It's kind of a perfect example of Prince's ability to take a very simple song structure and build off it into something deceptively complex, one of the main things I appreciate in his songwriting. this track is just a lesser known example of it.

He had a knack for writing songs that were often quite basic - with a simple beat and repetitive measures - and then sort of...I don't know..."decorating" them with expertly placed timing, subtlety and nuance that would change up the pace just enough to add another layer of complexity. Like, he'd go back around again on the second verse and add these little tiny things that kept building. "Layers" I guess for lack of a better word. He'd hook you with the basic fundamentals of the track and than do something as simple as adding a synth or a finger symbol on the same 2/4 beat only louder or doubled up so that every time you went around again on the carousel, there'd be another flower that appeaed on the horse you were riding when you weren't even looking.

Something like that.

Hard to explain and I'm not a musician but the carousel metaphor works for me. So many songs....just a basic ride...up and down rythym, around in circles..quite simple. Except every lap around it got you're noticing something slightly different that made you want to keep riding what would otherwise be a boring children's ride and by the time you were done the merry go round had an entire garden that had grown around it when you exited.

The video kind of visually exemplifies this. Repeating elements, a slow left to right progression, a delicate sort of boat ride down a stream or even like reading a book and as the song grows in complexity, the visuals follow suit. I don't know how well I'm describing what I mean but...I'm trying.

Positivity is like this too. Similar in structure and tempo.

Back in the day, this tendency of Prince's would reveal itself to me with repeated headphone listens and this track; the entire Lovesexy album in particular, is rich with these types of rewards. Almost too many after a certain point because holy shit this album is as layered as an onion.

TL/DR: A great track on a good album

herb4 said:

violetcrush said:

herb4 said:

It's kind of a perfect example of Prince's ability to take a very simple song structure and build off it into something deceptively complex, one of the main things I appreciate in his songwriting. this track is just a lesser known example of it.

He had a knack for writing songs that were often quite basic - with a simple beat and repetitive measures - and then sort of...I don't know..."decorating" them with expertly placed timing, subtlety and nuance that would change up the pace just enough to add another layer of complexity. Like, he'd go back around again on the second verse and add these little tiny things that kept building. "Layers" I guess for lack of a better word. He'd hook you with the basic fundamentals of the track and than do something as simple as adding a synth or a finger symbol on the same 2/4 beat only louder or doubled up so that every time you went around again on the carousel, there'd be another flower that appeaed on the horse you were riding when you weren't even looking.

Something like that.

Hard to explain and I'm not a musician but the carousel metaphor works for me. So many songs....just a basic ride...up and down rythym, around in circles..quite simple. Except every lap around it got you're noticing something slightly different that made you want to keep riding what would otherwise be a boring children's ride and by the time you were done the merry go round had an entire garden that had grown around it when you exited.

The video kind of visually exemplifies this. Repeating elements, a slow left to right progression, a delicate sort of boat ride down a stream or even like reading a book and as the song grows in complexity, the visuals follow suit. I don't know how well I'm describing what I mean but...I'm trying.

Positivity is like this too. Similar in structure and tempo.

Back in the day, this tendency of Prince's would reveal itself to me with repeated headphone listens and this track; the entire Lovesexy album in particular, is rich with these types of rewards. Almost too many after a certain point because holy shit this album is as layered as an onion.

TL/DR: A great track on a good album

Susan Rogers said he was a genius with layering vocals and instruments to create a melodic sound with little nuances and subtle varying sounds which added to the listening experience.

He really was.

IMO, he was the best at it. Artists like Peter Gabriel, Trent Reznor, Stevie...even Sly...a lot of them were really great at it but Prince usually had a way of keeping it simple for the most part that made it stand out even more. Something like DMSR is a pretty basic 2/4 funk track but the time you reach the end it's got a hundred things going on. Often a song that long with that structure can get old but when he nailed it it didn't feel long and you really didn't want to end. Automatic, while not as basic, is another good example, The whole 1999 album is chock full of what I'm talking about.

Back in my heavy pot using days, I had a ritual whenever a new album came out. I'd buy it, play it in the car all the way through and, then, when I got off work or finished studying or whatever, I'd do a few bong rips, bust out the headphones, turn out the lights and really experience the full album from beginning to end and EVERY TIME, the record got better. There's stuff you just can't hear without headphones.

Miss those days

The 12" is one of the best things he ever put out. Completely quirky, unpredictable, and absolutely cinematic (Scarface quote aside), and sonically. just. art .

I was surprised to see Jon Bream dislike this song when the Lovesexy album came out.

To me, it is definitely my favorite or at least second favorite song on that album.

I love the album version; it's so weird. The guitar weaving in and out, rock-esque. The loud drums, the echoey vocals. Especially the very end keyboard to end the song, really weird and really perfect; i always have to air play the keyboard.

The extended version/Take this Beat? I love it to death because it's basically a totally different song, a funk raveup! Love the lyrics and the beat which have me head-nodding like it's a damn rap song; the beat is that awesome.

Never again...

KoolEaze said: