I was just thinking about a few things I compulsively try to figure out everytime I hear 'em.

First off, I just picked up Diamonds & Pearls for the first time, and I'm heavily into it.
This may not be important, but what is everyone's interpretation of the line "would you be a happy boy or a girl" ?

Also, one of my favorite tracks on The Rainbow Children is "What's Your Family Name?"

But I can't figure out the point he's trying to make here.

I'd love to hear everybody's ideas.

Peace is now,

S J

I think the line from Diamonds and Pearls was for rhyming (although girl and world don't really rhyme) and cadence purposes.

As for Family Name I think the song is saying that black people have no understanding of their personal backgrounds and family history because of slavery and the fact that their names were changed into unappealing names like Blackburn and Lynch.


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[This message was edited Tue Mar 16 8:49:14 2004 by lovemachine]

with diamonds and pearls I'm almost pretty sure prince was singing about an unborn child, but I don't know exactly when his child was concieved (another member will back up or negate that statement) I am positive however that family name is dealing with the evergoing identity issues of blacks in america, if you weren't privy to this knowlegde most blacks in america (execpt those who have come on there own accord) are decendents of slave who where robbed of their heritage language and of-course name. Slaves where usally named after their slavemasters, or after others they were sold or given to (think daughters for example). My last name is 'Jenifer' I doubt that was an original african tribe. All blacks either conciously or sub-conciously deal with this, and prince put it in song. Nelson ain't no tribe neither.

SirPsycho said:

What???





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langebleu said:

My sentiments exactly! As Prince would say, "lawd ha mercy!"

SirPsycho said:

Wow, it's neat you should say that. When I listened to this track for the first time I didn't quite hear what he was saying, and I thought I heard "Would you have a boy or a girl"
I thought it was pretty touching to write about something like that, but after I looked up the lyrics I was slightly disappointed, because I was comfortable with that sentiment.







I'm not sure why I didn't realize this sooner. I kinda had a feeling early on this was the point, but I got so wrapped up in just singing along to the song, I stopped wondering about the meaning. This is a very interesting, but also tragic... I know I can't really talk, since I'm white, but for some reason, I feel strongly about this, and I'm glad Prince was able to get this out there for people to consider.