, there's plenty here......

http://prince.org/msg/7/45076

I dont deal in psychobabble, just facts.

In the world of diplomacy, and government to government affairs the international languages used are English and French. NATO is the English acronym and OTAN is the French acronym of the same organistaion.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Organisation du Traité de l'Atlantique Nord

...but hey choose whatever interpretation that rocks your boat.

I think it's "Aton".

And it's been puzzling me for years. Until one day, when I suddenly understood (it explained itself to me).

One should learn about Aton (from proper sources, which is what I did before I connected it with the song, out of my own interest) and the way it was introduced in the Egyptian culture (for instance, the Anthem to the Sun by the then-pharaoh, part of which I read, reflects the concept, far superior and more intelligent compared to the way religions and various organisations divide people).

And then connect it with the concept of NATO.

I think it's brilliant.

(Of course, that's how I see it, personally.)

[Edited 2/9/13 8:04am]

Of course, this came out not long after the thing on whatever Prince's then-current website was about Akhenaten (the then-Pharaoh in question) and his introduction (as the article described it) of a monotheistic religion based on the worship of Aten (Aton, Otan--sound is what matters to Prince here, and since we're transcribing to our letter system anyway, what difference does it make) to the polytheistic Egyptian empire (not quite a fair description, but that is how the article played it).

And let's not forget that playing live (see One Nite Alone... Live), he actually says "The opposite of NATO is monotheism".

So, yeah. Prince hates NATO, probably some sort of new world order fear and a concern that the pluralistic nature of the organization is somehow a threat to a unified cultural monotheistic view that he would be more comfortable with. We can't really know exactly what he said in the infamous burkha remarks and his arguments about free choice there, but it's probably related--he probably doesn't think the order should be a Muslim one, but it should be from "on high". He believes, as he's been pretty clear about, in a "theocratic order" and he doesn't just mean in the home. He's not gonna participate in elections to try to accomplish it--it will come in God's own sweet time, but what we're doing now, at its best, is "Democrazy" (Chaka sang it, but it's clearly his thought):

I've got a problem with democracy
So where exactly do I stand?
Who is this dark cloud hangin' over me?
It ain't from God; it must be a man
He is the one that you will seldom see
The new world order is his name
He's got a plan in mind for you and me
There are no winners in this game. . .

Love will set you free from democracy

Supreme power invested in the people
Is a bit extreme
The highest rank of authority
Only God is Supreme!"

Man, this is unpleasant thinking to me. I'm gonna post this so I can get to my favorite lines.

robertlove said:

If I was your one and only friend Would u run 2 me if somebody hurt u Even if that somebody was me?

That is probably my favorite, hands down. And the song is probably my favorite song.

Here's a couple more, the first one (from "The Other Side of the Pillow" because it just seems to show him having fun in songwriting itself:

"I can't find the adjectives enough to say

I'm so glad you're my baby. . . OK"

Another, from "Comeback", not at all about having fun in art, but about, for me, the way art struggles to capture emotion--and thus winds up, in a strange way, capturing grief even while the song shows its own artificiality. And how the hope of an afterlife doesn't really stop the pain. After telling us "If you ever lose someone dear to you, never say the words they're gone--and they'll come back" and singing it beautifully, feelingly, with what I think is a heartfelt "yeah, yeah, yeah"--the singer is hit by the reality of the loss, and he's suddenly out of the song. It's his voice, but it's like a stage direction, and all the reassurance of the sweet wind (which did bring tears of joy earlier in the song) and of future reunion seems to me to be gone. There might be some hope, but I don't sense it--this is just emptiness, expressed flatly against a circling musical figure that goes nowhere but back on itself:

"Tears go here.

Tears go here.

Tears go here."

This moment nearly always causes at least one tear from me--maybe because I think our dear ones don't come back, and that we don't go to them--but I suspect for many people, even if they do believe in something else (and I think for the singer, here), Prince captures here the way that the moment of pure grief, whenever it hits you, even years or decades after the loss, is too intense for those comforting concepts, even honestly and truly believed in, to mitigate the feeling. The moment passes, for believers and nobelievers alike, but I think most people do feel it from time to time. And by juxtaposing that hope, and then that despair, and giving them both full expression (despair is emptiness--there is nothing more than the tears in the moment, here), Prince performs a beautiful act. One I'm quite thankful for, to be honest.

If the "If I Was Your Girlfriend" line isn't my favorite (I know I said it was, hands down--but I second-guess myself a lot), this one is.

Sorry about some redundancy in my NATO/OTAN post--people post while I'm typing and part of what I say looks like I'm just repeating someone else.

God I'm longwinded and convoluted. Gotta work on that.

Sure many agree on the Purple ones virtousity and multi level meaning of his amazing lyrics. To me most of them do not even fit the category of the regular verses plus chorus that make up words for a standard rock/pop song. The lyrics capture the power of the very emotional moment whatever the topic or story is covered. This I find very fascinating and kind of TM Prince.

Besides the great songs that most have already listed, such as "When Doves Cry", "Sign o the Times" or "If I was ur Girlfriend". I was always amazed about little bits that were kind of burried in the middle or end of songs that I found particularly moving, sad, beautiful or interesting.

Like in Computer Blue:

Shall I go 2 church on Sundays?
Shall I stay home and pray?
Shall I try 2 make her happy?
Shall I try 2 make her stay?

or in Papa:

Papa just went outside and pointed a shotgun up in the sky
He said - "How come I don't love my woman?"
Then he took aim and died

Solo

U were so kind
I felt sorry 4 all creation be
Cuz at the time, no one was lucky
No one was lucky, no one was lucky as me

Lady Cap Driver

This is 4 the wind that blows no matter how fast or slow
Not knowing where I'm going is galaxies better
Than not having a place 2 go
Now I know (Now I know)

soainst said:

Sure many agree on the Purple ones virtousity and multi level meaning of his amazing lyrics. To me most of them do not even fit the category of the regular verses plus chorus that make up words for a standard rock/pop song. The lyrics capture the power of the very emotional moment whatever the topic or story is covered. This I find very fascinating and kind of TM Prince.

Besides the great songs that most have already listed, such as "When Doves Cry", "Sign o the Times" or "If I was ur Girlfriend". I was always amazed about little bits that were kind of burried in the middle or end of songs that I found particularly moving, sad, beautiful or interesting.

Like in Computer Blue:

Shall I go 2 church on Sundays?
Shall I stay home and pray?
Shall I try 2 make her happy?
Shall I try 2 make her stay?

or in Papa:

Papa just went outside and pointed a shotgun up in the sky
He said - "How come I don't love my woman?"
Then he took aim and died

Solo

U were so kind
I felt sorry 4 all creation be
Cuz at the time, no one was lucky
No one was lucky, no one was lucky as me

Lady Cap Driver

This is 4 the wind that blows no matter how fast or slow
Not knowing where I'm going is galaxies better
Than not having a place 2 go
Now I know (Now I know)

O YES! I forgot that one! Lady Cab driver contains some beautiful lyrics! That was just awesome!!! I love it! lol

EddieC said:

Aelis said:

I think it's "Aton".

And it's been puzzling me for years. Until one day, when I suddenly understood (it explained itself to me).

One should learn about Aton (from proper sources, which is what I did before I connected it with the song, out of my own interest) and the way it was introduced in the Egyptian culture (for instance, the Anthem to the Sun by the then-pharaoh, part of which I read, reflects the concept, far superior and more intelligent compared to the way religions and various organisations divide people).

And then connect it with the concept of NATO.

I think it's brilliant.

(Of course, that's how I see it, personally.)

[Edited 2/9/13 8:04am]

Of course, this came out not long after the thing on whatever Prince's then-current website was about Akhenaten (the then-Pharaoh in question) and his introduction (as the article described it) of a monotheistic religion based on the worship of Aten (Aton, Otan--sound is what matters to Prince here, and since we're transcribing to our letter system anyway, what difference does it make) to the polytheistic Egyptian empire (not quite a fair description, but that is how the article played it).

And let's not forget that playing live (see One Nite Alone... Live), he actually says "The opposite of NATO is monotheism".

So, yeah. Prince hates NATO, probably some sort of new world order fear and a concern that the pluralistic natTure of the organization is somehow a threat to a unified cultural monotheistic view that he would be more comfortable with. We can't really know exactly what he said in the infamous burkha remarks and his arguments about free choice there, but it's probably related--he probably doesn't think the order should be a Muslim one, but it should be from "on high". He believes, as he's been pretty clear about, in a "theocratic order" and he doesn't just mean in the home. He's not gonna participate in elections to try to accomplish it--it will come in God's own sweet time, but what we're doing now, at its best, is "Democrazy" (Chaka sang it, but it's clearly his thought):

Really? I didn't know that!

Yeah, it's Amenophis IV who supposedly changed his name in Ekhnaton (the spelling depends on the language, we're obviously talking about the same thing).

I really suggest reading this poem he (the pharaoh) supposedly wrote, the so-called Anthem to the Sun. I have it in a book, couldn't find it online. It's full of mercy for the whole world, describing this divinity as the Sun that shines on everyone. In my interpretation it fits so well as the concept which is exactly the opposite of NATO (which we can see as army protection, basically).

Of course, everyone interprets things it in their own way.

Anyway, I didn't know about the website thing, thank you for the information!