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The Rainbow Children is a much happier album than Lovesexy This following excerpt is not mine. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to use it but it was the inspiration behind this thread, and I couldn't have described it better myself. Hopefully, the author will contribute too...
Yes, 'Lovesexy' was something of a turning point for me when I first heard it. It remains Prince's most consistent album ever.And I make that statement quite inequivocally, without fearing that I might sound like an ass.
Same sound throughout. Despite all the primary colour coordinated, nonsensical scheme used to package the singles that were issued from it, 'Lovesexy' was Prince's ethereal album, and I suspect hugely influenced by all the pentecostal vibe going on around him at the time. Blame: The Steeles, Mavis Staples, et al.(now that I think about it, blame that same lot for Prince's "Power of Surrender" stance at the end of 'Graffiti Bridge'!)It was traditional church first and foremost that informed the feel as well as the sound of Lovesexy. Dissonant counter melodies signifying the struggle between good and evil, but at the same time, always seeking, like a fame-starved, demented evolutionist hoping to justify his theory as fact at all costs, to find a common ground between the sacred and the profane, the ultimate connection between the spiritual and the flesh. Not many people bought the concept at that time, neither here in Europe nor in America. It's funny, then, to observe so many adepts and converts of the 'Lovesexy' spirit sooo late in the game... Despite all that, 'Lovesexy' was Prince still searching for answers and he remained a much confused individual spiritually (a hark back to his "I'm so confused" speech during the spooky middle of the Purple Rain concerts). But it was a progress of sorts since, for the first time Prince had succeeded in conveying a convincingly happy and positive attitude in his music (perilously close to happy-clappy and shouty, I know... the vaudevillian and downright tacky pentecostal church vibe was in full throttle here - witness the material that was leftover from the 'Lovesexy' sessions: the spin-tingling 'The Line' plus a rendition of 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord'). It was the sound of a man, funnily enough, searching for a penny in a dark room with no light, searching for a flick of the switch that was to obliterate the darkness and nullify once and for all his inner turmoil. Let's not forget where Prince was coming from: a broken home where much of the values of Seventh Day Adventists were still being practised in some form or another, along with all the hypocrisy. In my opinion, Prince reached a resolution with 'The Rainbow Children'. TRC finds him solidly grounded and fully realised, finally at peace. Take that to the bank. . [This message was edited Tue May 20 13:00:59 PDT 2003 by Anji] | |
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Anji, can I answer this question with a simple "no"? | |
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I don't agree at all Go back and listen to Lovesex...Prince found what he was looking for. Yes there is a searching tone throughout the album but whatever "Lovesexy" was to him, it was that that he found and it was that which caused him to rejoice.
Prince had it right the first time around... 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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I could go on and on about this. But I won't. TRC is dark and heavy. Lovesexy is light and happy. The end. | |
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: I don't agree at all Go back and listen to Lovesex...Prince found what he was looking for. Yes there is a searching tone throughout the album but whatever "Lovesexy" was to him, it was that that he found and it was that which caused him to rejoice.
Prince had it right the first time around... It put my name upon my thigh It make me dance, it make me cry And when I touch it, race cars burn rubber in my pants This feelin's so good in every single way I want it morning, noon and night of every day The Normal Whores Club | |
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I don't think so although the analysis was a great one and I could see how one could believe that. I do agree that he was searching during Lovesexy, but I have to include a reference to the Black Album in here because I believe that Lovesexy is incomplete with out the Black Album as far as where his head was at that point in time.
I believe that the happiness is more apparent on Lovesexy because of the emergence from the darkness of the Black Album. When I first heard Rainbow Children I totally felt the JW vibe but it didn't strike me as happiness, more of this is what I believe now and I am putting it out there. It didn't seem peaceful or resolute ( not sure if that is the right word) to me. Now don't get me wrong I love TRC but I did not feel happiness emanating from it like I did Lovesexy, I felt a resolution coming out of Lovesexy. TRC did not strike me like that.. But that is just my opinion. We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. Maya Angelou | |
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At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still. "Climb in my fur." | |
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rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still.
Before the truth I did not care Now I feel it everywhere! The Normal Whores Club | |
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Lovesexy is such an uplifting album,it really is.
Personally TRC leaves me cold,I have only listened to it a handful of times,I had hope that it might grow but no I do not like it at all Much love Pochacco | |
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I don't think TRC is even close to being a happy LP. It's not a celebration as much as a transition. Lovesexy is a confident declaration of faith and joy. TRC strikes me as an often joyless, plodding, defiant declaration of faith.
Let me ask the proponent of this thread (Anji or whoever)one question: On a sunny day, as you're going out for a drive, which LP would you take? For me, Lovesexy, no question. TRC does little but gather dust for me. Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016
Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder | |
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I love them both.
Lovesexy makes race cars burn rubber in my leather pants, and TRC makes me feel like a happy singing Christian in church even though I'm not Christian. The Normal Whores Club | |
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FunkMistress said: rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still.
Before the truth I did not care Now I feel it everywhere! word..happy inside of the machine is not as fulfilling as happy outside of the machine..at least not to me "Climb in my fur." | |
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rdhull said: FunkMistress said: rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still.
Before the truth I did not care Now I feel it everywhere! word..happy inside of the machine is not as fulfilling as happy outside of the machine..at least not to me Okay, Morpheus. The Normal Whores Club | |
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FunkMistress said: rdhull said: FunkMistress said: rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still.
