The first time I heard "Open Book", I thought it was an inredibly uninspired Prince song, and every subsequent time I tried it, my opinion did not change even a little.

I've been surprised lately to keep running into big fans of the song on here and elsewhere. What do you guys like about that song? Is it the lyric or music or both? For the life of me, I just don't get it...

Whose version are you listening to? Are you listening to Prince's demo or are you listening to the Javeeta Steele version? Just curious.

For me, I think I like the song because of the lyrics followed by the chord structure. When I hear Javeeta Steele sing the song, I feel like she's singing the song from a very personal level - as if the lyrics really hit home for her. To me, it's just a beautiful song - not complicated, just beautiful. I think it's just one of those songs that either you can relate to or not. But I can certainly see why others may not think Open Book is a great song. But at the same time, I can also see why many people love it.

If you personally don't "get it", then all I can say is that it's just one of those songs that isn't meant for you.

It just has this groove that you just fall into.

It always get me when he sings:

"U said U'd take me 2 another world
I said U were only posing"



I'm all in it by then.

It's just a great vocal performance, especially the harmonies. And the lyrics are some of the most human and relatable lyrics from him. It's just a beautiful song.

What they said. Just a simple beautiful song with great lyrics. Has that certain vibe I can get lost in.

Open Book is just a incredible melody,...someone in the thread said b4, "i get lost in", ... its so beautiful, how can anyone resist?. i would even go as far as to say that if realeased it could have possibly made a a hit out of itself or perhaps made to a movie soundtrack...mayb. i always feel this sense of "plot conclusion/happy hollywood ending" or something like that. mayb he will consider releaseing it after adding a little more polish like mayb a clare fisher arrangement and/or wendy & lisa on backing vox.

Everything about open book is amazing..

If he was to ever release it.. I beg that he would let it be, dont change, remake or anything..

its perfect..

Favorite Line

"Now your touch is a reminder, like the thorns upon a rose.. beauty is mine if I can stand the cut"


GREAT LINE
[This message was edited Wed Dec 3 20:53:05 PST 2003 by Sdldawn]

TonyC said:

I agree with you wholeheartedly

Sdldawn said:

It sounds like a Dave Mathews Band song

TonyC said:

Hmm, I guess the whole meaning of it...so yes lyrics. But I also love the piano on it, the chord progression and of course Prince's vocal delivery...especially during "Beauty is mine..if I can stand the CU...TT" Very awe inspiring!!

Sdldawn said:

True, but it's full of great lines. Would have been massive if he'd released it back in the day.Radio would still be playing it even now alongside stuff like LRC, WDC and Kiss.

Sdldawn said:

I can't believe I agree with Sdldawn! I wonder if "blue" was mad in the same session as Open Book, they have the same vibe.

popgodazipa said:

yes they do.. I fell in love with Blue first, but I think as far as long run, Open Book would have been a hit for him..

Open Book has to be one of my fave outtakes, everything about the song is just brilliant.


U said my edit's just like an open book, But there are lines U've never seen...
[This message was edited Wed Dec 3 23:48:01 PST 2003 by r1ghteousone]
[This message was edited Wed Dec 3 23:48:24 PST 2003 by r1ghteousone]

Jasziah said:

Co-sign. It's one of my favourite Prince songs of all time

is this the song he refers to himself as "this girl" ?

It was obviously written for a girl to sing. Just look at the best line...

"I'll give back your name, if you give back my heart".

I love it. Great lyrics, great melody, great piano, great use of the linn.

There must be an overall appeal on this song. One of my best friends, and an Ex girlfriend BOTH regard it as their favourite Prince song, even though neither are Prince fans. Bare in mind they were listening to a crappy bootleg too. That says something.

Christopher said:

It was written for a woman to sing

But he could have easily changed the lyrics and released his own version...

"You'll never be able to read THIS BOY
so,the Open Book is closing,closing,closing"

DavidEye said:

Whats so amazing to me about it is.. Prince recorded it in a format that sounds very demo sounding.. just a few instruments and some nice vocals.. and it turned out perfect, I wouldnt want him to touch or add anything else.. its fine the way it is..

Sdldawn said:

Agreed.It has a nice,demo-like quality to it.I would hate for him to add anything to this track.