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The Breakdown, written for fans? and the question is asked on different levels.
for years, we've heard sentiments about Prince not putting out enough emotion, pain or other real feelings which people identify with...or songs to look to for support and answers in music.
in The Breakdown, he broke his heart, lyrically...emotionally in voice
then again, could this song not metaphorically illustrate his relationship with us, the fans?
"give me back the time, you can keep the memories"
it's almost like, at times, nothing Prince does is good enough for some, maybe...me & U
no answers here, but this is one of my favorites, and recent Prince songs. masterpiece.
[Edited 6/4/15 6:11am] No justice, No peace | |
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In my personal top ... lets say ... 10% ----------
Lets just go somewhere (we can funk) | |
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No justice, No peace | |
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You're not the first one to come up with this interpretation. | |
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that's interesting. sorry, i should probably have done a search before posting.
never knew that about The Great Gatsby as well. thanks for sharing. No justice, No peace | |
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Ok, hmmmmmmm..... at first listen I remember I liked the song, but now, no not really: Prince 4Ever. | |
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It's not a terrible song. The "saddest story" lyric is dumb. The lasers are dumber. "Drop that stereo before I blow your Goddamn nuts off, asshole!"
-Eugene Tackleberry | |
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I dig the strings in it. It reminds me of another song of his that I just can't remember now. I think it was on Crystal Ball, maybe Strays of the World.
It took me time getting used to some of the screaming but I dig that too now No justice, No peace | |
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u know he gets cheezi like that sometimes No justice, No peace | |
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Praxis said:
u know he gets cheezi like that sometimes I know. But it's SO cheesy. "Drop that stereo before I blow your Goddamn nuts off, asshole!"
-Eugene Tackleberry | |
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I love the lasers! It's my favorite part. But overall it's a 3 star song. U Know is the star of that album. Thanks Josh Wenton!!! | |
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KingSausage said: It's not a terrible song. The "saddest story" lyric is dumb. The lasers are dumber. True, but the rest of the song is strong enough to survive a little dumbness. It's my favourite on AOA. | |
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i dig the lasers
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It's ok. I hate he first few lines (up to 'reminiscing now I just feel like a fool'), it gets better after that. I hope we get to hear the 3rdeyegirl version which was apparently recorded, I think I might like it better... | |
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The Breakdown is my other half secret favorite recent song of his - since it was initially released a single.
Know how I know One day, I was telling him about the lasers people complain about and he was mesmerized We've had jokes about this being a crying song, some kind of musical therapy. It's ok to have that breakdown, it's ok to feel sad and regretful, you can even laugh about it -- as he did with the short Analyze This video with De Niro crying tears of sadness.
It's ok to have a moment of self-pity -- so long as you get over it in a positive way. It has become a ritual of us (me and my other half) to listen to this song and feel sad about whatever's not going right.
The lasers? A reminder this is a pseudo sci-fi concept and a warning not to have an actual nervous breakdown. Tjey remind you it's a therapeutic musical exercise.
The compression? My theory is that Prince intended the song to feel that way in the Art Offical Age.
As for it being a message to fans, I think Prince has been factoring fans since the beginning in one way or another Maybe some personal affair lyrics also work well as a message to fans... you can bet on it quite a few times.
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The distortion in the chorus due to compression / limiting is the result of the song's structure not being terribly suitable for modern playback levels. | |
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. "There’s only one way to win the loudness war, and that’s to sidestep it." © Bart Van Hemelen
This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights. It is not authorized by Prince or the NPG Music Club. You assume all risk for your use. All rights reserved. | |
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I love this song There's Joy in repetition | |
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Both ballads on AOA leave me cold. It all sounds contrived to me. I can't rememeber when he last wrote an affecting ballad.
2010 - Walk in sand, sea of everything - awful MPLSOUND - Better with time, U're gonna C Me - awful Lotus - 4Ever - not bad Planet Earth - Somewhere Here on Earth - Smaltz
The only ballads I can think of that were any good in the last 15 years are:
She loves me 4 me Satisfied Call my name Green virgin teenager, or filthy rich yuppy. Pussy cat pussy cat, where for out thou puppy | |
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Interesting, Somewhere Here On Earth is one of his best ballads for me. I also love The Dance and Te Amo Corazon is pretty good too. | |
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Personally I love breakdown it's got a very true vibe it's honest & ver heartfelt plus he made it sound more modern by using Laser like sound effects or as I would call it Phaser noises in the back ground (I'm sure J.J Abrams was in on that) anyway great song cool album Nuff said All of this and more is 4 u. With <3, sincerity and deepest care, my life with u eye share ~Prince~
Life is time time is space and space is what Eye need ~Awesome A.V~ | |
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Excellent song! Best track on the album. | |
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agree in full | |
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awesomeav said: Personally I love breakdown it's got a very true vibe it's honest & ver heartfelt plus he made it sound more modern by using Laser like sound effects or as I would call it Phaser noises in the back ground (I'm sure J.J Abrams was in on that) anyway great song cool album Nuff said It's funny you mention J. J. Abrams. My wife and I always joke that the Breakdown lasers remind us of Nightbeast, a fantastically shitty early 80's no-budget horror flick that was scored ("scored") by Abrams! Yes. Check it out. Hilarious movie. Worst sex scene ever. Great laser effects. Also one of the saddest stories that's ever been told. "Drop that stereo before I blow your Goddamn nuts off, asshole!"
-Eugene Tackleberry | |
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Thanks KingSausage I'm gonna go check that out now All of this and more is 4 u. With <3, sincerity and deepest care, my life with u eye share ~Prince~
Life is time time is space and space is what Eye need ~Awesome A.V~ | |
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KingSausage said: It's not a terrible song. The "saddest story" lyric is dumb. The lasers are dumber. Not nearly as bad as the sound of the falling stars ~~* in TMBGITW. That song is so full of cheese. Nobody ever rails about that one. | |
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What I love is that he builds up the tension and then lets loose with an explosion of emotional bravado. The Beautiful ones for the 2010's. . I really like the line "Theres a door that u can walk thru, where there used to be a wall" Beautiful. And I like the death lasers. What else, cascading multi layered falsettos, always a pre requisite on Prince's best and most overwrought ballads that I love. Got some kind of love for you, and I don't even know your name | |
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