So i've basically heard almost every single prince album and one i usually like is Around the world in a day. It reminds me of a peacefull spring day for the most part of many of the songs. Isn't his finest work but songs like The ladder(especailly live), paisly park, rb, pop life, and america make the album a very GOOd album but not great.

The point of this post isn't really to review the album but if ur bored u may do so.

My point is. When listening to this album to u ever get scared? Not because of the music itself but because u feel like theres something missing? Kinda like being in a utopia of somesort of unatural order and happiness. Does the album ever make u paranoid?

Or is this just me?

After listening to the black album, come, dirty mind, and 1999 i would have to say this album is as creepy as it gets and idk if it was intended to be that way. If u listen to the extended version of rb there hits a point after the song ends in regular version where i believe the orchestra drops an octave and the violens become more prevalent and the song takes a dark turn from this ultra happy paradise. Or paisly park with its creepy guitar intro and prince's weird description of this utopia. Or tamborine which just freaks me out for no reason and isn't a track that im a fan of. Idk its not a bad freak out as i love these songs its just sometimes i get this random paranoia and was wondering if anyone felt the same.

not creepy... trippy

i used to listen to this album a lot when i was on acid... even then it didn't make me paranoid

For the most part it doesn't really sound like a happy album. Parade has a more lightweight tone in overall.

If it was his attempt to convey the sentiment of being in a "happy utopia" then he really failed in that. At least half of the songs on the album have pessimistic / cynical lyrics. I don't know if he really had tried out drugs at the time, but it does remind me of what being on drugs is like. Especially "Temptation" is like a screwed up end to a trip.

I agree there is an ambiguous creepiness to the album.

One of the wierd things is that spooky drumbeat between songs - gives an ominous feel to the album

I remember reading this topic lol: http://prince.org/msg/7/278682

Lol, of course ATWIAD is one of Prince's best albums.

I don't find the album "creepy",I find it underwhelming A few cool tracks,but this isn't one of Prince's strongest albums.

a lot of Prince music then during that period had a creepy(at times) dangerous dark edge to it, even the happy stuff

like in the movie Halloween, in the bright daytime after school Jamie Lee Curtis is in her room nice day but feels a tinge of something not being right and sees a what she things is a man in black and a white mask watching her from her families backyard, then he's gone

A funny thing a lot of us used to say back then it always sound like you could hear a phone ringing when listening to Prince music, Arsenio Hall vocalized that sentiment on his talk show years later

OldFriends4Sale said:

a lot of Prince music then during that period had a creep(at times) dangerous dark edge to it, even the happy stuff

like in the movie Halloween, in the bright daytime after school Jamie Lee Curtis is in her room nice day but feels a tinge of something not being right and sees a what she things is a man in black and a white mask watching her from her families backyard, then he's gone

A funny thing a lot of used to say back then it always sound like you could hear a phone ringing when listening to Prince music, Arsenio Hall vocalized that sentiment on his talk show years later

the hell are u talking about?

Could it be the fact that you know that you are listening to a man that should be at the top of his game, artistically and financially yet the album sounds like someone searching for things that would bring him the "elusive" happiness that he should be already enjoying in 1985?

Dandroppedadime said:

I agree there is an ambiguous creepiness to the album.

One of the wierd things is that spooky drumbeat between songs - gives an ominous feel to the album

drumbeat between songs? There's a drum heartbeat around Condition of the Heart.

It is a little creepy with that cover

Wildboy said:

It is a little creepy with that cover

OMG UR RIGHT THAT COVER IS SO CREEPY WHEN U LOOK AT IT THAT WAY!!!!!!!!!!

No

EMPEROR101 said:

Could it be the fact that you know that you are listening to a man that should be at the top of his game, artistically and financially yet the album sounds like someone searching for things that would bring him the "elusive" happiness that he should be already enjoying in 1985?

no, He was just moving into a new arena of music

ATWIAD to me is not much different than 1999 & Purple Rain,

there are a lot of songs from those 2 prior albums that easily fit with ATWIAD

it is the album of a man who experience this world wide superstardom and it scared him

Prince was looking for fame, not happiness

ATWIAD feels like an album of family and friends recounting their adventures in the world

rdhull said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

a lot of Prince music then during that period had a creep(at times) dangerous dark edge to it, even the happy stuff

like in the movie Halloween, in the bright daytime after school Jamie Lee Curtis is in her room nice day but feels a tinge of something not being right and sees a what she things is a man in black and a white mask watching her from her families backyard, then he's gone

A funny thing a lot of used to say back then it always sound like you could hear a phone ringing when listening to Prince music, Arsenio Hall vocalized that sentiment on his talk show years later

the hell are u talking about?

lol come on man

creepiness and danger at night, is obvious, but to feel that in the daytime when the sun is shining is a whole different experience

Have u ever seen Halloween 1? Most of the stalking was in the day time, it was just as frightening as the night time(which u expect to be)

ATWIAD is a bright album, very colorful, 1999 & Purple Rain is evening night time with neon lights, dimmed lights, street lights

I think the same way a songs can sound 'pornographic' or sad or hopeful. A song can feel dangerous. Computer Blue & Darling Nikki feel dangerous. All the Critics feels that way and I can name more... I've always interpreted his stuff as 'dangerous sexuality' or stuff on the edge of being wrong.

And I like it for that.

creepy? hell no

it's a vibrant, multi coloured, hippy free for all kind of album.

most of the songs have very positive vibes and lyrics with a

bit of drama or social commentary here and there to balance

it all out a bit.

the only parts of the album that might be considered creepy

is perhaps little bits of the intro to "condition of the heart",

simply because it's so bold and cinematic and, well, weird.

i guess "temptation" could be considered creepy in parts, yet

i'm sure that most people have a little bit of a laugh at those

parts that are meant to be 'sinister' or 'creepy'.

nope. the overall feel of this album is one of unity and joy,

escapism from the negativity of society at large.

when you put it next to some of the claustrophobic music on

1999 (although that particular mood works brilliantly for that

particular album) or the bass heavy sexual perversions of

the black album, i think around the world in a day actually

feels like that blinding field of daisies out in the yard.

OldFriends4Sale said:

rdhull said:

the hell are u talking about?

lol come on man

creepiness and danger at night, is obvious, but to feel that in the daytime when the sun is shining is a whole different experience

Have u ever seen Halloween 1? Most of the stalking was in the day time, it was just as frightening as the night time(which u expect to be)

ATWIAD is a bright album, very colorful, 1999 & Purple Rain is evening night time with neon lights, dimmed lights, street lights

I think the same way a songs can sound 'pornographic' or sad or hopeful. A song can feel dangerous. Computer Blue & Darling Nikki feel dangerous. All the Critics feels that way and I can name more... I've always interpreted his stuff as 'dangerous sexuality' or stuff on the edge of being wrong.

And I like it for that.

I like the way u think and I understand it because do it too like this

but ATWIAD isnt Halloween ..its bright and sunny..a happy mood with no Mike Myers hiding behind the beautiful rose bushes

if there's anything negative about it, its the ometimes melancholic dysthymic mood underlying the songs...but nothing creepy or scary

SoulAlive said:

I don't find the album "creepy",I find it underwhelming A few cool tracks,but this isn't one of Prince's strongest albums.

Top notch tracks all over the place...the weakest might be "America" and "Condition of the heart" (although the latter is beautifully arranged).

Great album!

funkomatic said:

SoulAlive said:

I don't find the album "creepy",I find it underwhelming A few cool tracks,but this isn't one of Prince's strongest albums.

Top notch tracks all over the place...the weakest might be "America" and "Condition of the heart" (although the latter is beautifully arranged).

Great album!

weak? Condition of the Heart? oh no that is skilled work that shows so serious vocal and piano talent, the depth of the sounds strings finger cymbols

and America the album cut after hearing the extended version work out is weaker

But I definately don't think any song on that album or the bsides are weak

its just a different expression

Tempation could have been a bit shorter, but I heard Prince & the band rehearsing that one for the show in France back then and they killed it, it sounded so alive, live...

rdhull said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

lol come on man

creepiness and danger at night, is obvious, but to feel that in the daytime when the sun is shining is a whole different experience

Have u ever seen Halloween 1? Most of the stalking was in the day time, it was just as frightening as the night time(which u expect to be)

ATWIAD is a bright album, very colorful, 1999 & Purple Rain is evening night time with neon lights, dimmed lights, street lights

I think the same way a songs can sound 'pornographic' or sad or hopeful. A song can feel dangerous. Computer Blue & Darling Nikki feel dangerous. All the Critics feels that way and I can name more... I've always interpreted his stuff as 'dangerous sexuality' or stuff on the edge of being wrong.

And I like it for that.

I like the way u think and I understand it because do it too like this

but ATWIAD isnt Halloween ..its bright and sunny..a happy mood with no Mike Myers hiding behind the beautiful rose bushes

if there's anything negative about it, its the ometimes melancholic dysthymic mood underlying the songs...but nothing creepy or scary

No I'm not saying the album overall feels like that

I'm just saying I hear touches of that in the music from what I've heard in prior albums

I LOVE Condition of the Heart, can listen to it over and over, but something about listening to the opening music of the song (with headphones especially) gives me that mood. Tempation as well especially the ending. As non-dangerous as God(the dance electric) is it still has that feel to it as well. Because I really do connect the ATWIAD music a lot with Purple Rain for some reason

No creepy is the wrong word

I don't think I said it was negative, as in dangerous I don't mean that in a bad way, I don't think i would interpret any of Prince's 1980 work as negative

OldFriends4Sale said:

rdhull said:

the hell are u talking about?

lol come on man

creepiness and danger at night, is obvious, but to feel that in the daytime when the sun is shining is a whole different experience

Have u ever seen Halloween 1? Most of the stalking was in the day time, it was just as frightening as the night time(which u expect to be)

ATWIAD is a bright album, very colorful, 1999 & Purple Rain is evening night time with neon lights, dimmed lights, street lights

I think the same way a songs can sound 'pornographic' or sad or hopeful. A song can feel dangerous. Computer Blue & Darling Nikki feel dangerous. All the Critics feels that way and I can name more... I've always interpreted his stuff as 'dangerous sexuality' or stuff on the edge of being wrong.

