I love this song. These lyrics would have ruffled so many corporate and political feathers. Prince knew how to hone in and nail it.

iPhone - taken by a pretty face - someone's watching u

the truth is the new minority - true then, very true now

showing how God is being systematically taken out of the equation - pledge of allegiance, etc. The eradication of God has never been more prevelant than it is now.

fat cats - not much to say here

The powers that be would not appreciate this song, because, it is, the truth.

Alright, gonna sit back and listen to Prince bring light to all this nonsense one more time.

[Edited 4/9/21 13:08pm]

He did this vibe so much better on "Colonized Mind".

homesquid said:

Well this track has a sense of humor to it. Which is why I like it far more than other tracks he has made in that vein. Which goes all the way back to Annie Christian

I am disappointed in myself for feeling this way but I am positively embarrassed by this song...

The lyrics are a bunch of preaching, the music is stiff and I find it so frustrating that we are getting flooded with these albums that don't do him any justice: versace, this, way too many vault tracks that are not worth the wait...

I think part of my issue is that when you look to stream Prince, it is so hard to find the good stuff because there is SO much other stuff loaded in

if I can't find the good stuff.. how is someone who is unfamilar with him supposed to?

But who am I to say what is "good" I suppose... but I can't stop feeling frustrated

I mean,,, if they say that New Power Soul is the next release.. I may lose it!

DotsofU said:

I am disappointed in myself for feeling this way but I am positively embarrassed by this song...

The lyrics are a bunch of preaching, the music is stiff and I find it so frustrating that we are getting flooded with these albums that don't do him any justice: versace, this, way too many vault tracks that are not worth the wait...

I think part of my issue is that when you look to stream Prince, it is so hard to find the good stuff because there is SO much other stuff loaded in

if I can't find the good stuff.. how is someone who is unfamilar with him supposed to?

But who am I to say what is "good" I suppose... but I can't stop feeling frustrated

I mean,,, if they say that New Power Soul is the next release.. I may lose it!

In regards to the song itself, it is a political album, the music and the lyrics are setting the tone for what follows. Perhaps when one considers it within the larger theme of the album, it will work better. We won't know the answer to that until we have all the tracks.

Prince preaches, always has, and nothing new. Those who don't agree with what he is saying will likely call it exactly that.

I think musically he kept it sparse to give the girls room for their vocals, and, to get his 'preaching' across with a minimal of sounds as to not distract folks from the point he is trying to make. He has done this before too, live, and on record.

dualboot said:

goosepumble said:

mediumdry said:

Sure, it's grown folks music and not yet another forced effort at chart success.

This is the opposite of grown up.

.

Please explain... it's a mellow groove, refers to music from the 70s and 60s, has lyrics that are not about love and, contrary to his usual mess when he gets political or religious, sound reasonable and thought out... it's Prince at his most mature, or so it seems to me.

to be blunt, im not sure why they are releasing this.

there are so many prince albums in the vault, it seems odd to pluck THIS one out.

when he was alive, it was okay for him to release any old thing he wanted.

i didnt expect gold every time.

but now he is no longer here, does it make sense for stuff that isnt that special to make it out?

idk if it really adds to his legacy, or will make anyone think wow he was doing amazing stuff all the time!

then again, the fact its just a little bit political might be good for his PR and selling him in this current moment.

mediumdry said:

homesquid said:

homesquid said:

He did this vibe so much better on "Colonized Mind".

-

True, lyrically.

It also reminds of ''The War'' somehow.

-

Well it certainly split peoples opinions on here! I really like it, and frankly surprised so far of the overall quality of the vault tracks released so far on the sets.And this one. There really hasnt been a track i hate yet or cannot listen too. So im really happy overall with whats been released. Im NOT expecting another Sign of the Times single or of that quality coming out the vault, so maybe thats helping me enjoy these songs more. Im really digging it.

Music-wise the track is very jazzy chill, especially as it builds towards the end and he mentions jazz. Kudos to Morris Hayes on the production, especially for keeping it so tasteful. Which is something Prince struggled with in his later days. lol

.

It also reminds me a little like June from Hit and Run in it's sparseness. Which I love for that exact reason.

.

I've heard people compare this track to other Prince tracks like United States of Division which are so cringey and cringefully produced that they are unlistenable. To me, this one is charming regardless if you buy the message or not.

[Edited 4/10/21 8:05am]

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

to be blunt, im not sure why they are releasing this.

there are so many prince albums in the vault, it seems odd to pluck THIS one out.

when he was alive, it was okay for him to release any old thing he wanted.

i didnt expect gold every time.

but now he is no longer here, does it make sense for stuff that isnt that special to make it out?

idk if it really adds to his legacy, or will make anyone think wow he was doing amazing stuff all the time!

then again, the fact its just a little bit political might be good for his PR and selling him in this current moment.

It is a political statement, if not for the new administration taking hold, this, nor the truth, would likely be the ones that were released. You cannot argue with the timing of it all.


New admin.....welcome 2 america......

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

to be blunt, im not sure why they are releasing this.

there are so many prince albums in the vault, it seems odd to pluck THIS one out.

when he was alive, it was okay for him to release any old thing he wanted.

i didnt expect gold every time.

but now he is no longer here, does it make sense for stuff that isnt that special to make it out?

idk if it really adds to his legacy, or will make anyone think wow he was doing amazing stuff all the time!

then again, the fact its just a little bit political might be good for his PR and selling him in this current moment.

it was mostly (totally?) finished by prince himself, it's loosely topical in the current moment, and for all you know it will be a great album, i have faith and i also love every track i've heard so far except for hot summer. as dumb as the decision making is sometimes, i really doubt they would've chosen to release it this soon if the music wasn't at least slightly above average. have faith.

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

What other songs did he do like this? The war, what else?

If you mean political in nature, be it corporate, gov, etc, tons.

Colonized Mind

Dreamer

Dear Mr. Man

Ronnie Talk 2 Russia

Golden Parachute

2045: Radical Man

and many more.....

edit

[Edited 4/10/21 10:46am]

leadline said:

Giovanni777 said:

The title track, "Welcome 2 America", is completely forgettable (to me, at least), but this album is what I wanted, and I 'm sure the rest of it will be far better.

Uh, have you heard Hot Summer?

[Edited 4/10/21 11:04am]

RJOrion said: