Oh, man, what to do with Extra Lovable? It's one of the funkiest Prince songs I've ever heard. I absolutely adore that coy little voice: You know what I'm talkin' about, baby? If you know it lemme hear you say it, baby, ooh!

But the rape thing really fucked with me the first time I heard this song. I'm jamming my ass off to this most wonderful of Prince outtakes, so glad I've finally got it, oooh, yeah, it sounds so goood...then suddenly my heart drops to my feet. I got so sick to my stomach I had to turn it off. But something about this track wouldn't let me leave it alone. The melody, the beat, the delivery...it's fucking sublime.

So I've made my peace with the rape bit by chalking it up to another instance of Prince exorcising his demons through his work. As a sexual abuse survivor, I never thought I'd be shaking my ass to "I'm on the verge of rape. I don't think you heard me. I'm on the verge of rape." But even those lines are delivered in an irresistibly funky-ass way!

Am I crazy?

Nah, you're not crazy. Because of your past experience, the word in and of itself has become a trigger for you. It's a perfectly natural thing.

On the other side of the coin, as someone who hasn't been through what you have, that line at worst comes off as just a little bit tacky...it's one of those situations where someone's taken a really strong, emotionally-charged word and used it in a way where all the danger has been taken out of it. I'm a big believer in what George Carlin said - it's not words themselves that are dangerous, it's how they're used. I don't think P was trying to promote non-consentual sex with that lyric, and perhaps the fact that it remains unreleased says something about what he himself ultimately felt about the line...?

Bottom line, though - if some 5'2" skinny little thing in high heels came at me sayin' he's on the verge of rape, I'd throw a lunch sack over his head and tell him to knock it off.

Just some thoughts.

Anxiety said:

Thanks, honey.

What do you think of the song itself?

i always give my cd player the dirtiest look and roll my eyes at that part... nonetheless, i loves me some "extra loveable".

Anytime.

The song is cool...I know folks who go on and on about it like it's the best thing since sliced bagels, but it doesn't move me all that much. I'd put it in the "B" list of P outtakes that I dig, or maybe even at the top of a "C" list. I can understand its merits, but it just doesn't do it for me that much.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Me too! Anyway, Anxiety makes a good point. I might be a li'l thing myself, but all I have to do is picture Prince tryin' to drag me anywhere, and I get the s.

I Love it! I reckon if he ever releases it, that line will be removed (which wouldn't really spoil the song in any way). Wasn't it proposed to be on CB2?

FunkMistress said:

same with me, too...it's like, "you can't drag nobody anywhere with two broken arms, kid!"

I think the song is good, bar the rape lyrics, which I think are ill-chosen (and I personally find offensive.)

It has always left me with the impression that Prince was at best very naive thoughtless to hsve used these lyrics.

Please. The idea of Prince tryin to take someone by force is like an ant tryin' ta drag a quarter pounder.





grape ape edit
[This message was edited Thu Oct 30 10:00:31 PST 2003 by Anxiety]

Anxiety said:

Hmm...

I think it raped me.

I tried to ignore it, but it just dragged me into its bathtub and I couldn't get out. It fucks me every time. But I like it.

I don't see any point in being offended by the 'Rape' part. He's obviously just playing around. after he says that, he breaks out this faggy voice and says "I can very cruel", i just have to laugh.

FunkMistress said:

Funny I was just listening to that tune in the car last night and I couldn't get if he was saying rate or rape. Now I know and I must admit that even at Prince's young age then, it was not appropriate to say even using poetic licence. It's a great song and maybe that's one of the reasons that he didnt't release it cause maybe he thought he'd get a lot of flack.

Am I crazy?[/quote] it was not appropriate to say even using poetic licence. [/quote]

Why?!?!?!?? If you can't say that kinda stuff in art, where can it be said?

Cool song, but yup - the rape line is...well, not one of his best lyric choices.

---

It doesn't bother me. I take it for what it is, a cheeky line in a fantastic song.

FunkMistress

I really don't think the rape line was serious, keep in mind that Prince(at THAT period of his career) was pretty much fond of the idea about SHOCKING people and what not lol!

Anyway, I could live without that joint. It ain't bad but it ain't my FAVE either!

Speaking of 82's outtakes, he shoulda left Chocolate 4 himself, boy I get a hard laugh whenever I hear that jam.

Now THAT is a funky tone, honey

I can't listen to it for that line.

Harlepolis said:

I love Prince's version of Chocolate!
And with or without the rape thing, I can't live without Extra Lovable!

Muziqmkr said:

Are you serious?
"I'm sorry, but I'm just going to have to rate you"??

This is Prince trying to be dangerous. He was using a charactor, kind of like Spooky Electric, who only cares about getting sex--no love in the gears--and it makes him a bad person.

He could also be talking about stalking some girl, and when she won't take a shower with him he rapes her.

Remember, he did this song as a diss to Dez, who left the group because he was offended by Princes lyrics, like Head, so Prince said, "well, I will really offend that sorry mofo this time." Then he mocks, "hey Dez, you like my band?"

Don't forget the scary music after the rape line. Almost like the song is about to explode. It was meant as a dark song, not a light song.

Prince just showed his immaturity here. Or it was a great art statement, that went over all of our heads.

Anxiety said:

LOL

I agree it does come off as tacky, although like FunkMistress, I remember being a little shocked when I first heard it.

I guess he is trying to convey his lust, but he does it in a distasteful way - There are much better ways of saying "I want you really bad" than "I wanna fuck you so much I don't care whether you want it or not, I'm gonna do it anyway".

Still, it's a fantastic song.

2freaky4church1 said:

Exactly.

Romance1600 said:

Yes, it is.

I dunno. I think I'm with Anxiety on this one. It's an okay song but far from his best. I'd put it in the B list of outtakes that I like.

that line...and the whole song for that matter...basicly shows his naiveness and/or immaturity at that time

When I read the lyrics from the song, Pheromone, I was pretty shocked by the content. Didn't necessarily like the picture he painted in that song. The Extra Lovable lyric about rape is beyond distasteful and insensitive. Prince got carried away and got caught up in the momemt. I doubt that he would ever perform those songs today.

fredericdoug said:

Gosh, you guys, i don't get the extreme reation you are all having. I just see the whole "don't make me rape you" as sort of this cartoonish little kinky moment...y'know-FUN little moment in the purple bouduir. Insensitive? Lighten up. A little FANTASY rape can be fun.

JudasLChrist said:

I don't really take that line too seriously, I ain't a fan of it, but it's not enough to really offend me
I don't think prince was really thinking when he wrote that, it was just something that popped up in his head
I'm sure, even if he wasn't JW, he wouldn't sing that
Just a little naive/immature moment going on there
All I have to say is thank good god almighty that he never released this, could you imagine if the PMRC heard this?

JudasLChrist said:

Yes, there's WAY too much sensitivity here...

It's just a song, people. The best of the outtakes...