Prince grew up with a love for music and a dream for how his life would involve it. I think his early childhood years felt were pretty much lacking ‘unconditional love’; not coincidentally, something he’s been looking for ever since. A shy boy turns into a focused young musician with an idea of how he was going to find a life of happiness through ‘making it.’ So, how was he going to succeed?

One of his earliest ideas revolved around artistic control when he approached the majors, one that he would ultimately return to view as his saving grace. Nevertheless, Warner Brothers saw their product, and a rare one too. This could work. A mythology was created. That would be his most effective marketing ploy and will continue to intrigue those who think he is something other than a simple guy with a quite extraordinary talent. Contrary to popular belief, that talent was just as much about musical virtuosity as it continues to be about engaging others by simply being other than what you expect. Prince believed in his persona, just as much as the fans liked to buy into it. It was, afterall, a dream. Not reality.

I have to say those early years were managed exceptionally well, primarily because both Prince’s vision of ‘making it’ and the record company that helped him succeed, were in unison. Purple Rain was it. It would never be repeated. In hindsight, it’s surprising that neither party understood that things could never be the same. Understandably, Prince allowed himself the belief that he could do anything he wanted to thereafter, and that it would work. Such conviction in one’s beliefs makes for a ruthless businessman, if not a particularly astute one. That said, he’s always weathered the hardships in his own inimitable fashion. This much was obvious to those 'in the know' but there was something else, something no one predicted. Prince believed in something special and giving that up is perhaps his hardest coming to terms. He started losing his belief when he felt others around him didn’t resonate with the strength of his own convictions.

As much as Lovesexy was his dream, The Rainbow Children is his reality. It’s an accurate portrayal of how things have turned out for him. His ‘father figures’ were always going to leave their son. His ‘unconditional loves’ were always going to be conditional. And most importantly, his belief in his artistic spirit was always going to centre through his belief in God. So, where does it end? In many ways, I think it already has. I think Prince’s final struggle will be reconciling how he is going to break from what he has always known; his music. Publicly toying with retirement is one thing but being ready for it is an entirely differnent matter. I sense Prince is trying to find his peace. He’s learning to elevate himself beyond anyone’s misplaced expectations, including his own.

I respect that everyone deserves happiness. Quite simply, Prince has realised that his will never come from us. I believe Prince is sensitive to a turning of events, and is actually looking for a sign that will bring closure. There will be one soon enough, afterwhich there will be no turning back. It has always been this way with Prince. As you know, he is quite the emotional type. Yes, history will learn to respect a remarkable journey through his music but let's try and enjoy the moments now, for what they truly are. Thanks for listening...

"Hey brother! Thought we lost you. Yes! I can't believe it but they picked LA to do a surprise show. I was stunned. When they handed out wristbands at the screening I had thought that it was for one of those dance parties that everyone loves to complain about. Then, to add more confusion, Morris Day showed up behind me in the Club check-in line! So then I thought "Cool - they got The Time to play the aftershow!"

A lot of people split from the screening during the last ten minutes to get prime positions for the show, but I figured they would make us wait a long time so I stayed in the theatre to the bitter end and I'm glad I did since they gave out posters to those of us who exited after the screening was over. I walked back to my car to leave the poster and casually sauntered back up the escalators to BB Kings, went in, got a drink and hung out on the patio overlooking the Universal Citywalk. I turned around and seconds later came face to face with Eric Leeds! I was too stunned to say anything, but I looked behind him and sure enough, there was Rhonda, Renato and John huddling on the patio with the rest of us! My pulse quickened and I slammed my drink, ran to a payphone and called my cousin (who had declined the screening) and said, "Get your ass down here - Prince is playing!"

Soon as my cousin showed up (10:30) and we walked back through the door they started with "Shhh". I was in awe, and ultimately so glad he made it an instrumental performance. Not to be an ass kissing fan, but sometimes his 'stage persona' can detract from his musicianship and since I like to think he is trying to shed the old bullshit, it was so gratifying to see him just play and lead the band. Eric was phenomenal. Renato was mad on the keys and Prince wailed a few solos out. Just an hour but pure bliss. I'll never forget it and how lucky it was he chose LA! I wish you had been there Anj, I really do."

"he told me 1 day when i was in the studio with him afterhours that he would give it all up 2 go follow god..."

http://www.prince.org/msg...msg_924773

The question stands, what if Prince feels his music is compromising his happiness? I can already sense the responses: music is his happiness. Think again.

Anji said:

Did you mean to post this in here? If so, I'm not sure how its relevant...

His feeling is that once he creates a new project he is already succeeding.

I think that's what we're seeing now. He could care less about the accepted ideas of what a musical career should entail; He's making music on his terms and is well off enough to be able to do so without pressure of capitulating to all the expectations of the commercial system. He doesn't need to sell himself, so he doesn't do it! If I were him, I would love the fact that my fan base was coalescing the way it is. The smaller his base is the more he can count on it being made up of people who actually appreciate what he is doing. He is more able to play the music he wants without rejection. Who wouldn't want that?

Jestyr said:

Whilst I think Prince loves creating and sharing his creations, I also think he does pay attention to some of his audience and critics alike. He may ultimately end up dismissing their ideas but I definitely think they have the power to make him think and feel both good and bad. Naturally, he likes there being positive vibes around him and for those who wish to follow him. I believe the club is his attempt at creating that space. People say it's a cult but I think it's just how he wants his home to be. I can't say I blame him. That said, I also believe that as small as we may all seem as individual fans, we do all play a very valuable role as a collective force in potentially influencing things. It wouldn't surprise me if Prince were to read some thoughts on his website, for example, or a review of his work, or an analysis of where things are going (read: Alex Hahn), and then be influenced to create around those ideas.

Jestyr said:

Yeah, I know it seems off-topic. I just thought it would be nice to highlight a very recent example of a fan's excitement, Jessie. I also think it's worthwhile to highlight that whilst we, as fans, may always find that joy experiencing Prince, this might not necessarily always be the case the other way around, for him.

As to the idea that his search for God will lead to his retirement, well, I have to disagree on that one. He has always believed his musical gift was from God and that to stop practising that gift would be the ultimate sin. Music is one way he worships God. Personally, I think his search for God will continue until his life ends, or as someone put it 'God calls him home'.

The phrase "He Causes To Become" is simply what Jehovah Witnesses decided the name Yahweh translates to. It imparts the idea that God is not just a static entity but a continual process of creation. God is existence. That's all.

Jestyr said:

Wait there, Jessie. I don't think I've quite been saying that. Well, I may have been. This is a difficult one to communicate EEK!

What I am suggesting is that Prince appears to be someone with distinct behavioural responses to finding happiness. Generally speaking, we can only gain access to his twists and turns through the music. However, I think the missing links are with what happens in his mind during the quiet moments, his reflections. It's worthwhile bearing in mind that he's always displayed this 'everything can be replaced if necessary' attitude. From his women, to his lyrics, to his name (and back). That's quite noticeable in the way he thinks. So, I'm wondering if he will reach a space when he may be able to replace his music. I know the theory sounds absurd to some, possibly because we have always known him through his music and it's very special to us, but I definitely think this thought of leaving has been there for quite some time. It's inside him and he has alluded to it.

The only thing able to command such a departure, in my opinion, would be through his belief in God. Afterall, he appears to turn to his inner voice, his God, when things aren't going his way. What if he finds the 'calling' he receives is that his music and all it entails, will no longer bring him happiness? Like I said, there would need to be a turning of events for him to receive that calling but it's not entirely illogical to think the thought of leaving everything behind is not already in his head. He's mentioned it a number of times, most recently at one of the ONA concerts. One might argue it goes as far back as the aftermath of Around The World In A Day. He went to look for 'the ladder' but he came back. I think there's a reason he didn't find it back then and not coincedentally, the converse of that reason is why he'll be closer to finding it now. Quite simply, I think he wants to leave us (or rather, his internal struggle) but as you can well imagine, it's a difficult thing to just say goodbye.

jackflash said:

Yeah, I understand that it would be natural to compare Prince to these artists on a number of levels. I don't have an inkling about any of their behavioural make-ups but from what I have observed with Prince, he appears to take the 'my way or highway' attitude when things aren't going the way he wants (much to the unhappiness of those who felt like they have supported him). I could mention any number of associates, colleagues, past romances etc.

From what I've read about musicians and especially, musical geniuses (and practically all I read lately is biographies of musicians - my wife thinks I'm nuts), many of the greats behave like P in quite a few respects. The parallels with Ellington are striking - and I don't think that I'm the first to mention this. If you are interested, get a copy of "Beyond category:the life and genius of Duke Ellington" by John Edward Hasse, pub. 1993. Very readable and, IMO, a fascinating subject.

All these responses are essentially about his happiness, regardless of who or what is discarded in the process. He certainly has demonstrated little obligation towards those who have felt closest to him, if he feels he's being compromised in one way or another. That's a particular behavioural trait that may not be unique to Prince but it certainly has been demonstrated over and over again in his career.

The question stands, what if Prince feels his music is compromising his happiness? I can already sense the responses: music is his happiness. Think again.

.
[This message was edited Wed Aug 27 12:35:12 PDT 2003 by Anji]

Anji,

I’m a bit late, but here is my reaction to your thread. But keep in mind that it was written before I read your final summation, which I believe gets you much closer to closure on what you’ve been seeking to express all along.

--

Yes, he is an extremely emotional, creative, almost melodramatic, right-brained person. And as such he will probably go through many more cycles of hurt and self doubt, searching, rebirth, creation, and celebration, before the burnout, burden of expectations, pain of criticism, and perhaps even the perceived inability to connect properly with his true spirit returns him right back to the hurt and self doubt.

He just doesn’t strike me as someone who will be able to break the cycle and leave it all permanently behind by finding happiness in the study of the bible or some other field completely removed from music.

He strikes me as someone who will be cursing his creative urge and the hurt and joy that it brings until the bittersweet for whom the bell tolls. That restless soul, searching even on his deathbed, utterly convinced in the drunken state of creativity that closure (“The Ladder”) is just one elusive note away.

It short, I think he has about a dozen retirements left in that soul.

Brendan

P.S. And I think a parallel could be drawn to a certain truth seeker/writer/soothsayer around these parts. Perhaps that’s why he seems so strongly in tune with this emotion in Prince?

I find this thread to be combative and inflammatory!

Prince grew up with a love for music and a dream for how his life would involve it. I think his early childhood years felt were pretty much lacking ‘unconditional love’; not coincidentally, something he’s been looking for ever since. A shy boy turns into a focused young musician with an idea of how he was going to find a life of happiness through ‘making it.’ So, how was he going to succeed?

One of his earliest ideas revolved around artistic control when he approached the majors, one that he would ultimately return to view as his saving grace. Nevertheless, Warner Brothers saw their product, and a rare one too. This could work. A mythology was created. That would be his most effective marketing ploy and will continue to intrigue those who think he is something other than a simple guy with a quite extraordinary talent. Contrary to popular belief, that talent was just as much about musical virtuosity as it continues to be about engaging others by simply being other than what you expect. Prince believed in his persona, just as much as the fans liked to buy into it. It was, afterall, a dream. Not reality.

I have to say those early years were managed exceptionally well, primarily because both Prince’s vision of ‘making it’ and the record company that helped him succeed, were in unison. Purple Rain was it. It would never be repeated. In hindsight, it’s surprising that neither party understood that things could never be the same. Understandably, Prince allowed himself the belief that he could do anything he wanted to thereafter, and that it would work. Such conviction in one’s beliefs makes for a ruthless businessman, if not a particularly astute one. That said, he’s always weathered the hardships in his own inimitable fashion. This much was obvious to those 'in the know' but there was something else, something no one predicted. Prince believed in something special and giving that up is perhaps his hardest coming to terms. He started losing his belief when he felt others around him didn’t resonate with the strength of his own convictions.

