My interpretation of the lyrical content of every song from Purple Rain and why Vanity may have been the roots of inspiration to every single song:

Let's Go Crazy starts off with Vanity's funeral because she dissed his ‘electric world life’ a metaphor for his rock n roll film Purple Rain. So his ego was deflated and he dogs her at ‘her funeral’ by telling the audience Vanity ‘died’ in his mind for not seeing the ‘never ending happiness’ that the ‘afterworld’ (his first reference to the song ‘Purple Rain’) would bring. This was when Vanity was struggling with addictions and her choosing psychiatric help ‘Dr. Everything'll-Be-Alright’ instead of Prince’s help was further ego deflating for Prince so he dogs her more for going to shrinks in Beverly Hills who prescribe her ‘pills’ combined with her cocaine ‘thrills’ and her narcissism ‘daffodils’ is what killed her in his mind. Ironically it’s Prince’s narcissism that led to her ‘funeral’:

Dearly beloved (at Prince’s funeral for Vanity), We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life. Electric word, life means forever (movie Purple Rain) and that's a mighty long time. But I'm here to tell you there's something else, The afterworld (the song Purple Rain). A world of never ending happiness where You can always see the sun, day or night. So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills. You know the one, Dr. Everything'll-Be-Alright, Instead of asking him how much of your time is left Ask him how much of your mind, baby Cause in this life, Things are much harder than in the afterworld. In this life, You're on your own..Dr. Everything'll-Be-Alright will make everything go wrong. Pills and thrills and daffodils will kill.

Take Me With U is about Prince replacing Vanity with Appolonia and his fear she'll betray and break his heart too.

Drive me crazy, drive me all night, Just don't break up the connection (Prince’s fear)
I don't care where we go, I don't care what we do, I don't care pretty baby, Just take me with U

The Beautiful Ones is about Prince telling Appolonia about his fear of betrayal. The girls that attract Prince are so rare that it’s the first time he realizes that once he gets a super got chick that attracts him he starts fantasizing about their future together. Yet his fear of betrayal runs so deep that he wonders if proposing marriage will prevent future betrayal because Vanity (the beautiful one) broke his heart already. He can’t figure out why he can’t figure out what a woman wants. He reasons Vanity betrayed him because she didn't know where Prince was going with 'Purple Rain' the movie, so he wants to make sure Appolonia knows he wants her not to betray him too.

Is it him or is it me? (Prince’s fear of betrayal)…U were so hard 2 find (a woman that captures Prince’s attention), The beautiful ones (Vanity), they hurt U every time. Paint a perfect picture, Bring to life The vision in one’s mind, (Prince’s fantasy of his future with a girl that attracts his attention). The Beautiful ones Always smash the picture, Always everytime (Vanity breaking up with Prince)… If we got married Would that be cool? (Prince wanting further security) You make me so confused (thinking it’s Appolonia he can’t understand why she would ever leave him)… Sometimes you lose… Sometimes you win… Sometimes I get so confused (first time he starts thinking it’s not Appolonia he can’t understand but that it’s something bigger as to why a girl he loved would leave him)…. Do you want him? Or do you do want me? Because I want you. (Prince thinking if he outwardly tells the girl he wants her that it will prevent future betrayal). I may not know where I'm going baby (because Vanity denied the movie Purple Rain)…

Computer Blue is about Prince recognizing that his inability to understand how Vanity, the woman he loved could ever deny him has nothing to do with Vanity. That it has everything to do with him and his confusion and inability to determine the difference between love and lust/fear/insecurity/hate/pain. That he wasn’t in love with Vanity nor is he in love with Appolonia but that he’s addicted to their striking beauty, their voluptuous bodies, the sex…so he questions how the circumstances of his life ‘programmed him’ to be unable to differentiate those feeling. And for the first time comes to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with him (his machinery) because his life is hell without love, it’s Computer Blue even when he’s with Vanity or Appolonia:

Wendy? Yes Lisa. Is the water warm enough? (is there sexual attraction?) Yes Lisa. (confirming the attraction) Shall we begin? Yes Lisa. Ow! (Prince confirming that his desire for women is based on his sexual attraction to them)…Where is my love life? (Prince filled with hate after Vanity left him) Where can it be? (Where or how is he going to learn what love means). There must be something wrong with the machinery (Because he’s feeling HATE, a feeling of such strong opposition to love, he realizes he must have never been in love because he can’t process or differentiate his feelings). Where is my love life? (He asks again where to go to learn the meaning of love) Tell me, where has it gone? (Because he’s feeling FEAR)
Somebody please, please tell me what the hell is wrong? (Now he’s feeling PAIN) Where is my baby? Where can she be? Somebody please, please tell me what is wrong with me (feeling INSECURITY) Till I find the Righteous One (God), Computer Blue (Prince’s life is sad/hell) Poor lonely computer (he’s LONELY even with Appolonia or Vanity) It's time someone programmed U (GOD) It's time U learned love and lust both have 4 letters But they're entirely different words (Realizing his addiction to his sexual attraction for Vanity or a woman’s striking beauty, voluptuous bodies—essentially the sexual attraction prevents him from being able to differentiate between love/lust) She walked by his side, one hand on his thigh No - she was sort of half a step behind him (Prince realizing it doesn’t matter which woman is with him that he is always looking for something else) Shall I go 2 church on Sundays? Shall I stay home and pray? (God is going to teach him the meaning of love?) Shall I try 2 make her happy? Shall I try 2 make her stay? (Prince not wanting to give in to believing that it’s God he needs in order to find or to learn what love means) It's time U learned women are not butterflies (not just pretty faces like Vanity) They're computers 2 (they have their own experiences that ‘programmed their machinery’) Just like U Computer Blue (just as Prince has had his own experiences that affect his ability to process love/lust etc.)

I ask u for your opinion/input/reasoning (especially Nouveau's!) that may help shape the second part of my breakdown. Thx in advance!

what's this.

Actually, all the songs are inspired by God.

I know the lack of paragraphs is due to the bugged out forum atm and not from taking speed, but still I think

Thoughtful and interesting interpretation. Bring on Darling Nikki, When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U.

NouveauDance said:

I know the lack of paragraphs is due to the bugged out forum atm and not from taking speed, but still I think

think what u want nouveau...you're right on the first...but got the wrong on on the second.... in a snow (i.e. we need to get an emoticon with a dude sniffing

Sassey said:

Thoughtful and interesting interpretation. Bring on Darling Nikki, When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U.

When Doves Cry is Prince’s difficulty with accepting what he just came to the conclusion in Computer Blue in that he is addicted to sex, not love. So first he tries to lure Vanity with simple expressions of love like marriage and making her his bride. Yet he is so insecure and unsure if that even excites him that he needs Vanity’s approval and confirmation. So immediately he returns to what he knows turns him on and that is the temporary solution of amazing sex in his bedroom. Then for the first time, Prince wonders if it was how his parents raised him that may be the source of his quandary for why she betrayed him. Further confusion expressed by wondering if Christianity or religion may be the culprit. So Prince makes himself even more vulnerable by being honest about his feelings but then becomes angry with her betrayal so he tells her he is going on without her due to his pride. Then comes the angry guitar, Prince echoing “oh yeah!” “When Doves Cry” then from 4:13-4:33 he starts screaming in anger until at 4:59 he (the dove) flies away with the keyboard solo (like in the video).

ComeHereLetMeCutYourHair said:

Sassey said:

Thoughtful and interesting interpretation. Bring on Darling Nikki, When Doves Cry, I Would Die 4 U.

When Doves Cry is Prince’s difficulty with accepting what he just came to the conclusion in Computer Blue in that he is addicted to sex, not love. So first he tries to lure Vanity with simple expressions of love like marriage and making her his bride. Yet he is so insecure and unsure if that even excites him that he needs Vanity’s approval and confirmation. So immediately he returns to what he knows turns him on and that is the temporary solution of amazing sex in his bedroom. Then for the first time, Prince wonders if it was how his parents raised him that may be the source of his quandary for why she betrayed him. Further confusion expressed by wondering if Christianity or religion may be the culprit. So Prince makes himself even more vulnerable by being honest about his feelings but then becomes angry with her betrayal so he tells her he is going on without her due to his pride. Then comes the angry guitar, Prince echoing “oh yeah!” “When Doves Cry” then from 4:13-4:33 he starts screaming in anger until at 4:59 he (the dove) flies away with the keyboard solo (like in the video).

Dig if u will the picture of u and I engaged (marriage) in a kiss (the love in ‘you may now kiss the bride’)…Can u picture this? (need for Vanity’s approval). Dream if u can a courtyard (his bedroom) An ocean of violets in bloom (Violets are quick to bloom and quick to die, not everlasting, like sex) Animals strike curious poses (sexual positions) they feel The heat between me and u (sexual arousal) How can u leave me Alone in a world that's so cold? (betrayal is cold) Maybe I’m just too demanding (insecure) Maybe I’m just like my father 2 bold (prideful) Maybe you're just like my mother shes never satisfied (because his mom didn’t approve of Vanity or because his parents relationship didn’t last he wonders if he is victimized by Vanity and his mother’s dissatisfaction) Why do we scream at each other This is what it sounds like When Doves cry (In Christianity, the dove is a symbol of The Holy Ghost or the pure soul) Touch if u will My stomach feel how it trembles inside, You’ve got the butterflies all tied up (Prince being honest about his feelings for Vanity) Don't make me chase u (his anger with Vanity’s denial) Even doves have pride (Prince identifying with Christianity believing he has a pure soul that can only be betrayed so much so more than a threat he says he is going to move forward without her)…and ends it by flying away telling Vanity “Darling, don’t cry” (but I’m gone). More to come on 1/2 but Part 2/2 is Darling Nikki (the pinnacle of the soundtrack), I would Die 4 U, Baby I'm a Star, Purple Rain

I agree he could have come to the conclusion he was addicted to sex. I think Prince suffers from narcissistic personality disorder.

what is thisss??

