I've asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer.

Is this song just an example of lazy songwriting when he says "would you be a happy boy or a girl?"

If not, why is he asking if the person he's singing to is a "boy or a girl?"

Thoughts?

1) When has P ever been a lazy songwriter?

2) He's not asking for the person's gender.

Lazy? Would you say the same about "Anna Stasia?" He uses the "boy or a girl" analogy there, too.

I don't think he's necessarily playing with sexuality or gender here. It's an easy answer, but seems too simple. Moreover, Prince encompasses everyone in his music. He has addressed everything, especially by 1988, and then by 1991. He plainly says he has nothing to give, but his love for a person. "All I can do is just offer you my love".

It's more of a "I don't care who you are, I accept my love". And isn't that what life's all about anyway?

While it's not meant to be an ode to his fans, it can certainly be taken that way.

TrivialPursuit said:

Lazy? Would you say the same about "Anna Stasia?" He uses the "boy or a girl" analogy there, too.

I don't think he's necessarily playing with sexuality or gender here. It's an easy answer, but seems too simple. Moreover, Prince encompasses everyone in his music. He has addressed everything, especially by 1988, and then by 1991. He plainly says he has nothing to give, but his love for a person. "All I can do is just offer you my love".

It's more of a "I don't care who you are, I accept my love". And isn't that what life's all about anyway?

While it's not meant to be an ode to his fans, it can certainly be taken that way.

Actually I was going to use "Anna Stesia" as an example of when it does make sense. He's singing out to everyone.

But D and P is a romantic song sung to someone specific. So then why "boy or girl?"

SoulAlive said:

I also dislike the lyric "I'm good to cream every boy and girl" which appears elsewhere on this album.

That line i do get. He's "Cream" Ruling over all the public that is now digging his pop sound.

inovio said:

1) When has P ever been a lazy songwriter?

2) He's not asking for the person's gender.

I would say this is to try to make "pearl" rhyme with " boy or a girl."

Unless there's a reason for it?

I just always thought he was singing to children like in the video.

It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.

controversy99 said:

He's having fun playing around with gender and sexuality. This line offers a lot: 1. It suggests that the singer could be bisexual or questioning. He's willing to offer his love to a boy or a girl. This harkens back to the Controvery. 2. It allows for a listener of any gender and sexuality to sing along, making the song more universal. A straight woman can sing it and the "boy" part resonates, a lesbian "girl", straight male "girl", gay man "boy." 3. The question mark doesn't indicate that he's asking the listener if s/he is a boy or girl. He's asking if the diamonds and pearls make s/he happy. He could've written "Would you be a happy girl?" and just slowed down the delivery to make it fit the melody, but that would be a much less interesting line. 4. Using boy or girl, instead of man or girl, is a great piece of gender equality. So many grown women are called girls, that it's cool to see it balanced out. I think it's one of Prince's particularly good pieces of songwriting. Not all Prince lyrics are good, but this is one many of examples that is very well done.

5. All the above!

cb70 said:

It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.

This is the only one that kind-of makes sense but does the rest of the song really equal that?

sro100 said:

I've asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer.

Is this song just an example of lazy songwriting when he says "would you be a happy boy or a girl?"

If not, why is he asking if the person he's singing to is a "boy or a girl?"

Thoughts?

Thoughts? OK.

"Lazy" is the absolute last word I would ever use to describe any aspect of this song. It has five - FIVE - different time signatures. It changes keys sublimely. The resolution between keys is absolute musical genius. And the lyrics are incredibly deep.

I know art is subjective but if you think any portion of this song is anything but world-class, I just don't know what to say.

cb70 said:

It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.

No, it's not.

sro100 said:

Actually I was going to use "Anna Stesia" as an example of when it does make sense. He's singing out to everyone.

But D and P is a romantic song sung to someone specific. So then why "boy or girl?"

I'm going to give you the story about Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. They were setting to record "The Girl Is Mine", and Paul questioned Michael's use of "the doggone girl is mine". (This is all in Moonwalker, by the way.) Paul thought it was a fluff line, and wasn't taking "doggone" seriously. MJ stuck to this guns, and wanted the line in there. MJ explained that sometimes it's not about every single word, but rather the sentiment, or the groove. Not every single word has to be deep and meaning full. It's often about the turn of the phrase, or the rhythm.

Prince understood that as well. There's a list of what could be considered fluff Prince lyrics in otherwise great songs. It doesn't make it lazy. So to nitpick a song like "Diamonds and Pearls", with this is missing the point.

Plus it rhymes.

RodeoSchro said:

sro100 said:

I've asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer.

Is this song just an example of lazy songwriting when he says "would you be a happy boy or a girl?"

If not, why is he asking if the person he's singing to is a "boy or a girl?"

Thoughts?

Thoughts? OK.

"Lazy" is the absolute last word I would ever use to describe any aspect of this song. It has five - FIVE - different time signatures. It changes keys sublimely. The resolution between keys is absolute musical genius. And the lyrics are incredibly deep.

I know art is subjective but if you think any portion of this song is anything but world-class, I just don't know what to say.

But you didn't answer the question...

sro100 said:

I've asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer.

Is this song just an example of lazy songwriting when he says "would you be a happy boy or a girl?"

If not, why is he asking if the person he's singing to is a "boy or a girl?"

Thoughts?

Prince often wrote songs very quickly, I think I heard that he did the whole album in like a week. I've always thought he could have often given more time to revision, especially with those great b-sides. Sometimes it was obvious that he got a song done without going over it again. Also, pop songs don't need to be deep or even really good, i'm sure that had something to do with it. It was a hit afterall.

[Edited 7/6/16 23:12pm]

I'm not trying to be mean but I don't have the mental energy to go into a lecture and extrapolation on the song, right now, but some of the responses abouve are spot on.

sro100 said:

BillieBalloon said:

TrivialPursuit said:

cb70 said:

It's sung from the perspective of god to all of us.

No, it's not.

It might be!

Bunsterdk said:

jaawwnn said:

BillieBalloon said:

jaawwnn said:

It might be!

Prince sang about God but never professed to BE god. So I don't think it is.

I would Die 4 U is from God's (or Jesus') perspective as well though...

I'm not saying there's a definitive answer but I see it as a possibility.

[Edited 7/7/16 5:43am]

BillieBalloon said:

Actually, I like the explanation of it being sung from the perspective of God or Christ. That does not mean he is proclaiming himself to be such, but rather that God is singing through him. Just because people interpret the "love" being sung about as being about romantic love, does not mean it is. There are all kinds of love, the love for your fellow man, the love for your children and family, the love for friends, the love for God. "Love is meant for two" love is an energy that flows between the two people involved, whether they are your children, your spouse, your family members, or friends. It doesn't necessarily mean between lovers.

It would be like Christ to ask, "If I gave you everything you wanted, riches galore, would you be happy? But all I can give you is my love, is that not enough? My love is worth more than all jewels, gold, and money."