With respect, I think this is a cynical attempt by Prince to look for attention. Ok, perhaps he thinks his motives are pure but, let's face it, he needs to be checked. Where's Alan Leeds? Fast!

Let's see:

A very serious situation is going on in Baltimore right now. It has has wider implications for the whole of the country. I repeat: it's serious. So, what does Prince do? Why, knock off a quick "song" of course (well, a live scramble that ends with him ad libbing on guitar basically).

Then what happens? Well, nothing really. He doesn't release it. He teases. He just talks about it and then does a ticketed event at Paisley Park.

Wait, though. He does have a nice looking newscaster to talk about it on his behalf. Maybe he will release it? No, too late! We're still thinking about that sexy newscaster.

Ok, it gets released. Now. BUT. No one notices. Why? Because it's the same over-produced shit that never did anything for anybody post 1990. Maybe 15 fanatics will like it. Damn. Prince, work it out bud, seriously. You're on the verge of becoming an irrelevance.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

has written this protest song so quickly! NO OTHER ARTIST can write this fast & quickly.

.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Kcool. 100%. Brotha's got mad songwriting skills and can write faster than probably anyone. Credit where credit is due.

Holding judgement until I hear it, but the lyrics don't sound especially thoughtful. A song like this needs real thought put into it, otherwise it'll seem artificial and at the very worst, a cash-in. However, it's obviously well intentioned and the song description is more promising, so we'll see.

Also, it's nice to read that his thoughts are with Joni Mitchell. I'm sure he's recorded something in tribute to her too.

Bluu said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

has written this protest song so quickly! NO OTHER ARTIST can write this fast & quickly.

.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Kcool. 100%. Brotha's got mad songwriting skills and can write faster than probably anyone. Credit where credit is due.

We all know that fast don't necessarily mean good. Don't we?

7roses said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Wow. Aren't "rallies for peace" usually free?

.

Maybe proceeds will go to a good cause? Not that this is mentioned anywhere...

Anyway...with a $30 cover most likely he'll play if you pay and wear gray

thisisreece said:

Holding judgement until I hear it, but the lyrics don't sound especially thoughtful. A song like this needs real thought put into it, otherwise it'll seem artificial and at the very worst, a cash-in. However, it's obviously well intentioned and the song description is more promising, so we'll see.

Also, it's nice to read that his thoughts are with Joni Mitchell. I'm sure he's recorded something in tribute to her too.

Btw...isn't it great to see that the whole thing is taken care of by a proper media firm?!

Looks like Prince hired the right sort of people to handle his PR now, Yvette Noel Schure is his spokesperson:

http://schuremediagroup.com/

i think it's admirable that Prince recorded this song.A few days ago,I heard Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and I was thinking,'where are the message songs of today?!' Why aren't today's artists addressing these topics'? At least Prince is stepping up to the plate.

Bluu said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

has written this protest song so quickly! NO OTHER ARTIST can write this fast & quickly.

.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Kcool. 100%. Brotha's got mad songwriting skills and can write faster than probably anyone. Credit where credit is due.

Too fast & too quickly.

Those lyrics are just too easy and simple

filthyrichyuppie said:

Bluu said:

.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Kcool. 100%. Brotha's got mad songwriting skills and can write faster than probably anyone. Credit where credit is due.

We all know that fast don't necessarily mean good. Don't we?

Certainly, writing fast doesn't necessarily make a song good (I'd imagine it would more likely diminish the quality of the work), but it doesn't necessarily make a song bad, either--especially when we're talking about an artist of Prince's caliber.

.

In my initial response to Kcool, I was agreeing specifically with what s/he said about Prince writing faster and more quickly than any other writer, which I happen to believe is accurate, based on statements made by former and current band members, sound engineers, and managers about his creative output.

.

I do think, however, that P. writes brilliant songs, both in terms of music and lyrics, and can do so in extremely rapid fashion. IMO, this combination sets him apart from other artists and indicates a superior skillset.

`

[Edited 1/22/16 12:15pm]

MIRvmn said:

well I don't expect Prince to come up with great lyrics anymore, but this is just embarrassing simple and It proves that he wrote a quick song about Baltimore just to get attention

Now, now. Let's not be too hasty in judgment because we haven't heard the song yet. If this guitar solo is anywhere near the caliber of the guitar solo that he played during 'My Guitar Gently Weeps' at the RRHOF induction of George Harrison - the lack of substance in the lyrics could easily be ignored.

But of course, that would remove the whole point of the supposed purpose of the song, wouldn't it?

RespectYourPrivacy said:

7roses said:

Btw...isn't it great to see that the whole thing is taken care of by a proper media firm?!

Looks like Prince hired the right sort of people to handle his PR now, Yvette Noel Schure is his spokesperson:

http://schuremediagroup.com/

Now? she's been working with him since Musicology. She been his PR spokesperson for years.

Really??? So she was there through all of the PR debacles of the last 10 years???

guy just bores me to tears now he needs to quit , its all very desperate, year upon year of shocking mis management, always making the wrong moves, releasing the wrong song , mediocre album, holding fans to ransom, we sick of the mind games , guessing games, why cant he just come out and say it instead of endless cryptic clues. hes heading towards 60 and still behaves as though hes in his teens. hes desperate to get noticed. its old now.

