Hi Laurence,
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Here's a few tracks that spring to mind. Obviously whether you regard these as dark or not is largely subjective, but I think they're worth considering.

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The original configuration of Parade had a couple of darker tracks that were substituted for the singles.
.
These were 'Others Here With Us'...

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"7-month-old baby died in her sleep
The parents went crazy and cried 4 a week
They swore they heard her laugh in the crib by the wall
They're convinced she's with us if she's anything at all"
.
...and the original version of 'Old Friends 4 Sale' which I think is darker now since Prince's passing...

.
"But life is no fun, life ain't no fun without fantasy

Some things are better left unsaid

And some people are better left untrusted

Maybe, maybe, maybe it'll all make sense when I'm dead

When I'm dead

.

Old friends 4 sale

Get 'em while the gettin' is hot

Watch out, they'll kiss U until they get what U got

And they'll show U the friends that they're not

Old friends 4 sale"
.

There were a few tracks from the 'Dream Factory' / 'Crystal Ball' era that covered dark subjects. ' Sign O' The Times' covered subjects like AIDS, gang violence, natural disasters & poverty. 'Crystal Ball' is about making love during a nuclear war, and despite 'In A Large Room With No Light' having a cheery melody, the lyrics do not reflect the music.
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"Lana drew a picture in school 2day, One that made her mother cry

A picture of a woman with a drink in her hand, standing by a child with no eyes

Washington reaction based upon revenge, babies blown 2 kingdom come

Damn the logic, cartoon characters look better when they're on the run"
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There was also 'A Place In Heaven' which despite being a really pretty song eludes to a woman contemplating suicide...

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"She wants a place in heaven

But she cannot face the truth

She lives on a rope of self-pity

It only requires a noose

Why are the ones so afraid 2 live

Much more afraid 2 die?

It's as easy 2 imagine laughing

When U really hear a cry

And they sound the same

Hell they sound the same"
.

Despite being on the LoveSexy album, I've always considered 'Anna Stesia' to be a dark track. Although never recorded in a studio (to anyone's knowledge) there was also a semi improvised live track 'People Without' performed at the famous 'Small Club' Lovesexy aftershow.

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The Batman album had an amazing outtake in 'Dance With The Devil' which Prince took off the album because he himself felt it was too dark (a mistake in my opinion).

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You've already brought up 'Papa', but I think there were a few other songs from that LP which were almost as deep suck as 'Solo' and 'Pheromone'. I think 'Pheromone' often gets overlooked, not just as an amazing tracks but also due to the disturbing lyrics...

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"I can see the castle

I can see the throne

I can see the beloved and she's not alone

But it's cool like that

Cuz I'll be diggin' her just the same

I can see the curtain wrestled from the wall

I can see her hands tied

I can see it all

He pulls a gat

This is how they play the game

And I'm 'round the the back

Cuz curiosity it knows no shame

.

I can feel the tension through the crack in the door

He begs 4 love, while she's disgusted more

And I'm on fire, cause I never seen her nude before

I wanna save her (save her)

I want 2 watch (watch)

All my vital signs go up a couple of notches

When he unties her and she runs 2 the open door

He trips and grinds her (grinds her)

Right there all on the floor (on the floor)

She so close I can touch her (touch her)

.

Her eyes are closed but there's no penetration

He just makes her point the pistol 2 his nose

While he masturbates and now I see a tear

Heading down towards her smile

What happens next it all depends upon your style"
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Finally, The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale contains a couple of creepy tracks in 'My Little Pill' and 'There Is Lonely'...

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"Is it me or did the room just get darker?

Is it me or did I just lay down and die?

Is this a dream or did the world just crumble at my very feet?

How in heaven will I ever be all right?

There is lonely

And there is lonely

And then there is how I feel right now"

Great thread:

Had U - a truly great F U track!

Solo - prince at his depressing best

Bob George [!] SICK!

Acknowledge me - S&M !

Annie Christian - the stuff of nighmares

SOTT - obvs!

Face Down - horrendous to hear those lyrics now

& probably many mo'!

[Edited 9/30/19 7:12am]

I'll add "Wasted Kisses" to the other dark/disturbing tracks mentioned.

How can 'Crystal Ball', 'Father's Song', and 'The Future' be missing from this list?

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[Edited 9/30/19 8:22am]

The one that says "Holocaust aside..."

VaultCurator said:

The original configuration of Parade had a couple of darker tracks that were substituted for the singles.
.
These were 'Others Here With Us'...

.
"7-month-old baby died in her sleep
The parents went crazy and cried 4 a week
They swore they heard her laugh in the crib by the wall
They're convinced she's with us if she's anything at all"
.
...and the original version of 'Old Friends 4 Sale' which I think is darker now since Prince's passing...

.
"But life is no fun, life ain't no fun without fantasy

Some things are better left unsaid

And some people are better left untrusted

Maybe, maybe, maybe it'll all make sense when I'm dead

When I'm dead

.

Old friends 4 sale

Get 'em while the gettin' is hot

Watch out, they'll kiss U until they get what U got

And they'll show U the friends that they're not

Old friends 4 sale"
.

These were the tracks that came to mind for me, "Others" being the first. I also thought of "Bambi," "Rockhard In A Funky Place," "Bob George" and "Dark."

[Edited 9/30/19 9:24am]

Dance With The Devil

Dance With The Devil still gives me the chills.

So many top choices listed above. I would add

Joint to joint, Something in the Water (does not compute), lady cab driver, Darling Nikki, Superfunkycalifragisexy, Dance on.

I find June to be really distressing. It really lends something to the rumors of early-onset Alzheimers. It's a profoundly creepy tune. Either way, he was telling us that something in his life was going horribly wrong.

Shockedelicus said:

Papa.

LaurenceNoonan said:

For me personally it would have to be "Sister" . . .

I agree on second thought.

"North"

Who's a Prince fan up in here???

Dark (simply because of title and also lyrics are somewhat sad)

Hallway speech from Computer Blue (trippy and intense)

nayroo2002 said:

FunkJam said: