We all know what they are. Typically referred to as movies that maybe aren't box office smashes, but slowly build up a fervent following over time.

It got me wondering as to which Prince songs this may apply. I relate this to the general reaction of Prince fans at the time of release. This predates the org in most every case.

If I have to pick, say five, it might go like this.

5. She's Always In My Hair - This one, I distinctly remember, most folks thought was decent but the real ranting didn't start until the B-sides had pretty much stopped. And this was when folks waited for the B-sides with almost as much anticipation as the albums. It didn't have the instant impact that 'Erotic City', '17 Days', or 'How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore' did. But almost 20 years and a D'Angelo cover later, it has cemented it's status as a cult classic.

4. Head - Was once upon a time that this track was known largely for it's shock value. The music were taking a backseat to the lyrics which it turns out were sitting on one of the funkiest tracks known to man. The song is validated on Fink's solo alone. The harpsichord burping and gurling on top of the bass track just cannot be beat! Most fams today give it proper due. Prince largely ignors it.

3. Sexy Dancer - If I had a dollar for every 70's themed club night or venue I heard this in I'd be rich. Rich, I tell you!! This one was heard late nights on urban radio in the late 70's and early 80's but was overshadowed by the commercial success of 'I Wanna Be Your Lover'. But for a pure bump (funk) and grind, you can't do much better than this. Chant included.

2. The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker - Prince finally gave this one it's proper recognition in his recent tours but somehow neglected it in the 'SOTT' movie and on most shows during that time. Fans slept initially also giving more recognition to tracks like 'Housequake', 'If I Was Your Girlfriend', 'I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man', and 'Adore'. But time has been kind to this one and it's quirkiness and blend of styles has been rewarded with acknowledgement as not only one of the strongest tracks on a classic album but one of the best of his strongest era of music.

1. Joy In Repetition - Don't lie, you weren't feeling this one back in the day like you are now. There was some circulation of this track on boots, but when it was first released it didn't even get a performance in the film (although, maybe that was a good thing). Now it has achieved 'bow down' status amongst every fam you know. Several classic live performances have cemented this song's status of ultimate Prince cult classic.

damn, i agree on all of them...good list! but you forgot a song.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

what song would that be dansa?

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Jughead is NOT a cult classic!


Jughead edit
[This message was edited Wed Nov 12 10:01:06 PST 2003 by JimmyNothing]

JimmyNothing said:

give it another 5 years

Great list! I would add Erotic City to the list also

Ditto. You know there are so many songs that one could add to this list. Each fan has his or her own personal favs; however there are a few select tracks that we all could agree on. I remember Moonbeams poll earlier this year about the best P. tracks. The only exception to this thread is that I would remove She`s always in my hair and replace it with Days of Wild .

JimmyNothing said:

The only reason I didn't put 'Erotic City' on the list is because, at least amongst the fams I knew, it was a hit from jump. That song didn't take long to catch on at all.

Handclapsfingasnapz,

You left us hanging? But then that was kind of the point, wasn't it?

r1ghteousone said:

it's oft-mentioned around here but it still don't get the respect it so deserves...





































"when you were mine"

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

I had a feeling u was gonna say something from Dirty Mind

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

It was always seen as the perfect rock-pop song at least by critics..so yeah it doesnt get credit "here". Its always been one of my faves...

and is Hair and Sexy D "cult"?..they were always heralded and also SD a top ten hit..I thought cult was also underground and deep cut status thats rarely played etc
[This message was edited Wed Nov 12 10:58:34 PST 2003 by rdhull]

r1ghteousone said:

i coulda just said, "dirty mind in its entirety" or sumfin if i did that...

rdhull said:

That's true rd, although I guess on this board really nothing by Prince flies under the radar. In the case of 'Hair' I just don't remember very much hoopla at the time of it's release. In fact, in comparison to the other B-sides, I recall a little bit of disappointment. But your experience may differ.

I think all those songs are songs that non-fans like too.

You know, there are a number of non-hit, or non-single songs that a lot of non-fans know, and like.

Erotic City, When You Were Mine stuff like that.

violator said:

Had this on an *extremely* dodgy quality cassette copy back when SOTT came out. It was my favourite. Played it loud, with the lights out, my and my mate. Was shocked to learn it was finally going to be released.

Romance1600 said:

I guess the point of the thread was to list songs that weren't necessarily very popular at the time of release but built up the popularity over time.

When you think about the term 'cult classic', you think about movies generally. When I think of the ultimate cult classic the movie that comes to mind most is 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'. Now certainly that's not a movie that flies under anybody's radar. But it qualifies because that wasn't always the case.

Right, I understand you're point now

Were the songs you listed not popular amounts fans at the time of release? I don't know I've only been a fan since 1991.

Romance1600 said:

I would say that their popularity gain over time has surpassed whatever it may have been at the time of release. I think this is especially true with the top 2 I listed.

I heard "Joy In Repetition" for the first time off a boot in the fall of 1989 and absolutely loved it immediately. I was SOOO glad that he didn't screw with it like he did some other songs (like "We Can Funk") on "Graffiti Bridge".

NCC2012 said:

Was this boot called "Hot Chocolate"?

seanski said:

Not sure if it really had an official name. It was on cassette tape (so who knows?), and it was passed off as "Crystal Ball", but I've since discovered it wasn't really what it said it was.

Great thread.

Funny thing is, my taste seemed out of time. I suppose the difference is whether you lived the years, or look at them as retrospective.

Through out the early period, my favourite tracks were HEAD (you are right, probably for shock, I was 15) and With You.

From 1984 to 88, my favourite was always SHES ALWAYS IN MY HAIR. When the general fan base caught up in the 90s, I thought, about time!

I never rated sexy dancer. Still don't.

from 1988 onwards, and the Chocalate Box bootleg, Joy In Repetition was always my favourite. I love the unreleased version far more, because I thought the missing intro set the scene so well.

Dorothy Parker, I like many dismissed originally. It moved from my least favourite on SOTT, to one of my top 5.


Although people can't see it, I predict a Prince live rework revival of the following!

Dance On
With You
Electric Chair
Walk Don't Walk
I'm Yours
2 the 9s

We'll see!

great way to frame a good topic. I would add Private Joy and It's Gonna Be Lonely to the list , although I will add they have not received the full coming out treatment they deserve and will gain this cult status in the future.

lonelyxmas1 said:

It's funny that you mention 'It's Gonna Be Lonely', because amongst my particular group of friends that is a cult classic. I love that song. I know it's somewhat dated in sound and wouldn't really catch the ears of those who caught on to Prince later, but to those of us whose ears are trained to the 'blue light basement party' it sounds just right.

Another song from that album that shares similar status with us is 'When We're Dancing Close and Slow'.

Awesome stuff.