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SOTT v Dear Mr Man Sign O The Times is one of my favorite Prince songs because of the addictive rhythm, thought-provoking lyrics and sparse arrangement. When Dear Mr Man was released in 2004 I liked it and regarded it as a sort of SOTT for the new millennium. However, although it's a funky jam it just doesn't seem to work as well as it's predecessor but I can't put my finger on why that is. Any thoughts on how these 2 social commentary songs compare? | |
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Where to begin... . "Mr. Man" is full of unimaginative sloganeering. It's also preachy. There's no poetism in his choice of words. And musically it is hurt by an equally unimaginative arrangment. Plus, IMO it's argument is completely idiotic - "maybe we should write a letter" but "ain't no sense in voting"?? I know the voting is a JW thing, but c'mon - write a letter?? Not only is it a corny idea that's been done to death in a lot of other songs, it's still political activism (which is what voting is, too). What's the real difference, except that the vote actually (theoretically) counts? . SOTT on the other hand is everything that "Mr. Man" is not. It also has the added benefit of being cryptic in places. SOTT is pop genius, whereas "Mr. Man" is lazy workmanlike "craft."
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i liked it, as a native american i loved it. SOTT is a classic and was of a differenct Prince era, when he was quirky beyond belief. Sott is hardly even a song really, almost some mutant rap/funk. A couple spooky chords thrown in and some Temptations psychedelic era melody lines with lots of words on social conditions. [Edited 9/13/16 12:51pm] | |
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"Dear Mr. Man" is an Al Green rip-off musically and lyrically it's pretty silly as CAL3 described above. DRINKING water is a precious commodity. Sea water, not so much. Oil spills don't make the news because the sea water is ruined.
SOTT is pretty sweet. I'm not into the message in the chorus because we DO need to be exploring the universe. It is possible to take care of the poor AND be curious at the same time. | |
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i always thought it was a marvin gaye ripoff, like his what's going on stuff. I still like it though. | |
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I prefer DMM. full lips, freckles, and upturned nose | |
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Pretty sweet? it sounds like a dismiss. I love both of them, but Sign is better and it really has the psychedelic sound. | |
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Prince always gets flack for "following" the hip-hop trend too late to the party, but I'll always argue "Sign O the Times" was actually right on time for the movement. It's basically vocals over a very legit rap beat. |
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and true love lives on lollipops and crisps | |
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