emesem said:

As the OP, I just want to go on record and say I LOVE Its Gonna Be a Beautiful Night!

You are all crazy. At the time it was the ONLY (and perhaps still) track that somewhat captures the Prince "Live Jam" sound. The performance in the SOTT movie only makes it better in retrospect and where the hell else could you hear the Wizard of OZ chant and a children's poem put to funk https://www.poetryfoundat...-the-chair.

[Edited 9/8/20 11:51am]

I agree, that track is like a whole wall falls down of this dark chamber you've been in, and you suddenly witness a live show... and the telephone quality Transmississippi Rap is the bomb.

ufoclub said:

emesem said:

As the OP, I just want to go on record and say I LOVE Its Gonna Be a Beautiful Night!

You are all crazy. At the time it was the ONLY (and perhaps still) track that somewhat captures the Prince "Live Jam" sound. The performance in the SOTT movie only makes it better in retrospect and where the hell else could you hear the Wizard of OZ chant and a children's poem put to funk https://www.poetryfoundat...-the-chair.

[Edited 9/8/20 11:51am]

I agree, that track is like a whole wall falls down of this dark chamber you've been in, and you suddenly witness a live show... and the telephone quality Transmississippi Rap is the bomb.

Its Gonna Be a Beautiful Night is another fave of mine. It's the album cover in a song/jam. Who the hell doesn't like a Prince jam anyway? Keep that shit going and going...

GiggityGoo said:

When I was younger, and first exposed to "Sign", of course I gravitated towards the hits/singles. Songs like "Slow Love", "Forever In My Life", and "Strange Relationship" didn't do it for me like "Hot Thing" and "U Got The Look" and "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man".

.

But after years of living with the album, I've come to appreciate every song. The entire song cycle has an ebb and flow that really rewards you if you listen from beginning to end.

.

There's one tune, however, that I still have trouble with: "If I Was Your Girlfriend". I know there are many of you here on the Org who love this song, but it still doesn't quite click with me. Forget its unfortunate choice as the second single, the song itself is just... "off". That's the best way I can put it.

.

I have skipped this song many, many times. Hell, at one point, when I digitized the album, I omitted it from my Prince playlist altogether! But I've (sort of) come around on it. I now let it be a part the listening experience.

.

Maybe one day I'll get on board. Maybe.

I love this song, but I also feel you about what's "off". The SOTT version, with the weird intro and outro and the upfront distorted drum machine pattern, it all screams, "I'm a quirky pop song! Look how quirky!"

What I recommend is other versions of the song that emphasize the melody and vocal more. Dream Factory version with the sitar opening, even just solo piano versions.

I would say "It" is not a song with wide appeal. It's narrow and specific and unvarying, the very opposite of an anthem. If you get into it, you really get into it, and by the time the guitar comes in, you're starved for it, and it sounds wonderful. A lot of songs are sexual, of course, but this one is like a imitation of sex realized in music, which is really cool if you really get into it -- and yes, I do mean having sex and letting the drum machine conduct your efforts.

But when the beat starts and I don't fall down that hole, I often skip this song.

"Hot Thing" is a little like "It" in that if the groove doesn't grab you right away, your experience may not change as the song goes on. "Poom Poom" is a lot like "It", really one of his most outrageous songs -- sonically, not just lyrically.

GiggityGoo said:

When I was younger, and first exposed to "Sign", of course I gravitated towards the hits/singles. Songs like "Slow Love", "Forever In My Life", and "Strange Relationship" didn't do it for me like "Hot Thing" and "U Got The Look" and "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man".

.

But after years of living with the album, I've come to appreciate every song. The entire song cycle has an ebb and flow that really rewards you if you listen from beginning to end.

.

There's one tune, however, that I still have trouble with: "If I Was Your Girlfriend". I know there are many of you here on the Org who love this song, but it still doesn't quite click with me. Forget its unfortunate choice as the second single, the song itself is just... "off". That's the best way I can put it.

.

I have skipped this song many, many times. Hell, at one point, when I digitized the album, I omitted it from my Prince playlist altogether! But I've (sort of) come around on it. I now let it be a part the listening experience.

.

Maybe one day I'll get on board. Maybe.

You are entitled to your opinion, but FYI: If I Were Your Girlfriend was rated the best Prince song ever on the most recent Moonbeam poll.

