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Thread started 12/06/14 11:35am

cra1g0s

What has happened to Prince lyrically?

I used to love the lyrics of Prince's songs, from the album Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy, Around the World in A Day, Parade, SOTT and Lovesexy, they all had great tracks but for me, some profound lyrics too. When We're Dancing a Close and Slow, Do Me Baby, When You Were Mine, International Lover, Dorothy Parker, Paisley Park, Raspberry Beret, Mountains, Anotherlover, Positivity, Adore, Girls & Boys, I mean Sometimes it Snows in April is poetry, but there are so many examples.

There was something about his lyrics at the time, they were stare into the vinyl ask yourself the big questions kind of lyrics, okay I was around 17-18 at the time, studying English so maybe it was just how I appreciated the music at the time. It was one of the many reasons I thought Prince to be a genius, then came the Batman soundtrack, Graffiti Bridge (had some moments) but then Diamonds an Pearls and the rap posturing of the time. I guess the only time anything same close was The Rainbow Children, some Crystal Ball and Emancipation songs, before a couple of tracks on Art Official Age, Affirmation III, The Breakdown but has Prince over the years moved away from the lyrics or he less inspired in that direction? Prince still has something to say and I think he's best when he has a message, whatever that is.

Yes, I love his guitar skills, the way he leads the band, his dance moves and pure funk, but his lyrics seemed to be so much more than what he's writing now and I miss the introspection of some of his earlier music.

What do you all think?
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Reply #1 posted 12/06/14 12:00pm

SanMartin

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Personally I've never listened to Prince for his lyrics. That's not to say he doesn't have some great songwriting; it's just that it's not the thing that most attracts me to his music.

To answer your question: I think Prince's lyrics are just as good as they ever were, which for me means better than average but not so good that I'd want to listen to them a cappella.
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Reply #2 posted 12/06/14 12:15pm

HatrinaHaterwi
tz

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I totally understand how you feel. I really haven't been able to make heads nor tales out of what the hell he's been talking about for some years. There's a certain disconnect in his lyrics now and by that I mean a lack of heart and soul that makes them ring hollow and nonsensical
to me. What happened? I only wish I knew. shrug

I knew from the start that I loved you with all my heart.
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Reply #3 posted 12/06/14 12:21pm

feeluupp

Lyrically on content or expression?

Sexual songs like Extra Loveable, Lust U Always, Erotic City, are great songs, known for their sexual lyrical contect...

But if we are talking about lyrical content quality, songs like Anna Stesia, Strange Relationship, Adore, If Eye Was Ur Girlfriend, etc... Those are profound lyrical songs.

I think his strongest lyrical period was from 1982 - 1990 in my opinion.

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Reply #4 posted 12/06/14 12:40pm

xpertluva

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I've noticed this too. There are definitely some examples of great lyrics since the 80's, but just like the albums, the better ones are the exception.

Perhaps Van Hunt was right when he said that Prince no longer had the desire to write great lyrics and that he was all about the groove now. Of course, I'm paraphrasing. Does anyone recall what I'm talking about?

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Reply #5 posted 12/06/14 1:19pm

feeluupp

What do you think was the last best song in terms of lyrical content?

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Reply #6 posted 12/06/14 1:25pm

Ego101

'Dorothy was a waitress on the promenade. She worked the night shift. ' cool

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Reply #7 posted 12/06/14 1:52pm

HatrinaHaterwi
tz

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feeluupp said:

What do you think was the last best song in terms of lyrical content?

2000's - Dear Mr. Man

1990's - One Kiss at a Time - Dreaming About You - Style

1980's - Too many to decisively choose.

I knew from the start that I loved you with all my heart.
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Reply #8 posted 12/06/14 2:11pm

Angelsoncrack

I've never actually thought about this before but its very true. It's like after 1990-1991ish his lyrics bank dried up a bit. A lot of the lyrics on say- The Lovesymbol album are cringey as fuck.

Lovesexy is his best album lyrics wise though, I think. But thats because he was writing about very personal experiences.

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Reply #9 posted 12/06/14 2:24pm

Aerogram

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Art Official Age had mostly good lyrics so there is hope.

It's useful to remember nobody writes lyrics "like they used to".

Springsteen, McCartrney, Tom Waits, Dylan... none of them have written anything that could rival their early legacy. If anything, Prince is doing spectacular job at trying.

[Edited 12/6/14 14:25pm]

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Reply #10 posted 12/06/14 2:26pm

robertgeorgeak
abob

Clockin a freak in a low pro (u know, discrete)

It doesn't get any more profound than that!
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #11 posted 12/06/14 2:38pm

KoolEaze

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Prince´s lyrics were just as important as the music when I first got interested in his albums.

I think he still comes up with great lyrics every now and then but there are some newer songs that I don´t really listen to because of the lyrics (even though I like the music). 1+1+1=3, The Work Pt.1, Gold Standard etc. are funky songs but I just can´t stand the lyrics so I always skip these songs.

Some of his ballads are very generic (On the Couch, Satisfied, Extraordinary) so I skip those as well, and the better ballads with interesting melodies and great vocal delivery sometimes contain one or two lines that bring down the quality of the song as a whole. For example Future Baby Mama....great melody, nice lyrics, but the title is a huge turn off.

Other songs, for example Lion Of Judah, would´ve been praised if they had come out as outtake bootlegs 15 years ago but the excessive use of Biblical imagery and the rather simple lyrics make it less relatable and less memorable. I still dig it a lot...but I see it doesn´t have many fans here on the org.

I think some of his best lyrics were written when he was more vulnerable and hungry.

The Breakdown is not a bad song but I doubt that the average radio listener can relate to it like he or she could relate to the lyrics of When Doves Cry or The Beautiful Ones.

This being said, I still believe that Prince can come up with great lyrics and music every now and then. He just releases so much music that the good stuff gets lost somewhere, buried underneath half a dozen other songs. There have been great songs on every single Prince album so far, and that can´t be said about many other artists who have been writing songs for such a long time.

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"
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Reply #12 posted 12/06/14 2:49pm

CharismaDove

He has downgraded from an intelligent adult with relationship problems and a crisis about God and sex amongst other topics to a teenage punk who wants to brag about his materialistic things. Lyrically. wink

Maybe eye do, just not like eye did before pimp2
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Reply #13 posted 12/06/14 3:09pm

KoolEaze

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CharismaDove said:

He has downgraded from an intelligent adult with relationship problems and a crisis about God and sex amongst other topics to a teenage punk who wants to brag about his materialistic things. Lyrically. wink

True. He came across as more mature when he was in his 20s, and these days he sounds like someone in his 20s.

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"
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Reply #14 posted 12/06/14 3:10pm

vinaysfunk

I'm sorry fellow orgers. I think Prince has never dropped in quality in terms of his capability in music or in terms of writing lyrics. I think AOA has great lyrics. U Know is a great example of his improvising with lyrics you really have to think about as to what they mean. Way back home and Time are very tender songs written from the heart. U can almost feel the vunerable vibes he must have been when he wrote those tunes. I think the main problem here is that many of us here have a very deep catalogue of his music. It's the deeper cuts and B sides that he mostly puts esoteric lyrics on. The mainstream stuff is full of just straightforward lyrics. The entire purple rain album is very straightforward lyrically along with hits like rasberry beret and kiss among others. But we all know songs that lyrically challenging and complex by design. Usually more obsure ones. In the end I think Prince has lost nothing in his ability and can make any type of song if he chooses to. I don't question the quality of his lyrics. Not even a concern.

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Reply #15 posted 12/06/14 3:22pm

KoolEaze

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vinaysfunk said:

I'm sorry fellow orgers. I think Prince has never dropped in quality in terms of his capability in music or in terms of writing lyrics. I think AOA has great lyrics. U Know is a great example of his improvising with lyrics you really have to think about as to what they mean. Way back home and Time are very tender songs written from the heart. U can almost feel the vunerable vibes he must have been when he wrote those tunes. I think the main problem here is that many of us here have a very deep catalogue of his music. It's the deeper cuts and B sides that he mostly puts esoteric lyrics on. The mainstream stuff is full of just straightforward lyrics. The entire purple rain album is very straightforward lyrically along with hits like rasberry beret and kiss among others. But we all know songs that lyrically challenging and complex by design. Usually more obsure ones. In the end I think Prince has lost nothing in his ability and can make any type of song if he chooses to. I don't question the quality of his lyrics. Not even a concern.

Those are good examples of current songs that I really like, especially the song Time. Like I said above, one thing that´s sometimes missing these days is the vulnerability he showed in older songs, and I think that´s one reason why I like Time and Way Back Home.

Easier to get into than, say, Mr. Goodnight.

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"
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Reply #16 posted 12/06/14 3:36pm

JoeyC

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This topic has kinda touched on the thing that has probably frustrated me the most about Prince. His Lyrics. I get(and agree with ) the opinion that Prince wrote some great lyrics(in the past) about love, sex, relationships, spirituality, etc. Even when his lyrics mainly focused on Sex, i could see that he was also talking about love, or connecting with someone. At least that was my interpretation of it.




Anyway once i hit about 25(years ago), Prince's lyrics kind left me wanting something more(from him). I guess what im trying to say is (IMHO) Prince is a extremely intelligent, funny, witty, observant and thoughtful dude. What it comes down to is i wish he would have touched a little more on social issues than what he seems to have did.



To be real, as barley a teen, and besides a couple other real world influence, i learned about sex from Prince's lyrics. Being a 12 year old and hearing someone talking about something Soft N Wet,well that was hella interesting to my young mind. The thing is though, the sex, lust, and to a certain extent, love themes got somewhat old(as i got older) and i was looking to be schooled on social issues. And since my main performer was(still is, 2 a certain extent ) Prince,i would naturally look to his music to be lyrically stimulated.

Anyway i do think that(in the past) Prince has written some great, poetic, and spiritual lyrics, but now in days im not that sure(about his present lyrics).




Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Todd Rundgren. Those Are probably my favorite Lyricists.

Rest in Peace Bettie Boo. See u soon.
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Reply #17 posted 12/06/14 3:44pm

laurarichardso
n

Aerogram said:

Art Official Age had mostly good lyrics so there is hope.



It's useful to remember nobody writes lyrics "like they used to".



Springsteen, McCartrney, Tom Waits, Dylan... none of them have written anything that could rival their early legacy. If anything, Prince is doing spectacular job at trying.



[Edited 12/6/14 14:25pm]


----AOA has great lyrics.
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Reply #18 posted 12/06/14 4:16pm

HatrinaHaterwi
tz

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KoolEaze said:

CharismaDove said:

He has downgraded from an intelligent adult with relationship problems and a crisis about God and sex amongst other topics to a teenage punk who wants to brag about his materialistic things. Lyrically. wink

True. He came across as more mature when he was in his 20s, and these days he sounds like someone in his 20s.

When I heard that "Oh no he didn't" line from whatever song that is on AOA. I swear I wanted to boo and brick because it sounded so amateurish to me coming from him. Especially in context with the line that came before it.

I knew from the start that I loved you with all my heart.
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Reply #19 posted 12/06/14 4:27pm

feeluupp

Lets just hope he wasn't the one who wrote Boy Trouble... lol

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Reply #20 posted 12/06/14 5:23pm

1725topp

cra1g0s said:

I used to love the lyrics of Prince's songs, from the album Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy, Around the World in A Day, Parade, SOTT and Lovesexy, they all had great tracks but for me, some profound lyrics too. When We're Dancing a Close and Slow, Do Me Baby, When You Were Mine, International Lover, Dorothy Parker, Paisley Park, Raspberry Beret, Mountains, Anotherlover, Positivity, Adore, Girls & Boys, I mean Sometimes it Snows in April is poetry, but there are so many examples. There was something about his lyrics at the time, they were stare into the vinyl ask yourself the big questions kind of lyrics, okay I was around 17-18 at the time, studying English so maybe it was just how I appreciated the music at the time. It was one of the many reasons I thought Prince to be a genius, then came the Batman soundtrack, Graffiti Bridge (had some moments) but then Diamonds an Pearls and the rap posturing of the time. I guess the only time anything same close was The Rainbow Children, some Crystal Ball and Emancipation songs, before a couple of tracks on Art Official Age, Affirmation III, The Breakdown but has Prince over the years moved away from the lyrics or he less inspired in that direction? Prince still has something to say and I think he's best when he has a message, whatever that is. Yes, I love his guitar skills, the way he leads the band, his dance moves and pure funk, but his lyrics seemed to be so much more than what he's writing now and I miss the introspection of some of his earlier music. What do you all think?

*

I agree that overall Prince does not produce as many lyrical gems as in the past, but each album has provided at least three or four songs with lyrics that can make one smile, feel, or focus more on something.

*

Musicology: "I,C,P,&C" showcases Prince's narrative skill to weave a tale showing that money, sex, and partying will not make one happy. "Call my Name" is the brilliant romantic poet. "Cinnamon Girl" is another example of his narrative skills. "Dear Mr. Man" is the excellent socio-political poet. And, "Reflection" is the self-reflective master with lyrics that equal "Sometimes it Snows in April."

*

3121: "Love" continues the theme that the metaphysical is more fulfilling that the physical for love does not keep score but gives more than it takes. "The Word," "Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed," and "Get on the Boat" are all various presentations on the importance of finding peace with one's higher power because, again, there is nothing of the physical that is more fulfilling that the metaphysical.

*

Planet Earth: "Planet Earth" is Christian-environmentalism asserting that becoming one with one's higher power means to love and respect all of the universe. "Future Baby Mama" reminds us that Prince's sensual power is enhanced by his humor as in "Adore's" "not the ride" and the entire structure of "This Could Be Us." Prince takes a generally negative term, "baby mama," and shows that the real problem is that too many people are making babies before making love. (Of course, "Mr. Goodnight" is so Gawd awful that it makes the entire album difficult to bear.) "Chelsea Rodgers" is the master ish-talker at his best showing that truly beautiful woman is an intelligent and spiritually centered woman. And, "Resolution" takes a more secular approach to solving world problems by emphasizing the ability of people to life by or up to their rhetoric.

*

Lotusflow3r/MPLS: "Colonized Mind" quickly became one of my top ten Prince favorites even though it is a rip off of "Quit It." Responding the critique that embracing religion shows him to be brainwashed, Prince's reverses the position asking if his critics are the ones who are brainwashed or "colonized" for embracing educational, judicial, social, and political constructs that are developed by people who seem even more corrupt than those of the religious world. I don't even agree with his entire position, but the song shows that Prince is still the "eff the world poet" with whom I fell in love years ago. "Feel Better, Feel Good, Feel Wonderful" is more "kiss off" to the critics much like "F.U.N.K." in which Prince wonders why so many waste their time being negative toward him and others when they could be spending that time doing something positive. "Dreamer" is socio-political excellence in which Prince challenges the notion that America has become a post-racial place while simultaneously asserting that it's cool to continue to fight for a better world. "Valentina" is not "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," but it does paint a descriptive vignette of a woman whose beauty is not just based in her physical. "Better with Time" is not "Sometimes it Snows in April" but we believe that the guy who wrote this will eventually write "WayBackHome" as it is more well-crafted self-reflection. And "Ol' Skool Company" is more of that great ish-talker who is unafraid to declare that music is propaganda than can make life better or worse. "The songs sing that used to mean something now every other one is just mean...The songs we used to sing lift us up to heaven." This shows that Prince is still that defiant poet when now songs are criticized for being "too positive".

*

20Ten: Just about every song on this album is dedicated to transcending the physical world, except "Everybody Loves Me" and "Hot Summer," which are just fun ditties. Included "Cause and Effect" with this collection because he took it to radio stations as the lead single before it was removed and the breakdown of the song with the lyric "compassion" connects directly with "Compassion." Even "Laydown" continues the theme of individuality being the only way to escape the chains of the non-creative mindless mass, much like "Starfish and Coffee" and "Walk Don't Walk." "Act of God" is a solid blend of the socio-political with the religious, posing more questions than it answers. And, "Future Soul Song" is more of that spiritual oneness of the universe, recalling "One Song" but more soulfully and is another prelude to "WayBackHome."

*

ArtOfficialAge/PlectrumElectrum: We've all discussed these albums so no need to rehash them totally. "Clouds" is a perfect Prince soul song in which he blurs the lines between the physical and the metaphysical and fleshy needs and spiritual needs. "Whitecaps" is more reflective bliss. "ArtOfficialCage" has its tongue in its cheek while it's middle finger in our faces simultaneously laughing at this dysfunctional reality tv age while distancing itself from it. "The Gold Standard," which is a song that has been criticized for not being nasty enough or being too positive, is exactly why I love Prince for his continued defiance to do things on his own terms and be unapologetic about it and being in our face about it. Of course "WayBackHome" and "Time" are titantic or epic; choose your adjective. "FixUrlLifeUp" may be too preachy but is not more preachy than "Sexuality." In both cases, he's got his finger in our faces telling us what he thinks is best regardless of what we think. And, while I generally hate cover songs, "AnotherLove" is brilliant in the way that his remake of "I Can't Make U Love Me" is brilliant in that he is able to dissect someone else's song and present it from an entirely different way. The original is a bouncy, disco-type celebration of the ending of a bad relationship. Prince's version is a bluesy wail in which the ex-lover is given the middle-finger and told don't let the doorknob hit 'cha where the good Lawd split 'cha.

*

So, again, Prince is no longer giving us albums with seven or more songs with powerful lyrics, but even at three to four per album that's more than most these days and that's more than his Eighties peers are doing, especially at the rate at which he is providing them.

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Reply #21 posted 12/07/14 5:00am

cookypuss

Damn, I just miss the dirty sex rhymes! eek

4 someone who can't stand them T.V. dinners U sure eat enough of them motherfuckers
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Reply #22 posted 12/07/14 7:52am

TrevorAyer

prince inability to write good lyrics anymore killed his career .. ever since the name change his lyrics fell into cringe inducing embarrassment .. likely due to pills, booze and some sense ego so great that he comes from a condescending, i cant do any wrong attitude .. his lyrics are so bad it is like he thinks it is funny to say such stupid shit all over his songs because he thinks people will buy it anyway

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Reply #23 posted 12/07/14 7:54pm

skywalker

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cra1g0s said:

I used to love the lyrics of Prince's songs, from the album Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy, Around the World in A Day, Parade, SOTT and Lovesexy, they all had great tracks but for me, some profound lyrics too. When We're Dancing a Close and Slow, Do Me Baby, When You Were Mine, International Lover, Dorothy Parker, Paisley Park, Raspberry Beret, Mountains, Anotherlover, Positivity, Adore, Girls & Boys, I mean Sometimes it Snows in April is poetry, but there are so many examples. There was something about his lyrics at the time, they were stare into the vinyl ask yourself the big questions kind of lyrics, okay I was around 17-18 at the time, studying English so maybe it was just how I appreciated the music at the time. It was one of the many reasons I thought Prince to be a genius, then came the Batman soundtrack, Graffiti Bridge (had some moments) but then Diamonds an Pearls and the rap posturing of the time. I guess the only time anything same close was The Rainbow Children, some Crystal Ball and Emancipation songs, before a couple of tracks on Art Official Age, Affirmation III, The Breakdown but has Prince over the years moved away from the lyrics or he less inspired in that direction? Prince still has something to say and I think he's best when he has a message, whatever that is. Yes, I love his guitar skills, the way he leads the band, his dance moves and pure funk, but his lyrics seemed to be so much more than what he's writing now and I miss the introspection of some of his earlier music. What do you all think?

Question: Can you list some of your favorite lines from a Prince song?

-

Not a song, not an album, but the actual way with words that you now find lacking?

"New Power slide...."
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Reply #24 posted 12/07/14 10:51pm

trax

feeluupp said:

What do you think was the last best song in terms of lyrical content?

