Wolfie87 said:

Yes it 100 % is! Because New Power Generation is in the Trinity of songs that started his downfall into the 90's. The other two would be Arms of Orion and Lemoncrush. He got lucky that Free didn't ruin his career back in 1982. [Edited 2/14/20 8:29am]

-

...never disliked Lemon Crush,

nor Arms Of Orion,

and certainly not Free.

-

His downfall was the horrible mediocre idea for that movie 'Grafitti Bridge',

and the fact the album was a (mediocre) group collaboration with a 'worng' sound.

Let me explain myself;

The story was somehow a very bad 'part II' of the Lovesexy theme. (That Lovesexy album was wonderful and superb by the way! Compare the 'sound' and layers of creativity, it's freshness.

It still is so outspoken, that the pros and contras here keep on argueing).

-

My humble opinion;

Either he wa sout of new ideas, or Prince was jsut trying to sneak into the 90's with a cool sound mix of old Prince and new samplings.

It put his 'funk' in subpar, with a 'poppy' smear and too smooth production.

It killed the suprise effect that came with nearly every Prince album.

It lacked originality and most of the greatness of an atypical Prince sounding album we were all looking forward too.

-

RJOrion said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I prefer Bold Generation, when I hear it in the time period it was meant for 1982-1983 period, 1999 What Time Is It? Purple Music, it clearly expresses an expressed vision of UPTOWN. And it lives through 1980's but New Power, stops right where it started. There was no New Power ... like there was a Revolution. I think if the Lovesexy band continued, New Power might have made more sense.

what do you mean by "an expressed vision of UPTOWN"?

Uptown, (Purple Music), Erotic City, Paisley Park, A Love Bizarre (I'm missing one more) are songs I believe represent the vision and energy of what Prince was about

Now where I come from
We don't let society tell us how it's supposed to be
Our clothes, our hair, we don't care
It's all about being there
Everybody's going uptown
That's where I want to be
Uptown
Set your mind free
Uptown
Got my body hot
Get down
I don't want to stop, no

Bold Generation seems to fit that expression, but coming through the Time. Who expressed Prince from a certain point of view. Like Morris Day, defining what Funk was in the song Grace, and defining what 'cool' meant. The song is 'anthematic' in a sense, like Sexuality is, and the Glamorous Life. There are key songs through those years, were he makes 'declarations', that to me, build on his vision. He was definately a Utopian.

.

Pardon me for living, but this is my world too
I can't help if what's cool to us might be strange to you
Pardon me for breathing, borrow some of your air
The trouble with your generation is you don't take time to care

Ain't got time for politics, we never fight no war
Makin' love and music is the only thing worth fighting for

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Your old fashioned music, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do

Pardon me for thinking, there's something under my hair
Maybe you thought the lights were on but no one's living there
Pardon me for living, but this is my world too
I hope they bury your old ideas the same time they bury you

Ain't got time for politics,...

Ain't got time for politics, we never fight no war
Makin' love and music is the only thing worth fighting for

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Your old fashioned music, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Your old fashioned music, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Your old fashioned music, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do

Gonna change the world
Gonna change, gonna change, gonna change the world

Bold Generation
Bold Generation
Everybody say:
Bold Generation
Yeah
Bold Generation
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahhhh
Bold Generation
Bold Generation
Everybody say, everybody say, everybody everybody
Bold Generation
Uh-huh, baby

Pardon me for breathing, may I borrow some of your air
The trouble with your generation is you don't take time to care Take time to care

Ain't got time for politics, we never fight no war (Never fight no war)
Makin' love and music is the only thing worth fighting for

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Change the world, gotta change the world
Bold Generation, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do
Don't tell us what to do
Bold Generation
Okay

OldFriends4Sale said:

Nope. People always fetishize the unreleased version(s).

Bold Generation is awesome. Love the stripped down bare sound.

However...

Still love New Power Generation. I played that extended version to DEATH. So no its not better...just different.

RJOrion said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Uptown, (Purple Music), Erotic City, Paisley Park, A Love Bizarre (I'm missing one more) are songs I believe represent the vision and energy of what Prince was about

Now where I come from
We don't let society tell us how it's supposed to be
Our clothes, our hair, we don't care
It's all about being there
Everybody's going uptown
That's where I want to be
Uptown
Set your mind free
Uptown
Got my body hot
Get down
I don't want to stop, no

Bold Generation seems to fit that expression, but coming through the Time. Who expressed Prince from a certain point of view. Like Morris Day, defining what Funk was in the song Grace, and defining what 'cool' meant. The song is 'anthematic' in a sense, like Sexuality is, and the Glamorous Life. There are key songs through those years, were he makes 'declarations', that to me, build on his vision. He was definately a Utopian.

.

Pardon me for living, but this is my world too
I can't help if what's cool to us might be strange to you
Pardon me for breathing, borrow some of your air
The trouble with your generation is you don't take time to care

Ain't got time for politics, we never fight no war
Makin' love and music is the only thing worth fighting for

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Your old fashioned music, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do

Pardon me for thinking, there's something under my hair
Maybe you thought the lights were on but no one's living there
Pardon me for living, but this is my world too
I hope they bury your old ideas the same time they bury you

Ain't got time for politics,...

Ain't got time for politics, we never fight no war
Makin' love and music is the only thing worth fighting for

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Your old fashioned music, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Your old fashioned music, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Your old fashioned music, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do

Gonna change the world
Gonna change, gonna change, gonna change the world

Bold Generation
Bold Generation
Everybody say:
Bold Generation
Yeah
Bold Generation
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahhhh
Bold Generation
Bold Generation
Everybody say, everybody say, everybody everybody
Bold Generation
Uh-huh, baby

Pardon me for breathing, may I borrow some of your air
The trouble with your generation is you don't take time to care Take time to care

Ain't got time for politics, we never fight no war (Never fight no war)
Makin' love and music is the only thing worth fighting for

Bold Generation, we wanna change the world
The only thing that's in our way is you
Change the world, gotta change the world
Bold Generation, your old ideas
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do
Don't tell us what to do
Bold Generation
Okay

ok, i can dig that...but the song "Uptown" is about the Uptown area of Minneapolis, where Prince would hang out at...its an older, artsy area of the city with alot of shopping, clubs, cafe's and boutiques...its always been and still is, a popular hanging spot for more liberal, free-spirited people...its also where "Calhoun Square"(another Prince song title) is located...i know alot of people that arent from here, think "Uptown" is some mythical or fictional utopia that Prince is singing about...but its not, its an actual district in Minneapolis (Lake Street, Lyndale Ave, Lake Calhoun, etc)...im not sure if thats what youre implying, but i was just wondering.

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

.

It's more than a physical area, there was a theater called Uptown there too, St Paul MN also has an Uptown Theater. Prince though considers Minneapolis, Uptown as well. But the song is clearly a Utopian ideal of Prince, that is a utopian idea that created his scene with the Time, Vanity 6, Sheila E, the Family etc. Vision. He would also address his audience as 'Uptown!'
.
Now, where I come from we don't give a damn
We do whatever we please
It ain't about no downtown, nowhere-bound, narrow-minded drag
It's all about being free
Everybody's going uptown
It's where I want to be
Uptown
Uptown
Set your mind free
Uptown
.

The sun set n my heart this afternoon
4 2 friends of mine got stuck n the snow
N Uptown when winter's alarmin', oh
Cocaine becomes charmin'
But U talk about things U don't know
.
Uptown Erotic City Paisley Park Alphabet St 3121
.
MOJO: Growin' up in Minne-wood, as it's been now called, simply because that is the hot point on this planet right now.
PRINCE: Well, it's been called a lot of things, but it's always Uptown to me.

MOJO: Uptown?

PRINCE: Yes.

