I was listening to this track today and it struck me, what a brillianty crafted song this really was. I know that back in the day, it was often ridiculed as a poor take on a Queen style record. Do fans still feel this way?

I personally love the way the song is divided into a series of distinct styles and the way Prince kind of succeeds in linking them all together. The final segment where the music dies and Prince sings quietly "I've got three chains of gold and they will shine for ever" is simply brilliant in my opinion and enough to give you goosebumps!

I guess I'm putting my neck on the block with this one, but I am kind of interested to know how others rate this track.

I've always viewed it as a failed attempt to do a "Bohemian Rhapsody" type of song.

I loved it to start with, but with time it's not aged well and truly does come across as a poor Queen pastiche/piss-take (delete where applicable).

It's like he got all the ingredients right, cooked it to perfection and then served it very badly.

Mind you, that kind of sums up the CD.

it's fucking awful. it's the result of lack of sleep, a massive ego and a whole recording studio at your disposal 24 hours a day.

Wow that's harsh. I do think it was his take on Bohemian Rhapsody and I think he did a

good job of it. One of my fav tracks on album, especially the guitar work going towards the

end.

...one of my favorite P songs....

Certainly in his top 5 worst ever. So pretentious and unrocking.

No, it's great.

It's another example of how Prince knows when his tongue is firmly in cheek. He could have easily remade Bohemian Rhapsody and made it PERFECT....but he made it Princely, which is great.

Even if it was inspired by Bohemian Rhapsody, it's still musically different. Bohemian Rhapsody was not the first and only song to have distinct musical sections making an entire piece, there were thousands of Bohemian Rhapsodies before Bohemian Rhapsody.

Anyway, there is an extremely creative musical mind at work within this song, and for it to be slagged off by fans as a cheap imitation is disheartening. I thought it was brilliant- from the guitar work, to the chord structure, to the vocal layering. Very underrated.

And yes, it is a bit pretentious- but that wouldn't be a first for Prince, now would it? Can't a musical mastermind be allowed to show off his gift?

underrated gem?


no. more like overblown turd

it's genius, it's princely and i love it

IMHO, Strays Of The World was a much, much, much better attempt at this type of song.

GrayKing said:

no fuckin' way! Strays of the World is absolutely HORRIBLE!

jtgillia said:

Co-sign!!! I think you are absolutely right, this is a fabulous song and has PRINCE all over it. Crafted well and execute even better!

They both rock!

mrdespues said:

I THINK 3 CHAINS O'GOLD WAS A QUEEN TRIBUTE.
FREDDIE MERCURY WAS DIE IN 1991
THIS SONG REMINDS ME A LOT BHOEMIANS RHAPSODY

Say what you want about the song but no one can argu the fact that only a gnious coudl come up with this song, what other artist can pretende they are queen? IT's perfectly arranged.

I Love It.. It was Prince doing the Same type of Orchestration layering as queen Used. It's a Very Interesting Piece.

Thanks for your comments on this thread.

It's interesting to see that there is still just as much division over whether this song is good or otherwise as when it first came out!

3 Chains O' Gold will make my top 25 prince songs of all time

3 Chains O' Gold, although regularly bashed on this site, is truly brilliant... Prince is a master of the Rock Opera, and does so in his way. The vocal arrangements and harmonies, the musical arrangement as a whole, and the blazing guitar... the chaotic, dramatic drums near the end, while Prince is pretending 2 catch his breath, and the ending itself...

When Musicology came out, people here were like, "Yeah... Million Days is OK... But I wish he didn't do that '3 Chains O' Gold thing in the middle..."

I say bring it on P... The Rock Opera, The Funk, The Jazz, The Pop, The Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera...

A lot of us are musically diverse enough 2 handle it.

Peace.

G.

Giovanni777 said:

Yeah, what he said!!

Seriously, I'm on the thumbs up tip for 3 Chains.....


Stormbringer

GrayKing said:

DarrenMawbey said:

You described the exact reasons why I love this song. And the ending is pure epic!

OK it is Queen, but give P credit. It was his first attempt at a musical challenge and he did a great job. I have always been in aaahh of this musical production. I like queen, didn't really grow up with Queen, but this production kicks Queen's Ass. Queen's song sounds too much like a musical theater and P put just enough in it to get the effect and stay on track with it musically. I love this joint. I will say this has to be his most challenging production ever. Because I am not a major Queen fan, P opened my ears musically by doing this. Ok he bit the arrangement from Queen no doubt. It is still incredible, yet not quite original. Him doing this type of track, expanded the musical hear of us who have always loved his music. He is teaching his fans in this piece. As a music producer myself... this track has stood out to me among several of his works for years.

Just enjoy the ride and open your ears.

mrdespues said:

I agree. Strays of the World is horrible. I can't believe that someone could compare it to 3 Chains O' Gold. Not even is the same chapter.

No, Strays Of The World. That's Prince doing Jagger Like Perfectly.. God if he did Wild Horses...Would be BEAUTIFUL.....I would Climax like Mad....

Zelaira said:

I don't see how Strays is remotely like the Stones / Jagger. He was doing a cover of honkeytonk women around the time they did this song though (ok ok 2 years earlier).

COCOMF said:

I cant believe you can say that shit with a straight face .. seriously yo .. Queen shits all over this mess ... then when its wiped its arse it comes back and takes a piss on it.

Bo Rhap is the ship

Aw I love this song, it's haunting and epic sounding. It's like Prince took Queen music and soaked it in purple to make it his own creation.

Pretentious? Sure. But that's our Prince
[This message was edited Tue May 25 7:03:20 2004 by PurpleKnight]