Even among Prince’s elite ballads — from “Do Me, Baby” and “The Beautiful Ones” to “Adore” and “Scandalous!” — the ambient “Adonis and Bathsheba” takes flight in breathtaking style.

The Dream Factory-era outtake captures the way love and imagination can transport the listener to a diverse and vibrant world. “To an orgy in a garden of flowers, Adonis and Bathsheba flew / All of creation awaits them, a flowing dance by the crystal blue / Stream of desire and erotic rebellion that parades through their hearts and minds / They look at one another as much as they don’t / To touch is their need, to love they are blind.”

Saxophonist/flutist Eric Leeds and trumpeter Atlanta Bliss join Prince in creating a lush symphonic pop soundscape with a finger-licking-good guitar solo tucked away at the end, wringing the song for all its worth. Surprisingly, longtime engineer Susan Rogers felt it was one of the most underwhelming tracks the singer ever created. “‘Adonis and Bathsheba’ was the first time [in four years] where I thought to myself ‘You know, I don’t think this is one of his best ones,’” she told PodcastJuice in a January 2017 interview. “There was just something funny about it, and I thought the lyrics were kind of corny.”

While there may be some who agree with said analysis, many have claimed that “Adonis and Bathsheba” is an outstanding yet-to-be-released gem buried deep in Prince’s overflowing chest of musical treasures.

[Edited 3/26/17 5:26am]

[Edited 3/26/17 5:27am]

Great TRax IMO.....I heard Wally Full version> It is in the same way in term of production & orchestration...Sax & Guitar but with more Sadness ...GReat trax too!

I agree with your assessment, ChrisLacy1990: "Adonis and Bathsheba" is a soaring ballad. Ever economic, Prince had the rare gift of painting a stark picture with so few words. And, the second verse is just as divine in it's imagery.

An abandoned gazebo houses what looks 2 b a perfect place / They undress as they're running, Bathsheba crying / Adonis sweat upon his face / 4 them there is no morning, only night / decisions so grand / There is no bed, how will they ever love? / They decide 2 stand / No bed, they decide 2 stand

[Edited 3/26/17 6:02am]

One thing I admire about it is that it fits into my favorite Prince song category: A totally complex and unique song that burrows into your mind forever.

[Edited 3/26/17 10:18am]

Love everything about it: vocals, lyrics, guitar.

love2thenines2003 said:

mushmackalenta said:

love2thenines2003 said:

Great TRax IMO.....I heard Wally Full version> It is in the same way in term of production & orchestration...Sax & Guitar but with more Sadness ...GReat trax too!

You heard the full version if Wally. Has this leaked?

I love Adonis and Bathsheba. Only Prince coulda pulled off that one.

FlyOnTheWall said:

I agree with your assessment, ChrisLacy1990: "Adonis and Bathsheba" is a soaring ballad. Ever economical, Prince had the rare gift of painting a stark picture with so few words. And, the second verse is just as divine in it's imagery.

An abandoned gazebo houses what looks 2 b a perfect place / They undress as they're running, Bathsheba crying / Adonis sweat upon his face / 4 them there is no morning, only night / decisions so grand / There is no bed, how will they ever love? / They decide 2 stand / No bed, they decide 2 stand

[Edited 3/26/17 6:02am]

mushmackalenta said:

love2thenines2003 said:

mushmackalenta said:

You heard the full version if Wally. Has this leaked?

Of course not.....I can't tell more anyway ...sorry....if one day this song is available...this opportunity is out of my hands. ..sorry!

Fucking love this song. It sounds so alive and complete. Baffling that it never saw any kind of release.

I said in another thread that if Adore and Alexa de Paris had a baby, it'd be Adonis and Bathsheba. I stand by that.

ChrisLacy1990 said:

amazing guitar solo on this masterpiece

masaba said:

lakerlaker52 said:

ChrisLacy1990 said:

Surprisingly, longtime engineer Susan Rogers felt it was one of the most underwhelming tracks the singer ever created. “‘Adonis and Bathsheba’ was the first time [in four years] where I thought to myself ‘You know, I don’t think this is one of his best ones,’” she told PodcastJuice in a January 2017 interview. “There was just something funny about it, and I thought the lyrics were kind of corny.”

If anyone is wondering why Adonis and Bathsheba never saw a proper release, look no further. Susan is entitled to her opinion, of course, but she is way off the mark on this one and I can't help but wish she would've shut her mouth about the song. Prince, like most artists, is sensitive to the opinions of others and I have no doubt that her harsh words made him second-guess his work on this track. It reminds me of the story behind Bob Dylan's "Forever Young." He end The Band finished up the take that would become the classic version of the song. Someone was in the Control room listening to play back with them – I think it was actually a girlfriend that Bob had hanging around – and said something along the lines of "Aw, Bob, you're not getting all mushy on us are you?" The Band was mortified because they knew this was a brilliant song and recording and now Dylan was wanting to trash it because he was sensitive to someone else's opinion. Fortunately, they talked him into keeping it.

Susan Rogers is not why the song was not released. Like so many other songs. 1985 alone produced 3-4+ albums worth of unreleased music. It is because there was or was not an intended album/protege project for it that we know of. He recorded a lot of stuff that he probably never intended to release or never had the right album/project band outlet.

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Prince isn't that sensitive to the opinions of others like that. This is the man that released Jack U Off, Sister and If I Was Your Girlfriend, the Lovesexy cover and went on MTV in ass exposed pants.

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There was nothing harsh about what she said, that was everyday talk. Prince dished that out and worse to people in his camp and band

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Prince is the 'sensitive artist' that would clown Morris Day/the Time on stage at First Avenue. The sensitive artist that during soundcheck laughed at Wendy BrownMark & Eric Leeds for not being able to hit a solo in a certain key, and make fun of his manager Steve's shirt, and call them all 'Weak' right on the mic. Prince is the sensitive artist that during a Lovesexy rehearsal had the lighting guy focus in on Miko Weavers shoes to make fun of them, or during the Parade tour laugh at Levi Seacer's broken down car or constantly jive Bonnie Boyer and make fun of her weight. So I doubt what Susan Rogers said hurt Prince to the point he would not release the song.

1985
God Is Everywhere
Come Elektra Tuesday
Killen At the Soda Shop
Stella & Charles
Zebra With the Blond Hair (probably Palomino Pleasure Ride)
She Pony
Old Friends 4 Sale
Go
Splash
Others Here With Us
Sexual Suicide
Heaven
Eternity
and more...

RJOrion said: