independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Sign O The Times lyric question.
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 1 of 2 12>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Author

Tweet     Share

Message
Thread started 08/29/17 11:13am

Monarch

avatar

Sign O The Times lyric question.

"Hurricane Annie ripped a ceiling off a church & killed everyone inside". I've been looking through lists of pre 1987 hurricanes and cannot find a hurricane Annie. Although I was only going back into the 70s because the album was predominantly dealing with current issues of the day. So my question is when & where did the real Hurricane Annie happen? Also any info about was a church really destroyed killing everyone? I understand a lot of his work had fictional characters and events, but this song was done in the fashion of reporting the news.



Any help is greatly appreciated 😋
Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #1 posted 08/29/17 11:53am

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

avatar

I think he is referring to Annie Christian from Controversy. She is portrayed as the Antichrist in the song and represents the Metaphorical ills of the world. He is representing Annie as a Hurricane doing harm to the house of God, typical actions of the Antichrist.

[Edited 8/29/17 12:03pm]

2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #2 posted 08/29/17 11:55am

AnnaStesia10

avatar

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I think he is referring to Annie Christian from Dirty Mind. She is portrayed as the Antichrist in the song and represents the Metaphorical ills of the world. He is representing Annie as a Hurricane doing harm to the house of God, typical actions of the Antichrist.



I concur with u. Well said!
"A strong spirit transcends rules." - Prince
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #3 posted 08/29/17 1:14pm

rickyprynce

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I think he is referring to Annie Christian from Controversy. She is portrayed as the Antichrist in the song and represents the Metaphorical ills of the world. He is representing Annie as a Hurricane doing harm to the house of God, typical actions of the Antichrist.

[Edited 8/29/17 12:03pm]

Dead on it!

Exactly my first thoughts back in March 1987 when I heard the lyrics.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #4 posted 08/29/17 1:32pm

ufoclub

avatar

Funny this whole time I thought there must have been a mid 80's hurricane tragedy he was referring to.

I guess not!

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #5 posted 08/29/17 1:37pm

NorthC

Nonsense. He used the name Annie simply because it fit with the melody of the song; it could just as easily have been hurricane Harry, but hurricanes traditionally have female names. Some people really read too much into things.
[Edited 8/29/17 13:38pm]
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #6 posted 08/29/17 1:42pm

rickyprynce

NorthC said:

Nonsense. He used the name Annie simply because it fit with the melody of the song; it could just as easily have been hurricane Harry, but hurricanes traditionally have female names. Some people really read too much into things. [Edited 8/29/17 13:38pm]

Maybe So...But until She's crucified...I'll live my life in taxicabs. LOL

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #7 posted 08/29/17 1:45pm

NorthC

With a lady as a driver, I suppose... wink
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #8 posted 08/29/17 1:46pm

rickyprynce

NorthC said:

With a lady as a driver, I suppose... wink

Screaming "this is for Yosemite Sam and the toursists at Disneyland"

...The North C. we need a good laugh these daze!

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #9 posted 08/29/17 1:47pm

rickyprynce

rickyprynce said:

NorthC said:

With a lady as a driver, I suppose... wink

Screaming "this is for Yosemite Sam and the toursists at Disneyland"

...The North C. we need a good laugh these daze!

Thank U

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #10 posted 08/29/17 1:48pm

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

avatar

NorthC said:

Nonsense. He used the name Annie simply because it fit with the melody of the song; it could just as easily have been hurricane Harry, but hurricanes traditionally have female names. Some people really read too much into things. [Edited 8/29/17 13:38pm]

Implying Prince didn't even put any thought whatsoever into his music wink

2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #11 posted 08/29/17 2:52pm

kevinpnb

avatar

Hurricanes don't traditionally have female names. The names alternate between male and female.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #12 posted 08/29/17 3:04pm

laurarichardso
n

kevinpnb said:

Hurricanes don't traditionally have female names. The names alternate between male and female.