MOJO: What was it like growin' up Uptown?

PRINCE: Pretty different. Uh, kinda sad, to be exact. (laughs) I mean, the radio was dead, the discos was dead, ladies was kinda dead, so I felt like, if we wanted to make some noise, and I wanted to turn anything out....I was gonna have to get somethin' together. Which is what we did. We put together a few bands and turned it into Uptown. That consisted of a lot of bike riding nude, but ya know...it worked. We had fun. That's why I wanted to come here on my birthday...'cuz I wanted to give them a little taste of where we live and get a little taste of where you all live. To me, this is like my second home. If I could spend the night at somebody's crib, I would...'cuz this hotel.... They're real nice to us, but, this bed is hard!

Bold Generation should have been renamed to Good Generation or Old Ass Generation for which it is now

Kobe said:

Bold Generation should have been renamed to Good Generation or Old Ass Generation for which it is now

the soul is never old lol

I always felt that the "new power generation" concept/call was kinda corny for a guy who was 30+- the raging against the past seemed the fitting domain of a younger, emerging artist like Prince was in 1982. In 1990 it seemed a little tone deaf, considering Prince was one of the biggest artists of the 80's. Trying to unite his audience under this new mantra seemed try hard and really epitomised how out of touch at that point Prince and "Graffiti Bridge" album was from pop culture at the time. Others like NWA & Public Enemy seemed to be doing this at the time with much more engagement and authenticity. "Bold Generation" musically and conceptually is far more on point and relevant particulalry coming from the rebel rude boy Prince who was amassing an emerging army of followers all over the world.

[Edited 2/21/20 20:52pm]

[Edited 2/21/20 20:53pm]

Sydney said:

Sydney said:

I always felt that the "new power generation" concept/call was kinda corny for a guy who was 30+- the raging against the past seemed the fitting domain of a younger, emerging artist like Prince was in 1982. In 1990 it seemed a little tone deaf, considering Prince was one of the biggest artists of the 80's. Trying to unite his audience under this new mantra seemed try hard and really epitomised how out of touch at that point Prince and "Graffiti Bridge" album was from pop culture at the time. Others like NWA & Public Enemy seemed to be doing this at the time with much more engagement and authenticity. "Bold Generation" musically and conceptually is far more on point and relevant particulalry coming from the rebel rude boy Prince who was amassing an emerging army of followers all over the world.

[Edited 2/21/20 20:52pm]

[Edited 2/21/20 20:53pm]

Agree about this conceptually on the lyrics of New Power Generation, considering that the songs that followed on that album and on the next two albums seemed to be conventionally produced and even retro produced (much of Diamond and Pearls).

Reading the lyrics at the time, I wanted to find the new styles and new attitudes in his music, but outside of a few tracks and underground fresh bootleg tracks (at the time they were fresh!), much of it wasn't a new style, not evoking an impression of new creative power.

It all makes sense now that we know the lyrical theme came from that far back. In that case what followed post 1982 was him taking on a legion of new fans with new creative power.

But musically speaking, taking away all vocal tracks, I still think the sound of the remix 12" of NPG is great.

The Generation formerly known as Bold.

[Edited 2/23/20 14:21pm]

Sydney said:

I always felt that the "new power generation" concept/call was kinda corny for a guy who was 30+- the raging against the past seemed the fitting domain of a younger, emerging artist like Prince was in 1982. In 1990 it seemed a little tone deaf, considering Prince was one of the biggest artists of the 80's. Trying to unite his audience under this new mantra seemed try hard and really epitomised how out of touch at that point Prince and "Graffiti Bridge" album was from pop culture at the time. Others like NWA & Public Enemy seemed to be doing this at the time with much more engagement and authenticity. "Bold Generation" musically and conceptually is far more on point and relevant particulalry coming from the rebel rude boy Prince who was amassing an emerging army of followers all over the world.

[Edited 2/21/20 20:52pm]

[Edited 2/21/20 20:53pm]

Some years ago, I tried to connect the concept of NPG, New Power etc etc and it just didn't work, didn't make sense. There was no 'movemen't like he had in 1980-1987 period the New Breed, Revolution, Uptown, Paisley Park etc

.

Since it was initially a Time song, I wonder why he didn't let them do that one?

.

The New Power concept 1/2 worked for Lovesexy. For some reason I feel if the Lovesexy band was in the movie, it might have taken on a more significant meaning. But even many in the band in 1988 said they were not really getting the concept of Lovesexy.

.

What would New Power Generation sound like if it was the Lovesexy band...
.
Welcome 2 the New Power Generation
New Power

Soul Company

Girl Power

We've Got the Power

women who want babies that will grow up
with a New Power Soul.

Sydney said:

I always felt that the "new power generation" concept/call was kinda corny for a guy who was 30+- the raging against the past seemed the fitting domain of a younger, emerging artist like Prince was in 1982. In 1990 it seemed a little tone deaf, considering Prince was one of the biggest artists of the 80's. Trying to unite his audience under this new mantra seemed try hard and really epitomised how out of touch at that point Prince and "Graffiti Bridge" album was from pop culture at the time. Others like NWA & Public Enemy seemed to be doing this at the time with much more engagement and authenticity. "Bold Generation" musically and conceptually is far more on point and relevant particulalry coming from the rebel rude boy Prince who was amassing an emerging army of followers all over the world.

[Edited 2/21/20 20:52pm]

[Edited 2/21/20 20:53pm]

.

Good points, well stated.

.

Still, all that considered, damned if I don't continue to love New Power Generation as a great anthemic track.

.

I definitely see the points about it being somewhat corny NOW, but I didn't as a teen when I first got the album and maybe that sort of colors my perception of it to this day.

.

The Estate should commission a Broadway production utilizing the concepts laid out in the GB album but get the "right" writer(s) to do justice to - and better realize - what P seemingly had in mind with the movie/soundtrack. Could be a cool project.

I like both. I also think that Bold Generation would have made a good single had it been released during that era.

Milty2 said:

I like both. I also think that Bold Generation would have made a good single had it been released during that era.

I think t5he very same.

u can tell its unfinished

jfenster said:

u can tell its unfinished

How so?

jfenster said:

u can tell its unfinished

.

THANK YOU.

.

Now that is a sensible comment.

.

As for "New Power Generation" - what a fantastic finished track! Anthemic, danceable, and it delivers a message of positivity and empowerment.

slyjackson said:

jfenster said:

u can tell its unfinished

How so?

seems like he was kicking around sounds

Vannormal said:

slyjackson said:

jfenster said:

u can tell its unfinished

How so?

.

How is it not obvious why/how it is unfinished?

.

The finished version is New Power Generation. Bold Generation is, by definition, a work-in-progress.

[Edited 3/3/20 9:56am]

Yes and no and yes.

LoveGalore said:

This song does not sound unfinished to me. It sounds unmastered and like it's from a rotting cassette tape. Surprise surprise, it's essentially both. No true mastering can really happen when you source from a cassette like this. And it may have only seen a single mix done on it but that's sometimes enough. Prince released entire albums which were virtually untouched that way. If this were sourced from an actual master, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't sound unfinished or that it "stays in its own lane" to people.

They already confirmed that. This was the only song on 1999 Deluxe that was sourced from a cassette because Prince recorded over the master when he recorded New Power Generation.

One of the reviews of NPG at the time said it sounded like a commercial for an electricity utility company and I was never able to listen to it the same way after that. And agree 100% with the comments about the lyrics sounding corny from a megastar the wrong side of 30. Just didn't feel as authentically rebellious as (eg) Uptown or Sexuality. So my vote's for BG.

[Edited 3/3/20 14:28pm]

Strive said:

and i always thought NPG was a new track on GB......were there ANY "new" tracks on GB???