LOVE this song!! One of my top 10 Prince songs of all time!! This was the one I had on repeat when I first got the record back in the day (I got it the day it came out!). This song grabbed me right away and is still one of my go-to tracks. It has such a positve message (which really helps now...)

Latin said:

Was it a hit in Europe when it was released as a single? [Edited 9/1/16 18:01pm]

.

It was, but not a big one. Raspberry Beret, which was released later on, was a bigger hit. Paisley Park remained an obscure single, even in Europe.

Latin said:

Was it a hit in Europe when it was released as a single? [Edited 9/1/16 18:01pm]

In the UK, it reached number 18. I recall at the time it was pretty much panned by mainstream radio; Radio 1 back then was staffed alomst entirely by morons (it's still crap but much better now, unbelievably) and the consensus was that he'd fluffed it big time for not replicating Purple Rain/When Doves Cry/1999/etc. About a year or so later, in a masterpiece of music journo revisionism, it was seen as 'genius'.

I love the song, though I think Beatles comparisons are a bit lazy. It's more sophiscticated musically than the Sgt Pepper tribute track a few people perceive it to be. Yes it's psychedelic but it's actually pretty funky in its own way too; only Prince could write and deliver this.

I also remember saving up pocket money to buy the 12'' on rainy Saturday afternoon in Manchester. Happy days.

[Edited 9/2/16 15:11pm]

Love the song and having been at Paisley it all made sense. Like his own Wonka Factory. This past June 7th I included the Paisley aspect into my Prince symbol tattoo. The song, place, will always live in my heart as well

JellyJam said:

Love , love it and the remix too

[Edited 9/3/16 10:50am]

JellyJam said:

Latin said:

Was it a hit in Europe when it was released as a single? [Edited 9/1/16 18:01pm]

In the UK, it reached number 18. I recall at the time it was pretty much panned by mainstream radio; Radio 1 back then was staffed alomst entirely by morons (it's still crap but much better now, unbelievably) and the consensus was that he'd fluffed it big time for not replicating Purple Rain/When Doves Cry/1999/etc. About a year or so later, in a masterpiece of music journo revisionism, it was seen as 'genius'.

I love the song, though I think Beatles comparisons are a bit lazy. It's more sophiscticated musically than the Sgt Pepper tribute track a few people perceive it to be. Yes it's psychedelic but it's actually pretty funky in its own way too; only Prince could write and deliver this.

I also remember saving up pocket money to buy the 12'' on rainy Saturday afternoon in Manchester. Happy days.

[Edited 9/2/16 15:11pm]

Yep and still is.

JellyJam said:

Latin said:

Was it a hit in Europe when it was released as a single? [Edited 9/1/16 18:01pm]

In the UK, it reached number 18. I recall at the time it was pretty much panned by mainstream radio; Radio 1 back then was staffed alomst entirely by morons (it's still crap but much better now, unbelievably) and the consensus was that he'd fluffed it big time for not replicating Purple Rain/When Doves Cry/1999/etc. About a year or so later, in a masterpiece of music journo revisionism, it was seen as 'genius'.

I love the song, though I think Beatles comparisons are a bit lazy. It's more sophiscticated musically than the Sgt Pepper tribute track a few people perceive it to be. Yes it's psychedelic but it's actually pretty funky in its own way too; only Prince could write and deliver this.

I also remember saving up pocket money to buy the 12'' on rainy Saturday afternoon in Manchester. Happy days.

[Edited 9/2/16 15:11pm]

I agree, but in the rock critics defense, when you start to compare a record to the one which invariably
makes the top 10 of the best rock records lists, well, it admits without saying explicitly so
that said record is not far from Lennon/Macca levels in terms of pop.

That's not bad rap.

Or perhaps were you pointing at Alan Leeds in particular?

That said, I hate the english critic in the BBC documentary that goes "So, thank God for 'Raspberry Beret', because the rest...",
what a douchebag.

[Edited 9/3/16 12:27pm]

I wasn't a fan of this track, sorry.

Latin said:

Who is doing the background vocals on the song?

Wendy & Lisa

bonatoc said:

JellyJam said:

In the UK, it reached number 18. I recall at the time it was pretty much panned by mainstream radio; Radio 1 back then was staffed alomst entirely by morons (it's still crap but much better now, unbelievably) and the consensus was that he'd fluffed it big time for not replicating Purple Rain/When Doves Cry/1999/etc. About a year or so later, in a masterpiece of music journo revisionism, it was seen as 'genius'.

I love the song, though I think Beatles comparisons are a bit lazy. It's more sophiscticated musically than the Sgt Pepper tribute track a few people perceive it to be. Yes it's psychedelic but it's actually pretty funky in its own way too; only Prince could write and deliver this.

I also remember saving up pocket money to buy the 12'' on rainy Saturday afternoon in Manchester. Happy days.

[Edited 9/2/16 15:11pm]

I agree, but in the rock critics defense, when you start to compare a record to the one which invariably
makes the top 10 of the best rock records lists, well, it admits without saying explicitly so
that said record is not far from Lennon/Macca levels in terms of pop.

That's not bad rap.

Or perhaps were you pointing at Alan Leeds in particular?

That said, I hate the english critic in the BBC documentary that goes "So, thank God for 'Raspberry Beret', because the rest...",
what a douchebag.

[Edited 9/3/16 12:27pm]

On the 'top 10 lists' point, I agree, but sometimes I think that Sgt Pepper is just a lazy reference point for journos...

Lennon/Macca? Nah man, Prince is way better

JellyJam said:

Latin said:

Who is doing the background vocals on the song?

Wendy & Lisa

And they did a beautiful job specially at the very end.

I remember the anticpation of a new single here. There had just been top 10's with 1999/Little Red Corvette (no.2) reissue and Let's Go Crazy/Take Me With You (no.7) in early 1985 so a new single was big news.

I went straight out to buy the single but couldn't get into it immediately but back then Radio Luxembourg broadcast their chart in the UK on a Sunday evening predicting the official chart to be released on the Tuesday. They had it a new entry at no.10 which was great news but then on the Tuesday the official chart was a new entry at no.60.

The following week Radio Luxembourg had it a non mover at no.10 so signs were that a big hit was still coming but the official charts had it up to no.43.

The official chart climb to it's peak is 60>43>38>24>18.

I love this song and this always draws me back to this album.

The cover sleeve, the 12" remix, the 12" misprint. The lyrics and the lack of video lets you just see it as you see the lyrics. I have to rate this one very highly. Lots of nights doimg home work with this one dropping down on the turntable makes it a favourite.

[Edited 9/23/16 14:15pm]

I love the song, in fact I love that whole album. I heard Michael Jackson loved that song too. I bet he would have gone on a Paisley Park tour if he had the chance.

I would say it was this song that solidified me as a die hard fan. I got into Prince the year before, but this song, the artwork, the album compeletely mesmerised me.

Latin said:

Does anyone know whether he ever performed "Paisley Park" live?

I love this song and was recently wondering the same thing about whether it had been sung live

He sang it at the Manchester concert Hit and Run II and it is wonderful!!!

bonatoc said:

Latin said:

Does anyone know whether he ever performed "Paisley Park" live?

A few times. The best in my opinion is the one from the 1986 1st Avenue warm-up.

It's not bad, but without the string quartet, and the introspection (which is a paradox considering the catchy chorus),
it's not the same. I can understand why he felt this was not a song very appropriate for concerts.

The ONA Soundchecks boot has a couple of really guitar heavy versions. Great stuff.

TheEnglishGent said:

I love the song, in fact I love that whole album. I heard Michael Jackson loved that song too. I bet he would have gone on a Paisley Park tour if he had the chance.

Really, when did you hear that? PP is a song i visualize Michael Jackson performing it.