His Royal Badness. The Purple One. Innovator and Purveyor of the Minneapolis Sound. Prince Rogers Nelson…or as we all knew him, Prince. The legend would have turned 62 years old today if he were still with us. In true form to previous birthday entries, this entry will simply focus on his artistry by way of a few songs by him that I love. I hesitate to say “favorite” songs because there are some artists whose large discographies make it difficult for me to flat out list favorites or start ranking, and Prince is one of them.
Prince’s catalog is vast, and that’s putting it mildly. He is quite possibly the most prolific artist ever, as he sometimes released multiple albums in a year, and rarely went on hiatus. He consistently released material up until just months before his untimely death in 2016. This doesn’t even include the songs he wrote and produced for other artists, songs of his that were covered by other artists, or the ways in which he influenced other artists. With all of that being said, I could easily make multiple entries for him the way I did for Stevie, but I’m leaning towards condensing into one large post. I’m just going with the flow and letting my energy guide me through this one.
Before I start posting songs, I can’t help but think of two things. Prince was a Jehovah’s Witness during the last years of his life, and therefore didn’t likely celebrate birthdays, so I always feel a little strange celebrating his for that reason. The second thing is, for a long time, he was notorious for not wanting his music freely available online. So in a way, posting it here feels a little weird as well. Also known for his shade, he’s probably giving me a heavenly side eye for these reasons. Haha…I’ll take it. Now on to the music!
Again, no rank. No order. Just me posting songs I love by him as they come to mind. He was a true Gemini, so these songs can literally run the gamut from one end of the spectrum (spiritual) to the other (um…not spiritual, haha) which perfectly showcases those twin sides. Be prepared for whatever in this entry. (That’s my disclaimer for family, lol.)
Happy 62nd birthday to the one and only Prince!
“Sign ‘O’ The Times”: I couldn’t help but post this one first. I love this song, as it was Prince’s way of calling attention to all that was going on in the world at the time. I mentioned earlier that he was the creator of the “Minneapolis Sound”, also made popular by former members of Prince-created band The Time, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, in their production work. Well, as we all know, Minneapolis has been put on the map for another reason in the last couple weeks: the murder of George Floyd. I just find it ironic that this song by the most famous Minneapolis native seemingly predicts our present, especially this line: And yet we’re sending people to the moon. I thought of that line last weekend during the rocket launch that took place from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. With everything going on in the world, especially in our country, we can still find a way to send people to the moon, or at least space. I just find it…interesting? Sign of the times, indeed. Late edit: I originally posted the full version of this song, as I love the instrumental ending, but it was removed from Youtube.
“D.M.S.R.”: Okay, so I know I said I was refraining from using the word “favorite” in this entry, but um…this is definitely one of my favorite songs period, so by default it’s one of my favorites by Prince. Where do I start? The beat. The synths. The bass. The guitar. The “you only live once so enjoy your life without limits” theme. All of it is everything. I mean, the title alone is in your face: D.M.S.R. = Dance. Music. Sex. Romance. Classic Prince. My favorite lyrics from it are: All I wanna do is dance, play music, sex, romance Try my best to never get bored I just love the message behind such a line: freedom, confidence, brashness, fun, do what you want to do and nothing else. For 1982, which is when 1999 was released, that was a lot to put on wax. Speaking of 1999 being ahead of its time, there’s another song from it that I love: “Let’s Pretend We’re Married”, but I will not be including that in this entry. Lol. 1999 is probably my favorite Prince album, so it’s hard to not include several songs from it.
“I Would Die 4 U”: This is the song that really made me a Prince fan, or at least made me realize his genius. I was in high school when I completely fell in love with this song, because it was then that I learned the meaning of the song. At first listen, the song just sounds like a typical love song, like he is simply saying he would die for his lover. The song is actually about Christ, though, or rather being sung from the perspective of Christ. Some key lyrics: I’m not a woman I’m not a man I am something that you’ll never understand
I’ll never beat you I’ll never lie And if you’re evil I’ll forgive you by and by
No need to worry No need to cry I’m your messiah and you’re the reason why
I’m your conscious I am love All I really need is to know that You believe
Who else was writing and singing about spirituality in such a way in 1984? Only one other artist comes to mind: Teena Marie. That’s another entry though.
“Sexy Dancer”: It’s the bass for me! I was first introduced to this song when watching the Soul Train 25th anniversary special that aired Thanksgiving week of 1995. A clip from an old episode of Soul Train was shown in which this song was playing. It caught my ear instantly and hasn’t gone anywhere since. The piano that comes in during that musical climax is just everything!
“Soft And Wet”: Another song that was completely ahead of its time. This song was released in 1978. 1978! It does not sound 42 years old. From his debut album For You, Prince was only 20 when this was released. From the beat to the synths and the arrangement, it sounds like something from the mid-’80s at the earliest. I love how he sounds exactly the same here as he did decades later. My favorite part of the song is when he randomly hits his lower register, which contrasts sharply with his falsetto, on the words tell me that you love me girl at around the 1:00 minute mark. I love how he could sound like several different people on the same song. “Adore” is one of many great examples of that.
“Free”: I love this song so much! It’s one of his more sentimental and inspirational songs. It has often brought me to tears. For me, it serves as a reminder that many (not all, because this is America) of the limitations on us and in our lives are self-imposed. In other words, we sometimes place limits on ourselves and our potential instead of just embracing the fact that we are free to do anything we put our minds to. This can be out of fear, complacency, uncertainty, or a lack of self-confidence, among other things. I am very familiar with that feeling. This is just one meaning the song holds for me. I am well aware that it may likely have a different intended meaning, and different interpretations for others. At any rate, the song includes several inspiring lyrics, including these that mean a lot to me: Don’t cry unless you’re happy Don’t smile unless you’re blue Never let that lonely monster Take control of u I think of it as a simple attempt at being more positive overall and not giving in to whatever “lonely monster” may be trying to rear its ugly head in your life. This can be loneliness itself, or any negative circumstance or feeling. Instead, smile in the face of that adversity and delight in your freedom to do, change, or say what you want or need to in order to be happy.
“The Cross”: Prime example of how varied Prince’s subject matter could be. On an album entitled Sign ‘O’ The Times on which he sings about the goings on of the world in the title track, as well as partying(hello, “Housequake”), love, relationships, sensuality, etc. throughout the rest of the album, “The Cross” exists in the midst of it all. Don’t cry, for He is coming Don’t die without knowing the cross Soon all our problems will be taken by The cross…
“Future Baby Mama”: Quiet storm Prince! No, seriously, I do recall this getting play during the quiet storm back in ’07/’08. Not surprisingly, my sister Jamie had this album, Planet Earth, which was why I heard quite a bit of it initially. I still love this song, though in our current social climate, i.e. “Me Too” movement, etc…some people may see the title as problematic or offensive to women. I don’t, though. He is simply expressing that he wants the woman in his life to be the mother of his child, in his own Prince way, of course.
“Somewhere Here On Earth”: Just a beautiful song from Planet Earth. I love how the beginning sounds like the crackling that you hear when playing a record, and it ends the same way. Lyrically, he sings about longing for love and knowing that his match exists “somewhere here on earth”. Strong Smokey Robinson vibes on this song. This is sweet, romantic Prince, and therefore a wonderful way to end this entry.
The Many Sides of Prince
I know these are just 10 songs, and they don’t even scratch the surface of all that Prince has done. Multi-instrumentalist. Innovator with drum programming. Songwriter who could pen thoughtful lyrics about varied topics. From spiritual to sensual, sentimental to brash, Prince’s catalog had something for you. From funk to pop to rock to soul, he had something for you. His work for and influence on others, whether by way of songwriting, sampling, or remakes, warrants a separate entry or two. Fittingly, it’s Black Music Month, so I will definitely be further exploring his work throughout June and beyond. Happy Birthday once again to the one and only Prince!
6 thoughts on “Black Music Month: Happy Birthday Prince!”
Love your commentary on Prince. I don’t know how I forgot his birth-date classified him as a gemini, like me. I enjoyed reading and learning more about songs/lyrics that I haven’t listened to. Keep on expressing yourself and explaining the music & lyrics. You do it extremely well. ❤🎶
I know we’ve talked about him being a Gemini before, at least I thought. Lol. And I’m glad you learned something. Thank you for the compliment as well sis… means a lot. 💜🙏🏽
As always…it’s genius at work. You have captured the essence of Prince and his music. My favorite Prince song is Adore. I just love that song. Happy Birthday Prince and continue to rest in peace. Your music will live on in our hearts forever. Keep telling the stories Ashley. They need to be told!
Thank you mom! I love you so much for your support of literally everything your children do. 😁 And I started to include “Adore” just for you, but I have it in mind for a future entry theme(love songs). I did mention it here at least! 😉💜
Yes, you did!! I’m looking forward to the entry on “love songs”. That’s my all time favorite topic in R&B. ♡♡♡
Love your commentary on Prince. I don’t know how I forgot his birth-date classified him as a gemini, like me. I enjoyed reading and learning more about songs/lyrics that I haven’t listened to. Keep on expressing yourself and explaining the music & lyrics. You do it extremely well. ❤🎶
I know we’ve talked about him being a Gemini before, at least I thought. Lol. And I’m glad you learned something. Thank you for the compliment as well sis… means a lot. 💜🙏🏽
As always…it’s genius at work. You have captured the essence of Prince and his music. My favorite Prince song is Adore. I just love that song. Happy Birthday Prince and continue to rest in peace. Your music will live on in our hearts forever. Keep telling the stories Ashley. They need to be told!
Thank you mom! I love you so much for your support of literally everything your children do. 😁 And I started to include “Adore” just for you, but I have it in mind for a future entry theme(love songs). I did mention it here at least! 😉💜
Yes, you did!! I’m looking forward to the entry on “love songs”. That’s my all time favorite topic in R&B. ♡♡♡
Absolutely! It’s coming… slowly but surely. 😄