Purple Rain, 1999, Little Red Corvette, Do me Baby, Love 2 the 9's, ICNTTPOYM, Sign o the Times, Kiss, Pop Life, The Beautiful Ones(actually anything on Purple Rain honestly is well written), Strange releationship, anna stesia, thieves in the temple, new power generation, the morning papers, 7, thunder, diamonds and pearls, scandalous, insatiable, somebodys somebody and I could keep going but I agree with a statement earlier in the post, I really don't know what he is talking about on alot of songs anymore and honestly don't really try to disect them too much anymore. If it doesn't just really move me I don't make myself like it by forcing it on me and ALOT but not all of his new stuff just doesn't really move me anymore. I like his party jams and slow songs mainly and he just can't seem to do those great like he used to. I guess he has just gotten old like most artists and has "matured" to where they just don't do that style anymore. Its usually slower, mellower and "grown" which usually means their decline. There is usually 1 or 2 songs per album I like but up to 97 I liked pretty much the whole album on every album. Now its just a song or two per album. With these two new ones its the same.

AOA - I like Clouds and I know

PE - I really liked PBL and FYLU but by the time the album actually came out I didn't anymore. It had just been too long and my excitement for this album was just gone. Still LOVE Screwdriver though. It should have made the cut

[Edited 12/7/14 22:52pm]

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Reply #25 posted 12/08/14 12:12am

leonche64

Ya'll just grew up. I am assuming that most folks posting have been into it for decades, like me. Correct? Remember how horror movies used to scare you when you were little? Not so much anymore. Remember how good McDonald's cheese burgers used to taste? Prefer a good meatloaf these days? Remember how profound music lyrics used to be when you were a teenager? Those are memories connected to a time when you were developing into the person you are today. I dare say the product has not changed, it is the same as it ever was. It is the receiver that has progressed beyond the scope. If I am wrong, it is possible, what other lyrics have moved you in your present life? I don't find myself pouring over lyrics like I used to. But that could be just me.

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Reply #26 posted 12/08/14 1:30am

artist76

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He's written so many songs over so many years, that he's probably thought up and used up his best lyrics. I think his lyrics are at their most cringeworthy when he uses current urban or teen slang - it doesn't seem natural.

Yet, that doesn't mean that creativity in his lyrics has completely dried up.

In the last decade or so:
-When I Lay My Hands on You - great imagery throughout
-Elixir - just the sound of the words sound great, intertwined as a duet, well crafted
-Something U Already Know - buried in the corny lyrics ("all up close to me" - yuck), is this clever line "up and down on a rocking horse, fantasy's better than real life, of course unless the name of that stallion's me"
-All This Love - great imagery, sometimes humorous
-Beatiful Loved and Blessed - you may not like the Christian bent, but if you do (or don't mind), the lyrics are uplifting
-Long Gone - good lyrics, sounds sincere, honest

I know there's more that I can't think of right now, and there's plenty that are unremarkable because they do NOT contain cringey, clunky lyrics. It's the bad ones that stand out in your mind; and admittedly, there's probably more of those now than there were toward the start of his career, but it's understandable.
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Reply #27 posted 12/08/14 5:21am

KoolEaze

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leonche64 said:

Ya'll just grew up. I am assuming that most folks posting have been into it for decades, like me. Correct? Remember how horror movies used to scare you when you were little? Not so much anymore. Remember how good McDonald's cheese burgers used to taste? Prefer a good meatloaf these days? Remember how profound music lyrics used to be when you were a teenager? Those are memories connected to a time when you were developing into the person you are today. I dare say the product has not changed, it is the same as it ever was. It is the receiver that has progressed beyond the scope. If I am wrong, it is possible, what other lyrics have moved you in your present life? I don't find myself pouring over lyrics like I used to. But that could be just me.

No, that´s really not the case....at least not for me. I think some of his greatest material is timeless and still very profound....songs like Something In The Water, When Doves Cry, If I Was Your Girlfriend, The Beautiful Ones.....you can tell that he really put his heart into it.

As you can see in my posts above, I think he still comes up with great , deep lyrics these days...but not the way he used to. His old classics with the brilliant lyrics still give me goosebumps and that certain feeling...you can relate to them because the lyrics came from his heart and were highly personal.

These days, some of his lyrics are still highly personal, but not in a way that I or the casual listener could relate to them. In my case, it has nothing to do with getting older. And I still appreciate many new songs. But they can´t compare to his classics. Still impressive though, compared to most of his peers.

