Is there any song by Prince that reflects the doo-wop influence? I think he's one of the tightest/most underrated vocal arrangers and sometimes I hear the doo-wop influence in him by a chance.

It would be intersting 2 hear doing a doo-wop gem tho!

What do you guys think?

P.S. I know yo feeling about this, Charles

Sorry if this is irrelivent (sp), but i think Pink Cashmere is one of the best vocals ever done, the arrengment is so tight and crisp.
All the little vocal Pops that come in are really interesting.
I think i hear a sense of doo-wop in there, but i'm not as educated in that deparment, plus u would have probably known it.

Baby has some strong doo-wop influences.
Although Prince is very good at overdubbing a lot vocal layers he hasn't done much vocal arranging in the doo-wop style. Nor the Four-Freshman/Beach Boys way. Which is a pity.

Actually, "For You" is the closest I can find to the R&B vocal format now typically known as doo-wop. Especially the second half of the song with the 'don-dong' vocalizations. "Tamborine" isn't really doo-wop, but is also another good example of Prince using his vocals in a smart backing arrangement.

I doubt u would consider this as a doo-wop.. but Broken (Unreleased) is a nice tune...

I would consider this 2 b.. "Delirious" or "Courtin' Time".

"Yellow" with Shelia E. off "in Romance 1600"

Sdldawn said:

Yeah it ain't, its a vintage rock n' roll jam!

What do you people consider doo-wop?
Most of the songs mentioned have some nice lead vocals but very ordinary to no backing.
Isn't that what it's all about when you're talking doo-wop? The vocals who sing like an instrument and accompany the lead.

Henk said:

Actually, doo-wop is a rather broad term for the brand of vocalized R&B that was popularized in the 50's. Sometimes the vocals sing like an instrument, as you state, but often they are backing vocals that counterpoint the melody, without offering the "she-doop, wadda-wadda" vocals that have come to define the style. Check any of the Rhino Doo-Wop Boxes for more complete notes.

That said, most of these songs qualify as having a doo-wop influence - Yellow, Tamborine, Courtin' Time, Baby, For You. I'd also put Forever In My Life and When 2 R In Love in there. Not sure about Pink Cashmere, but I wouldn't put Delirious in there, since it's more multi-tracked vocals than anything.

papabeat said:

I agree with you papabeat. I have the first doo-wop box and it's beautiful.
When looking at the list of songs that can be considered having doo-wop influences, there aren't that many.