Prince could be pretty out there with his vocals, so what do you think is the craziest/most unhinged Prince vocal performance, either studio or live?
I can't think of any that are wackier than Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (love it), but what do you all think?

Others Here With Us, and Solo

cfluid said:

Others Here With Us, and Solo

These two are exactly the ones that come to my mind first!

For me....no way ...his best vocals = GOD (vocal version)

Temptation -

Purple electriciity whenever our bodies touch

IT - live - is pretty insane too

[Edited 4/8/23 8:27am]

"Bob George". I know it's heavily modified, but still, his performance is so angry and brutal.

Something In The Water

Saviour

Steelclawz said:

FrankieCoco1 said:

Perhaps “For You” should be considered his craziest vocal performance. Which pop artist ever introduced themselves with an ‘a cappella’ track of around 40 different vocals of themselves. As Prince Vault says, it is “in essence, the earliest track of all [of Prince’s] to be released)”, and what an opener it is too.

In this vein perhaps "Bambi". Not his first song on an album that stood out as different to the rest of the album - That would be "I'm Yours". However, "I'm Yours" stood out because of the music, not the vocal performance.

"Bambi" had a very different vocal feel to the rest of the album's disco and ballady feel. It introduced not just a different sound and feel but, after "Soft and Wet", it expanded on his penchant for risque lyrics. I have the US printed booklet with last two lines missing.

Good point on "For You", FrankieCoco1. I think "Three Chains O' Gold" must get mentioned. But once we focus on his harmonies, there are so many examples!

FrankieCoco1 said:

Perhaps “For You” should be considered his craziest vocal performance. Which pop artist ever introduced themselves with an ‘a cappella’ track of around 40 different vocals of themselves. As Prince Vault says, it is “in essence, the earliest track of all [of Prince’s] to be released)”, and what an opener it is too.

That's an interesting way to look at it in career context. But out of context it just sounds like a lovely, smooth performance. It's probably not going to make anyone go "are you high, dude?"
And if it does, the listener is probably high!

Steelclawz said:

Temptation -

Purple electriciity whenever our bodies touch

IT - live - is pretty insane too

[Edited 4/8/23 8:27am]

Yeah, that moment in Temptation is crazy, for sure.

"It" from the SOTT movie is actually the one I was thinking about most along with Rave, but I couldn't remember which track from that movie had that insane demon screaming. Lol. Puts any metal screamers to shame for sheer insanity.

I agree that God is a fine choice. Just heard it again. Was more nuts than I remembered!

cfluid said:

"Others Here With Us," and "Solo."

Yep, and "God (Vocal Version)."

FunkJam said:

Prince could be pretty out there with his vocals, so what do you think is the craziest/most unhinged Prince vocal performance, either studio or live?
I can't think of any that are wackier than Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (love it), but what do you all think?

Something in the water is his best scream IMO

Honest Man

God

For You

TrivialPursuit said:

cfluid said:

"Others Here With Us," and "Solo."

Yep, and "God (Vocal Version)."

Yes, good one Triv

Not the "craziest", but still...

"Now"

"Poom Poom"