2045RadicalMattZ said:

FlyOnTheWall said:

Let me add this food for thought. The mention of Richie Havens in "June," I think, is not insignificant. The Woodstock icon has so many great songs that it's hard to say just what Prince meant; HOWEVER, in looking at Mr. Havens' discography, I discovered the song, "Death At an Early Age." I can't find the full lyrics, but I transcribed a bit of it and, IMHO, it is profound. But first, the video.

"Death at an Early Age"

Verse 1

I was born on a June day

to great expectations
.....

They wanted a boy but they
They got aberration.

Why they did love me, I never
I never could tell

Chorus

And I don't care what you think you see

From one strong fear, no one is free

The only thing this could ever be (?)

Death at an early age

Verse 2 (or 3)

You know I've tried in my own way

To understand freedom

Been making mistakes

Making mistakes is my usual way

I used to have ???

But now I don't need 'em

They keep changing the rules

Changing the rules

Changing the rules every day

[Edited 5/4/17 17:45pm]

I think you are dead. ..... on it.


I recall the Times when i roomed with a band mate. One time i was exhausted and drained, i decided to make some quick food but wound up having a beer and BURNING THE PASTA. It just left there unattended. This part of the album immediately hit me because it was repetitious music and conversation. Just like "time" ...this sounds about time. ... BECAUSE IT'S MY TIME.


Plain to see in hindsight that something was wrong. His last photo by his piano shows a weary brother. Rough times. Probably had a prognosis hence the PHASES ....the treatment. The fact he heralded the MOON in his last shows. PHASES. seemed like he had a diagnosis and if we're to believe cancer treatments. Phase two includes the use of pharmaceutical agents to attempt to combat it. These are INFERENCES. Also peep his tweet on the floor, sweater backwards with the crunch candy treats. Whatever he intended there are many signs

hyperpessimist said:

sfinky1 said:

This is all ridiculous and more about you the listener projecting your beliefs about PRN onto his songs..

With all due respect, I completely disagree (and it's OK for us to disagree). IMHO Poetry is layered, it is meant to be deciphered, interpreted in various ways. And all these ways are valid, they are interpretations. In poetry the word "pasta" can mean literally pasta AND be a metaphor for desolation: at the same time. We don't have to decide.

I don't think I'm projecting my beliefs, I have no beliefs in regards to Prince - I simply started this topic to place a hypothesis... what if these lyrics held clues to his own sense of impending doom?

I myself am not sure, and never will be. None of us will know, and the beauty of good poetry is it transcends a steady interpretation. It still doesn't prevent us from wondering. Why this conversation on possible meanings and metaphors is more "ridiculous" than any other topic I fail to understand. I remember reading an article about the disapearance of metaphor in pop lyrics in recent years - lots of songs are now very literal. I like the fact that Prince kept on maintaining his lyrics to the level of poetry, full of ambivalence, open to possibilities. Again, no disrespect meant, but I feel I'm losing something if I sit down, play "June" and think "oh, he cooked pasta and let it burn and that's that." Now, I have no problem at all if some people enjoy engaing with the lyrics more literally, that's their way of connecting with Prince's legacy and that's fine. But I like to think that I can come here and engage with others who enjoy multiple interpretation and speculation. It's a big world...

[Edited 5/5/17 6:55am]

[Edited 5/5/17 7:05am]

[Edited 5/5/17 7:06am]

anangellooksdown said:

Not having anything to talk about anymore but what they had for lunch? No one wanting to be the "martyr"? The emptiness, boredom and monotony spoken about?

He doesn't know what she had for lunch because she's now somewhere else being free but he's stuck in the lonesome. They weren't talking about what they had for lunch, Prince is pondering what she's now doing with her life. I don't know which specific ex though.

TheEnglishGent said:

anangellooksdown said:

Not having anything to talk about anymore but what they had for lunch? No one wanting to be the "martyr"? The emptiness, boredom and monotony spoken about?

He doesn't know what she had for lunch because she's now somewhere else being free but he's stuck in the lonesome. They weren't talking about what they had for lunch, Prince is pondering what she's now doing with her life. I don't know which specific ex though.

Logically this means nothing, but I can't resist pointing out a coincidence related to "June" that I haven't yet seen mentioned here...

Diamonds are the birthstone of April, and pearls are the birthstone of June.

Circler said:

Logically this means nothing, but I can't resist pointing out a coincidence related to "June" that I haven't yet seen mentioned here...

Diamonds are the birthstone of April, and pearls are the birthstone of June.

Who was born in April? Or are you referencing that Prince was born in June and died in April, which doesn't make sense bc you are referencing birthstones?

Circler said:

McD said:

Circler said:

Logically this means nothing, but I can't resist pointing out a coincidence related to "June" that I haven't yet seen mentioned here...

Diamonds are the birthstone of April, and pearls are the birthstone of June.

April is the fourth month, June the Sixth. What is hidden inbetween? The fifth. What is the fifth letter of the alphabet? E. E for Elevator!

Prince, god, forgive me for this but :