SchlomoThaHomo said:

I agree with this. Something a little different for him, mature-sounding, cool changes. I thought "Everytime" from Bria's record had a bit of a "Te Amo Corazon" flavor as well.

*

IstenSzek said:

he does seem to copy his balads over and over again these last years.

though "Te Amo Corazon" was a nice break from that pattern and i do

wish he would copy that song a few more times.

indeed, that's another example of a song i really like

livewire said:

The snippet seems to be an outro. If this is the case, it could very well be the minimalist finale of what is actually a very full sounding song. I don't know...because we haven't heard it yet. Further to that, anybody making definitive statements about the quality of the song at this point is commenting on the song in their head, not the one Prince has actually recorded because WE HAVEN'T HEARD IT YET.

.

I've seen multiple negative comments about the songwriting and -- while again we haven't heard the song yet so how can anyone possibly judge -- I think there are two things that can be fairly discussed: The basis for the song (an internet meme); and, a clever bit of self-reference that seems to have gone over some heads.

.

As to the first point, I'd argue that it doesn't matter one iota where the idea for a song comes from. A good song is a good song. Creem's "White Room" was literally inspired by the songwriter's brand new apartment, which had unpainted white walls. "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" was George Michael drawing inspiration from a note Andrew Ridgeley scribbled to his parents for a wake up call. The Original 7vens' comeback song "Trendin'" is rooted in freakin' Twitter, for Christ's sake. In the end, none of this matters. Artists create when inspiration strikes and that inspiration can come from any one, thing or where. The fact that "This Could B Us" started life as an internet meme is completely irrelevant...

.

...With one significant exception.

.

Some people have singled out the line "You're The Cage to My Dove" as evidence of poor songwriting but it's the exact opposite, I say. Recall the inspiration for the track -- the internet meme. Beyond the copy, which forms the foundation for the lyrics, there's also a picture that's used. Prince and Apollonia together. Forever and always the Purple Rain couple. You know, the star-crossed lovers whose tumultuous filmic relationship is compared to DOVES CRYING in an iconic smash song. Is it coming together now? Prince is SPECIFICALLY and CONSCIOUSLY acknowledging the meme's Purple Rain era pic by referencing his biggest-ever hit that launched it all, "When Doves Cry." Only now, things are a bit different: while Prince remains a dove, his "Apollonia" no longer is. She has morphed from bird to cage. That's powerful, intentional imagery. We'll just have to wait for the whole song to know why or how it's manifested. Anyway, I think it's a wonderfully subtle homage and quite clever of Prince. I can't wait to hear the whole song.

[Edited 6/27/14 22:43pm]

I agree the "cage" line is a clever reference but not sure Apples is the cage.

As for the way some fans view Prince, personally I don't know any artist that has achieved what they expect from Prince in terms of expecting to be awed by a genre busting whole new take on a specific style or a song that does not have any similaritires with the hundreds of songs that he's written. To me, that only means he's created a sprawling musical heritage that he's entirely justified in referencing. Cash referenced his own catalogue, critics found it poignant and compelling but somehow Prince is only "repeating" himself -- that's funny because any time an old band achieves something reminescent of their best work, they are paying homage and keeping their sound alive in the musical consciousness, not "repeating themselves".

Aerogram said:

livewire said:

The snippet seems to be an outro. If this is the case, it could very well be the minimalist finale of what is actually a very full sounding song. I don't know...because we haven't heard it yet. Further to that, anybody making definitive statements about the quality of the song at this point is commenting on the song in their head, not the one Prince has actually recorded because WE HAVEN'T HEARD IT YET.

.

I've seen multiple negative comments about the songwriting and -- while again we haven't heard the song yet so how can anyone possibly judge -- I think there are two things that can be fairly discussed: The basis for the song (an internet meme); and, a clever bit of self-reference that seems to have gone over some heads.

.

As to the first point, I'd argue that it doesn't matter one iota where the idea for a song comes from. A good song is a good song. Creem's "White Room" was literally inspired by the songwriter's brand new apartment, which had unpainted white walls. "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" was George Michael drawing inspiration from a note Andrew Ridgeley scribbled to his parents for a wake up call. The Original 7vens' comeback song "Trendin'" is rooted in freakin' Twitter, for Christ's sake. In the end, none of this matters. Artists create when inspiration strikes and that inspiration can come from any one, thing or where. The fact that "This Could B Us" started life as an internet meme is completely irrelevant...

.

...With one significant exception.

.

Some people have singled out the line "You're The Cage to My Dove" as evidence of poor songwriting but it's the exact opposite, I say. Recall the inspiration for the track -- the internet meme. Beyond the copy, which forms the foundation for the lyrics, there's also a picture that's used. Prince and Apollonia together. Forever and always the Purple Rain couple. You know, the star-crossed lovers whose tumultuous filmic relationship is compared to DOVES CRYING in an iconic smash song. Is it coming together now? Prince is SPECIFICALLY and CONSCIOUSLY acknowledging the meme's Purple Rain era pic by referencing his biggest-ever hit that launched it all, "When Doves Cry." Only now, things are a bit different: while Prince remains a dove, his "Apollonia" no longer is. She has morphed from bird to cage. That's powerful, intentional imagery. We'll just have to wait for the whole song to know why or how it's manifested. Anyway, I think it's a wonderfully subtle homage and quite clever of Prince. I can't wait to hear the whole song.

