Love 1999. The emotional context of the album is what I love the most. Prince has a way of letting you escape into his world and you feel different coming out of it that you did going in. Delirious, 1999, Let's Pretend We're Married, Something in the Water, Free, and International Lover are among my faves on the album.
Great review. An additional note about the singles releases from this album. The B-side of the first single “1999” was “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore” which got heavy rotation on Black radio in 1982. Also, once the album crossed over and began to climb the pop charts, the single “1999” was re-released and charted on the pop charts as well. There was also a “Dance Mix” of “Little Red Corvette” that was released as Promo Only in the US and an official single in Europe.
God, I love this. Especially 1999 and Little Red Corvette. I think this is the Prince version of Off the Wall, where the vision and direction he wants to go in starts to solidify, and his talents are honed nicely. I am just appreciating how awesome Prince is that he can do so much at once.
This the Minneapolis sound at its best, imo. The sounds on Lady Cab Driver is a perfect example. he used a similar riff on sex shooter by vanity 6.This is a great album. No surprise, since he was a genius and a workaholic.
I would say Purple Rain was the strongest of the Minneapolis Sound. 1999 is definitely up there but Purple Rain is more ''in your face'' and dominating as a production.
you're right not having DMSR on 1999 would be so crazy. I think 1999 was that album that made everybody see prince genius come out through his lyrical content and imagery.
The 1st release of 1999 on CD, u might wanna sit down for this, D.M.S.R. was ommited from the track list for disc time. Yes I had that copy, but I let someone else borrow it...never saw it again. The 2nd release in the early 90"s, it was put back.
Prince was on MTV before Michael. They played the videos for Controversy and Sexuallity which came out a whole year and some change before Thriller. Prince just didn't get the credit because he still was underground to major audiences at that time. Michael was the first MAINSTREAM Black artist on MTV. Not downplaying Michael's impact because it was because of Michael, that door got broke down, and quiet as is it kept, Michael and Prince saved MTV from going under. But that's another conversation for another day.
I got this for Christmas 1982 when I was 9, my first Prince exposure Classic funky electronic album Lisa Coleman said on a podcast that something in the water and the beautiful ones were counterparts (!) Lady cab driver would be a song I'd play for someone who'd never heard Prince before, it's a classic example of showing what Prince is about. Also, a clock strikes 7, one of his tons of references to the number 7 in his music. A personal favorite This album still delivers with the same impact, such an important step for him on his way to becoming PRINCE
In my opinion, this is one of the best album that prince ever made. Here’s my ranking: 11- Free 10- 1999 9- DMSR 8- All The Critics Love U In New York 7- Something In The Water (Does Not Compute) 6- Delirious 5- Automatic 4- International Lover 3- Little Red Corvette 2- Lady Cab Driver 1- Let’s Pretend We’re Married
I was in my early teens when this album came out. The 1999 album was intensely listened to in my household by me. It was the first album that coerced me to really pay attention to his lyrical content. From the cultural point of view. I can give affirmation to your point about why everyone really got into Prince indubitably,was because of those early videos,like Little Red etc. I found at the time, I was paying attention to a lot of the ways he also recorded. Especially his drum programming. At this time I didn't know he played all his stuff. But after reading liner notes in the album. You feel this is not sporadically everywhere. His focus was to create a cohesive sounding album. He achieved that.For example "Something In The Water". The way he emotes on the track is phenomenal. Nice review for sure.
Little Red Corvette inspired Stevie Nicks to compose "Stand Back", which Prince ended up playing keyboards/synths on. I consider them to be companion pieces....
Good review! So many good tracks on this breakthrough album; Prince is sheer genius on this offering. I listened to Lady Cab Driver so many times, “Kinda funky beat,” is an understatement. International Lover is brilliant
"International Lover" is definitely my favorite on this album. His vocals are so stunning and his smooth, silky, seductive directions are so memorable and euphoric. It's a song that makes me want to both cry and sing along. A perfect album closer and song by any means. One of my most favorite Prince songs.
I finally got around to watching some your earlier reviews. Awesome review!! Your channel is awesome! Been watching the videos off and on all weekend. Thanks!!!
I was seven when this Album came out! I remember my brother having this and the Controversy Albums. I fell in Love with Prince at an early age! Purple Rain was my first R Rated movie I ever saw at age 9, my brother( which was 14 years older than me) talked our parents into letting me go see it. I remember the Love Scenes( my brother covered my eyes during them) I didn't realize what I missed until I watched it when I was much older! 😁 I have been in Love with Prince at a young age!
this was an album back in 1982 when it came out that I studied fastidiously. His lyrics were indelible. Your review for someone that was three at the time was very insightful. This came out in my early teen yrs. It was euphoric to see how Prince was growing- That's why it didn't surprise me his success with Purple Rain..
This album was my introduction to Prince and his artistry...I was about 7 or 8 years old when I saw the video for little red corvette and I was hooked after that! Little confession...I was a fan of the Time (loved Morris Day) before I knew who Prince was and then to find out that he was behind the whole thing?!? 😍😍😍 I will always love Prince and everything he did! #imisshim 😔
Girrrrrl you got an a*** like iiiiiive never seeeeeeennnn and the riiiiiiide...... Lol little red corvette was a good message to women, especially women nowadays. I love Delirious, it's a very fun tune. Something in the Water is one of my favorite songs by him. I love the slow version he does live and that hard rock version in Manchester. I agree, I feel like 1999 was an album that reached everybody.
it's been said that international lover was written for The Time but I'm so glad that he kept that song cuz I could never see Morris Day trying to sing this song.
