One of my fav unreleased songs from 1982, simply an amazing song. I hope one day it will get released...

feeluupp said:

One of my fav unreleased songs from 1982, simply an amazing song. I hope one day it will get released...

Pepe Willie's song was released.

suomynona said:

feeluupp said:

One of my fav unreleased songs from 1982, simply an amazing song. I hope one day it will get released...

Pepe Willie's song was released.

That song belonged on Every Shade Of Love. It's more pop-y. Shockadelica wasn't as great of a record as it could have been (especially with a title and lead single like it had). But Every Shade Of Love, while more rooted in heavier R&B, was classic Jesse Johnson. A bit of pop, a lot of soul, and a good dash of the Minneapolis sound. It was Jesse's guitar playing & voice that made him unique (as they should). But "Do Yourself A Favor" just sounds out of place on Shockadelica.

Yet, I suppose it fits in that the album seems more unfocused than Every Shade Of Love, and Jesse Johnsons' Revue. "Do Yourself A Favor" is just as random as anything else on Shockaedlica.

I like Prince's and Jesse's version. I also think that Prince's version didn't really fit with any album from 1999 through Parade so I'm not surprised he didn't release it. It could have possibly worked as a B-side for a Sign 'O' the Times single as I'm not even sure it would have worked as part of the Sign 'O' the Times album. Still, it's a nice tune to have.

I think this song would have fit perfectly on The Times' Ice Cream Castles album....perhaps in place of the filler track "Chili Sauce".

suomynona said:

Of the three versions, Prince's is easily the best. He shows how a good song can be made great through phrasing and delivery. Pepe's does nothing for me. Jesse simply copied Prince's vocal, but couldn't quite inject it with the same passion.

We also get the wacky pimp ending from Prince. Sometimes I love it; sometimes I wonder whether it cheapens the song. It always puts a smile on my face, though. The bit when he sings, "But now baby, now baby, I got more money than I ever had. Oh lawd," gives me chills. Only Prince could follow that with "Take it on down the road. Let that sidewalk hit U where the dog should've bit U, yes baby. Oh lawd." Comedy gold.

I've often wondered whether somebody is sitting on a copy in pristine quality. Every year, it seems to get a little bit better. What we have now is pretty great compared to the first bootleg copy I bought all those years ago.