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"
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Reply #28 posted 12/08/14 5:22am

KoolEaze

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1725topp said:

cra1g0s said:

I used to love the lyrics of Prince's songs, from the album Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy, Around the World in A Day, Parade, SOTT and Lovesexy, they all had great tracks but for me, some profound lyrics too. When We're Dancing a Close and Slow, Do Me Baby, When You Were Mine, International Lover, Dorothy Parker, Paisley Park, Raspberry Beret, Mountains, Anotherlover, Positivity, Adore, Girls & Boys, I mean Sometimes it Snows in April is poetry, but there are so many examples. There was something about his lyrics at the time, they were stare into the vinyl ask yourself the big questions kind of lyrics, okay I was around 17-18 at the time, studying English so maybe it was just how I appreciated the music at the time. It was one of the many reasons I thought Prince to be a genius, then came the Batman soundtrack, Graffiti Bridge (had some moments) but then Diamonds an Pearls and the rap posturing of the time. I guess the only time anything same close was The Rainbow Children, some Crystal Ball and Emancipation songs, before a couple of tracks on Art Official Age, Affirmation III, The Breakdown but has Prince over the years moved away from the lyrics or he less inspired in that direction? Prince still has something to say and I think he's best when he has a message, whatever that is. Yes, I love his guitar skills, the way he leads the band, his dance moves and pure funk, but his lyrics seemed to be so much more than what he's writing now and I miss the introspection of some of his earlier music. What do you all think?

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I agree that overall Prince does not produce as many lyrical gems as in the past, but each album has provided at least three or four songs with lyrics that can make one smile, feel, or focus more on something.

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Musicology: "I,C,P,&C" showcases Prince's narrative skill to weave a tale showing that money, sex, and partying will not make one happy. "Call my Name" is the brilliant romantic poet. "Cinnamon Girl" is another example of his narrative skills. "Dear Mr. Man" is the excellent socio-political poet. And, "Reflection" is the self-reflective master with lyrics that equal "Sometimes it Snows in April."

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3121: "Love" continues the theme that the metaphysical is more fulfilling that the physical for love does not keep score but gives more than it takes. "The Word," "Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed," and "Get on the Boat" are all various presentations on the importance of finding peace with one's higher power because, again, there is nothing of the physical that is more fulfilling that the metaphysical.

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Planet Earth: "Planet Earth" is Christian-environmentalism asserting that becoming one with one's higher power means to love and respect all of the universe. "Future Baby Mama" reminds us that Prince's sensual power is enhanced by his humor as in "Adore's" "not the ride" and the entire structure of "This Could Be Us." Prince takes a generally negative term, "baby mama," and shows that the real problem is that too many people are making babies before making love. (Of course, "Mr. Goodnight" is so Gawd awful that it makes the entire album difficult to bear.) "Chelsea Rodgers" is the master ish-talker at his best showing that truly beautiful woman is an intelligent and spiritually centered woman. And, "Resolution" takes a more secular approach to solving world problems by emphasizing the ability of people to life by or up to their rhetoric.

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Lotusflow3r/MPLS: "Colonized Mind" quickly became one of my top ten Prince favorites even though it is a rip off of "Quit It." Responding the critique that embracing religion shows him to be brainwashed, Prince's reverses the position asking if his critics are the ones who are brainwashed or "colonized" for embracing educational, judicial, social, and political constructs that are developed by people who seem even more corrupt than those of the religious world. I don't even agree with his entire position, but the song shows that Prince is still the "eff the world poet" with whom I fell in love years ago. "Feel Better, Feel Good, Feel Wonderful" is more "kiss off" to the critics much like "F.U.N.K." in which Prince wonders why so many waste their time being negative toward him and others when they could be spending that time doing something positive. "Dreamer" is socio-political excellence in which Prince challenges the notion that America has become a post-racial place while simultaneously asserting that it's cool to continue to fight for a better world. "Valentina" is not "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," but it does paint a descriptive vignette of a woman whose beauty is not just based in her physical. "Better with Time" is not "Sometimes it Snows in April" but we believe that the guy who wrote this will eventually write "WayBackHome" as it is more well-crafted self-reflection. And "Ol' Skool Company" is more of that great ish-talker who is unafraid to declare that music is propaganda than can make life better or worse. "The songs sing that used to mean something now every other one is just mean...The songs we used to sing lift us up to heaven." This shows that Prince is still that defiant poet when now songs are criticized for being "too positive".

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20Ten: Just about every song on this album is dedicated to transcending the physical world, except "Everybody Loves Me" and "Hot Summer," which are just fun ditties. Included "Cause and Effect" with this collection because he took it to radio stations as the lead single before it was removed and the breakdown of the song with the lyric "compassion" connects directly with "Compassion." Even "Laydown" continues the theme of individuality being the only way to escape the chains of the non-creative mindless mass, much like "Starfish and Coffee" and "Walk Don't Walk." "Act of God" is a solid blend of the socio-political with the religious, posing more questions than it answers. And, "Future Soul Song" is more of that spiritual oneness of the universe, recalling "One Song" but more soulfully and is another prelude to "WayBackHome."

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ArtOfficialAge/PlectrumElectrum: We've all discussed these albums so no need to rehash them totally. "Clouds" is a perfect Prince soul song in which he blurs the lines between the physical and the metaphysical and fleshy needs and spiritual needs. "Whitecaps" is more reflective bliss. "ArtOfficialCage" has its tongue in its cheek while it's middle finger in our faces simultaneously laughing at this dysfunctional reality tv age while distancing itself from it. "The Gold Standard," which is a song that has been criticized for not being nasty enough or being too positive, is exactly why I love Prince for his continued defiance to do things on his own terms and be unapologetic about it and being in our face about it. Of course "WayBackHome" and "Time" are titantic or epic; choose your adjective. "FixUrlLifeUp" may be too preachy but is not more preachy than "Sexuality." In both cases, he's got his finger in our faces telling us what he thinks is best regardless of what we think. And, while I generally hate cover songs, "AnotherLove" is brilliant in the way that his remake of "I Can't Make U Love Me" is brilliant in that he is able to dissect someone else's song and present it from an entirely different way. The original is a bouncy, disco-type celebration of the ending of a bad relationship. Prince's version is a bluesy wail in which the ex-lover is given the middle-finger and told don't let the doorknob hit 'cha where the good Lawd split 'cha.

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So, again, Prince is no longer giving us albums with seven or more songs with powerful lyrics, but even at three to four per album that's more than most these days and that's more than his Eighties peers are doing, especially at the rate at which he is providing them.

Great post! wink

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"
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Reply #29 posted 12/08/14 5:56am

leonche64

KoolEaze said:

leonche64 said:

Ya'll just grew up. I am assuming that most folks posting have been into it for decades, like me. Correct? Remember how horror movies used to scare you when you were little? Not so much anymore. Remember how good McDonald's cheese burgers used to taste? Prefer a good meatloaf these days? Remember how profound music lyrics used to be when you were a teenager? Those are memories connected to a time when you were developing into the person you are today. I dare say the product has not changed, it is the same as it ever was. It is the receiver that has progressed beyond the scope. If I am wrong, it is possible, what other lyrics have moved you in your present life? I don't find myself pouring over lyrics like I used to. But that could be just me.

No, that´s really not the case....at least not for me. I think some of his greatest material is timeless and still very profound....songs like Something In The Water, When Doves Cry, If I Was Your Girlfriend, The Beautiful Ones.....you can tell that he really put his heart into it.

As you can see in my posts above, I think he still comes up with great , deep lyrics these days...but not the way he used to. His old classics with the brilliant lyrics still give me goosebumps and that certain feeling...you can relate to them because the lyrics came from his heart and were highly personal.

These days, some of his lyrics are still highly personal, but not in a way that I or the casual listener could relate to them. In my case, it has nothing to do with getting older. And I still appreciate many new songs. But they can´t compare to his classics. Still impressive though, compared to most of his peers.

I am pretty sure you just agreed with me.

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Forums > Prince: Music and More > What has happened to Prince lyrically?