It, Hot Thing and It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night honestly perplex me as to how they made it to the finished album. It sounds like he didn't finish it, very B-Sidey and sounds incomplete and Hot Thing just sounds average to me. It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night seems very unnecessary, the rap is corny imo, and was kinda dated from the start if you ask me. It doesn't really offer very much, it's very repetative, while it showcases Prince live, it showcases him with The Revolution, a band that he was no longer playing with upon release. IMO he could have taken those off, put on Crystal Ball, title the album that and then it be final.

gandorb said:

GiggityGoo said:

When I was younger, and first exposed to "Sign", of course I gravitated towards the hits/singles. Songs like "Slow Love", "Forever In My Life", and "Strange Relationship" didn't do it for me like "Hot Thing" and "U Got The Look" and "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man".

.

But after years of living with the album, I've come to appreciate every song. The entire song cycle has an ebb and flow that really rewards you if you listen from beginning to end.

.

There's one tune, however, that I still have trouble with: "If I Was Your Girlfriend". I know there are many of you here on the Org who love this song, but it still doesn't quite click with me. Forget its unfortunate choice as the second single, the song itself is just... "off". That's the best way I can put it.

.

I have skipped this song many, many times. Hell, at one point, when I digitized the album, I omitted it from my Prince playlist altogether! But I've (sort of) come around on it. I now let it be a part the listening experience.

.

Maybe one day I'll get on board. Maybe.

You are entitled to your opinion, but FYI: If I Were Your Girlfriend was rated the best Prince song ever on the most recent Moonbeam poll.

Tell him sis

haveaglamslam said:

It, Hot Thing and It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night honestly perplex me as to how they made it to the finished album. It sounds like he didn't finish it, very B-Sidey and sounds incomplete and Hot Thing just sounds average to me. It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night seems very unnecessary, the rap is corny imo, and was kinda dated from the start if you ask me. It doesn't really offer very much, it's very repetative, while it showcases Prince live, it showcases him with The Revolution, a band that he was no longer playing with upon release. IMO he could have taken those off, put on Crystal Ball, title the album that and then it be final.

Nope. Wrong for all three.

Off-topic, but since I'm in the mood, here's my ranking of the Sign O' The Times songs (I'll also give a 5-star based rating).

Sign O' The Times (5.0) -- Amazing song. So unique, sounding like nothing else anyone has ever done, but also very immediate, accessible, and pop friendly. Funky. Great lyrics.

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (5.0) -- Guitar pop of the finest variety. It's stunning how guitar-pop bands who are famous for that genre could not write a song this good to save their lives, and yet Prince wrote (and recorded, in that early version) this song in 1979 and sat on it for 8 years. It's just an aural delight from start to finish.

If I Was Your Girlfriend (5.0) -- Psycho-sexual gender-bender lyric and 'Camille'-vocal performance are amazing in themselves, but the funky, slow melody and groove just push it up to another level. The climax of the song is incredible. Like 'Sign o' the Times', it's a totally unique track that sounds absolutely nothing like anything anyone else has ever done... but is still very listener-friendly.

Starfish and Coffee (5.0) -- Probably the least "black" song on the album is closer to folk-rock than any other definable genre. I just can't resist the melody and chorus, which are so attractive. And the cute lyrics -- which, for me, evoke Prince as a little kid at Elementary-school in Minneapolis -- are very evocative... and humanitarian. (There's a kind of social justice message here.)

Strange Relationship (5.0) -- Another song he sat on for a few years before tidying-up and releasing. It's just another perfect composition, with a stellar melody and funky rhythm. Had there been a 5th-single from Sign, it might have been this. (It's actually an easy-to-forget Prince song in the grand scheme of things, and I'm calling it the fifth-best track on this LP, but for most well-known artists a composition this good would be the highlight of their entire career.)

The Cross (5.0) -- Sunday morning Prince as social-commentator at the church. What an incredible composition. I'm so glad he let it breathe at the beginning with just guitar and vocal, which works wonderfully before the song builds up to a crescendo.

The Ballad of Dorothy Parker (4.5) -- Late-night, after sunset vibe story of cocktail bar waitress trying to get Prince into the bath. It's a really strong song musically, but what I love most is Prince's vocal performance -- the spoken word parts, the harmonies, the Joni Mitchell interlude... it's riveting.

U Got The Look (4.5) -- For many years (actually, since I was 11 and it was on the radio) I kind of disliked this song. Just seemed too throwaway. But in recent years I've finally come around to it, and now I love it. (I quite like Sheena's voice, too, and some of her 1980s' tracks.) Do I have to say again that only Prince could write / record a song like this? Comparable to nothing.

Hot Thing (4.0) -- This one I was a bit less fond of before (silly sex lyrics again), but it's rising up my list. The groove and melody are so good. Could have been a hit single also. The saxophone in the latter half gives it an unexpected and interesting flavor. A great track.

It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night (4.0) -- Yeah, I love this. It's long, but that's what you expect of a jam kind of tune (mainly) recorded live. The groove is really tight, but also loose and lots of room for vamping and improvisation. The brass parts push it over the edge. It's great how Eric Leeds' and horns were moving into Prince's stuff circa 1986.

Housequake (4.0) -- Prince really loved this track. I love it too, and it's only down the list because this album is so strong. So funny, so funky.

Slow Love (3.5) -- I like this song, but this kind of style isn't my thing. Lots to enjoy here, though. At first the brass seems kind of unnecessarily intrusive, but then it really works as the song goes on. Solid melody.

Play In The Sunshine (3.5) -- Like 'Housequake', I love this song as a composition, and it's only rated a bit lower because I find the studio cut somewhat murky and flat. The lives ones I've heard all sounded better. It's strong, but... I dunno, I also think it's a bit longer than it needed to be, and the guitar solo and outro parts aren't overly strong. Cool positive vibe, though. It's a very 'busy' song in terms of the instrumentation and arrangement. For that reason, I feel like this might fit onto Lovesexy.

Forever In My Life (3.5) -- Good song, typically great vocal performance. I'm just not that into slow-jam R&B style things (except when Smokey sings them), but this is an interesting composition.

It (3.0) -- The basic melody and keyboard counter-melody of this song are pretty good, but the song doesn't really progress anywhere from the first verse. It's also (like a few other songs on Sign) a tad longer than it needs to be, and the lyrics are just more sex-obsessed stuff, but without any clever turns of phrase or interesting approaches. A very Prince-solo, 'demo'-sounding kind of track. It's not a bad track at all -- it's pretty good -- but on such a stunning album of quality + diversity, this one (and the next one) just kind of seem relatively forgettable.

Adore (2.5) -- Okay, I know the R&B / slow-jam crowd loves this one (Prince seemed to like it, too, as he played it for years after), but it doesn't really float my boat. I can enjoy it, but I never really look forward to it. For me, it's sort-of an okay Philly-soul impersonation, but it doesn't transcend that retro-style. Not much of a tune.

Anotherwontdare said:

I would say "It" is not a song with wide appeal. It's narrow and specific and unvarying, the very opposite of an anthem. If you get into it, you really get into it, and by the time the guitar comes in, you're starved for it, and it sounds wonderful. A lot of songs are sexual, of course, but this one is like a imitation of sex realized in music, which is really cool if you really get into it -- and yes, I do mean having sex and letting the drum machine conduct your efforts.

But when the beat starts and I don't fall down that hole, I often skip this song.

"Hot Thing" is a little like "It" in that if the groove doesn't grab you right away, your experience may not change as the song goes on. "Poom Poom" is a lot like "It", really one of his most outrageous songs -- sonically, not just lyrically.

-

'It' is underground Prince. 'Boutique Prince' as Eric and Alan Leeds like to name it.

And you're right it's not an anthem.

It's a guy craving for 'It'... You hear and feel him craving for more... 'Alright'.

For me the haunting drums and cymbal/gong... are as you discribe it.

I never skip this song. Never !

-

'Slow Love'. Ahhhhh. Love that one too.

Like you say about 'It', this track has to drag you in as well.

I love the warmhearted begging carressing melody, the wonderful melody and

most of all the great background and harmony vocals.

And not to forget Erics & Atlanta Bliss. Theyr combination is so good.

Always good in any Prince song.

Eric's saxophone solo here in 'Slow Love'. It's the best !

-

'Poom Poom' ? That's utter rubbish imho.

Plastic superficial b-Prince. He made toom uch of these.

These plastic superficial songs i'll always skip, even turn the radio off.

There is really nothing actually happening in that song.

It's a pointless song really I think. Unworthy to release.

Bash me.

-

GirlBrother said:

The alarm at the start of Starfish & Coffee is like a reminder to start listening again.

.

If that is your attention level you need to choose another moment (after some rest) to listen to the album.

I remember seeing a bracketed chart that showed how songs progressed through the stages of DF/Camille/CB/SOTT, almost like quarterfinals/semifinals/finals.

I have searched for it, but can't seem to find it. I do remember Strange Relationship was on every iteration.

Thibaut said:

There are some tracks that made the album that I would have probably personally replaced for another unreleased track. But there is not a single bad song on the whole SOTT album. So to say some songs made it 'inexplicably' is def not the vocabulary I would use here.

I have always felt that It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night (being a live track) didn't fit, and this was before I knew that there were tracks left off to make it into a double album.

But as someone noted earlier, SOTT (the album) is meant as a cohesive package. Not just as a collection of songs. So after reading that, it does round out the entire package.

Although I agree both IT and Slow Love are not the best songs on SOTT, I would never want them taken out. It's my favourite Prince album for a reason.

It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night is a fun listen first time, but it's just a bit of a bore after that. When I used to make up mix tapes I would take it out, throw in the extended U Got The Look, and add Shockadelica. Prince should of done that!

jaawwnn said:

haveaglamslam said:

It, Hot Thing and It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night honestly perplex me as to how they made it to the finished album. It sounds like he didn't finish it, very B-Sidey and sounds incomplete and Hot Thing just sounds average to me. It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night seems very unnecessary, the rap is corny imo, and was kinda dated from the start if you ask me. It doesn't really offer very much, it's very repetative, while it showcases Prince live, it showcases him with The Revolution, a band that he was no longer playing with upon release. IMO he could have taken those off, put on Crystal Ball, title the album that and then it be final.

Nope. Wrong for all three.

And your opinion is absolute because why?

rusty1 said:

The only weak song is " U got the look" The rest is just the way it should be. 🙂

woah

haveaglamslam said:

jaawwnn said:

Nope. Wrong for all three.

And your opinion is absolute because why?

lol

I'm not the one calling songs "B-sidey" like it's a bad thing in a world of Erotic City, 17 Days and She's Always in My Hair.

Vannormal said:

Anotherwontdare said:

I would say "It" is not a song with wide appeal. It's narrow and specific and unvarying, the very opposite of an anthem. If you get into it, you really get into it, and by the time the guitar comes in, you're starved for it, and it sounds wonderful. A lot of songs are sexual, of course, but this one is like a imitation of sex realized in music, which is really cool if you really get into it -- and yes, I do mean having sex and letting the drum machine conduct your efforts.

But when the beat starts and I don't fall down that hole, I often skip this song.

"Hot Thing" is a little like "It" in that if the groove doesn't grab you right away, your experience may not change as the song goes on. "Poom Poom" is a lot like "It", really one of his most outrageous songs -- sonically, not just lyrically.

-

'It' is underground Prince. 'Boutique Prince' as Eric and Alan Leeds like to name it.

And you're right it's not an anthem.

It's a guy craving for 'It'... You hear and feel him craving for more... 'Alright'.

For me the haunting drums and cymbal/gong... are as you discribe it.

I never skip this song. Never !

-

'Slow Love'. Ahhhhh. Love that one too.

Like you say about 'It', this track has to drag you in as well.

I love the warmhearted begging carressing melody, the wonderful melody and

most of all the great background and harmony vocals.

And not to forget Erics & Atlanta Bliss. Theyr combination is so good.

Always good in any Prince song.

Eric's saxophone solo here in 'Slow Love'. It's the best !

-

'Poom Poom' ? That's utter rubbish imho.

Plastic superficial b-Prince. He made toom uch of these.

These plastic superficial songs i'll always skip, even turn the radio off.

There is really nothing actually happening in that song.

It's a pointless song really I think. Unworthy to release.

Bash me.

-

Great description.

To the people who dislike 'It':

What are your thoughts on 'Automatic'?

(Genuinely asking here, because to me they're quite thematically and stylisticly similar.)

.

[Edited 9/10/20 12:40pm]

jaawwnn said:

haveaglamslam said:

And your opinion is absolute because why?

lol

I'm not the one calling songs "B-sidey" like it's a bad thing in a world of Erotic City, 17 Days and She's Always in My Hair.

Those are good songs, but they don't feel strong compared to other songs he had readily available. The songs would make more sense as B Sides, some B Sides deserved actual releases, these I feel aren't as strong as the rest of the album.

haveaglamslam said:

jaawwnn said:

lol

I'm not the one calling songs "B-sidey" like it's a bad thing in a world of Erotic City, 17 Days and She's Always in My Hair.

Those are good songs, but they don't feel strong compared to other songs he had readily available. The songs would make more sense as B Sides, some B Sides deserved actual releases, these I feel aren't as strong as the rest of the album.

YOU JUST SAID WHATTTT?

haveaglamslam said:

jaawwnn said:

lol

I'm not the one calling songs "B-sidey" like it's a bad thing in a world of Erotic City, 17 Days and She's Always in My Hair.

Those are good songs, but they don't feel strong compared to other songs he had readily available. The songs would make more sense as B Sides, some B Sides deserved actual releases, these I feel aren't as strong as the rest of the album.

Wow ok, I stand corrected, you've clearly throught this true. Lets just agree to disagree so.

eyewishuheaven said:

"It" and "Automatic" are NOTHING alike

Inexplicably? None.
.
Slow Love was my least favorite back in 1987 and probably still is. But it adds to the diversity of the album in a nice way, so it serves a purpose in the context of the album.