--Actually hurricanes did get female names back in the day and then later they started alternating.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #13 posted 08/29/17 3:39pm

crimesofparis

laurarichardson said:

kevinpnb said:

Hurricanes don't traditionally have female names. The names alternate between male and female.

--Actually hurricanes did get female names back in the day and then later they started alternating.

True. They used to all be female names until a few decades ago, max. The woman who led the charge to also use male names died recently.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #14 posted 08/29/17 3:43pm

67Cadillac

I always had more of an issue with the 'we'll call him Nate' line - I always thought that was such a dummy lyric, like Prince couldn't think of a better line.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #15 posted 08/29/17 4:42pm

kevinpnb

avatar

I never cease to learn something on the Org 👍
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #16 posted 08/29/17 5:16pm

Adorecream

Interesting as here in the Southern Hemisphere, we get cyclones and they often get feminine names like Drena and Ava (Usually English and some Polynesian ones), but we also alternate with male names like Bola. There is no real sex division with naming Cyclones, as long as it's alphabetical so you will know Drena was the 4th or 30th cyclone of the season.

.

I am assuming back in the day was 2005 with Hurricane Katrina, then 1993 we had Andrew and in 1961 we had Huriicane Hattie. Now of course we have Hurricane Harvey, which has dumped our average annual rainfall (1300mm - 51 inches) in Houston in a few days.

[Edited 8/29/17 17:18pm]

Got some kind of love for you, and I don't even know your name
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #17 posted 08/29/17 5:28pm

gandorb

67Cadillac said:

I always had more of an issue with the 'we'll call him Nate' line - I always thought that was such a dummy lyric, like Prince couldn't think of a better line.

Nate rules!!! One of his best lyrics ever.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #18 posted 08/29/17 6:02pm

laurarichardso
n

67Cadillac said:

I always had more of an issue with the 'we'll call him Nate' line - I always thought that was such a dummy lyric, like Prince couldn't think of a better line.


That is the child's name.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #19 posted 08/29/17 6:27pm

gandorb

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I think he is referring to Annie Christian from Controversy. She is portrayed as the Antichrist in the song and represents the Metaphorical ills of the world. He is representing Annie as a Hurricane doing harm to the house of God, typical actions of the Antichrist.

[Edited 8/29/17 12:03pm]

Exactly. I totally disagree with those who think this explanation is just reading too much into it, though I have felt that way about other questions. Both Annies are so specific in their destruction to the church/Christians that to think that Prince was completely unaware of this connection is preposterous.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #20 posted 08/29/17 7:46pm

ufoclub

avatar

To be real, I think he was referring to a hurricane disaster, but I thought Annie was a real one. Yes back then all hurricanes were female names.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #21 posted 08/30/17 2:24am

BartVanHemelen

avatar

NorthC said:

Nonsense. He used the name Annie simply because it fit with the melody of the song; it could just as easily have been hurricane Harry [Edited 8/29/17 13:38pm]

.

Exactly.

© Bart Van Hemelen
This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.
It is not authorized by Prince or the NPG Music Club. You assume all risk for
your use. All rights reserved.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #22 posted 08/30/17 5:11am

OldFriends4Sal
e

67Cadillac said:

I always had more of an issue with the 'we'll call him Nate' line - I always thought that was such a dummy lyric, like Prince couldn't think of a better line.

that was a cool line...

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #23 posted 08/30/17 9:00am

crimesofparis

ufoclub said:

To be real, I think he was referring to a hurricane disaster, but I thought Annie was a real one. Yes back then all hurricanes were female names.

I was curious, so I looked it up, and hurricanes have had male names, too, since about 1980.

.

I'm sure most hurricanes that make landfall cause damage to churches, but I was wondering how many people have died while seeking refuge in a church during a storm, and found this, which raised my eyebrows:

1969: Hurricane Camille was a Category 5 killer storm

.

One of the most enduring myths of Camille was the death of 23 residents of the Richelieu Apartments in Pass Christian who were said to be having a “hurricane party.” Recent research suggests that eight people died in the building when 30-foot storm waves obliterated it. But there was no party. The attention given to the tale has obscured the overwhelming tragedy of the Williams family. While the father, Paul Williams, survived after being swept out of Trinity Church where his family had taken refuge, his wife and all 12 of his children drowned.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #24 posted 08/30/17 9:13am

OnlyNDaUsa

avatar

kevinpnb said:

Hurricanes don't traditionally have female names. The names alternate between male and female.

since 1979 but I think

"Keep on shilling for Big Pharm!"
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #25 posted 08/30/17 9:23am

ufoclub

avatar

crimesofparis said:

ufoclub said:

To be real, I think he was referring to a hurricane disaster, but I thought Annie was a real one. Yes back then all hurricanes were female names.

I was curious, so I looked it up, and hurricanes have had male names, too, since about 1980.

.

I'm sure most hurricanes that make landfall cause damage to churches, but I was wondering how many people have died while seeking refuge in a church during a storm, and found this, which raised my eyebrows:

1969: Hurricane Camille was a Category 5 killer storm

.

One of the most enduring myths of Camille was the death of 23 residents of the Richelieu Apartments in Pass Christian who were said to be having a “hurricane party.” Recent research suggests that eight people died in the building when 30-foot storm waves obliterated it. But there was no party. The attention given to the tale has obscured the overwhelming tragedy of the Williams family. While the father, Paul Williams, survived after being swept out of Trinity Church where his family had taken refuge, his wife and all 12 of his children drowned.

You're right about the male names, I was going on my own subjective memory as a kid... but I don't remember Hurricane Jerry or Bret... lol. But they are listed. And I was a Texan all through the 70's and 80's.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #26 posted 08/30/17 9:27am

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

avatar

BartVanHemelen said:

NorthC said:

Nonsense. He used the name Annie simply because it fit with the melody of the song; it could just as easily have been hurricane Harry [Edited 8/29/17 13:38pm]

.

Exactly.

Now that I see wet blanket Bart agreeing with you I know I'm right lol

2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #27 posted 08/30/17 10:32am

NorthC

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:



BartVanHemelen said:




NorthC said:


Nonsense. He used the name Annie simply because it fit with the melody of the song; it could just as easily have been hurricane Harry [Edited 8/29/17 13:38pm]

.


Exactly.




Now that I see wet blanket Bart agreeing with you I know I'm right lol


It's very rare for Mr. B to agree with anyone on anything, so this was a nice change. wink
However, you're not right and I'm not wrong and I'm not right and you're not wrong. Neither of us can know what was going through Prince's head when he wrote the song, so your interpretation is just as valid as mine. cool
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #28 posted 08/30/17 10:50am

SupaFunkyOrgan
grinderSexy

avatar

NorthC said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Now that I see wet blanket Bart agreeing with you I know I'm right lol

It's very rare for Mr. B to agree with anyone on anything, so this was a nice change. wink However, you're not right and I'm not wrong and I'm not right and you're not wrong. Neither of us can know what was going through Prince's head when he wrote the song, so your interpretation is just as valid as mine. cool

At least mine is creative! wink

2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #29 posted 08/30/17 11:23am

gandorb

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:[quote]

ft

NorthC said:


SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:



Now that I see wet blanket Bart agreeing with you I know I'm right lol



It's very rare for Mr. B to agree with anyone on anything, so this was a nice change. wink However, you're not right and I'm not wrong and I'm not right and you're not wrong. Neither of us can know what was going through Prince's head when he wrote the song, so your interpretation is just as valid as mine. cool

At least mine is creative! wink

[/

I would add that both scenarios could be true. He may have thought of that Annie rhymed well and then thought of how it parlays well with Annie Christian given the theme or vice versa. It was really different with Nate, as he sang it with a bit of tongue in cheek accented by the pause afterwards.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 1 of 2 12>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > Sign O The Times lyric question.