As much as Lovesexy was his dream, The Rainbow Children is his reality. It’s an accurate portrayal of how things have turned out for him. His ‘father figures’ were always going to leave their son. His ‘unconditional loves’ were always going to be conditional. And most importantly, his belief in his artistic spirit was always going to centre through his belief in God. So, where does it end? In many ways, I think it already has. I think Prince’s final struggle will be reconciling how he is going to break from what he has always known; his music. Publicly toying with retirement is one thing but being ready for it is an entirely differnent matter. I sense Prince is trying to find his peace. He’s learning to elevate himself beyond anyone’s misplaced expectations, including his own.

I respect that everyone deserves happiness. Quite simply, Prince has realised that his will never come from us. I believe Prince is sensitive to a turning of events, and is actually looking for a sign that will bring closure. There will be one soon enough, afterwhich there will be no turning back. It has always been this way with Prince. As you know, he is quite the emotional type. Yes, history will learn to respect a remarkable journey through his music but let's try and enjoy the moments now, for what they truly are. Thanks for listening...

I think it's an understandable reaction from certain fans to feel rejected, or at a loss, with Prince's behaviour. But like I have said, Prince has always rejected those who have got in the way of his path. If his happiness comes from those who resonate with the same convictions as he does, and understandly so, then he's getting rid of the dead wood whether he knows what he is doing or not.

The Rainbow Children is a clear dividing point between where he believes his life was going the wrong way and where he believes the path towards enlightenment is. These are all in his own opinion, and I do agree he has crossed the line between being vague and cryptic, and telling us what time it is. Whilst I think that is a contributing factor towards this turning of events I keep referring to, I also think this is bringing him his ultimate salvation; freedom from expectations. To simply create as the creator inspires.

I've had time to collect my thoughts and I am concluding that Prince is not leaving his music (at least, not yet) but he is leaving many fans behind who cannot deal with his attitude. Personally, I think it constitutes the bravest period in a career made of daring to go where no one could have predicted. That is why The Rainbow Children is the most controversial album he has ever released. It's because it has created a significant gap between how many of his fans felt united with Prince in the past, for whatever reason, and how they are being made to feel alienated from this point onwards. I'm quite sure Prince would not have anticipated the results, or even knew the direction he was heading, but something compelled him to walk his path alone, bravely.

The concept of being 'willing to do the work' is not about adhering to Prince's values but there is a valid reason why things are being misunderstood to those extremes. I believe the real work for many lies in understanding that in order to accept Prince's journey, they will need to dig deep down within themselves to avoid their sensibilities and values being compromised. As we have already seen, this is a price that many are simply not prepared to pay, and more generally, not how society works. Prince is not about accepting those who are unwilling to do the work, he never has been. This behavioural characteristic I have been talking about has even led him to coin a term, 'the banished ones.'

Prince is not struggling to retire from music. He is, however, struggling to retire from those who do not accept him for where he wants to go. This is just one contributing factor towards a potential turning of events. There are a few others but I'd rather not go into them here. What does any of this mean anyway? I think it means that unless Prince is surrounded by the 'right' friends, those who are truly there for him, he may just end up becoming a fallen star in a world full of watchers. But don't worry, he's always been about music. He always will be. It's his thing, and in our own worlds, ours too. My only advice: understand what it is you say and do. You might never know how you may end up influencing things. We're all part of something bigger than ourselves. For Prince, these are his responsibilities and that is the advice he has been given. I wholeheartedly agree, and extend it to all of you.

Anji...I have to draw this conclusion.

U know something and somebody!!!

U won't tell us...but U know...

I know a little too...but I ain't talking!