Sassey said:

ComeHereLetMeCutYourHair said

I agree he could have come to the conclusion he was addicted to sex. I think Prince suffers from narcissistic personality disorder.

u think??? I think you think 100% right on that one!

You lost me at "electric world life". The accurate lyric is "Electric word, 'Life'..."

Jestyr said:

You lost me at "electric world life". The accurate lyric is "Electric word, 'Life'..."

i stand corrected Jestyr...is that all you gots to say?

ComeHereLetMeCutYourHair said:

Sassey said:

I agree he could have come to the conclusion he was addicted to sex. I think Prince suffers from narcissistic personality disorder.

u think??? I think you think 100% right on that one!

I don't know for sure but I do think he has symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. I also think he's going to suffer from more than npd by the time I'm through.

To hell with all this Purple Rain interpreting, Vanity and his vanity are old news. I've read I'm old news too but I'm not that old MJ. Bring on your interpretation of his 20Ten and Lotusflower lyrics and you'll get much input. j/k

Note to Prince: Get your life and fix your fro.

Good interpretation of 'Let's Go Crazy'.

However, Susan Rogers said 'The Beautiful Ones' is about Susannah Melvoin.

And writer Alex Hahn (Possessed, p. 65) said 'When Doves Cry' was about his final breakup with Susan Moonsie.

Keep them coming though.

The basic rule when interpreting Prince lyrics is that if you're not sure what the song is about it's most likely about oral sex.

Is OP female? late 30-ish?

Can we marry?

udo said:

SuperSoulFighter said:

udo said:

Is OP female? late 30-ish?

Can we marry?

You can always pretend...

I know that song.

Maybe mr P can perform it live for once.

But can OP please please inform and perhaps confirm?

Sassey said:

ComeHereLetMeCutYourHair said:

u think??? I think you think 100% right on that one!

I don't know for sure but I do think he has symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. I also think he's going to suffer from more than npd by the time I'm through.

To hell with all this Purple Rain interpreting, Vanity and his vanity are old news. I've read I'm old news too but I'm not that old MJ. Bring on your interpretation of his 20Ten and Lotusflower lyrics and you'll get much input. j/k

Note to Prince: Get your life and fix your fro.

but "lets go crazy" is about God and satan so byeeeeeeeee

mzspongebob said:

but "lets go crazy" is about God and satan so byeeeeeeeee

Huh?

Besides the fact that satan is imaged by the western world as something worse than lucifer was in the original context how do you get to that assumption?

Check the description of hell in the texts and then see the medieval pictures.

ComeHereLetMeCutYourHair said:

Jestyr said:

You lost me at "electric world life". The accurate lyric is "Electric word, 'Life'..."

i stand corrected Jestyr...is that all you gots to say?

Yep. That's all.

udo said:

mzspongebob said:

but "lets go crazy" is about God and satan so byeeeeeeeee

Huh?

Besides the fact that satan is imaged by the western world as something worse than lucifer was in the original context how do you get to that assumption?

Check the description of hell in the texts and then see the medieval pictures.

what are you blabbing about cat lady? look up the prince interview he did with chris rock..he says and i quote "lets go crazy was about God and Satan" but at that time people werent saying the word God on the radio so he changed the lyrics....do yo princey research

And if the elevator(satan) tries to bring you down Go crazy punch a higher floor(God)

[Edited 4/26/13 20:51pm]

mzspongebob said:

what are you blabbing about cat lady? look up the prince interview he did with chris rock..he says and i quote "lets go crazy was about God and Satan" but at that time people werent saying the word God on the radio so he changed the lyrics....do yo princey research

And if the elevator(satan) tries to bring you down Go crazy punch a higher floor(God)

I could do that, but still, P's reference might be the western idea of satan.

Not as it was described in the texts. Wasn't P under Larry's influence at that time?

Or didn't Larry cover these details with mr P, yet?

udo said:

mzspongebob said:

what are you blabbing about cat lady? look up the prince interview he did with chris rock..he says and i quote "lets go crazy was about God and Satan" but at that time people werent saying the word God on the radio so he changed the lyrics....do yo princey research

And if the elevator(satan) tries to bring you down Go crazy punch a higher floor(God)

I could do that, but still, P's reference might be the western idea of satan.

Not as it was described in the texts. Wasn't P under Larry's influence at that time?

Or didn't Larry cover these details with mr P, yet?

no..the interview was in 1997. prince and larry started hanging out heavy in 98(that i know of) plus if you forgot lets go crazy was released in 1984. And what are these texts you are talking about?

mzspongebob said:

udo said:

I could do that, but still, P's reference might be the western idea of satan.

Not as it was described in the texts. Wasn't P under Larry's influence at that time?

Or didn't Larry cover these details with mr P, yet?

no..the interview was in 1997. prince and larry started hanging out heavy in 98(that i know of) plus if you forgot lets go crazy was released in 1984. And what are these texts you are talking about?

--------- The only text that P got his ideas about Satan from are the King James Bible.