kristy said:

I know prince was funky and could get a party started like nobody's business but, I heard someone from Npg say, that prince didn't get the credit for his ballads like he should have, i know for me that I love his ballads so its hard for me to tell if the ballads got the respect like the funk did, because iam looking at it from my point and love it all, any thoughts?

People who mostly listen to R&B loved his ballads for sure. I listen to mostly rock and alternative, but I loved his ballads. In fact, almost every album always had at least one or two great ballads.

His one and only number one in the UK ( which is a disgrace by the way, he should of had a lot more here in the UK) was a ballard TMBGITW.

[Edited 7/29/16 14:35pm]

Guitarhero said:

His ballads are unique. The good ones anyway. They are quirky and interesting for the most part and very unusual to my ears. Fair play to ya Kirsty, you're right on the money

Guitarhero said:

His one and only number one in the UK ( which is a disgrace by the way, he should of had a lot more here in the UK) was a ballard TMBGITW.

[Edited 7/29/16 14:35pm]

I love that song. I don't care what anyone says. It's truly a lovely song.

And i completely agree, not just in UK...he should have had way more number ones! A few tracks of his more recent albums should have absolutely made the charts - FunkNRoll, Another Love & RNR Love Affair for sure. It really got me thinking. He was back with WB for two of those albums. He often said, speculated that he wasn't being marketed similarly to other artists on their label. But things like that happen, and it really becomes clear. There was no promotion or radio play of those SUPER catchy songs...they would have been well received if he was given the proper chance.

When 2 R In Love

Its Gonna Be Lonely

Insatiable

these 3 songs should have been major hits...to me they always will be

His ballads were always top notch, going all the way back to Baby, I think they got better and better as he went on, his voice got better and he used funkier chords the older he got. He seemed to want to go back to his black roots just as soon as he crossed over. A tricky thing to do really but he sure did it. lots of people hated that, wendy and lisa, what was it they called it? a r&b revue? Prince said, about 20 years ago "people just write off my slow jams" it was true. I'd even argue he did more great ballads than any other type of song. Forgive me, i miss the man, forgive me if I'm overstating anything. God, what a loss, that is the biggest thing that hurts, what a huge, huge loss.

They sure did with me - I love them so much

thedoorkeeper said:

It really is a disgrace when you look at some of the shitty music that has hit #1 in the UK thru the years.

Confusing ain't it.

Some of my favorite Prince songs are ballads, including two of my absolute favorites Condition of the Heart and Sometimes it Snows in April. Those two and a hand full of others were so unique to Prince in that they were totally non-commercial and showed his artistry and heart so much. Even his more traditional ballads provided welcome diversity in albums otherwise filled with funk, dance, and rock.

ForeverPaisley said:

Guitarhero said:

His one and only number one in the UK ( which is a disgrace by the way, he should of had a lot more here in the UK) was a ballard TMBGITW.

[Edited 7/29/16 14:35pm]

I love that song. I don't care what anyone says. It's truly a lovely song.

And i completely agree, not just in UK...he should have had way more number ones! A few tracks of his more recent albums should have absolutely made the charts - FunkNRoll, Another Love & RNR Love Affair for sure. It really got me thinking. He was back with WB for two of those albums. He often said, speculated that he wasn't being marketed similarly to other artists on their label. But things like that happen, and it really becomes clear. There was no promotion or radio play of those SUPER catchy songs...they would have been well received if he was given the proper chance.

Hello FP hope your well xxxx

I absolutely LOVED his ballads (Adore being my #1).

just off the top of my head I can list some great slow jams that weren't hits, weren't in his "golden period" and were as good or better than songs like TMBGITW.

I Hate U

I love You but I don't Trust You Anymore

Insatiable

Man O'War

Call My Name

On The Couch

Bunsterdk said:

I love his ballads just as much as his funky music. Probably more. They are the ones that really make me miss still having him with us somewhere here on earth. And the funk is amazing, so it's really saying something.

ya, that's a great one too, probably would fit in perfectly in the 40's 50's jazz world.

I love Damn U - one of my favourite Prince songs/ballads. His vocals are exquisite!! Did these songs get the respect? No probably not. But those would be the same people that were/are miffed that he stopped swearing...what a dumb thing to get your panties in a bunch for.

The rest of us appreciated his music, and the changes/growth that happened over the course of his career, without being stuck with the early 80s version of Prince in your head. Not that that's a bad vision.

.

[Edited 8/1/16 22:48pm]

ForeverPaisley said:

I love Damn U - one of my favourite Prince songs/ballads. His vocals are exquisite!! Did these songs get the respect? No probably not. But those would be the same people that were/are miffed that he stopped swearing...what a dumb thing to get your panties in a bunch for.

The rest of us appreciated his music, and the changes/growth that happened over the course of his career, without being stuck with the early 80s version of Prince in your head. Not that that's a bad vision. :lol

ForeverPaisley said:

I love Damn U - one of my favourite Prince songs/ballads. His vocals are exquisite!! Did these songs get the respect? No probably not. But those would be the same people that were/are miffed that he stopped swearing...what a dumb thing to get your panties in a bunch for.

The rest of us appreciated his music, and the changes/growth that happened over the course of his career, without being stuck with the early 80s version of Prince in your head. Not that that's a bad vision.

that was another great one, he had so many, i'd have to take my time to recall them all. I loved "when god created woman" too.

For the most part, a lot of fans liked his ballads (most of them). He had plenty of great ballads; but he had many, many stinkers.
Here are total crap ballads by Prince (fans often call these "generic Prince ballads")
Insatiable
Damn U

I Can't Make U Love Me

One Kiss At A Time
4ever
Call My Name
On The Couch
Satisfied
Here
Better With Time
Walk With Sand
When She Comes
Revelation

But, here are the most recognized ballads that are much better...
Adore
Do Me, Baby
The Beautiful One

Condition of the Heart
Crucial

Scandalous
Diamonds & Pearls

So, "did the ballads get Respect?" Well, the right ones got the "respect", I guess for the most part.

PurpleTrollster said:

For the most part, a lot of fans liked his ballads (most of them). He had plenty of great ballads; but he had many, many stinkers.
Here are total crap ballads by Prince (fans often call these "generic Prince ballads")
Insatiable
Damn U

I Can't Make U Love Me

One Kiss At A Time
4ever
Call My Name
On The Couch
Satisfied
Here
Better With Time
Walk With Sand
When She Comes
Revelation

But, here are the most recognized ballads that are much better...
Adore
Do Me, Baby
The Beautiful One

Condition of the Heart
Crucial

Scandalous
Diamonds & Pearls

So, "did the ballads get Respect?" Well, the right ones got the "respect", I guess for the most part.

it's all subjective, diamonds and pearls I never liked and i really didn't consider it a ballad, but I don't think it's a great song. My assertion is he did many and lots of them were pretty darn good, a lot better than the attention they got. but it happens. I heard a Paul Simon song "Bernadette" blew me away but it completely went under the radar, one of the best ballads i've ever heard. It happens, not everything great gets it's day in court.