[Edited 6/27/14 22:43pm]

I agree the "cage" line is a clever reference but not sure Apples is the cage.

As for the way some fans view Prince, personally I don't know any artist that has achieved what they expect from Prince in terms of expecting to be awed by a genre busting whole new take on a specific style or a song that does not have any similaritires with the hundreds of songs that he's written. To me, that only means he's created a sprawling musical heritage that he's entirely justified in referencing. Cash referenced his own catalogue, critics found it poignant and compelling but somehow Prince is only "repeating" himself -- that's funny because any time an old band achieves something reminescent of their best work, they are paying homage and keeping their sound alive in the musical consciousness, not "repeating themselves".

Preach!!

Long time org lurker, first time poster. Is it me, or could it be Josh's production that is ruining these new tracks? It's not the songs themselves that are bothering me as a fan, it's the awful amatuerish overly digital sounding production. Especially in a time where a lot of decent emerging new music is really focusing in on the analog production values and sounds of yester year. Music fan's ears are certainly growing tired of that "modern" digital sound, and sadly these new tracks are very much of that vibe!

lezama said:

SquirrelMeat said:

From my perspective, its got nothing to do whether its an RnB track (which it isn't), its the fact that the 3EG stuff felt live and organic, something missing from alot of him music over the last few years. The snippet of the new song feels like he's back plastic production.

But I'd have to hear the whole song before I could make a proper opinion.

As for RnB, its a completely abused term. What is flying around in the charts in not RnB, anymore than 3EG is rock.

What do you consider R&B proper?

I don't perscribe to the (usually American) need to catagorise everything in a neat little box.

I mean, what is 'Urban'??

But if you asked my who is producing modern Rhythm and Blues, its someone like Van Hunt, and certainly not the acts littering the charts.

WisdomNLove said:

A wonderful MJ cover version

Militant said:

It sounds fantastic! There are alternate links floating around, now.

You know you like it when he t-e-a-s-e-a-s-e-s us with a teaser.

BartVanHemelen said:

SquirrelMeat said:

Shame he has stepped back from the progression with 3EG. This sounds ok, but more like an Emancipation outtake than 2014.

Yup. It's like he cannot help himself and just keeps rehashing the same handful of ideas.

Exactly. There is no need to hear the rest, he has already released countless of variations of this same exact track.

..and by the sound of the lyrics alone, ..much better versions at that.

Militant said:

WisdomNLove said:

hit a key on my macbook and wasnt able to change the font size, i'll type it out again

HAVE YOU SEEN THE RESPONSE "THIS COULD BE US" HAS GOTTEN IN THE SOCIALSPHERE?

I THINK YOU PESSIMISTS ARE ALL OUT NUMBERED ON THIS ONE

Co-sign. The response I've seen has been hella positive.

Hella positive, huh? Why don't you link some of this hella positivity you got from the... socialsphere?

n1cholas90 said:

Long time org lurker, first time poster. Is it me, or could it be Josh's production that is ruining these new tracks? It's not the songs themselves that are bothering me as a fan, it's the awful amatuerish overly digital sounding production. Especially in a time where a lot of decent emerging new music is really focusing in on the analog production values and sounds of yester year. Music fan's ears are certainly growing tired of that "modern" digital sound, and sadly these new tracks are very much of that vibe!

PREACH! You said it best. Prince doesn't need to sound digital. He's revered for analog.

SquirrelMeat said:

lezama said:

What do you consider R&B proper?

I don't perscribe to the (usually American) need to catagorise everything in a neat little box.

I mean, what is 'Urban'??

But if you asked my who is producing modern Rhythm and Blues, its someone like Van Hunt, and certainly not the acts littering the charts.

I understand what your saying, and I love Van Hunt's sound, but the problem with such a restrictive definition of what constitutes R&B is that it leaves the sound of this Prince track (or U are my sunshine or Future Baby Mama) without a genre. If this isn't R&B then what is it?

Gohi said:

Militant said:

WisdomNLove said: Co-sign. The response I've seen has been hella positive.

Hella positive, huh? Why don't you link some of this hella positivity you got from the... socialsphere?

All you gotta do is search FB and twitter. Its not rocket science dude..

lezama said:

Gohi said:

Hella positive, huh? Why don't you link some of this hella positivity you got from the... socialsphere?

All you gotta do is search FB and twitter. Its not rocket science dude..

It's not hard is it?

lezama said:

SquirrelMeat said:

I don't perscribe to the (usually American) need to catagorise everything in a neat little box.

I mean, what is 'Urban'??

