I couldn't believe she didn't know this song.

She knows I'm a Prince nut and asked me to burn her a CD. She's just heard Raspberry Beret, When Doves Cry and Sign O The Times for the first time. She "vaguely recalls" hearing Purple Rain somewhere before.

She's not really out-of-the-loop musically (like most people, she's pretty much ignorant to anything that hasn't been in the charts in the last two years), but is still heavily into what she likes.

The sad truth is, even music fans of today would be hard pressed to hum you a Prince song. Songs like Raspberry Beret, When Doves Cry and Kiss ("isn't that a Tom Jones song?") just aren't as firmly engraved into the general publics memories, as say, Billie Jean or Like A Prayer are.

Both MJ and Madonna have, over time, become far less significant in the impact and general importance of their new releases. It's no longer an event when these artists release a new album or song. They have their fanbases, which are large enough to still earn them respectable chart positions (even that is more than you can say for Prince at the moment). But one thing can't be denied... the significance of their back catalogue.

Jackson's Numbers Ones is pretty much a re-packaged HIStory Disc 1, with Smooth Criminal and Dirty Diana added on for good measure. Yet it has already sold over a million in the UK alone. Whilst Warner's Very Best Of Prince charted and sold reasonably well a year or two back, the tracks don't strike a nerve with the general public the way Jackson's or Madonna's do.

I'm not saying this is right (it's a crying shame in my opinion. While Madonna was singing Like A Virgin and Material Girl, Prince was writing Sign O The Times and The Cross), but it's the sad truth.

Maybe if Prince had made a more conscious effort to remain significant (and I believe he could easily have done this without "selling out" - he managed to remain fresh and interesting in the eighties - all the while staying true to his roots) then maybe his wealth of hits wouldn't be so tragically overlooked.

As it stands, Prince is no more than a name to most people these days (if that). That little guy who used to be like Michael Jackson. The strange man who became a symbol and sings like a woman. Isn't he gay anyway?

What a crying shame such a talented man, who could touch so many more peoples lives, is being wasted.

To end on a positive note, my girlfriend absolutely adores the CD I've burned her and has already asked me what albums from his back catalogue I'd recommend.

She was shocked when I told her she had around twentyfive to choose from.

I had someone at my job ask me last week, "Who's David Bowie?"



Every time I think I can't be shocked by how sheltered some people are, something new pops up.

I've already said his catalogue makes him a national treasure in the great songbook canon..as well as internationl (lova) treasure...but y'all don't hear me though.

rdhull said:

---
I think we are going to be hearing more of his music due to
the Universal deal.

Anxiety said:

WTF!!!

MattyJam said:

Maybe that's true in whatever area you reside in, but in most places the proliferation of 80s radio formats makes it possible that anybody who listens will remember Prince. Because he sure isn't shut out of that format. Not to mention the already existing "old school" formats.

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[This message was edited Sun Jan 4 22:23:59 PST 2004 by Supernova]

bananacologne said:

After trying unsuccessfully to get her to relate to some of his big hits, I tried "you know, he's Iman's husband."

Her response: "Oh, okay - I knew she married some white dude. I didn't know he was a singer."

bananacologne said:

...I was just thinking...with your avatar, WTF? should be your response to EVERY comment..lol...it's so fitting with that face.

Anxiety said:

that is some ill shit right there.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

I was going to make a CD of Bowie classics in an effort to educate the poor lamb, but I'm starting to suspect she might be Amish or something, and I'll have to explain what a CD does.

*BUMP*

It's cool. Prince is still highly respected by true music lovers and especially MUSICIANS

One of my favourites of his

Mine only found out what a chocolate sandwich was last night.

Anxiety said:[quote]I had someone at my job ask me last week, "Who's David Bowie?"

:that's just stupid.

Believe it or not, there's a world outside of Prince and Bowie-- or so I'm told.

MattyJam said:

Maybe cuz MTV and the other musical channels played MJ and Madonna videos more than Prince?. Also most of MJ's songs and some of Madonna's r more radio friendly than Prince's too.

Who knows why Prince's music isn't as well-known?...perhaps some people don't 'get' Prince...ya know?.