gandorb said:

I think Thunder is one of the better tracks on the D & P album. Unlike his earlier albums, some of the songs of the album suffer from being bland or overly derivative. Thunder, while not a classic, still was catchy and had a novel sound that kept one's interest. All this and more of the the live versions.

And where do you stand on the Thunder Ballet?

MattyJam said:

I have always grappled between whether this song was brilliant or tacky. I have ultimately come to the conclusion that it's "brilliantly tacky."

It sounds to me like a desperate attempt to make a Doves Cry for the 90s, without any of the coolness which made Doves so special. But in its own way, it's such a bold and unapologetic album opener, it's hard not to enjoy it in all it's tackiness.

Where do you folks stand on this?

I have a similar love/hate relationship with this song.

When I think of it, I cringe. I'd never want my friends to hear it. But when I listen in privacy, I'll admit I start to dig it.

id recommend it to fans of OTT/dramatic/rock opera/theatrical/slightly silly music

nayroo2002 said:

RJOrion said:

The lyrics are foolishness...what is he even talking about? “Let me give you a piece of advice, Junior: your music make sense to no one... but yourself.” ~ Billy Sparks

It's "Pink Cashmere" on crack!

nayroo2002 said:

Im sorry my friend, but i dont get the lyrical connection between the two songs...Pink Cashmere is a pretty straightforward and literal love song to a woman...Thunder is pseudo-religious gibberish.

TrivialPursuit said:

GustavoRibas said:

Yes, it´s clear that he wanted a new When Doves Cry, but obviously didn´t achieve this result. However, I like it a lot. Catchy, strong chorus and some real nice guitar/keys parts.

That's not clear at all. If "When Doves Cry" was eve that ever served as inspiration somewhere, it would've been with "Alphabet St." He didn't even really touch WDC on the Nude or D&P Tours either.

.

- Really? A song with a melody over a beat and no bass, and some long guitar/keys in the middle? For me, that´s totally WDC, but obviously with differences. ´Thunder´ had a more catchy vocal chorus. In WDC, the ´chorus´ is a keyboard line.

Its just the sparseness they have in common
The no bass thing is a thing he did on several songs
Yes that idea can be traced to wdc but are they all trying to do the same thing as wdc? No
Unless you think kiss was a 'desperate attempt' to copy wdc too.

Around The World In A Day is closer to WDC than Thunder

RJOrion said:

Around The World In A Day is closer to WDC than Thunder

I'm sorry, my friend. I just don't hear the connection.

"Around The World In A Day" is about freeing oneself and "When Doves Cry" is about a bad relationship that can't be fixed.

"Thunder" is about (again) fucking till you see God!

nayroo2002 said:

Im talking about musically, not lyrically...referencing the whole "no bassline" thing.

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Its just the sparseness they have in common The no bass thing is a thing he did on several songs Yes that idea can be traced to wdc but are they all trying to do the same thing as wdc? No Unless you think kiss was a 'desperate attempt' to copy wdc too.

.

- When I was writing my post, I thought "ok, but ´Kiss´ had no bass also". And, indeed, Prince had other songs without bass (a thing that influenced Michael Jackson also). But there is something in the structure of Thunder that reminds me of WDC. Maybe it´s the sparseness you are talking about, with those guitar/keys inspired on classical stuff

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Powerful stuff lol

RJOrion said:

nayroo2002 said:

I'm sorry, my friend. I just don't hear the connection.

"Around The World In A Day" is about freeing oneself and "When Doves Cry" is about a bad relationship that can't be fixed.

"Thunder" is about (again) fucking till you see God!

Im talking about musically, not lyrically...referencing the whole "no bassline" thing.

I'd agree. "Thunder" feels sparse, but if we're talking musical comparisons, then "Around the World In A Day" or "Paisley Park" feels closer to the vest. Of course, you also have stuff like "High Fashion" and "Mutiny" that delve into that more. And even Parade offerings have that feel. But "Thunder," I don't think so.

TrivialPursuit said:

RJOrion said:

nayroo2002 said: Im talking about musically, not lyrically...referencing the whole "no bassline" thing.

I'd agree. "Thunder" feels sparse, but if we're talking musical comparisons, then "Around the World In A Day" or "Paisley Park" feels closer to the vest. Of course, you also have stuff like "High Fashion" and "Mutiny" that delve into that more. And even Parade offerings have that feel. But "Thunder," I don't think so.

Sooooo.

Back to "Thunder" and "Pink Cashmere".

Drum loop, guitar, layered vocals, symphony (organic/synth)

I was refering to the musical aspects as well.

Uh-oh!

What about "The Question Of U"

nayroo2002 said:

TrivialPursuit said:

I'd agree. "Thunder" feels sparse, but if we're talking musical comparisons, then "Around the World In A Day" or "Paisley Park" feels closer to the vest. Of course, you also have stuff like "High Fashion" and "Mutiny" that delve into that more. And even Parade offerings have that feel. But "Thunder," I don't think so.

Sooooo.

Back to "Thunder" and "Pink Cashmere".

Drum loop, guitar, layered vocals, symphony (organic/synth)

I was refering to the musical aspects as well.

Uh-oh!

What about "The Question Of U"

I would think Pink and Question are much closer than Thunder ever would be to either.

gandorb said:

I think Thunder is one of the better tracks on the D & P album. Unlike his earlier albums, some of the songs of the album suffer from being bland or overly derivative. Thunder, while not a classic, still was catchy and had a novel sound that kept one's interest. All this and more of the the live versions.

That was my take on Thunder. It's uniquely Prince-like and well orchestrated. There were probably better cuts on the album but I would say it's his best opener of the 90's and brilliant.

whodknee said:

gandorb said:

I think Thunder is one of the better tracks on the D & P album. Unlike his earlier albums, some of the songs of the album suffer from being bland or overly derivative. Thunder, while not a classic, still was catchy and had a novel sound that kept one's interest. All this and more of the the live versions.

That was my take on Thunder. It's uniquely Prince-like and well orchestrated. There were probably better cuts on the album but I would say it's his best opener of the 90's and brilliant.

Well, to be fair, Thunder doesn't really have much competition on that front, does it? None of his 90s album openers were much cop really, were they? Title song to Rave was good, but that was an 80s cut.

[Edited 12/14/23 3:14am]

MattyJam said:

whodknee said:

That was my take on Thunder. It's uniquely Prince-like and well orchestrated. There were probably better cuts on the album but I would say it's his best opener of the 90's and brilliant.

Well, to be fair, Thunder doesn't really have much competition on that front, does it? None of his 90s album openers were much cop really, were they? Title song to Rave was good, but that was an 80s cut.

Well, what does that list look like? Let's count all releases in whatever fashion, for the sake of it. There is one caveat* though.

"Can't Stop This Feeling I Got" from Graffiti Bridge
"Thunder" from Diamonds and Pearls
"Guess Who's Knockin'?" (ignoring the opening segue) from Goldnigga
"My Name is Prince" from

"Come" from Come

"P Control" from The Gold Experience

"Get Wild" (ignoring the opening segue) from Exodus
"Pussy Control (Club Edit)" from The Versace Experience

"She Spoke 2 Me" from Girl 6

"Chaos and Disorder" from Chaos and Disorder

"MPLS" from 1800NewFunk

"Jam of the Year" from Emancipation

"Crystal Ball" from Crystal Ball

"The Truth" from The Truth

"The Plan" from Kamasutra
"NewPowerSoul" from NewPowerSoul

"The Rest Of My Life" from The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale

"Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic" from Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic

*"Le Grind" could win this, if it were a proper 90's track.

For me, "Chaos and Disorder" is a stronger track than most.

"Crystal Ball" is sort of iconic, but it's an 80s track and doesn't necessarily fit the 90s aesthetic. Same with "Rave."

"P Control" always felt like an opening intro or something to me, and "Endorphinmachine" really kicks off that record, but we have to keep it as is.

"The Rest of my Life" is a rollicking number, but the strongest? Maybe stronger than others, certainly.

"Cant Stop This Feeling I Got", "Come" & "My Name Is Prince" are easily the best openers of the 90s

TrivialPursuit said:

"P Control" always felt like an opening intro or something to me, and "Endorphinmachine" really kicks off that record, but we have to keep it as is.

"The Rest of my Life" is a rollicking number, but the strongest? Maybe stronger than others, certainly.

"The Rest Of My Life" wins because it's short n sweet

But the best part of your comment is highlghted.

RJOrion said:

"Cant Stop This Feeling I Got", "Come" & "My Name Is Prince" are easily the best openers of the 90s

Great one, too!

But it fades out just when the real jam starts!!!

dodger07 said:

I've always thought the album version was OK but I'd tend to sklip the last couple of minutes.

.

I love the Glam Slam version. Sounds great and rawer in the small club compared to the arena's, Sonny's bass is popping and high in the mix, the live drums and Rosie's bits add a lot to me

Yes and I hear hints of Mayte in it for sure. Her dancing in the Glam Slam version was stupendous. REALLY made the song come together.

RJOrion said:

No.

Cant stop is close but cos i know the better earlier versions, it loses points.

MNIP is fun AF but also dumb AF

Come is cool but its not up there in terms of classic 90s rnb songs about oral sex
[Edited 12/14/23 22:24pm]