But if you asked my who is producing modern Rhythm and Blues, its someone like Van Hunt, and certainly not the acts littering the charts.

I understand what your saying, and I love Van Hunt's sound, but the problem with such a restrictive definition of what constitutes R&B is that it leaves the sound of this Prince track (or U are my sunshine or Future Baby Mama) without a genre. If this isn't R&B then what is it?

that's the great thing about Prince, you cant box him into a genre, he is his own gerne and thats the beauty of his artistry and why he is an Icon

TheEnglishGent said:

lezama said:

All you gotta do is search FB and twitter. Its not rocket science dude..

It's not hard is it?

I see nobody talking about the song snippet, just the headlines about him being inspired by a meme. If you're telling me to look on fammy Prince facebook groups, I'll pass. They're "hella poisitive" about everything Prince does.

LOL..we judging this on the basis of a 30 second sample. i recall listening to the samples from 2010 just before the album hit..i was so so excited & look how that heap of crap turned out! Lets assume that this is a crap sample taken from a brilliant song [ever the optimist I am!]

funkyhead said:

Romeoblu said:

funkyhead said:

LOL..we judging this on the basis of a 30 second sample. i recall listening to the samples from 2010 just before the album hit..i was so so excited & look how that heap of crap turned out! Lets assume that this is a crap sample taken from a brilliant song [ever the optimist I am!]

I love 20ten and really can't understand why some orgers hate it with a passion.

It was well put together! The songs fit perfectly together. It was reminiscent of the 1999 album....

SquirrelMeat said:

lezama said:

What do you consider R&B proper?

I don't perscribe to the (usually American) need to catagorise everything in a neat little box.

I mean, what is 'Urban'??

But if you asked my who is producing modern Rhythm and Blues, its someone like Van Hunt, and certainly not the acts littering the charts.

-------What planet are you living on. The last full on Van Hunt CD you know the one that was not officially released was a full on rock record. If you look past the sterotyping that you are doing and not listen to just the top ten of the RnB charts you can fine some good RnB. 1,000s of people are going to the Essence Fest this coming weekend and you do not see one Gangster or Booty song rapper on the bill.

Real RnB is out and alive and well and we do not need the

Culture vultures or Black Experts telling the African-American community what RnB is.

Romeoblu said:

funkyhead said:

LOL..we judging this on the basis of a 30 second sample. i recall listening to the samples from 2010 just before the album hit..i was so so excited & look how that heap of crap turned out! Lets assume that this is a crap sample taken from a brilliant song [ever the optimist I am!]

I love 20ten and really can't understand why some orgers hate it with a passion.

Just about all of the songs on 20Ten sound like unfinished songs to me. I consider it to be his weakest album to date, but it's not horrible.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Romeoblu said:

funkyhead said: I love 20ten and really can't understand why some orgers hate it with a passion.

20ten.... was reminiscent of the 1999 album....

20ten = the 1999 album.......?

You're crazy.

thedance said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

20ten.... was reminiscent of the 1999 album....

20ten = the 1999 album.......?

You're crazy.

the dance, will you just respect other people's opinion for once? We get it, you hate everything recent, but let other people enjoy what they want. Jesus Christ!

Marco81 said:

thedance said:

20ten = the 1999 album.......?

You're crazy.

the dance, will you just respect other people's opinion for once? We get it, you hate everything recent, but let other people enjoy what they want. Jesus Christ!

.

If we all liked the same stuff the world would be a very boring place.

I love 'This Could Be Us' !

[Edited 6/30/14 9:47am]

Romeoblu said:

funkyhead said:

LOL..we judging this on the basis of a 30 second sample. i recall listening to the samples from 2010 just before the album hit..i was so so excited & look how that heap of crap turned out! Lets assume that this is a crap sample taken from a brilliant song [ever the optimist I am!]

I love 20ten and really can't understand why some orgers hate it with a passion.

I love 20ten too. From the artwork of the digipak to every single song in it. I am glad that there's a place like the Org where everyone can talk about Prince's music including those who don't like every album or song.

Gohi said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Romeoblu said:

funkyhead said: I love 20ten and really can't understand why some orgers hate it with a passion.

It was well put together! The songs fit perfectly together. It was reminiscent of the 1999 album....

Wow - and here I thought your posts couldn't get any dumber.

Militant said:

Gohi said:

I see nobody talking about the song snippet, just the headlines about him being inspired by a meme. If you're telling me to look on fammy Prince facebook groups, I'll pass. They're "hella poisitive" about everything Prince does.

You won't see something you're clearly not interested in seeing. But no, three different people in this thread with different digital social circles are all wrong. Must be a conspiracy. And for the record, none of the fb groups are "fammy". Certainly not the larger groups with 1000+ members, they're incredibly critical. So you've just shown that you don't know what you're talking about. I could easily post dozens of positive reactions from my feeds, but what's the point? You aren't looking to be proven wrong, and everyone knows you are anyway.

Deleted at OP request