Before the truth I did not care Now I feel it everywhere! word..happy inside of the machine is not as fulfilling as happy outside of the machine..at least not to me Okay, Morpheus. is that how it came off as? "Climb in my fur." | |
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rdhull said: FunkMistress said: rdhull said: FunkMistress said: rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still.
Before the truth I did not care Now I feel it everywhere! word..happy inside of the machine is not as fulfilling as happy outside of the machine..at least not to me Okay, Morpheus. is that how it came off as? Just you. The Normal Whores Club | |
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stymie said: Anji, can I answer this question with a simple "no"? Yes. | |
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: I don't agree at all Go back and listen to Lovesex...Prince found what he was looking for. Yes there is a searching tone throughout the album but whatever "Lovesexy" was to him, it was that that he found and it was that which caused him to rejoice.
I love Lovesexy too, Supa. I do think that it represents a joyous celebration, a new lease of life, something ecstatic as opposed to any deep rooted sense of happiness, worth or value.
Prince had it right the first time around... . [This message was edited Tue May 20 12:37:46 PDT 2003 by Anji] | |
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TRON said: I could go on and on about this. But I won't. TRC is dark and heavy. Lovesexy is light and happy. The end. This is too simplistic, Tron. | |
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rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still.
That music sounds fake to you?? 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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Anji said: In my opinion, Prince reached a resolution with 'The Rainbow Children'. TRC finds him solidly grounded and fully realised, finally at peace.
Take that to the bank. Yeah, the Bank of B.S. "Solidly grounded and fully realized"? I think not, more importantly -- I hope not. Full realization is the death of a great artist. If there are no questions, there is no searching, and nothing new. Anji, you gonna reveal this mystery writer to us??? http://elmadartista.tumblr.com/ http://twitter.com/madartista | |
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butterfli25 said: I believe that the happiness is more apparent on Lovesexy because of the emergence from the darkness of the Black Album. Was that feeling Prince got actually enlightenment, rather than happiness?
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: I don't agree at all Go back and listen to Lovesexy...Prince found what he was looking for. Yes there is a searching tone throughout the album but whatever "Lovesexy" was to him, it was that that he found and it was that which caused him to rejoice.
Prince had it right the first time around... what he said. http://elmadartista.tumblr.com/ http://twitter.com/madartista | |
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That can't be because The Rainbow Children sucks. | |
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rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still. Unlike you, Rd, I don't believe that Lovesexy was 'forced happiness.' I definitely feel it was the musical result of a realisation that there was a better way to live. I know, it feels magical and that's where the real difference lies. The Rainbow Children does not feel anywhere near as magical as Lovesexy; it sounds more at ease. Isn't that what true happiness is about, being at ease with oneself?
. [This message was edited Tue May 20 12:51:54 PDT 2003 by Anji] | |
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Of course, I'm not suggesting that the effect The Rainbow Children leaves with the listener, is necessarily one of happiness. I'm speaking about the artist's personal perspectives, in my opinion.
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madartista said: Anji said: In my opinion, Prince reached a resolution with 'The Rainbow Children'. TRC finds him solidly grounded and fully realised, finally at peace.
Take that to the bank. Yeah, the Bank of B.S. "Solidly grounded and fully realized"? I think not, more importantly -- I hope not. Full realization is the death of a great artist. If there are no questions, there is no searching, and nothing new. Anji, you gonna reveal this mystery writer to us??? There is no mystery to this writer. He wrote the passage to me in an orgnote this morning, or afternoon. I hope he'll reveal himself, especially to debate certain responses here. | |
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okaypimpn said: That can't be because The Rainbow Children sucks. This perspective has very little to do with the point of the thread.
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Anji said: rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still. Unlike you, Rd, I don't believe that Lovesexy was 'forced happiness.' I definitely feel it was the musical result of a realisation that there was a better way to live. I know, it feels magical and that's where the real difference lies. The Rainbow Children does not feel anywhere near as magical as Lovesexy; it sounds more at ease. Isn't that what true happiness is about, being at ease with oneself?
. [This message was edited Tue May 20 12:51:54 PDT 2003 by Anji] It sems forced to me...He basically did the same themes that were in Lovesexy in ATWIAD..Lovesexy seemed like rehash. Plus he had to take another song ( The Ball) and make it into Eye-Know. Now if he was really feeling it then he would have not had to take another song and just change lyrics etc...he wold have been "inspired by good" and put different music to the wotrds. To me this shows that it was at the very LEAST, semi calculated, i.e. forced or fake, or what have you. At the time of release the music etc was a let down after the grand statement of SOTT imho. "Climb in my fur." | |
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: rdhull said: At first it looked obvious to me but it isnt. Lovesexy was forced happy..TRC is not. Of course TRC seems much darker and bitter but its honest at least..an honest happiness found. Nothing like the forced and faked unrealistic happy of Lovesexy. I still cant believe people fall for that one still.
That music sounds fake to you?? kind of..as in he wrote a lot of these melodies without much thought etc...like he did it in his sleep. As well as his "easy" stance of "looking on th ebright side of life" that comp bleep in Lovesexy edit [This message was edited Tue May 20 13:19:30 PDT 2003 by rdhull] "Climb in my fur." | |
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