And I like it for that.

Kinda exactly how i see this album. It's not creepy in a bad way infact at times thats the appeal of the song. It just has that day time creepiness to it which makes it unexpected. It's like getting raped in broad daylight.

Whoever said this album is bright and sunny is dead wrong. Not exactly "creepy" to me but there seems to be some kind of dark comedy vibe about this whole album, especially with songs like Pop Life, the Ladder, and the title track. It's not just the cover, or one song, a certain video...It's not one thing but it's the overall vibe of the album. It's hard to describe. Whether he's unhappy and pretending to be happy, or he's somewhat satisfied but desperately longing for some more, I never considered this album to be a simple happy go lucky album. And I personally think this side of Prince is more vividly shown in Parade album.

riocoolnes said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

lol come on man

creepiness and danger at night, is obvious, but to feel that in the daytime when the sun is shining is a whole different experience

Have u ever seen Halloween 1? Most of the stalking was in the day time, it was just as frightening as the night time(which u expect to be)

ATWIAD is a bright album, very colorful, 1999 & Purple Rain is evening night time with neon lights, dimmed lights, street lights

I think the same way a songs can sound 'pornographic' or sad or hopeful. A song can feel dangerous. Computer Blue & Darling Nikki feel dangerous. All the Critics feels that way and I can name more... I've always interpreted his stuff as 'dangerous sexuality' or stuff on the edge of being wrong.

And I like it for that.

Kinda exactly how i see this album. It's not creepy in a bad way infact at times thats the appeal of the song. It just has that day time creepiness to it which makes it unexpected. It's like getting raped in broad daylight.

man, yall are on some fuckig kind of shit!

Boogy man in the day time!...Michael Myers...rape?!

yall are trippin!!!

yall been watching Zodiac or some shit?

Emancipation89 said:

Whoever said this album is bright and sunny is dead wrong. Not exactly "creepy" to me but there seems to be some kind of dark comedy vibe about this whole album, especially with songs like Pop Life, the Ladder, and the title track. It's not just the cover, or one song, a certain video...It's not one thing but it's the overall vibe of the album. It's hard to describe. Whether he's unhappy and pretending to be happy, or he's somewhat satisfied but desperately longing for some more, I never considered this album to be a simple happy go lucky album. And I personally think this side of Prince is more vividly shown in Parade album.

Exactly, I feel like he's pretending to be happy with this album but deliberatley drops certain hints that he's not.

this scene from 30 rock sums up around the world in a day for me. all u need to know is that kennith is always happy to get this.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/wa...u0rHfUzT2Y[/youtube]

to lazy to fix

[Edited 3/29/13 15:15pm]

whatever it is, Its definitely not a favorite of mine... I remember buying it the day it was released and sorta feeling cheated... I thought Tambourine was cool and Raspberry beret was already a hit but, nothing else grabbed me right away. It was actually the parade tour and seeing some of the songs performed live that changed my thoughts on the album.

OldFriends4Sale said:

funkomatic said:

Top notch tracks all over the place...the weakest might be "America" and "Condition of the heart" (although the latter is beautifully arranged).

Great album!

weak? Condition of the Heart? oh no that is skilled work that shows so serious vocal and piano talent, the depth of the sounds strings finger cymbols

and America the album cut after hearing the extended version work out is weaker

But I definately don't think any song on that album or the bsides are weak

its just a different expression

Tempation could have been a bit shorter, but I heard Prince & the band rehearsing that one for the show in France back then and they killed it, it sounded so alive, live...

I didn't say they are weak. They could be considered weaker than other songs of the album.

America extended is a little bit too repetitive. I'd even prefer the album cut.

The songwriting/-composition of "Condition of the heart" isn't that spectacular IMO. It's all about the arrangement.

But wtf I don't want to criticise the album, I think it's great!

rdhull said:

riocoolnes said:

Kinda exactly how i see this album. It's not creepy in a bad way infact at times thats the appeal of the song. It just has that day time creepiness to it which makes it unexpected. It's like getting raped in broad daylight.

man, yall are on some fuckig kind of shit!

Boogy man in the day time!...Michael Myers...rape?!

yall are trippin!!!

yall been watching Zodiac or some shit?

lol u know Prince loved S&M rape talk abductions aliens and such

Think of that basement he lived in in Purple Rain, all those rooms, red lights, faces and dolls

The album is disturbing, reminds me of

.

Now, that's disturbing.