Was it ever on a Mavis Staples' album? I don't think so

The full version has been around for many years. It was not released on either of Mavis's Paisley Park albums. It was recorded in 1988, after Lovesexy was finished. I love this song too.

There is some footage from the Omnibus documentary that shows Prince teaching Mavis the lyrics and then him grooving at the board and Mavis in the sound booth recording her vocals. Priceless!, although I would pay for more footage.

masaba said:

Off Blast from the Past. I only ever heard the short Mavis Staples version. I've never listened to her album, so I'm not sure if the one I had heard was the same as the album version (or if it was even on her album lol). Regardless. This song is....fucking incredible. The energy is unbelievable. Great vocals, awesome beat, an absolutely blistering guitar solo, Mavis Staples going ballistic at the end lol. What's going on with this song? Where did this come from? Was this release the first time this song has been released in full? And if so, holy fucking shit.

I totally agree with you. This song blew my mind. I hadn't heard it before either until Blast From The Past. I so wished he would have released this song. It's so beautiful. Only Prince could have turned a church song into a funk tune. This could have been a hit, I'm sure.

One of my favorites among his unreleased songs. It is perhaps one of his only God/religious songs that is really fun! You are more likely to lead me towards God with fun and a groove than preachiness. So funky....

Yeah, thats good music right there... very catchy and not preachy at all.

when you guys say 'not preachy' what do you mean?

masaba said:

During an interview with Arsenio Hall, Mavis mentioned recording this song with Prince and how he convinced her to sing, "God is coming like a dog in heat."

.

[Edited 2/5/18 8:45am]

SoulSplash said:

During an interview with Arsenio Hall, Mavis mentioned recording this song with Prince and how he convinced her to sing, "God is coming like a dog in heat."

.

[Edited 2/5/18 8:45am]

Yes. I remember that.

Wlcm2thdwn3 said:

SoulSplash said:

During an interview with Arsenio Hall, Mavis mentioned recording this song with Prince and how he convinced her to sing, "God is coming like a dog in heat."

.

[Edited 2/5/18 8:45am]

Yes. I remember that.

me too! And didn't he ask why it was not released and she did not know, and he said maybe it is not ready and she said it was ready.

He is already here.

Flash, flash!
Jack just got the news
God is alive! God is alive!

CHORUS:
Whoa, oh! {x3}
God is alive

News is comin' like a hurricane
Comin' down hard on those who live in vain
Treatin' each other funky when U know we're all the same
God is alive, this is not a game

CHORUS
(He's alive)

News is comin' like a dog in heat
He's lookin' 4 soldiers with strong feet
That can dance on whoever can't say His name
God is alive, this is not a game (Listen)

CHORUS
(Listen)
(Yeah, I'm a witness)
(Do U believe?) (U know it)

All of His children come take a blissy ride
4 all who see Him, 4 all He lives inside
U can be so happy, purely satisfied
God is alive

Live, live!

One step at a time, we need a new rhyme (Alive)
Up with education, down with crime
Alive!

CHORUS
(God is alive!)

Live, live!
God is alive! {x5}

(CHORUS) {repeat parts in BG}
Oh yeah
Woke me up this morning
Started me on my day
Got my health and strength, y'all
I can truly say
Ooh, He's alive! Well
Ah, He's alive!
All over me
Ah, He's alive!
I'm a livin' witness
That God's alive!
I'm a livin' witness He's alive!
Do U believe that He's alive?
Do U believe, oh, He's alive?
Ooh, yes He is
Sho'nuff He is, well
Yes He is
Each breath I breathe lets me know
Every step I take lets me know
Every song I sing, oh, lets me know
Oh, God is alive!

Whoa, oh