While purple rain is the defining metaphor in Prince’s canon, a half-inch of white snow set one of the most heartbreaking chapters in his career into motion: the breakup of the Time. While a reworked version of “Old Friends 4 Sale” was eventually released in 1999 as the title of Prince’s de-facto 22nd album, the contract filler The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale, the original tells a chilling tale of love and betrayal between a band of brothers. Read More...

Nice article! Thanks!

Thanks for posting.

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I've been enjoying these articles a lot but this one's not right, is it?

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Like a lot of people, I initially thought that Prince was singing about Jam & Lewis in the original version's lyrics but it was later pointed out that he's referring to Morris & Vanity.

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This makes sense for two reasons: the main one being that the whole verse is talking about drugs so 'snow' is being used metaphorically here.

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The other reason that's very apparent from this article is that the timing is off. Had Prince written this in '83 it would make sense, but for him to be writing this in '85 about an event 2 years earlier would seem to be very unusual for him?

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geetee71 said:

.

I've been enjoying these articles a lot but this one's not right, is it?

.

Like a lot of people, I initially thought that Prince was singing about Jam & Lewis in the original version's lyrics but it was later pointed out that he's referring to Morris & Vanity.

.

This makes sense for two reasons: the main one being that the whole verse is talking about drugs so 'snow' is being used metaphorically here.

.

The other reason that's very apparent from this article is that the timing is off. Had Prince written this in '83 it would make sense, but for him to be writing this in '85 about an event 2 years earlier would seem to be very unusual for him?

.

I think it would be brilliant if this was both (the four of them) tackled in one line.
It wouldn't surprise me. He's a master at double-entendres.


4 2 friends of mine got stuck in the snow
In Uptown when winter's alarmin', oh

Did the Jam & Lewis incident happen during winter?

[Edited 4/4/18 2:11am]

geetee71 said:

jdcxc said:

bonatoc said:

geetee71 said:

.

I've been enjoying these articles a lot but this one's not right, is it?

.

Like a lot of people, I initially thought that Prince was singing about Jam & Lewis in the original version's lyrics but it was later pointed out that he's referring to Morris & Vanity.

.

This makes sense for two reasons: the main one being that the whole verse is talking about drugs so 'snow' is being used metaphorically here.

.

The other reason that's very apparent from this article is that the timing is off. Had Prince written this in '83 it would make sense, but for him to be writing this in '85 about an event 2 years earlier would seem to be very unusual for him?

.

I think it would be brilliant if this was both (the four of them) tackled in one line.
It wouldn't surprise me. He's a master at double-entendres.


4 2 friends of mine got stuck in the snow
In Uptown when winter's alarmin', oh

I agree with you and think that the line probably refers to both Morris&Vanity AND Jimmy and Terry.

And yes , it must have happened in winter because according to Princevault (and other sources ) they couldn´t fly to San Antonio and were stranded in Atlanta due to a blizzard.

Also keep in mind that Big Chick Huntsberry is mentioned in the song too and he had cocaine problems, so maybe that line refers to Morris and Chick rather than Vanity, which would make the recording date a bit more plausible because Vanity left in 1983 whereas Morris and Chick were still in the picture....more or less.

I know Morris left before 1985 but still....

The line about selling some old pictures definitely refers to Big Chick and the National Enquirer article.

geetee71 said:

.

I've been enjoying these articles a lot but this one's not right, is it?

.

Like a lot of people, I initially thought that Prince was singing about Jam & Lewis in the original version's lyrics but it was later pointed out that he's referring to Morris & Vanity.

.

This makes sense for two reasons: the main one being that the whole verse is talking about drugs so 'snow' is being used metaphorically here.

.

The other reason that's very apparent from this article is that the timing is off. Had Prince written this in '83 it would make sense, but for him to be writing this in '85 about an event 2 years earlier would seem to be very unusual for him?

.

But what would be the difference from writing about a 1983(Jimmy & Terry) even in 1985 vs a 1983-1984(Vanity & Morris) even in 1985?

Also indirectly about Dez and getting a new guitarist Wendy(which as also a 1983 event)

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Even though I agree with you that is referring to Morris Day & Vanity

I have mixed feelings. I love the concept but the execution at times irks me.. To much focus on back stories and interviews at the expense of analysis of the content and merit of individual songs. The vocal phrasing, chord structure, lyrical content etc. Also, I don't understand the need for live covers that Prince has done or a Vanilla Ice song when there are plenty of other songs of merit that could be included...

I prefer this site..

http://www.500princesongs.com/

jdcxc said:

I find a lot of factual errors in the Prince 365 series.

purplerabbithole said:

I have mixed feelings. I love the concept but the execution at times irks me.. To much focus on back stories and interviews at the expense of analysis of the content and merit of individual songs. The vocal phrasing, chord structure, lyrical content etc. Also, I don't understand the need for live covers that Prince has done or a Vanilla Ice song when there are plenty of other songs of merit that could be included...

I prefer this site..

http://www.500princesongs.com/

jdcxc said:

I find a lot of factual errors in the Prince 365 series.

500 Prince songs is so great.
Even when you don't agree it's just too damn good writing, and you're sold.