Old school PF! You’re right this was huge. People who were in 4th gradish or older. They know Little Red Corvette. Very important song for tearing down walls. MTV maybe showed MJ then. Prince had not broke through yet. Favorite song Let’s Pretend We’re Married was a thing. Premarital sex was frowned upon in the 80s. You’re channel evolution is like the albums. Pretty good stuff! Thanks for this.
Thanks Bro ... 1999 has a colour throughout that makes it really conceptual. That colour for me is black and dark purple. His other albums to this were very experimental in the beginning. But with this you can see that he's taking concept very very seriously. No song seems to stick out as odd. Its the Sign of the times of his early work! Well themed. Agree that Delirious is sensational. I've seen the video to Automatic...its a long long video and is all S n M. He is tied up by the girls in the band and....you can guess the rest! Keep up the great work.....
the problem with that is that those shows won't be on RUclips for long. Prince's Estate has contracted people to give copyright strikes, like a lot. It's tenuous being a Prince-related youtuber
I read somewhere that Prince was influenced by the movie Blade Runner when crafting the electronic sounds and overall apocalyptic themes for this album.
From what I got from the his photographer, Allen Beaulieu, he was told to reference blade runner for the art direction. I haven’t ever heard that it influenced the sound too. Interesting thought though.
the dance remix of little red corvette was such a cult favorite on the radio back in the day and that made me want the 12" even more and again, a special treat to my ears......
Man if my mom only knew what kind of music she was buying for her 12 year old son lol. This album is everything. As a borderline teen and as teens who loved great music and different from what our parents grew up on, this brother comes in and gives us a plethora of eargasms. This album has a great place in my life as a young man who loved music and was crazy about Prince already. The lyrics and the music were like a breath of fresh air. Finally someone we could totally relate to. I am one of The New Breed 😁💜💜💜
It's interesting how SITW is one of your all time favourites after listening to his Miami Orange Bowl soundcheck I think it was probably one of Prince's most favourites too.
This is Prince's best album by far. It is filtered through funk using the latest technology at the time. It has a futurist sound. It is the best one man a drum machine and synths will ever create. Later he renounced the tech. I think he is better with it. Lady Cab Driver is the best instrumentation ever put to wax.
best blend of early young and hungry game changer combined with the superstar prince...to me its the perfect crossroads of his genius...rock, funk, r&b, new romantic, edm and punk all in one album
Pre--Purple Rain!!! All tracks bangin!!! On all of his albums his drumming (kick drums mostly are so unique) amazes me, just so dope,,, funky!! Peace and Love FAM!!
Prince said on Larry King (ironically in 1999) that the title track WAS originally meant for the harmonies to be sung together. He didn't mention recording that.
1999 is one of my favorite prince albums of all time. Next to Around The World In A Day and Diamonds and Pearls. International Lover is a funny song with the airline pilot thing. Favorite songs on 1999 is the title song, Little Red Corvette, Delirious, Let's Pretend We're Married, D.M.S.R. (Dance, Music, Sex, Romance), Automatic, Something In The Water (Does Not Compute), Lady Cab Driver, All The Critics Love U In New York and International Lover. I think this is one of the best albums Prince has ever made. Purple Rain is a huge mega smash-hit classic album along with the movie, but 1999 is his best. I first got it on cassette and then I got it CD after getting my first CD player. The cassette was eaten up by a tape player I had. I had a hard time finding Vanity 6's album because it was out of print. Prince's Friend, I like your review of George Michael's Faith album. I first got this album on cassette back in the day. Lost it and got the CD version years later. I like all the songs on the album. My favorite is I Want Your Sex. I got the album because of this song. Hey, Prince's Friend, have you heard of the R&B group 4 By Four? If you don't know, I will tell you about them. 4 By Four was a short lived R&B/ New Jack swing quartet from New York City, who had a New Edition-like image. They were a cross between New Edition and the Jackson 5. Its members were two brothers Lance Heyward and Damen Heyward, with two cousins Steve Gray and Jeraude Jackson. Damen Heyward was the ex-member of the group Force MDs. The group released one album in 1987 under Capitol Records, produced by Charles Carter with production guests by Chris Dixon, Chuck Jackson, Kevin Owens Skip Anderson and Ready For The World's Melvin Riley. Only one of the three singles out of the album entered the Hot 100 pop chart of billboard, ''Want You For My Girlfriend'' (No. 79), although all their three singles charted on the R&B chart (''Want You For My Girlfriend (No. 5), ''Don't Put The Blame On Me'' (No. 72) and ''Come Over'' (No.10). There album is worth reviewing. Here is the track list of their album, 4 By Four - 4 By Four 1. Smokin' 2. Want You For My Girlfriend 3. Come Over 4. Don't Put The Blame On Me 5. Mommy - Daddy 6. Problems Too 7. You Changed 8. This Time I Know It's Real 9. Fingertips 10. She's Alright
1999 is my favorite Prince album. It's the perfect follow-up to Dirty Mind and Controversy and it's not as polished and mainstream as Purple Rain. I love the the long jams, the electronic funk and the sound effects that gives the album an underground almost cinematic vibe. And at the very end of D.M.S.R "Someone please help me, somebody help me!" I don't know what's going on but it cracks me up every time :-)
I say again that 1999 double album was BETTER than mj thriller. Man, I just dreamed about the arrangements and guitar solos of lady cab driver last night....
Another CC did Purple Rain vs Thriller. Me I git Purple Rain by a landslide. People love the Theiller video not the song while Purple Rain, everything is slamming.
The album 1999 did the same thing that The Wall did for MJ. Both albums were huge which had us waiting for the next album. That helped the sales for both Purple Rain and Thriller the day they were released.
I love this album! Idk if I agree with others that this is a safer album. The singles are, maybe. But as a whole this album was experimental, futuristic and a risk in terms of length and subject matter. This was his most ambitious album at the time which I feel is the more operative word. My favorite songs are Something In The Water and Lady Cab Driver!!! Just pure excellence!!!!
this double album completely blew my mind hearing it at just 3 years old in the car and was a better than mj thriller record and should have outsold it....
It has an obvious design influence from Overton Loyd's designs for some of Funkadelic P-Funk LPs. Also, "The Revolution" is written backwards on the "i"!
Gisella Macedo Chang I always thought it was some of Princes work if you see any of his doodles or artwork later in the 80's & 90's with his notes /lyrics all seem to be in the same vein to me. Maybe i was wrong :0)
That is one of my favorite Prince albums from the title track 1999, Little Red Corvettes what got me on this song was one of the lyrics pocket full Trojans some of them used , Delicious, D. M. S. R . With That Aww that start up with that Let’s Pretend We’re Married, Automatic, Free, Lady Cab Driver I the drum tracks on that song and International Lover and All of the Critics Love U In New York remains me the BATDANCE song . All and all it’s a good album I plays it every chance I get.
FAV TRACKS: "DELIRIOUS", "D.S.M.R.", ""LET'S PRETEND WE'RE MARRIED", "ALL THE CRITICS LOVE U IN NEW YORK", "SOMETHING IN THE WATER (DOES NOT COMPUTE)", "LADY CAB DRIVER", "FREE", "LITTLE RED CORVETTE", "INTERNATIONAL LOVER"
The Automatic video is right here on RUclips -- And it's the long version. They used to show the video on BET Video Soul when they would do a Prince Marathon.
Catching this late... have you now seen the 'AUTO..matic' video? Its been on YT a couple of times. One of my all time fave P tracks too btw..along with LCD (oh Lawd!!yess). . love the layering at the end of music & voices. Great review as always thanks :0)
My favorite prince album.. what you don’t know is back then ( I was in high school ) nobody was sure who he was worshipping . With the dark prayer in Controversy, the reverse recordings , the demonic sounding voice at the beginning of 1999 single, Automatics torture sounding near its ending then later Let’s Go Crazy mentioning the Devil himself and then there’s his dark purple and black wardrobe with capes, it all pointed to the Unholy. They seemed to be undertones of devil worship. He went right along with “am I black or white? Am I straight or gay? Do I believe in God ? Or do I believe in me?” He made sure everything was in question
The video of Automatic is pretty campy, hope you've seen it by now... Lisa cracking up and chain smoking. I feel bad 4 anybody who wasn't an adult when this album (s) was released. It played as one long track, endlessly. '83 was also a wonderful year for clubbing, usually in lingerie and high boots. NYC had the best DJ's, especially Danceteria and Heartbreak. Lady Cab Driver was a favorite in our crowd, along with DSMR and Let's Pretend We're Married. Hippies were still everywhere, and annoying as hell, so Prince's ire toward them was most entertaining! International Lover was considered a spoof ballad, and thoroughly enjoyed as such. Btw, we didn't watch MTV...trix R 4 kidz. By the time mainstream caught on to 1999, we'd been partying 2 it for about 5 or 6 months and memorized every word.I believe Prince was having as much fun as we were, only he was out and about in LA that spring, not NYC.
I like it and I subscribed. Still playing catchup to all the Prince music that I missed. Loved your review. The irresistible bitch song reminds me of an incident I had in the early 80s. I had several "dates" with this guy before we broke up but he continued to drop by. When I refused him, he called me a f**kin bitch. My response was " I'd rather be an f**kin bitch than a dumb bitch" Guess I was irresistible to him. Keep up the good work.
1999 is definitely one of prince's top 5 best albums it's the album that put prince on the map, the music on this album is so different and unique nothing in the 80s sounded like this album im sure this album made alot of people prince fans before purple rain and prince wore more purple during the 1999 era 😂
1 of the BADDEST BAD ASS ALBUMS OF ALL TIME !!! PERIOD / I'M BIASED /THRILLERS EVIL TWIN !!! UNDERGROUND AND POP DIPPED IN PURPLE !!!/ ELECTRO PUNK FUNK // MASTERPIECE !!!
you can actually hear all of the hard work & mechanics that was put into the 1999 double album. let alone the dance remix of little red corvette, how come you don't call me no more and bsides.....
Do you think this rumor is true? The reason why Prince made Purple Rain and went very commercial is because Michael Jackson's Thriller was more popular than 1999. Cause 1999 was released in Oct. 1982 and Thriller was in Nov. 1982 and Prince was very angry, that Thriller did better than 1999 ( because Thriller is the best selling album of all time ). Also note that MJ and Prince performed with James Brown in 1983 at the same show. And it looked like they tried to 1 up each other.
I don't know. Since Prince himself said there wasn't really any kind of feud (at least not from his end), I'd be tempted to just ignore that kind of claim without a reliable source.
Prince's Friend yeah I love both so the feud doesn't really matter to me. But check this pic out it's pretty interesting:www.google.com/search?q=michael+jackson+reading+about+prince&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgrc=jXVb7T84pq5ODM%3A
Prince's Friend From where? If u ask the press they make MJ seem like a bad person. But I don't know, MJ could have hated Prince. But 1 thing I do know that they're both great musicians.
Interestingly enough while controversial, popular & even sold out tours from his previous albums he didn't have cross over sales appeal like Michael Jackson. The studio exexecutives at Warner Bros. made him put some clothes on and marketed him through videos as his Royal Badd Ness to increase his sales. Prince was strongly against it but was under contract so he went along with it but still had hidden sexual over tones showing the masses his versatility.
It was actually more progression and a solid plan to attain fame. Also, no one could touch MJ’s sales since h me had been doing it since he was a kid; not really a fair metric
Prince's Friend that was a great analogy about the metrics to Mike. But at the same token Warner Bros. knew if they made him dress more conservative more people would take notice of his ability to play music, dance and sing. He was a phenomenal performer with even more talent and sex appeal than Micheal he just wasnt rated G. When he finally won the respect from those considered him a side show his image, popularity and sales sky rocketed making his name was synonymous to MJ's. Keep up the good Work buddy I enjoy your show.
Loved this whole album. Hard to pic a favorite, but automatic and dmsr , and lady cab driver are probably my favorite tracks on this album. Automatic was such a sexy video and song. Free was a beautiful ballad. The video to automatic is on RUclips. Omg a very sexy video.
So when they tried to cut out the sexual songs from 1999 they left in lady cab driver? You literally hear people having sex on that song. What the hell are people doing?
WATCH NEXT: Prince: Purple Rain - Movie Review (1984) - ruclips.net/video/_S_JHD-CKlM/видео.html
Love 1999. The emotional context of the album is what I love the most. Prince has a way of letting you escape into his world and you feel different coming out of it that you did going in. Delirious, 1999, Let's Pretend We're Married, Something in the Water, Free, and International Lover are among my faves on the album.
Great review. An additional note about the singles releases from this album. The B-side of the first single “1999” was “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore” which got heavy rotation on Black radio in 1982. Also, once the album crossed over and began to climb the pop charts, the single “1999” was re-released and charted on the pop charts as well. There was also a “Dance Mix” of “Little Red Corvette” that was released as Promo Only in the US and an official single in Europe.
God, I love this. Especially 1999 and Little Red Corvette. I think this is the Prince version of Off the Wall, where the vision and direction he wants to go in starts to solidify, and his talents are honed nicely. I am just appreciating how awesome Prince is that he can do so much at once.
This the Minneapolis sound at its best, imo. The sounds on Lady Cab Driver is a perfect example. he used a similar riff on sex shooter by vanity 6.This is a great album. No surprise, since he was a genius and a workaholic.
cinnaminson 06 I also heard this album was influenced, by the Blade runner movie.
I would say Purple Rain was the strongest of the Minneapolis Sound. 1999 is definitely up there but Purple Rain is more ''in your face'' and dominating as a production.
you're right not having DMSR on 1999 would be so crazy. I think 1999 was that album that made everybody see prince genius come out through his lyrical content and imagery.
1999 was the stamp
The 1st release of 1999 on CD, u might wanna sit down for this, D.M.S.R. was ommited from the track list for disc time. Yes I had that copy, but I let someone else borrow it...never saw it again. The 2nd release in the early 90"s, it was put back.
Prince was on MTV before Michael. They played the videos for Controversy and Sexuallity which came out a whole year and some change before Thriller. Prince just didn't get the credit because he still was underground to major audiences at that time. Michael was the first MAINSTREAM Black artist on MTV. Not downplaying Michael's impact because it was because of Michael, that door got broke down, and quiet as is it kept, Michael and Prince saved MTV from going under. But that's another conversation for another day.
exactly so true
Lady Cab Driver is my favorite off this album. Damn smooth sound. Keep up the good work, dude.
Ethan Sloan Those sharp synths leading into the guitar riff that come in around 6:00 are some of my favorite in music
All The Critics Love You In NY, Lady Cab Driver and International Lover.
I got this for Christmas 1982 when I was 9, my first Prince exposure
Classic funky electronic album
Lisa Coleman said on a podcast that something in the water and the beautiful ones were counterparts (!)
Lady cab driver would be a song I'd play for someone who'd never heard Prince before, it's a classic example of showing what Prince is about. Also, a clock strikes 7, one of his tons of references to the number 7 in his music. A personal favorite
This album still delivers with the same impact, such an important step for him on his way to becoming PRINCE
In my opinion, this is one of the best album that prince ever made. Here’s my ranking:
11- Free
10- 1999
9- DMSR
8- All The Critics Love U In New York
7- Something In The Water (Does Not Compute)
6- Delirious
5- Automatic
4- International Lover
3- Little Red Corvette
2- Lady Cab Driver
1- Let’s Pretend We’re Married
I was in my early teens when this album came out. The 1999 album was intensely listened to in my household by me. It was the first album that coerced me to really pay attention to his lyrical content. From the cultural point of view. I can give affirmation to your point about why everyone really got into Prince indubitably,was because of those early videos,like Little Red etc. I found at the time, I was paying attention to a lot of the ways he also recorded. Especially his drum programming. At this time I didn't know he played all his stuff. But after reading liner notes in the album. You feel this is not sporadically everywhere. His focus was to create a cohesive sounding album. He achieved that.For example "Something In The Water". The way he emotes on the track is phenomenal. Nice review for sure.
Little Red Corvette inspired Stevie Nicks to compose "Stand Back", which Prince ended up playing keyboards/synths on. I consider them to be companion pieces....
Good review! So many good tracks on this breakthrough album; Prince is sheer genius on this offering. I listened to Lady Cab Driver so many times, “Kinda funky beat,” is an understatement. International Lover is brilliant
"International Lover" is definitely my favorite on this album. His vocals are so stunning and his smooth, silky, seductive directions are so memorable and euphoric. It's a song that makes me want to both cry and sing along. A perfect album closer and song by any means. One of my most favorite Prince songs.
+Robert Becker Becker agreed
I finally got around to watching some your earlier reviews. Awesome review!! Your channel is awesome! Been watching the videos off and on all weekend. Thanks!!!
I love your album reviews!! Keep them coming!!
+brownsugar 74 Thanks! That's the plan!
Hi Prince's Friend,if you are still looking here is a link to the music video for automatic, videos.sapo.pt/3P2r4kY4UzYWH9mf2P1F , Enjoy
+TheSadsac1 thanks! I got to see it from another commenter! You rock though!
I was seven when this Album came out! I remember my brother having this and the Controversy Albums. I fell in Love with Prince at an early age! Purple Rain was my first R Rated movie I ever saw at age 9, my brother( which was 14 years older than me) talked our parents into letting me go see it. I remember the Love Scenes( my brother covered my eyes during them) I didn't realize what I missed until I watched it when I was much older! 😁 I have been in Love with Prince at a young age!
this was an album back in 1982 when it came out that I studied fastidiously. His lyrics were indelible. Your review for someone that was three at the time was very insightful. This came out in my early teen yrs. It was euphoric to see how Prince was growing- That's why it didn't surprise me his success with Purple Rain..
1999 was even a better concept song than thriller itself....
Thank.you / it was thrillers evil twin !!!
I didn't even know Thriller was a concept.
They’re both great albums in their own way
Only like Tbriller bcuz of the video
This album was my introduction to Prince and his artistry...I was about 7 or 8 years old when I saw the video for little red corvette and I was hooked after that! Little confession...I was a fan of the Time (loved Morris Day) before I knew who Prince was and then to find out that he was behind the whole thing?!? 😍😍😍 I will always love Prince and everything he did! #imisshim 😔
That’s cool that you were into the Time first. I think your the first I’ve met with that’s story. Very interesting. 💜💜
Girrrrrl you got an a*** like iiiiiive never seeeeeeennnn and the riiiiiiide...... Lol little red corvette was a good message to women, especially women nowadays. I love Delirious, it's a very fun tune. Something in the Water is one of my favorite songs by him. I love the slow version he does live and that hard rock version in Manchester. I agree, I feel like 1999 was an album that reached everybody.
It really seemed like a "right place, right time" Album for Prince as well. Everything came together perfectly for 1999.
it's been said that international lover was written for The Time but I'm so glad that he kept that song cuz I could never see Morris Day trying to sing this song.
I hadn't heard that, but that's pretty cool
Omg This 1999 review was just..A m a z I n g! I am obsessed now:) keep it going..great.work!!
Great Review!!
Lady Cab Driver 1 of Prince's funkiest ever! This song so ahead of its time. Still holds up.
This is his funkiest album. Great review and commentary. One of my favorites from a musical genius
Definitely a great album! Thanks for the comment.
I love this album to bits, even though I'm more of a short and sweet guy when it comes to songs, most of them keep me hooked all throughout.
Old school PF! You’re right this was huge. People who were in 4th gradish or older. They know Little Red Corvette. Very important song for tearing down walls. MTV maybe showed MJ then. Prince had not broke through yet. Favorite song Let’s Pretend We’re Married was a thing. Premarital sex was frowned upon in the 80s. You’re channel evolution is like the albums. Pretty good stuff! Thanks for this.
Oh thank you so much!
This album is a world unto itself. This was proof to me that Prince was a musical genius & there was so much more to come.
I was also 3 years old too when I first heard this fabulous album tape in the car....
Thanks Bro ... 1999 has a colour throughout that makes it really conceptual. That colour for me is black and dark purple. His other albums to this were very experimental in the beginning. But with this you can see that he's taking concept very very seriously. No song seems to stick out as odd. Its the Sign of the times of his early work! Well themed. Agree that Delirious is sensational. I've seen the video to Automatic...its a long long video and is all S n M. He is tied up by the girls in the band and....you can guess the rest! Keep up the great work.....
uk subscriber here! I got my mom to take me to woolworths to buy this album in 1983 when I was 9! my god it was an awakening!
