Naturally, there are exceptions. However, Prince seems to have always had a 'problem' translating his musical artistry into a compelling visual document.

The music community dismissed his videos as among the worst and this dichotomy was frustratingly heightened by the fact that his music was usually very popular. It's almost like you were forced to sit through his shit.

That's laying it on a bit thick, Anji...

I think it is because Prince holds the music video in contempt as an art form, instead seeing it as pimping his music.

Hence why the only acceptable vids producced were around the D&Ps era, when he swallowed his pride and worked his record hard.

Also, he views it as a function of the record company to promote his material, and the video is just a promotional tool, hence his lacklustre approach to it.

Afterall, none of his hereoes had to make vids to sell their records. It is a generational thing, perhaps - he grew up listening to George, Jimmy, Sly etc in an era when vids were not important, whereas a lot of his fans grew up in the MTV era, and expect to see a quality vid to sell them the song. The packaging has become as important as the product, the image over the musicianship - you can see this would be anathema to Prince.

The irony is that his global success can in part be attributed to the success of the movie PR which was essentially a long form video.

no way! little red corvette was a frikin' masterpiece! .. the way he stood there...then sang some shit...then danced around a bit...then sang some more shit...and the bit where him and his buddy both sang into the mic at the same time ... pure genius

teller said:

It is but there is logic in what I say.

The logic in it is Prince did them all on the cheap.

cosmicslop said:

The logic. Thank you, Cosmic!

MrBliss said:

I like some of his videos just enough to buy the hits DVD for 9.95. But yeah, mostly, they suck. An artist like Prince deserves videos that are as well made as Madonna's or MJ's in my opinion. His videos just don't cut it, though there have been a few exceptions.

Alphabet St. was sort of good because it looks intentionaly cheap. In fact, it looks gleefully cheap.

I Wish U Heaven sort of looks expensive and Jean Baptiste Mondino is a genius.

I think his cheapest-looking video overall is Come On.

Most of his videos look like they were filmed in a garage.

cosmicslop said:

i don't entirely agree. prince was as much about image as he was about music. that's what made him popular. through his videos he tried to sell that image and music. he just did it in a bad way. and not just because of his aversion for videomaking or because of the low budget for his videos. i believe that he just has a different, and in my eyes, hidious taste of art. well, except for the music that is.

BinaryJustin said:

Having only seen it once, I still absolutely adore the I Wish U Heaven video.

purpleone said:

I almost, but not quite, entirely disagree with this thesis.

sabaisabai said:

Anji said:

Actually, that wasn't quite true, but I've had that quote (paraphrased) from Douglas Adams stuck in my head all week and I had to get it out... please try to understand.

Dead Right! Prince videos were always crap. I like the I Wish U Heaven video and have excellent recollection of those sweet young ladies who acted so well on the Cream video but other than that they were always fairly average.

It never bothered me though, I agree that he didn't really like doing em and the music on them was always better than anything else on MTV

I agree with has been stated thus far. Prince and videos and/ or rap just shouldn't mix. However, think the video for Party Man is one of his best works.

why do u people always use the words fuck and shit with every thread.
always thought that people who are into prince had better taste .

however prince has alot of nice video's.
-kiss
-raspberry beret
-cream
-get off
-diamonds &pearls
-batdance
-the one
-7
-girls & boys
-a.street
-party man

jtgillia said:

What songs/videos are on this DVD for $9.95? Could you list them?

http://launch.yahoo.com/a...ID=1021580

Here there is a good number of his videos you can watch online for free!

cosmicslop said:

Spot on.

Prince is a musician, and I presume thinks that he should play music, not make videos to sell his records.

Of course now a days you can't have a single be a hit without a video, and anyone who doesn't play by those rules gets left behind.

Video killed the radio star.

When 2 are in love is the least expensive one he has done.

Sure many of Prince's videos are not huge productions and visual masterpieces, but I always felt satisfied with seeing him play his music and sing.

Anji said:

i think that this is bull shit princes vids r good no question.

lovesexy4u said:

You believe you're in a justifiable position to make judgements on others, in terms of who has better taste, based on a choice of words.

I find Prince's videos entertaining, he's never really made anything outstanding, but his video's are okay.
He's a musician, as you've noticed not many musicians are that crazy about making videos.

People like Madonna and M.J. are enteratainers; music video is a form of entertainment.

lovesexy4u said:

How is using those words bad? Please explain.
Now unless they're racist orgay-bashing words, I don't see why there would be a problem.

I don't agree with most of the things you post in this site. You are DEAD ON with this one though!!!

Disorder said: