Phase3 said:

alphastreet said:

Phase3 said:

alphastreet said:

Phase3 said:

When Prince & The Revolution performed in Buffalo NY in December 1984, I saw a tiny Christmas Tree under the Stage & HOPED They would perform the Song, since it was SO CLOSE to Christmas when They came. They didn't! Later found out They Soundchecked w/it! So close, yet so far away.......

alphastreet said:

Phase3 said:

Oh no."Another Lonely Christmas" came out in 1984. I believe it was a b-side to "I would die 4 u."

Oh wow had no idea, "I would die 4 u" is definitely the superior song.

Wait, sorry. You don't know that "Another Lonely Christmas" is the b-side to "I Would Die 4 U?" Where did you think it was from? You never read the liner notes to The Hits/The B-sides? You never just read anything that said where the song was from?

Anyway, about the song: It was an acquired taste, especially as a teenager in the 80s when everything was weird. But the photo for the b-side of that weird 12" single with the extra large label is one of my favorites of Prince. (It's also one of the few times, for quite a long while, that you ever saw Prince's bare feet.) It's stay on brand with his clothes, and even the album cover itself and the single for "When Doves Cry" with the flowers on the floor, etc. It's such a great photo of him. All pouty and emotive.




There are other pics from that photo session out there.

SexyMuthaF said:

What did he mean when he said:

My momma used to say "always trust your lover"

Well, now I guess that only applies to her. ?

This isn't hard. The rest of that stanza spills the beans.

My mama used 2 say always trust your lover
But now I guess that only applies 2 her
Cuz baby, U promised me
Baby, U promised me U'd never leave
Then U died on the 25th day of December

The song is about a man whose girl died. People trust that their partners are going to stay with them forever, so her dying young broke that trust in a way. Clearly, his parents are still alive and together. He is single, by way of his girlfriend's death.

Prince has said the song is a total work of fiction. It's not based on anything.

Love this song, especially the long version!

Further to TrivialPursuit's reply above, here's the lovefoneanother.com interview published in 1997:

https://sites.google.com/...ember-1997

which included:

U: Is ’Another Lonely Christmas’ based on a true experience? It sounds as if u put your soul into that song.

: That song is a work of fiction.

And here's an article that discusses recording the song etc..:

https://www.redbull.com/g...otten-song

In deep love with this song.

As with many Prince songs, ADORE the vocals.

There are (obviously) multiple classic Princely vibes. I'd say this song (and the photos!) ooze a particular Princely vibe. Love it!

SexyMuthaF said:

I think there's more to it.He used the term lover for a reason. Why would it only apply to his mother and not his father too?

There isn't more to it. References to mothers giving their children advice are very common.

Plenty of mother told me references in songs in particular, too.

[Edited 11/12/20 7:23am]

TrivialPursuit said:

langebleu said:

alphastreet said:

langebleu said:

Further to TrivialPursuit's reply above, here's the lovefoneanother.com interview published in 1997:

https://sites.google.com/...ember-1997

which included:

U: Is ’Another Lonely Christmas’ based on a true experience? It sounds as if u put your soul into that song.

: That song is a work of fiction.

And here's an article that discusses recording the song etc..:

https://www.redbull.com/g...otten-song

Good to know, he’s a good fiction writer in that case

I (of course) have no knowledge of Prince's process in writing this song, but do have a general thought about writing and performing.

Writers can draw on life experience as a fiction-crafting "tool." Same with performers and the fictional portrayals they craft.

[Edited 11/12/20 13:59pm]

Folks should check out the FBG release "The Ex-Mas Rehearsal," - http://4thefunk.com/ExmasRehearsal.html

woogiebear said:

When Prince & The Revolution performed in Buffalo NY in December 1984, I saw a tiny Christmas Tree under the Stage & HOPED They would perform the Song, since it was SO CLOSE to Christmas when They came. They didn't! Later found out They Soundchecked w/it! So close, yet so far away.......

Oh man

jaawwnn said:

woogiebear said:

When Prince & The Revolution performed in Buffalo NY in December 1984, I saw a tiny Christmas Tree under the Stage & HOPED They would perform the Song, since it was SO CLOSE to Christmas when They came. They didn't! Later found out They Soundchecked w/it! So close, yet so far away.......

Oh man

Seconding the Oh man, and seconding mb71's (above) rehearsal recommendation.

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Who played drums on this? They did a cool job

It's a Prince solo, all around. Note: it was recorded at Sunset the day before "Pop Life."

TrivialPursuit said:

Back in the days I saw a rock christmas compilation with this song on it (it was this sort of cheap compis in a warehouse).

But I sure have the 12" on vinyl since release which A-side...the long I would die 4 U was often played on parties

SexyMuthaF said:

Yes I know its fiction but so was Sister. Creative minds are inspired by something, I'd like to know what inspired Prince to write those lyrics.

Me too. I love hearing stories about inspiration (wild, mundane, or otherwise) and (for lack of a less highfalutin word to be used by my nonexperienced, noncreative, nonartist self) process.