+nicky bareau wow! That's awesome to get into him so young!
can you review live stuff? dirtymind tour is on youube and purple rain tour!
the problem with that is that those shows won't be on RUclips for long. Prince's Estate has contracted people to give copyright strikes, like a lot. It's tenuous being a Prince-related youtuber
I guess I'm "Like" #99. Fantastic review on the 1999 Album. The 1999 Tour stage production, CRAZY!! We need that 1999 Deluxe Edition.
I read somewhere that Prince was influenced by the movie Blade Runner when crafting the electronic sounds and overall apocalyptic themes for this album.
From what I got from the his photographer, Allen Beaulieu, he was told to reference blade runner for the art direction. I haven’t ever heard that it influenced the sound too. Interesting thought though.
Great album. Love All The critics love you In New York.
the dance remix of little red corvette was such a cult favorite on the radio back in the day and that made me want the 12" even more and again, a special treat to my ears......
Man if my mom only knew what kind of music she was buying for her 12 year old son lol. This album is everything. As a borderline teen and as teens who loved great music and different from what our parents grew up on, this brother comes in and gives us a plethora of eargasms. This album has a great place in my life as a young man who loved music and was crazy about Prince already. The lyrics and the music were like a breath of fresh air. Finally someone we could totally relate to. I am one of The New Breed 😁💜💜💜
Moms know more than they let on sometimes lol.
Did you design that t-shirt yourself? LOOKS COOL!! I love 1999 album! Excellent Review!!
+RedSon Yep designed it myself! Thanks on all fronts!
You're welcome.
Lady Cab Driver has one of my favorite guitar solos. As short as that keys/guitar battle is, it brings so much musicality to the ear.
Today’s the 37th Anniversary of 1999! Wearing my 1999 shirt today!!!!
It's interesting how SITW is one of your all time favourites after listening to his Miami Orange Bowl soundcheck I think it was probably one of Prince's most favourites too.
my fav album of all time. got me through some very rough times just drowning myself into listening to the album.
This was my first album of him, after i hear lady cab driver i got 2 have it, little red corvette, dmsr, lady cab driver are unbelieveable good❤
"Body don't wanna quit, gotta get another hit" 😉😉#AllTheCritics💜UinNY 💜💜 this ENTIRE LP!💜
I love International lover!💜💜💜🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵
This is Prince's best album by far. It is filtered through funk using the latest technology at the time. It has a futurist sound. It is the best one man a drum machine and synths will ever create. Later he renounced the tech. I think he is better with it. Lady Cab Driver is the best instrumentation ever put to wax.
best blend of early young and hungry game changer combined with the superstar prince...to me its the perfect crossroads of his genius...rock, funk, r&b, new romantic, edm and punk all in one album
Pre--Purple Rain!!! All tracks bangin!!! On all of his albums his drumming (kick drums mostly are so unique) amazes me, just so dope,,, funky!! Peace and Love FAM!!
Definitely! Looks like you’re buying through the Prince Review playlist! Enjoy!
P was so different & kept his sound and look moving.goin through his discography has become a journey
Prince said on Larry King (ironically in 1999) that the title track WAS originally meant for the harmonies to be sung together. He didn't mention recording that.
1999 is one of my favorite prince albums of all time. Next to Around The World In A Day and Diamonds and Pearls. International Lover is a funny song with the airline pilot thing. Favorite songs on 1999 is the title song, Little Red Corvette, Delirious, Let's Pretend We're Married, D.M.S.R. (Dance, Music, Sex, Romance), Automatic, Something In The Water (Does Not Compute), Lady Cab Driver, All The Critics Love U In New York and International Lover. I think this is one of the best albums Prince has ever made. Purple Rain is a huge mega smash-hit classic album along with the movie, but 1999 is his best. I first got it on cassette and then I got it CD after getting my first CD player. The cassette was eaten up by a tape player I had. I had a hard time finding Vanity 6's album because it was out of print. Prince's Friend, I like your review of George Michael's Faith album. I first got this album on cassette back in the day. Lost it and got the CD version years later. I like all the songs on the album. My favorite is I Want Your Sex. I got the album because of this song.
Hey, Prince's Friend, have you heard of the R&B group 4 By Four? If you don't know, I will tell you about them.
4 By Four was a short lived R&B/ New Jack swing quartet from New York City, who had a New Edition-like image. They were a cross between New Edition and the Jackson 5. Its members were two brothers Lance Heyward and Damen Heyward, with two cousins Steve Gray and Jeraude Jackson. Damen Heyward was the ex-member of the group Force MDs. The group released one album in 1987 under Capitol Records, produced by Charles Carter with production guests by Chris Dixon, Chuck Jackson, Kevin Owens Skip Anderson and Ready For The World's Melvin Riley. Only one of the three singles out of the album entered the Hot 100 pop chart of billboard, ''Want You For My Girlfriend'' (No. 79), although all their three singles charted on the R&B chart (''Want You For My Girlfriend (No. 5), ''Don't Put The Blame On Me'' (No. 72) and ''Come Over'' (No.10). There album is worth reviewing. Here is the track list of their album,
4 By Four - 4 By Four
1. Smokin'
2. Want You For My Girlfriend
3. Come Over
4. Don't Put The Blame On Me
5. Mommy - Daddy
6. Problems Too
7. You Changed
8. This Time I Know It's Real
9. Fingertips
10. She's Alright
1999 is my favorite Prince album. It's the perfect follow-up to Dirty Mind and Controversy and it's not as polished and mainstream as Purple Rain. I love the the long jams, the electronic funk and the sound effects that gives the album an underground almost cinematic vibe. And at the very end of D.M.S.R "Someone please help me, somebody help me!" I don't know what's going on but it cracks me up every time :-)
Alexa Extraordinaire Jamie Starr is a thief
I say again that 1999 double album was BETTER than mj thriller. Man, I just dreamed about the arrangements and guitar solos of lady cab driver last night....
Another CC did Purple Rain vs Thriller. Me I git Purple Rain by a landslide. People love the Theiller video not the song while Purple Rain, everything is slamming.
The album 1999 did the same thing that The Wall did for MJ. Both albums were huge which had us waiting for the next album. That helped the sales for both Purple Rain and Thriller the day they were released.
It was the stamp album. Then the next is mail that u open up & it says the world is mine
Love the CD love your t-shirt. Love your review love vanity 6 and apollonia 6 the time. Have a blessed day my Friend 😁💜💜💜🙏
its my fav Prince album of all time. every song is great IMO. it also help me through some very crazy times.
On lady cab driver song, I hope he got her to the hospital she sounded like she was in a lot of pain 😜
Prince now has an official youtube channel, with all his videos
He didn’t when I recorded this. Lol
I love this album! Idk if I agree with others that this is a safer album. The singles are, maybe. But as a whole this album was experimental, futuristic and a risk in terms of length and subject matter. This was his most ambitious album at the time which I feel is the more operative word. My favorite songs are Something In The Water and Lady Cab Driver!!! Just pure excellence!!!!
this double album completely blew my mind hearing it at just 3 years old in the car and was a better than mj thriller record and should have outsold it....
Prince had arrived. Automatic, something in the water and free are my highlights
great songS!
Thanks! 💖
Could you tell us something about the records' cover art?
+gisella macedo None of my research revealed anything about he cover itself. Do you have info to share? I'd love to hear it.
It has an obvious design influence from Overton Loyd's designs for some of Funkadelic P-Funk LPs. Also, "The Revolution" is written backwards on the "i"!
Gisella Macedo Chang I always thought it was some of Princes work if you see any of his doodles or artwork later in the 80's & 90's with his notes /lyrics all seem to be in the same vein to me. Maybe i was wrong :0)
I love this album! Did you know DMSR appears in party scene of Risky Business?
Been a LOOOOOOONNNNGGGGG time since I've seen Risky Business, but that's pretty darn cool.
That is one of my favorite Prince albums from the title track 1999, Little Red Corvettes what got me on this song was one of the lyrics pocket full Trojans some of them used , Delicious, D. M. S. R . With That Aww that start up with that Let’s Pretend We’re Married, Automatic, Free, Lady Cab Driver I the drum tracks on that song and International Lover and All of the Critics Love U In New York remains me the BATDANCE song . All and all it’s a good album I plays it every chance I get.
I have been listening to this album a lot. Love it
Any reason you’re listening to it a lot right now?
FAV TRACKS: "DELIRIOUS", "D.S.M.R.", ""LET'S PRETEND WE'RE MARRIED", "ALL THE CRITICS LOVE U IN NEW YORK", "SOMETHING IN THE WATER (DOES NOT COMPUTE)", "LADY CAB DRIVER", "FREE", "LITTLE RED CORVETTE", "INTERNATIONAL LOVER"
I always hear Morris Day singing International Lover.
The Automatic video is right here on RUclips -- And it's the long version. They used to show the video on BET Video Soul when they would do a Prince Marathon.
Amazing album, i think is in my top 5 Prince albums ever, where do you rank 1999@ princes friend???
In my top 10, but not my top five
Fortunately the Automatic video is on his channel now
Yep! It wasn’t when I made the video but I have thankfully seen it since then. :)
Great album! I have the cassette and the Remastered two CD set.
I've seen the video for Automatic right here on RUclips!
I'll take 1999 over Controversy. 2 me For You is slept on & Dirty Mind is 1 of my favorites
Catching this late... have you now seen the 'AUTO..matic' video? Its been on YT a couple of times. One of my all time fave P tracks too btw..along with LCD (oh Lawd!!yess). . love the layering at the end of music & voices. Great review as always thanks :0)
+Vikki Waiting I’ve totally seen it now. This video was made before they were uploading Prince videos to RUclips
I can tell by this guys voice and taste in music he’s a massive hopeless romantic lol lucky is the lady in his life
My favorite prince album.. what you don’t know is back then ( I was in high school ) nobody was sure who he was worshipping . With the dark prayer in Controversy, the reverse recordings , the demonic sounding voice at the beginning of 1999 single, Automatics torture sounding near its ending then later Let’s Go Crazy mentioning the Devil himself and then there’s his dark purple and black wardrobe with capes, it all pointed to the Unholy. They seemed to be undertones of devil worship. He went right along with “am I black or white? Am I straight or gay? Do I believe in God ? Or do I believe in me?” He made sure everything was in question
DMSR & Automatic 👌🏻👌🏻
Maybe we could start with Prince legacy since this album ? And other first 4 we should cut on two discs.
my favorite prince album
The video of Automatic is pretty campy, hope you've seen it by now... Lisa cracking up and chain smoking. I feel bad 4 anybody who wasn't an adult when this album (s) was released. It played as one long track, endlessly. '83 was also a wonderful year for clubbing, usually in lingerie and high boots. NYC had the best DJ's, especially Danceteria and Heartbreak. Lady Cab Driver was a favorite in our crowd, along with DSMR and Let's Pretend We're Married. Hippies were still everywhere, and annoying as hell, so Prince's ire toward them was most entertaining! International Lover was considered a spoof ballad, and thoroughly enjoyed as such. Btw, we didn't watch MTV...trix R 4 kidz. By the time mainstream caught on to 1999, we'd been partying 2 it for about 5 or 6 months and memorized every word.I believe Prince was having as much fun as we were, only he was out and about in LA that spring, not NYC.
Lady cab driver and a u t omatic are on the weekly rotation
I like it and I subscribed. Still playing catchup to all the Prince music that I missed. Loved your review. The irresistible bitch
song reminds me of an incident I had in the early 80s. I had several "dates" with this guy before we broke up but he continued
to drop by. When I refused him, he called me a f**kin bitch. My response was " I'd rather be an f**kin bitch than a dumb bitch"
Guess I was irresistible to him. Keep up the good work.
Awesome like always , good job!
+CoolUnicorn11 THANKS!!!!
Also it would be pretty funny if Vanity 6 would be called " The Hookers" and The Time should be called " The Pimps".
+CoolUnicorn11 haha! That would be!
1999 is definitely one of prince's top 5 best albums it's the album that put prince on the map, the music on this album is so different and unique nothing in the 80s sounded like this album im sure this album made alot of people prince fans before purple rain and prince wore more purple during the 1999 era 😂
1 of the BADDEST BAD ASS ALBUMS OF ALL TIME !!! PERIOD / I'M BIASED /THRILLERS EVIL TWIN !!! UNDERGROUND AND POP DIPPED IN PURPLE !!!/ ELECTRO PUNK FUNK // MASTERPIECE !!!
ANOTHER GREAT PRINCE ALBUM!
Hey Prince fan, did you on the song Free , wendy was on this track with Lisa Jill, and Vanity. Snd
you can actually hear all of the hard work & mechanics that was put into the 1999 double album. let alone the dance remix of little red corvette, how come you don't call me no more and bsides.....
Do you think this rumor is true? The reason why Prince made Purple Rain and went very commercial is because Michael Jackson's Thriller was more popular than 1999. Cause 1999 was released in Oct. 1982 and Thriller was in Nov. 1982 and Prince was very angry, that Thriller did better than 1999 ( because Thriller is the best selling album of all time ). Also note that MJ and Prince performed with James Brown in 1983 at the same show. And it looked like they tried to 1 up each other.
I don't know. Since Prince himself said there wasn't really any kind of feud (at least not from his end), I'd be tempted to just ignore that kind of claim without a reliable source.
Prince's Friend yeah I love both so the feud doesn't really matter to me. But check this pic out it's pretty interesting:www.google.com/search?q=michael+jackson+reading+about+prince&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgrc=jXVb7T84pq5ODM%3A
"WHATS UP WITH PRINCE PLAYING THE BASS IN MY FACE" - Michael Jackson (story from Chris Tucker and Will. I. Am)
Yeah. All the stories I've heard is that Michael had an issue with Prince, but not really the other way around.
Prince's Friend From where? If u ask the press they make MJ seem like a bad person. But I don't know, MJ could have hated Prince. But 1 thing I do know that they're both great musicians.
I totally agree about LRC. It’s a fun song, but I never got the hype. ☺️
Interestingly enough while controversial, popular & even sold out tours from his previous albums he didn't have cross over sales appeal like Michael Jackson. The studio exexecutives at Warner Bros. made him put some clothes on and marketed him through videos as his Royal Badd Ness to increase his sales. Prince was strongly against it but was under contract so he went along with it but still had hidden sexual over tones showing the masses his versatility.
It was actually more progression and a solid plan to attain fame. Also, no one could touch MJ’s sales since h me had been doing it since he was a kid; not really a fair metric
Prince's Friend that was a great analogy about the metrics to Mike. But at the same token Warner Bros. knew if they made him dress more conservative more people would take notice of his ability to play music, dance and sing. He was a phenomenal performer with even more talent and sex appeal than Micheal he just wasnt rated G. When he finally won the respect from those considered him a side show his image, popularity and sales sky rocketed making his name was synonymous to MJ's. Keep up the good Work buddy I enjoy your show.
Loved this whole album. Hard to pic a favorite, but automatic and dmsr , and lady cab driver are probably my favorite tracks on this album. Automatic was such a sexy video and song. Free was a beautiful ballad. The video to automatic is on RUclips. Omg a very sexy video.
The review was created before Prince’s videos were widely available. Thanks!
Jill Jones is bae.
1999 double album was BETTER than mj thriller record and I'm digesting it once again as I am type this message.
NO LIES DETECTED HERE
Free might be my favorite on the album.
💜
So when they tried to cut out the sexual songs from 1999 they left in lady cab driver? You literally hear people having sex on that song. What the hell are people doing?
Its so crazy 2 think that MTV wouldnt play black videos and it was the 80s. People act like racism has went some where
ruclips.net/video/m8mg7CxAYUM/видео.html this a link to the larry king interview where prince spoke about the song 1999.
He just meant that some of them where missing from the package, dude you are nasty LOL
Lady cab driver👍
Little red corvette is not a fast woman it’s a small light skinned blavk woman who is sexy. Hence a red corvette