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Can some1 explain the meaning behind the title "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance" I binge-listened to Musicology yesterday (because that's what weekends are for ) and the track that stood out as a real kicker was 'Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance'.
The title was unusual, even for Prince, and with a bit of research, I found that part of it is a reference to "Pomp and Circumstance". I also guess that 'Illusion' might reflect the line in the chorus "Who's pimpin' who..?", But can somebody please explain what the 'Coma' part means? Nitpicking here, but I like to understand everything. [Edited 10/14/19 7:26am] | |
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Coma is probably referring to the fact the male character is on heroin as is referenced in the line "Put the spoon down, let mama feed you." | |
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LoveGalore said: Coma is probably referring to the fact the male character is on heroin as is referenced in the line "Put the spoon down, let mama feed you." Ohhh... I didn't get that. Interesting. | |
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I always thought, the one or two times I've listened to this janky ass song, that he was singing about fucking some older broad (silver hair, etc). I'm probably off on that, and that's okay. It's a lame song. But here are the lyrics. She knew which fork 2 use but she couldn't dance (Ha) She was older but rich beyond compare Way 2 fine, he was 4 her Ugly... CHORUS Where was I? Oh yeah... CHORUS Now, dance He spent her money oh so well, honey CHORUS {x2} Now, dance Dance {x3} Sorry, it's the Hodgkin's talking. | |
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TrivialPursuit said: I always thought, the one or two times I've listened to this janky ass song, that he was singing about fucking some older broad (silver hair, etc). I'm probably off on that, and that's okay. It's a lame song. But here are the lyrics. She knew which fork 2 use but she couldn't dance (Ha) She was older but rich beyond compare Way 2 fine, he was 4 her Ugly... CHORUS Where was I? Oh yeah... CHORUS Now, dance He spent her money oh so well, honey CHORUS {x2} Now, dance Dance {x3} Thats basically it. Its a reference 2 Doris Duke,and u can read about it here: https://diffuser.fm/princ...cumstance/ And it ain't lame... It's funky! | |
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thats cool - always wanted to know more about this song ...
I thought this was the best song on "musicology" ... I never really got into the album from beginning to end ... Colonel Angus may be smelly. colonel angus may be a little rough . but deep down ... Colonel angus is very sweet. | |
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I always liked this song. | |
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I always thought the 'put down the spoon' line referred to the silver spoon (that she was born with) that he was using and the 'let mama feed you' line meant she wanted sex right now. | |
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Sorry, it's the Hodgkin's talking. | |
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Yeah that was one of them songs that annoyed me but i see there's more to it. Now i want to know more. Time keeps on slipping into the future...
This moment is all there is... | |
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TrivialPursuit said:
Alright then. Bet you're gonna tell me that you like Manic Monday from Originals. not my fave... | |
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ColAngus said: thats cool - always wanted to know more about this song ...
I thought this was the best song on "musicology" ... I never really got into the album from beginning to end ... I like to listen to entire albums. My thinking issongs are put together for a reason, and it's kinda nice to hear them all in context with each other. They tell a bigger story. Musicology is cool because it goes back to the funk that he started his career with, and im a fan of the genre. Not saying that his later 80s stuff wasnt good, but there's something about the albums like Dirty Mind and For You that just get me. | |
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Miitch said: ColAngus said: thats cool - always wanted to know more about this song ...
I thought this was the best song on "musicology" ... I never really got into the album from beginning to end ... I like to listen to entire albums. My thinking issongs are put together for a reason, and it's kinda nice to hear them all in context with each other. They tell a bigger story. Musicology is cool because it goes back to the funk that he started his career with, and im a fan of the genre. Not saying that his later 80s stuff wasnt good, but there's something about the albums like Dirty Mind and For You that just get me. What about Musicology sounds remotely similar to For You, Prince, or Dirty Mind??? | |
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The genre. It's a lot more funk-based, kinda reminds me of Jack U Off, Soft and Wet etc... That's just my opinion, but I feel like Musicology comes full circle. He started with funk and soul, then moved on to something a bit more R&B, pop, and occasionally hip-hop and rock. Musicology, I feel, comes back to the funk and soul sounds of his early work.
Did I say something wrong? | |
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Ok, please don’t take offense. But “binge listened”? Is that what we call listening to an entire album now? These are indeed the end times.
Prince was unique to this century in that he put a lot of thought into what songs should go on an album, and in what order. This is because he intended the listener to take a musical journey that had a specific path. Listen to every Prince album in its order and entirety but especially with “20Ten”. You’ll be glad you did! . [Edited 10/15/19 7:14am] | |
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RodeoSchro said: Ok, please don’t take offense. But “binge listened”? Is that what we call listening to an entire album now? These are indeed the end times. Prince was unique to this century in that he put a lot of thought into what songs should go on an album, and in what order. This is because he intended the listener to take a musical journey that had a specific path. Listen to every Prince album in its order and entirety but especially with “20Ten”. You’ll be glad you did! . [Edited 10/15/19 7:14am] Perhaps bad terminology. I, being a dumb millennial, couldn't think of any other way to explain it. But, yes, I completely agree with you. You're missing half the point (or maybe more) if you listen to random tracks. Having said that, I do have a "Prince Faves" playlist that is more eclectic than a junk store. | |
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Binge listening - WTF? You are so right Rodeo. Listening to an album from start to finish - who knew LOL
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RodeoSchro said: Ok, please don’t take offense. But “binge listened”? Is that what we call listening to an entire album now? These are indeed the end times. Prince was unique to this century in that he put a lot of thought into what songs should go on an album, and in what order. This is because he intended the listener to take a musical journey that had a specific path. Listen to every Prince album in its order and entirety but especially with “20Ten”. You’ll be glad you did! . [Edited 10/15/19 7:14am] Love your comment. | |
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The best song from the album. From the first I heard it, I thought he should have released it as the second single. | |
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Miitch said: RodeoSchro said: Ok, please don’t take offense. But “binge listened”? Is that what we call listening to an entire album now? These are indeed the end times. Prince was unique to this century in that he put a lot of thought into what songs should go on an album, and in what order. This is because he intended the listener to take a musical journey that had a specific path. Listen to every Prince album in its order and entirety but especially with “20Ten”. You’ll be glad you did! . [Edited 10/15/19 7:14am] M Perhaps bad terminology. I, being a dumb millennial, couldn't think of any other way to explain it. But, yes, I completely agree with you. You're missing half the point (or maybe more) if you listen to random tracks. Having said that, I do have a "Prince Faves" playlist that is more eclectic than a junk store. Lol, no worries. The term made me chuckle. | |
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Sorry, it's the Hodgkin's talking. | |
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I love the funk, but I find when the only positive descriptor/defense of a Prince track of questionable quality is "It's funky/fonky!" it usually leaves a tad more to desire... for me anyway. [Edited 10/15/19 16:14pm] | |
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No thread on ICPC is complete without mentioning that time The Chronic - he’s not too fine, he’s three fine - begged for the funk chords. This after telling us he was the best musician on the .Org, lol. | |
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I never understood this song 🤷♀️ | |
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Always thought this one was self explanatory It's about an old (ugly) white broad (*cause she's Florence maybe... and she's "florescent" under the dirty lights) shacking and smacking with some young buck (*who's implied to be black) a giggolo. They're bonded in shitty matrimony....a culmination (*where POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE are generally played) Though it's not a wedding theme, each is giving the other something they don't have on their own One has no money One has no flow (*rhythm, sex what have you) And the line is "who's screwing who if they're both getting something out of it? " Is she pimping him? Is he pimping her? Who's fucking over who if they're both getting what they "want" It's done in a jokey thing and the spoon is the contrast between an old ass mama feeding a young baby. (Think Airplane noises when feeding) Song about some nasty people with some nasty business but in it Prince is kinda indicating it's justified. Who's gonna judge if they're both getting a piece of the action? Isn't it clear as day? *the thing that intrigued me was the intro playing IF EYE WAS YOUR GIRLFRIEND. ....at the time i think he was mocking his old output along the same lines of the relationship covered in the song. He'd been delving away from cheap exploits in his songs and i thought the selective samples he played were telling ♫"Trollin, Trolling! We could have fun just trollin'!"♫ | |
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TrivialPursuit said:
It's okaaay, but the Bangles murdered it for me. I prefer his version a lot better, but it's been ruined. If I had to name a Prince song i hate, it would have to be that. | |
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2045RadicalMattZ said: Always thought this one was self explanatory It's about an old (ugly) white broad (*cause she's Florence maybe... and she's "florescent" under the dirty lights) shacking and smacking with some young buck (*who's implied to be black) a giggolo. They're bonded in shitty matrimony....a culmination (*where POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE are generally played) Though it's not a wedding theme, each is giving the other something they don't have on their own One has no money One has no flow (*rhythm, sex what have you) And the line is "who's screwing who if they're both getting something out of it? " Is she pimping him? Is he pimping her? Who's fucking over who if they're both getting what they "want" It's done in a jokey thing and the spoon is the contrast between an old ass mama feeding a young baby. (Think Airplane noises when feeding) Song about some nasty people with some nasty business but in it Prince is kinda indicating it's justified. Who's gonna judge if they're both getting a piece of the action? Isn't it clear as day? *the thing that intrigued me was the intro playing IF EYE WAS YOUR GIRLFRIEND. ....at the time i think he was mocking his old output along the same lines of the relationship covered in the song. He'd been delving away from cheap exploits in his songs and i thought the selective samples he played were telling I know exactly what the SONG'S about. I just wanted to know what the "Coma" part of the TITLE is about. But thank you for confirming what I knew. | |
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RodeoSchro said: Miitch said: M Perhaps bad terminology. I, being a dumb millennial, couldn't think of any other way to explain it. But, yes, I completely agree with you. You're missing half the point (or maybe more) if you listen to random tracks. Having said that, I do have a "Prince Faves" playlist that is more eclectic than a junk store. Lol, no worries. The term made me chuckle. | |
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WhisperingDandelions said: I love the funk, but I find when the only positive descriptor/defense of a Prince track of questionable quality is "It's funky/fonky!" it usually leaves a tad more to desire... for me anyway. [Edited 10/15/19 16:14pm] I have plenty o reasons why this song is one of my personal faves, but I know that that defense seems to be a favourite on the org. :-P I can give you some positive descriptors if you've got time... | |
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