My understanding is that Lovesexy was more popular in the UK than in the US. Is anyone able to explain this difference in the popularity of Lovesexy? (I was born in 1986, so I don't know, but I'm curious!)

206Michelle said:

NorthC said:

206Michelle said:

My understanding is that Lovesexy was more popular in the UK than in the US. Is anyone able to explain this difference in the popularity of Lovesexy? (I was born in 1986, so I don't know, but I'm curious!)

Short answer: Homophobia in the US.

album: above average

band : excellent

videos: eehh (he had better and worse)

fashion: absolutely hideous

herb4 said:

206Michelle said:

My understanding is that Lovesexy was more popular in the UK than in the US. Is anyone able to explain this difference in the popularity of Lovesexy? (I was born in 1986, so I don't know, but I'm curious!)

Short answer: Homophobia in the US.

Nope. The album was not accessible. No breaks within tracks on CD (forcing the consumer to listen to the entire CD like a record), overly gospel without too much commerical material, and yes...some people were put off by the naked dude on the cover. It had nothing to do with homophobia. Some people don't want naked women or dudes in front of their kids.

tollyc said:

herb4 said:

Short answer: Homophobia in the US.

Nope. The album was not accessible. No breaks within tracks on CD (forcing the consumer to listen to the entire CD like a record), overly gospel without too much commerical material, and yes...some people were put off by the naked dude on the cover. It had nothing to do with homophobia. Some people don't want naked women or dudes in front of their kids.

The lack of breaks within tracks would definitely be a turn-off to people. I also agree that the cover art did not help the album sales-wise.

--

I also think that Alphabet St. is one of Prince's weaker singles. I remember from growing up in the 90s that hearing singles on radio often generated a lot of interest in albums. I imagine that it was a similar situation in the 80s. Alphabet St. just isn't that great of a single in my opinion. The hook isn't that great. It's not the most accessible song. I find it a hard song to follow. The introduction isn't the best. And the song did not have staying power. When I was in high school, I heard songs like Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, Kiss, Raspberry Beret, Little Red Corvette, and 1999 on the radio. I probably heard Cream too, I just don't remember. As an adult, I hear Diamonds & Pearls and I Wanna Be Your Lover and all of the previous songs on the radio. Those songs have staying power. The singles from SOTT were not as popular as these other ones that I mentioned, but the album is a masterpeice and received rave reviews from critics.

"the greatest show on earth"

luvsexy4all said:

lucylula said:

My first Prince concert...I am in the U.K.and at 16 wasn't allowed to travel to London to see Prince...rang my Mum from near Wembley to tell her where I was it was worth the ear bashing I got when I got home, in fact it changed my musical life and set me on the path to Prince forever

If I had to chose one tour that I didnt see, but wish I had, it would be Lovesexy. What a show!

If I had to chose one tour that I did see, that I was glad I did above all others: One Night Alone

milesb said:

Latin said:

rob1965 said:

This era means the world to me for many reasons. My first Prince concert so you can imagine the imprint it left on me. Both my parents were alive and well and i met a wonderful girl to enjoy the concert with. So it will always be a very happy time of my life when i remember smiling from ear to ear all the time. Also love the album and so i play it regular and i can close my eyes and think of that time over and over. Thank you Prince.

Happy New Year to Latin and all the orgers

Guitarhero said:

On the basis of the Lovesexy period, Prince owns polka dots absolutely and in perpetuity. Anyone else who wears them is only renting - and owes royalties.

Guitarhero said:

I was 16 when LoveSexy came out and I loved it. My husband, who was 20 at the time and is a musician, says that he and all his musician friends didn't like it at all. The album cover had nothing to do with it. They thought the music was weak, the execeptions being When 2 R in Love and Anna Stesia. They thought all the other songs were silly and an embarassment to Prince. I need to note that he and his friends back then were all major Prince fans, but this album was a fail to them.

Guitarhero said:

rob1965 said:

Guitarhero said:

This era means the world to me for many reasons. My first Prince concert so you can imagine the imprint it left on me. Both my parents were alive and well and i met a wonderful girl to enjoy the concert with. So it will always be a very happy time of my life when i remember smiling from ear to ear all the time. Also love the album and so i play it regular and i can close my eyes and think of that time over and over. Thank you Prince.

Happy New Year to Latin and all the orgers

Great story. Thank you for sharing. What I remember most clearly is getting those wrist bands when I had a spot close to the stage. These wrist bands (I still have it, BTW) made it able to leave your spot to go for drinks and go back without someone taking your place. It also was a way to make sure that only a number of people got their place so close to the stage without crushing each other to avoid people from fainting etc. I also remember the bass of the PA-system being so loud and so deep: I loved it! There is one moment that is in my head like a photograph and that's when P stood in front of us doing the guitar solo of Let's Go Crazy. We were in awe. The first night (Rotterdam) was without the piano segment. The second night was with the piano segment. During the second night we were on the balcony so we got a clear view on the stage and could see the details we missed on the first night. The stadium was lit up with bright red fireworks and that was really amazing. Some 5 or 6 weeks later we were at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund to relive it once more. Well, we all know what that was like. Happy newyear, BTW [Edited 1/1/17 0:30am]

Thanks 4 sharing so cool! And yes i'm jealous you were at the legendary Westfalenhalle in Dortmund concert Great memories for you.

rob1965 said:

Yes it was/is special. Not to brag about anything, but from the fairly long list of major music acts I was able to witness live on stage over the years, the Dortmund Lovesexy show was -by far- THE best show ever. The sound, the band, the music, the stage, the atmosphere: everything was perfect.
No ther act I've seen since then was able to top this performance.
Not even P himself, BTW...

Guitarhero said:

milesb said:

If I had to chose one tour that I didnt see, but wish I had, it would be Lovesexy. What a show!

Absolutely agree.

The Dortmund concert is probably my P's "desert island live".

Anyway, I've got a question for someone who was there, at any concert of 1988.....

The stage was in the middle of the hall, surrounded by people.

On the TV recording we can see all actions because of the multiple cameras, but was it the same also being in the crowd, no matter the actual place?!?!?

Loefie said: