I had my USB on shuffle (almost 7 hours of Prince) and this beautiful song tapped me on the shoulder and said "Remember me?" This is such a perfect song. Prince is going deep, and the "sha la la la la's" just giving you such a classic vibe to it. I've always loved this song since my first listen. And still, it brings me to tears. Everytime.

I agree - a beautiful song. Love it.

One of his best ballads, imo.

This song is gorgeous. Silky smooth ballad with a powerful message. I don't think the latter part of Prince's evolution gets enough credit. He evolved as an artist who developed a world view that was inclusive and very loving. Loving of not just people but of the world itself. Yes it came out sometimes a bit contrived but I admired his attempt at trying to develop a very Funky philosophy that one could not only jam to but could really listen to and get into. Into the lyrics, into the message. It was Prince's later half of his career, maybe even his final third where he really honed in on what he wanted
to say as an elderly funky disciple and statesman.

This song embodies alot of his spirtitual side and he does it in a creamy ballad. In my humble opinion this kind of song is only really appreciated when you stop doing whatever it is your doing, close your eyes, turn up the volume and really listen to him speak and really visualize in one's mind what he is saying. It's certainly worth the effort and this song is a good trip.

Much love 4 this song!!

vinaysfunk said:

This song is gorgeous. Silky smooth ballad with a powerful message. I don't think the latter part of Prince's evolution gets enough credit. He evolved as an artist who developed a world view that was inclusive and very loving. Loving of not just people but of the world itself. Yes it came out sometimes a bit contrived but I admired his attempt at trying to develop a very Funky philosophy that one could not only jam to but could really listen to and get into. Into the lyrics, into the message. It was Prince's later half of his career, maybe even his final third where he really honed in on what he wanted
to say as an elderly funky disciple and statesman.

This song embodies alot of his spirtitual side and he does it in a creamy ballad. In my humble opinion this kind of song is only really appreciated when you stop doing whatever it is your doing, close your eyes, turn up the volume and really listen to him speak and really visualize in one's mind what he is saying. It's certainly worth the effort and this song is a good trip.

Much love 4 this song!!

Eloquent post! thanks for your thoughts.

vinaysfunk said:

This song is gorgeous. Silky smooth ballad with a powerful message. I don't think the latter part of Prince's evolution gets enough credit. He evolved as an artist who developed a world view that was inclusive and very loving. Loving of not just people but of the world itself. Yes it came out sometimes a bit contrived but I admired his attempt at trying to develop a very Funky philosophy that one could not only jam to but could really listen to and get into. Into the lyrics, into the message. It was Prince's later half of his career, maybe even his final third where he really honed in on what he wanted
to say as an elderly funky disciple and statesman.

This song embodies alot of his spirtitual side and he does it in a creamy ballad. In my humble opinion this kind of song is only really appreciated when you stop doing whatever it is your doing, close your eyes, turn up the volume and really listen to him speak and really visualize in one's mind what he is saying. It's certainly worth the effort and this song is a good trip.

Much love 4 this song!!

HM Buff stated in an interview it was first recorded between 95-2000. Either way; great song and agree

vinaysfunk said:

This song is gorgeous. Silky smooth ballad with a powerful message. I don't think the latter part of Prince's evolution gets enough credit. He evolved as an artist who developed a world view that was inclusive and very loving. Loving of not just people but of the world itself. Yes it came out sometimes a bit contrived but I admired his attempt at trying to develop a very Funky philosophy that one could not only jam to but could really listen to and get into. Into the lyrics, into the message. It was Prince's later half of his career, maybe even his final third where he really honed in on what he wanted
to say as an elderly funky disciple and statesman.

This song embodies alot of his spirtitual side and he does it in a creamy ballad. In my humble opinion this kind of song is only really appreciated when you stop doing whatever it is your doing, close your eyes, turn up the volume and really listen to him speak and really visualize in one's mind what he is saying. It's certainly worth the effort and this song is a good trip.

Much love 4 this song!!

Emphasis on the bold sections. Couldn't agree more. There's a remarkable live version from Los Angeles that he pours his heart into that always gives me goosebumps.

vinaysfunk said:

I don't think the latter part of Prince's evolution gets enough credit. He evolved as an artist who developed a world view that was inclusive and very loving. Loving of not just people but of the world itself.

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The song dates back to 1995-2000. The same period when he was suing fans, posting insults like "Lendy & Wisa" on his official website, etc.

dodger said:

HM Buff stated in an interview it was first recorded between 95-2000. Either way; great song and agree

And there was that Japanese (?) magazine interview (I think during the Rave promo in '99), where he mentions it being a new song. Lord knows when he started it though.

I love this track by the way. When 20Ten leaked I was up all night playing it on repeat with Sticky Like Glue. That hadn't happened in years.

BartVanHemelen said:

vinaysfunk said:

I don't think the latter part of Prince's evolution gets enough credit. He evolved as an artist who developed a world view that was inclusive and very loving. Loving of not just people but of the world itself.

.

The song dates back to 1995-2000. The same period when he was suing fans, posting insults like "Lendy & Wisa" on his official website, etc.

Right, because this above all else PROVES Prince was NOT LOVING OF THE WORLD, ok?

I dig the first four track sequence on this, kind of the same as I dig the first four tracks or so of Planet Earth as a sequence. Take the first half of each album, combine in a skillet, and a little bit of salt maybe a lot of pepper, and it might make a decent cohesive album! The album covers art would need to be the hot sauce.

BartVanHemelen said:

The orginal point of this thread is to show some love for "Future Soul Song" and I really love this side of Prince. As I stated before it's this side of him that is very under appreciated. As he got older he clearly figured out who he was and what he stood 4. This song helps cement his universal outlook. In part it's his wish and dream for others to share his vision that he describes in this soaring song.

I will even go this far and out on a limb. And I know I will get backlash for it. It's ok. For those here on this forum that throw shade on this song and can't find it in yourself to give this song some love but be negative I will say you just truly can't understand what Prince was all about. You can't possibly appreciate all of his nuances if you can't get into what he is saying here with this luscious ballad. Nope, no way. You can be a casual fan, a distant fan, etc. But if you really dig what made Prince tick you gotta give and show some love 4 this song. Just my opinion. Not fact.

And for those few who still find a way to say something negative like Fart I say get a life. You all are like opening the fridge and trying the milk only to realize it's spoiled and spit it out.

FSS is lovely.

[Edited 5/19/20 8:46am]

[Edited 5/19/20 9:24am]

[Edited 5/19/20 11:59am]

One of my best p memories was singing the sha la la la parts while he was holding the mic out to us at the Troubador show. Underrated song.

[Edited 5/19/20 11:40am]

[Edited 5/19/20 14:47pm]

Its ok , like most of the album, I found it a bit boring live. I must give it more listens

Musze said:

vinaysfunk said:

This song is gorgeous. Silky smooth ballad with a powerful message. I don't think the latter part of Prince's evolution gets enough credit. He evolved as an artist who developed a world view that was inclusive and very loving. Loving of not just people but of the world itself. Yes it came out sometimes a bit contrived but I admired his attempt at trying to develop a very Funky philosophy that one could not only jam to but could really listen to and get into. Into the lyrics, into the message. It was Prince's later half of his career, maybe even his final third where he really honed in on what he wanted
to say as an elderly funky disciple and statesman.

This song embodies alot of his spirtitual side and he does it in a creamy ballad. In my humble opinion this kind of song is only really appreciated when you stop doing whatever it is your doing, close your eyes, turn up the volume and really listen to him speak and really visualize in one's mind what he is saying. It's certainly worth the effort and this song is a good trip.

Much love 4 this song!!

Emphasis on the bold sections. Couldn't agree more. There's a remarkable live version from Los Angeles that he pours his heart into that always gives me goosebumps.

I was there the night he performed Future Soul Song in L.A. and I literally got goosebumps. What a thrill it was to hear the notes of this song echoing around the old Forum...

It's nice, the message is nothing we hadn't heard a thousand times before, so please stop acting as though his message was unique and something else, it's not.

vinaysfunk said:

As he got older he clearly figured out who he was and what he stood 4.

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Again: this song dates back at least a decade before it was released. Recorded in his late 30s/early 40s. Released when he was in his early 50s. Your whole premise is based on a failure to acknowledge that fact.

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H&M Bufnstuf was there and still could only give us a five-year range to work with? I feel like it must lean later because it doesn't have that mid 90s NPG maximized sheen but by '00 he was doing that plastic NPGMC production so. I'm gonna go wiiith.... '98.

BartVanHemelen said:

vinaysfunk said:

As he got older he clearly figured out who he was and what he stood 4.

.

Again: this song dates back at least a decade before it was released. Recorded in his late 30s/early 40s. Released when he was in his early 50s. Your whole premise is based on a failure to acknowledge that fact.

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Fucking hell, have a day off.

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We don't know if he made any changes to it later. Lyrically or otherwise. Of course he had Shelby, Liv and Elisa add backing vocals but he could have also added lyrics later. And the OP may love the message in those new lyrics. We don't know. You are assuming

Kinda slept on this song when the album first came out, in retrospect it's a definite high point on that album. Beautiful ballad. Interesting that it dates back to the 90s, no lack of quality ballads back then.

The little musical riff or refrain or whatever you call it is quite similar (rhythmically) to the same in Diamonds & Pearls, I wonder if it grew from it or if it was held back for being too similar, or if i'm reading too much into it

[Edited 5/20/20 3:18am]

Incredible song imo, one of my favorites from this album. This song is very visual for me. Every time I listen to it I invision what he's singing about.

nosajd said:

Incredible song imo, one of my favorites from this album. This song is very visual for me. Every time I listen to it I invision what he's singing about.

Well said. I agree. Very visual. Soon I will start a thread about what that visual is. Now that would take things to a different and higher level!

His last truly great song.