Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and people across the U.S. are taking time to reflect on the legacy of the late minister, activist, and civil rights icon.

Prince was deeply affected by Dr. King, whose tragic assassination occurred in 1968 when the young musician was just 9 years old. Over the years, Dr. King's name would appear more than once in Prince's lyrics, most notably in his 2009 song "Dreamer."

Released on his Lotusflow3r album, "Dreamer" seems to reach back to that pivotal time of social unrest and civil rights protest, channeling the guitar playing of another icon, Jimi Hendrix, in the process. Prince also seems to be foreshadowing the hard-rocking sound he would embrace with 3RDEYEGIRL.

Although it was never released as a commercial single, "Dreamer" was prominently featured in a Target commercial for the new triple album (which was released exclusively through the Minnesota-based retailer), and Prince's thought-provoking lyrics about race and passionate vocal delivery made such an imprint on the recording industry that it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.

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Prince - “Dreamer”
(Lyric Excerpt)

“I was born & raised on the same plantation
In the United States of the red, white and blue
I never knew that eye was different
Till Dr. King was on a balcony lyin' in a bloody pool

Expected so much more from a lovin’, a lovin', lovin' society
A truthful explanation, but you know what?
I got another, another conspiracy

If it was just a dream, listen
Call me, call me a dreamer, too

With more rewards and accolades than anyone before or after
21st century, oh what a shame, what a shame that race still matters
A race to what & where are we goin’?
We are in the same boat and I’m the only one rowin'

Last time eye checked you were sleepin'
But you can call me a dreamer, too”

© NPG Music Publishing

I'd say that his "most notable" use/reference of MLK was the sample from I Have a Dream at the end of the jam Family Name - my second most fave joint from The Rainbow Children. Nice thematic tie-in to go out on...Happy late MLK Day, by the way, peeps . Fuck it, may as well make a week of it!

That said, I do love to hear Dreamer, especially when live with 3rdeyegirl.

It's an AMAZING song. And then he talks about chemtrails...

Thanks Latin!

pinkcashmere23 said:

bluegangsta said:

Latin said:

Check out the video entitled "Kurtis Blow: Prince Donated $90k for Martin Luther King Tribute Video": https://m.youtube.com/wat...9xIsaO-nRQ

Thanks for posting Latin. I have this video on VHS from back in the 80's. Never knew Prince was involved with it

WeDaBest said: