Could Prince's first two rock singles, why you wanna treat me so bad and dirty mind been hits if he had performed them, using regular vocals, instead of falsetto? Falsetto singing is more associated with soul or R&B singing. Prince seemed to have an understanding of this, because When Prince tried to open for the Rolling Stones, he performed Bambi and why you wanna' using regular vocals. I think those songs (why you'/dirty') would have done better on the pop charts, if they were done with regular vocals. On top of that I think when you were mine should have been the first rock single to be released from dirty' instead of the title track. And on top of that When you were mine is one of the few rock tracks that actually works with falsetto.

Prince has spoken about how singing in his chest voice was hard for him in the early days. Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess, of course. Still, I think his falsetto makes a wonderful counterpoint to the orchestration of the songs you mention. Big hits or not, I think they sound like they oughta should!

eyewishuheaven said:

EyeHatechu said:

eyewishuheaven said:

Prince has spoken about how singing in his chest voice was hard for him in the early days. Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess, of course. Still, I think his falsetto makes a wonderful counterpoint to the orchestration of the songs you mention. Big hits or not, I think they sound like they oughta should!

He used regular vocals on the second verse of just as long as we're together and on The Rebels hard to get (it's not Andre Cymone).

therat said:

eyewishuheaven said:

Prince has spoken about how singing in his chest voice was hard for him in the early days. Whether that's true or not is anyone's guess, of course. Still, I think his falsetto makes a wonderful counterpoint to the orchestration of the songs you mention. Big hits or not, I think they sound like they oughta should!

He used regular vocals on the second verse of just as long as we're together and on The Rebels hard to get (it's not Andre Cymone).

This I know. Also, the bass vocal part in For You. All I'm saying is that he did once say that chest voice was hard for him in the early days (though I don't now recall where I read the quote).

For the record, I think he was just blowing smoke and making excuses to a 'pop' journalist.

eyewishuheaven said:

therat said:

He used regular vocals on the second verse of just as long as we're together and on The Rebels hard to get (it's not Andre Cymone).

This I know. Also, the bass vocal part in For You. All I'm saying is that he did once say that chest voice was hard for him in the early days (though I don't now recall where I read the quote).

For the record, I think he was just blowing smoke and making excuses to a 'pop' journalist.

He didnt use expresion chest voice,but he did say it was easier for him to sing falsetto.

i think its not true.he was playing with journalist that conducted the interview.if not how can you explain killer vocals in his regular voice only few months after Dirty Mind album?

eyewishuheaven said:

Dirty Mind isn't really a rock song. It's a new wave/disco track, and falsetto with disco wasn't a big deal. I'd bet he switched the vocals up during the Rolling Stone show due to sounds issues.

robertgeorgeakabob said:

eyewishuheaven said:

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This I know. Also, the bass vocal part in For You. All I'm saying is that he did once say that chest voice was hard for him in the early days (though I don't now recall where I read the quote).

For the record, I think he was just blowing smoke and making excuses to a 'pop' journalist.

I've read that too...in Jon Bream's 'Pop Life' if I remember correctly.

bream wrote "inside the purple reign". dave hill wrote "a pop life"...

I think the rockier tracks suit his deep voice far better.

When you were mine sounds much more powerful live when he goes deep (AKA lovesexy tour).

I think he made a big mistake doing Mountains in falsetto. Would have been a much more powerful song in the deeper vocal. Same goes for The Continental. The falsetto sections weaken the song.