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Thread started 05/14/15 3:04am

MattyJam

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Do you feel emotionally invested in Prince as a human being?

I have been a massive fan for over 20 years, I own everything he's ever released and collect bootlegs like they're going out of fashion. But I don't feel an ounce of warmth towards Prince as a human being, the way I did towards Michael Jackson when he was alive. I was hugely upset by MJ's death and found it difficult to enjoy his music for some time after, yet I know I would never feel that way about Prince if he clogged it.

Is it because Prince comes across as aloof and indifferent to other peoples opinions?? He hasn't exactly done much to endear himself to his own fanbase. It is strictly about the music with Prince, and I feel that is true on both sides. The fans love his music and he loves making it, but I feel there's little connection that exists beyond the obvious supply and demand of artist/fan when it comes to Prince as a person.

Thoughts?

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Reply #1 posted 05/14/15 3:12am

bluegangsta

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Michael was the kind of guy that would hug you, Prince isn't.

[Edited 5/14/15 3:13am]

Always cry 4 love, never cry 4 pain.
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Reply #2 posted 05/14/15 3:26am

Fiona01

I think the difference comes from the music itself. Obviously Prince has written amazing tracks over the years, but I feel that aside from a select few songs, most of his work doesn't seem particularly personal or layered with emotional connection.

I think artists releasing songs that come from a personal place, somehow communicates to their audience on a deeper level. For instance, MJ fans feel emotional ripples when they hear "Childhood" or "Morphine." They speak of inner turmoil, experience and heartfelt moments in life, which brings out a personal response from the listener.

Prince obviously HAS released some emotional tracks, such I Love You But I Don't Trust You Anymore, but over his career as a whole, I'd say there was a lack of that. It may have been a deliberate move on Prince's part, or self-defense, but ultimately, if he withholds that connection and openness with his audience, then they will feel its absence.
[Edited 5/14/15 3:27am]
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Reply #3 posted 05/14/15 3:59am

NorthC

bluegangsta said:

Michael was the kind of guy that would hug you, Prince isn't.

[Edited 5/14/15 3:13am]


[snip - This is libellous, unfair, and unnecessary - M]
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Reply #4 posted 05/14/15 4:08am

bluegangsta

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NorthC said:

bluegangsta said:

Michael was the kind of guy that would hug you, Prince isn't.

[Edited 5/14/15 3:13am]

[snip]

Fuck, aren't you original and funny?

Always cry 4 love, never cry 4 pain.
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Reply #5 posted 05/14/15 4:28am

jaawwnn

No.

I find him intriguing though. I wonder do many people try and approach him with the idea that they'll be the one who will change him.

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Reply #6 posted 05/14/15 4:44am

Militant

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Yeah, I do. But that could be helped by the fact that I've met him and felt genuine kindness, goodwill and positivity from him.

Michael was different, because for the last 20 years of his life, he was torn into, ripped into, attacked, vilified, degraded, humiliated, abused, beaten into submission and ultimately, killed.

Simply being a fan of Michael Jackson and understanding the truth about how he was being victimised led you into a position where you had to defend him. I remember being 8 years old when HIStory came out, and literally fighting people at my school who would make stupid plastic surgery jokes. I remember the tabloids making up nonsense about him here in the UK literally on a daily fucking basis. It was sick and twisted what they did to him.

Plus, as the public we literally witnessed pretty much his entire life. We saw him as a child who lacked the understanding of how cruel the world could be and the defense mechanisms to deal with them, and then had to face all those cruelties directly. To be a fan of Michael and not be emotionally invested in him would simply mean you lack empathy.

Prince doesn't need to be defended because he's a total badass. He would be the first person to cut you down if you tried to talk slick about him. He'll rip a guitar solo right in your face if you try to question him, then take your woman and leave with her lol And he was a fully grown man capable of defending himself before he came onto the scene.

I don't think it's about the music, because if you don't feel the heartache and pain in a song like "Comeback" or "Wasted Kisses" then you might have a problem.

In Shakespearian terms, Michael was the "tragic hero". Michael needed every ounce of support he could get, because he wasn't built to deal with the money grabbers, the abusers, the people trying to bring him down, he was like a magnet for shady people and people who only wanted to make money off him, and as a fan who has outside perspective, it was so fucking clear for so long.

Prince, for whatever his own problems are, has the street smarts to spot an opportunist and/or a manipulator a mile off, and they won't ever get close to him.





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Reply #7 posted 05/14/15 4:57am

NorthC

Okay, a serious answer. I don't feel emotinally attached to any of the musicians I listen to. I love James Brown, but I didn't feel sad when he died. What we see and hear is the public persona, not the private person and that's the way it should be.
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Reply #8 posted 05/14/15 5:12am

udo

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It is the human that drives the business decisions, the communications towards fans, the upholding of business deals (`CONtracts`), planning of variopus things like tours and record (re)releases, etc.

So in that case I am quite disappointed with the downward trend that has been visible for quite a few years now.

Thus I can be quite disappointed with mr Prince.

Am I emotionally invested in such case?

Pills and thrills and daffodils will kill... If you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have time to try to convince you, sorry.
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Reply #9 posted 05/14/15 5:14am

vinaysfunk

Yes, I feel completely emotionally invested in Prince as a human being.

[Edited 5/14/15 5:18am]

[Edited 5/14/15 5:19am]

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Reply #10 posted 05/14/15 7:44am

purplethunder3
121

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No. Only in the music.

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #11 posted 05/14/15 8:01am

Stimpy

He isnt human.

and i wouldnt really want a hug from MJ, who wasnt either.

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Reply #12 posted 05/14/15 8:14am

OldFriends4Sal
e

Invested Yes
I don't think I'm emotionally invested
Prince is like a sub-culture for me

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Reply #13 posted 05/14/15 8:14am

blackbob

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i dont think myself and prince would get on as human beings...too many differences and i prefer to just admire his music and him as an artist...

.

but if he ever passed away then i would be devastated..he has been a huge part of my life and he is a one off imo...so he does mean a lot to me as an artist...more than anyone else..

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Reply #14 posted 05/14/15 8:17am

babynoz

Love him like a brother. Not even sure why....just always have. Something about him resonates with me.

I was more of a fan of MJ during the Jackson Five years but as a teen it was Jermaine that I had a crush on. For some reason I cried like a baby when Mike died though.

Prince is a cutie but I've never had a crush on him. He's more of an honorary family member. lol

Like Militant, I've met and spoken to Prince but I felt that way about him way before then.

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #15 posted 05/14/15 8:20am

babynoz

blackbob said:

i dont think myself and prince would get on as human beings...too many differences and i prefer to just admire his music and him as an artist...

.

but if he ever passed away then i would be devastated..he has been a huge part of my life and he is a one off imo...so he does mean a lot to me as an artist...more than anyone else..



Being able to get along with him is a different question. I'm sure there would be times I'd want to smack the piss out of him if I had to live with him. lol

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #16 posted 05/14/15 8:26am

purplethunder3
121

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babynoz said:

blackbob said:

i dont think myself and prince would get on as human beings...too many differences and i prefer to just admire his music and him as an artist...

.

but if he ever passed away then i would be devastated..he has been a huge part of my life and he is a one off imo...so he does mean a lot to me as an artist...more than anyone else..



Being able to get along with him is a different question. I'm sure there would be times I'd want to smack the piss out of him if I had to live with him. lol

I prefer worship from afar... lol

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #17 posted 05/14/15 8:40am

babynoz

purplethunder3121 said:

babynoz said:



Being able to get along with him is a different question. I'm sure there would be times I'd want to smack the piss out of him if I had to live with him. lol

I prefer worship from afar... lol



lol

In the right setting we could talk for hours but on a daily basis I imagine he is quite a handful.

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #18 posted 05/14/15 8:58am

blackbob

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i did spend a few hours in his company at the rainbow children celebration in paisley park back in 2001...he was genuinely funny and interesting...even though he was talking mainly about religion which i cant stand..i would love to have a casual talk to him but that would be enough...a religious control freak...as brilliant as he is...aint going to have much in common with me. smile

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Reply #19 posted 05/14/15 9:37am

Averett

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I do. When his love for Susannah made its way into his music, I felt that I understood his heart a little better. When he fell in love with Mayte, I was hopeful and happy for both of them. When they lost their child, my heart sank for them. When Prince went through both of his divorces, I was worried that he might never find his true soulmate.

So, I have to say that I wish Prince a great deal of happiness even if he can be a frustrating little fuck lol

A robin sings a masterpiece that lives and dies unheard...
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Reply #20 posted 05/14/15 9:58am

maplenpg

Not emotionally invested, no ..... It's been an emotional journey trying to fight his corner through the years though and I've invested a lot of time and hard cash into the man. Yet do I give one jot about Prince without any music...no.

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Reply #21 posted 05/14/15 10:04am

steakfinger

Not even a little. I don't think he has revealed enough about himself to get invested. I think so much of his public persona is a put-on that it's really impossible to know the man. I think he wants it that way, too.

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Reply #22 posted 05/14/15 11:32am

ufoclub

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I have to admit... yes.

It's only natural because of the amount of creative output I have absorbed from him (counting all bootleg material, live shows, aftershows, after parties).

Also I hear that he is the type who might hug you if he knew you. I think people are getting the person mixed up with the brand or the image painted by media.

I remember one original 90's primary bootleg source dude managing to get into an after party dinner thing at a One Night ALone concert and meeting him briefly, and coming away thinking Prince was so human and nice, that this guy... decided to stop with the bootleg collecting and sharing!!!

I think it wore off after a years. LOL.

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Reply #23 posted 05/14/15 11:40am

Graycap23

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Without question the answer is yes. There are several things I could say about the man but I’ll keep it simple. My existence is better off having known the man. There are less than a handful of people that I can make that statement about. Especially from the “entertainment” arena.

Prince is a very polite, smart and well-mannered individual who has studied the game, people and the ever evolving music business. He knows how 2 get what he wants and some folks can't handle his self-serving ways. I'd say his survival instincts serve him well and it has allowed him 2 thrive in a very unforgiving business longer than anyone could have predicted.

Prince understands very well that the solution 2 any endeavor starts and ends with him and his decision making. When u arrive at that type of thinking at a young age, it serves u well 4 years 2 come. The man has provided a way of thinking and living that could easily serve others as a blueprint if they were paying attention. The only other "famous" person that I can think of, who followed his own path in a similar fashion is Bruce Lee. In that regard, Prince is in good company.

[Edited 5/14/15 12:22pm]

FOOLS multiply when WISE Men & Women are silent.
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Reply #24 posted 05/14/15 12:02pm

babynoz

Graycap23 said:

Without question the answer is yes. There are several things I could say about the man but I’ll keep it simple. My existence is better off having known the man. There are less than a handful of people that I can make that statement about. Especially from the “entertainment” arena.

Prince is a very polite, smart and well-mannered individual who has studied the game, people and the every evolving music business. He knows how 2 get what he wants and some folks can't handle his self-serving ways. I'd say his survival instincts serve him well and it has allowed him 2 thrive in a very unforgiving business longer than anyone could have predicted.

Prince understands very well that the solution 2 any endeavor starts and ends with him and his decision making. When u arrive at that type of thinking at a young age, it serves u well 4 years 2 come. The man has provided a way of thinking and living that could easily serve others as a blueprint if they were paying attention. The only other "famous" person that I can think of, who followed his own path in a similar fashion is Bruce Lee. In that regard, Prince is in good company.



Well said.

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #25 posted 05/14/15 1:17pm

jcurley

God. Prince n MJ again. Why does anyone think Michael is a good guy. In terms of music it was sifted and rewritten simply to be sold. Nothing wrong with that bur god what to the days when people called a pop star a pop star. Mj was a good pop star he was not an artist
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Reply #26 posted 05/14/15 1:18pm

babynoz

jcurley said:

God. Prince n MJ again. Why does anyone think Michael is a good guy. In terms of music it was sifted and rewritten simply to be sold. Nothing wrong with that bur god what to the days when people called a pop star a pop star. Mj was a good pop star he was not an artist



So do you feel emotionally invested in Prince as a human being?

Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise.
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Reply #27 posted 05/14/15 2:20pm

jcurley

babynoz said:



jcurley said:


God. Prince n MJ again. Why does anyone think Michael is a good guy. In terms of music it was sifted and rewritten simply to be sold. Nothing wrong with that bur god what to the days when people called a pop star a pop star. Mj was a good pop star he was not an artist



So do you feel emotionally invested in Prince as a human being?



Unfortunately Yes I do. However I wish I didn't. It probably is almost an arrogant thing to say but I wish I could almost join people that wanna listen to mmm lets say Beyonce or even if you think you're credible like Coldplay(I know they're not but same with zU2 etc). Liking Prince has been like unplugging out of the Matrix n sometimes u just wanna be like that guy in the movie u betrays them coz he wants to at least feel like he can eat steak..So yes emotionally invested in Prince. However exhausted and you can only feel that way of you're invested. The guy is an utter genius and has brought a lot of beauty to the world. Whatever some people say I also think he has shown phenomenal level of integrity. He is almost cartoonistically messianic. However I think we all on here suspect he has those tendencies'
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Reply #28 posted 05/14/15 2:20pm

Se7en

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I'm emotionally invested in Prince's product, i.e. the music/videos/concerts that he creates. But that runs the gamut of all emotions -- like the 70s, LOVE the 80s and early 90s, then back to like in the late 90s/2000s to mostly just tolerate the 20-teens. And, some of his business dealings that fall through do make me mad!

.

As a human being though? I would not say that I am invested in Prince personally, which is NOT to say that I don't care. I want him to be happy, healthy and have a long life. Do I care if he gets divorced, or makes a ton of money, or gives to charity, etc? It's interesting to hear about but doesn't sway me one way or another. I would feel horrible if anything happened to him.

.

The news about his son circa 1996 was horrendous -- now THAT did make me take pause and think about the "man" known as Prince, and not the "product". A real man lost his real child, which only now years later -- as a dad myself -- do I fully understand the weight of. In 1996, I was 25 and only vaguely understood how much that loss meant.

.

So maybe I've contradicted myself a bit here, but I still say No I'm not emotionally invested in him. I think too many of us here are though. IMO there needs to be a disconnect between man/product that there is with other artists. I don't know a thing about Bruce Springsteen, or U2, or any artist that does not put it in their music first.

.

Also, I don't think those artists' fansites obsess over hair, or what their artist eats for breakfast . . .

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Reply #29 posted 05/14/15 2:34pm

bonatoc

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Fiona01 said:

I think the difference comes from the music itself. Obviously Prince has written amazing tracks over the years, but I feel that aside from a select few songs, most of his work doesn't seem particularly personal or layered with emotional connection. I think artists releasing songs that come from a personal place, somehow communicates to their audience on a deeper level. For instance, MJ fans feel emotional ripples when they hear "Childhood" or "Morphine." They speak of inner turmoil, experience and heartfelt moments in life, which brings out a personal response from the listener.

Prince obviously HAS released some emotional tracks, such I Love You But I Don't Trust You Anymore, but over his career as a whole, I'd say there was a lack of that.

It may have been a deliberate move on Prince's part, or self-defense, but ultimately, if he withholds that connection and openness with his audience, then they will feel its absence. [Edited 5/14/15 3:27am]



Oh, really?


- Something In The Water?
- God?
- Paisley Park?
- Love Thy Will B Done?
- The Holy River?

- Anna Stesia?
- The Beautiful Ones?
- Purple Rain, for crying out loud?
- If I Was Your Girlfriend?
- Forever In My Life?
- Way Back Home?
- The Word?
- Friend, Sister, Mother, Wife?
- Papa?

...just put the obvious ones.

He made a point in the past about his sincerity, and I believe him when he says that all of his songs come from personal experience.
Proof is, since he turned Paisley Park Studios into his own Xanadu, they got less interesting.

The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
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