If this song doesn't come out today then Prince should be blasted for using the uprising in Baltimore as a attention seeking ploy. Prince should have waited to announce that he wrote a musical tribute to the people of Baltimore if he wasn't ready to release the song right away. This isn't a project that he announces and then shelves. What's the point of releasing a press statement about a song on a topic this serious and people can't hear it?

bashraka said:

If this song doesn't come out today then Prince should be blasted for using the uprising in Baltimore as a attention seeking ploy. Prince should have waited to announce that he wrote a musical tribute to the people of Baltimore if he wasn't ready to release the song right away. This isn't a project that he announces and then shelves. What's the point of releasing a press statement about a song on a topic this serious and people can't hear it?

man we all know prince these days is a media whore , an egomaniac always was always will be ill put my mortgage on it , if we get to hear this tune it will be poor based on lyrics i could have penned myself.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

It will be the passion and delivery of the lyrics that will be key, rather than the lyrics themselves. This is true of many of Prince's songs and also moments live when he transcends himself.

Whatever, the song and its guitar solo reduced the journalist to tears, so by all accounts it may well be very emotive.

Also, it's probably best that Prince doesn't risk anything too cryptic lyrically in a situation as volatile as this, lest he be misunderstood.

filthyrichyuppie said:

With respect, I think this is a cynical attempt by Prince to look for attention. Ok, perhaps he thinks his motives are pure but, let's face it, he needs to be checked. Where's Alan Leeds? Fast!

Let's see:

A very serious situation is going on in Baltimore right now. It has has wider implications for the whole of the country. I repeat: it's serious. So, what does Prince do? Why, knock off a quick "song" of course (well, a live scramble that ends with him ad libbing on guitar basically).

Then what happens? Well, nothing really. He doesn't release it. He teases. He just talks about it and then does a ticketed event at Paisley Park.

Wait, though. He does have a nice looking newscaster to talk about it on his behalf. Maybe he will release it? No, too late! We're still thinking about that sexy newscaster.

Ok, it gets released. Now. BUT. No one notices. Why? Because it's the same over-produced shit that never did anything for anybody post 1990. Maybe 15 fanatics will like it. Damn. Prince, work it out bud, seriously. You're on the verge of becoming an irrelevance.

With respect, but did you write this post because you thought you were justified in doing so, or because you're seeking attention? I think the answer to that question is the answer to why he would do what he did or why anyone does anything. We take the actions we consider to be the meaningful ones for us with the options we have at their disposal. End of story.

.

OperatingThetan said:

Also, it's probably best that Prince doesn't risk anything too cryptic lyrically in a situation as volatile as this, lest he be misunderstood.

Right. Especially given the diversity of his audience. He's made missteps with political statements in the past, so its actually great that he's keeping it simple.

“We're going to talk to Jay-Z and his people about streaming it on ‘Tidal',” he shared with a nod.

This is what agrivates me about Prince sometimes. Tidal as of now is a failed attempt at competing with itunes & other streaming venues in favor of being more lucravtive/fair to the recording artist. Once again, making it about him & not about what inspired him to create the song in the first place. I just don't get it.

thedoorkeeper said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

has written this protest song so quickly! NO OTHER ARTIST can write this fast & quickly.

Sometimes you say such nonsense it makes me positive you are a troll. But you are wrong about Prince in this instance. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. But at least you are amusing. Thanks for the laugh.

No! Eye'm not wrong! My supportive Org notes proves that. is a gifted,musical genius, always has been. The fact that this thread is up, already proves that. Now go back to bed & think of somethng else to criticize me about. Eye'll still be here supportng my hero.

bashraka said:

If this song doesn't come out today then Prince should be blasted for using the uprising in Baltimore as a attention seeking ploy. Prince should have waited to announce that he wrote a musical tribute to the people of Baltimore if he wasn't ready to release the song right away. This isn't a project that he announces and then shelves. What's the point of releasing a press statement about a song on a topic this serious and people can't hear it?

.

I agree with most of what you said! Yesterday I said it shouldn't take longer than 24h before it gets released, he recorded the song Wednesday...what's the wait?!

.

“We're going to talk to Jay-Z and his people about streaming it on ‘Tidal' he shared with a nod."

Well that was Wednesday...this coming from an artist who claims he wants to record and share immediately. We're here...where are you and your song?

.

The song should be released before the party this evening, make it available for radio stations right NOW!

Share a WeTransfer link through http://twitter.com/PURPLESSENCE as you surely won't be charging for this "ode to Baltimore" right?

Why does it have to take days and days after recording it, come on now...the situation in Baltimore isn't one you can use to dangle purple carrots

cant wait to hear the song Baltimore is my hometown

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

thedoorkeeper said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said: Sometimes you say such nonsense it makes me positive you are a troll. But you are wrong about Prince in this instance. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. But at least you are amusing. Thanks for the laugh.

No! Eye'm not wrong! My supportive Org notes proves that.

7roses said:

bashraka said:

If this song doesn't come out today then Prince should be blasted for using the uprising in Baltimore as a attention seeking ploy. Prince should have waited to announce that he wrote a musical tribute to the people of Baltimore if he wasn't ready to release the song right away. This isn't a project that he announces and then shelves. What's the point of releasing a press statement about a song on a topic this serious and people can't hear it?

.

I agree with most of what you said! Yesterday I said it shouldn't take longer than 24h before it gets released, he recorded the song Wednesday...what's the wait?!

.

“We're going to talk to Jay-Z and his people about streaming it on ‘Tidal' he shared with a nod."

Well that was Wednesday...this coming from an artist who claims he wants to record and share immediately. We're here...where are you and your song?

.

The song should be released before the party this evening, make it available for radio stations right NOW!

Share a WeTransfer link through http://twitter.com/PURPLESSENCE as you surely won't be charging for this "ode to Baltimore" right?

Why does it have to take days and days after recording it, come on now...the situation in Baltimore isn't one you can use to dangle purple carrots

BECAUSE any song especially one recorded LIVE needs to be properly mixed and mastered so it can sound really good, give him a break you all know the quality of sound is really important to him