“Joy in Repetition” isn’t a song that draws much attention from mainstream audiences yet this Graffiti Bridge cut deserves to be on a greatest-hits compilation.

Originally recorded in 1986, Prince weaves tribal-sounding drums, exotic synths, and rippling guitar lines with seductive vocal layerings and poetic imagery. “In the alley over by the curb, he said ‘Tell me what’s your name’ / She only said the words again, and it started to rain / Two words fall in between the drops and the moans of his condition / Holding someone is truly believing there’s joy in repetition.”

And as brilliant as the studio recording is, one could argue that the 11-minute, One Nite Alone… Live! version is even better with Larry Graham on bass, Maceo Parker on sax, and Prince firing on all of his “Guitar God” cylinders. Intricately arranged and improving with age, “Joy in Repetition” is a breathtaking, cinematic piece of audio erotica.

probably his best song lyrically.

One of my all time favorite songs..beautifully written and composed..Miss you Prince

My Number 1. I got to hear him play it at the piano and it'll always hold a special meaning. LOVE ME is Prince.

One of my all time faves as well. It's one of his perfect songs.

one of my very favourites...love the piano and microphone version where he sounds like he is yearning "love me"

I hope they release this song with the slow intro restored and the Lovesexy party voices removed. I have loved this song since I first heard it as bootleg in 1988.

Love it... the vibe of the song is so magical, mysterious, and sexy

LEATHRSAIL said:

I hope they release this song with the slow intro restored and the Lovesexy party voices removed. I have loved this song since I first heard it as bootleg in 1988.

Likewise. I've always dug the extended intro without the crowd hoopla from "The Ball / Eye No."

LEATHRSAIL said:

I hope they release this song with the slow intro restored and the Lovesexy party voices removed. I have loved this song since I first heard it as bootleg in 1988.

Yes, the one with the delayed Linn toms intro.
The use of silence is just perfect.

I hated it when I heard the "Alphabet St." intro over the GB version.
And not only because of the intro, but clearly the mix is different,
you can tell even if the quality of the bootleg is not EX.

The guitars intertwining at the end are more upfront in the mix on this bootlegged version,
and it makes the "Why don't U love me" cries much more poignant.

I love this song, altough it has a sad vibe.

[Edited 3/22/17 6:30am]

Loefie said:

The live version is one of the best performances absolutely.

Loved the bootleg of this since 1988 when it appeared on the "Chocolate Box" vinyl. I remember listening in headphones and deciphering and transcribing the lyrics, and astonished to find that even at a lyrical level, it was amazing.

I do wish an official lone drum intro version existed.

This is one of his best creations.

I never did like the One Night Alone version of it... maybe I should revisit. The studio track has the kind of magic I like.

kapo74 said:

The best version I've witnessed live was at the second night of the North Sea Jazz festival. Never liked the song that much, but the way Prince performed it that night was magical. One of my all times favorite moments of seeing Prince perform over the last twenty or so years.

I hope u're talking about this version cuz i adore it too.

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQymuHoK1DQ

I listed to this song for the first time in about 2 years today. I forgot that it is a great part of 'Graffiti Bridge'.

the version in the extras of the dvd is great too, it' live from france or somewhere. first time i saw it it just boggled my mind as to why he wanted to sit on work like that when it's obvious he put tons of energy, time and care into it, only to lock it away from sight.

Favorite Prince song of all time! Be it studio, live, movie version or whatever, this is one helluva jam. As others have mentioned, I hope the lone, Linn drum intro gets released in some form or another. I wish I could combine the live version with Larry Graham where Prince melted his guitar because he scorched it and the spoken word version at North Sea Jazz Fest with Cassandra's haunting piano intro.

Prince realised a little late what type of jem he had in "JIR". He should've released that song as soon as it was done being mastered and played live every chance he got. It's one of those songs that comes off well as a studio song and live. One of Prince's greatest works in my opinion.

[Edited 3/21/17 9:53am]

PeteSilas said:

dance4me3121 said:

PeteSilas said:

the version in the extras of the dvd is great too, it' live from france or somewhere. first time i saw it it just boggled my mind as to why he wanted to sit on work like that when it's obvious he put tons of energy, time and care into it, only to lock it away from sight.

I think your talking about "The Question of U"

you're right, sorry, i always confuse those because they were the two best tracks on the album and also because of the mood.

would love a stand alone version of this without the segue

ufoclub said:

Loved the bootleg of this since 1988 when it appeared on the "Chocolate Box" vinyl. I remember listening in headphones and deciphering and transcribing the lyrics, and astonished to find that even at a lyrical level, it was amazing.

I do wish an official lone drum intro version existed.

This is one of his best creations.

I never did like the One Night Alone version of it... maybe I should revisit. The studio track has the kind of magic I like.

What makes the lone drum intro such a big deal? The rest is the same isn't it?

paulludvig said:

Beautiful sad song about loneliness and the yearning for love.