Of course! That was really how this whole idea started and then once I started writing I got a little carried away with context. But no I love If I Was Your Girlfriend, it could be argued Prince’s best song.
Riiiiight!!! I know there’s a lot of good prince songs but I really really love that song and I’m so glad they decided to keep it and use it cuz It was supposed to be in the Camille album. Well at least that’s what I’ve heard so many people say
@@ziggyflame6988 if you look up the Camille track list it's on there. I think the only song he recorded with the Camille voice that wasn't intended for that album besides Love Or Money that I'm aware of was U Got The Look because it was done later
Paisley Park was released as a single in Europe & Australia. I remember hearing it on the radio on 85 & thinking what a great song. The accompanying music video in which Prince & the Revolution didn't appear (kids in a playground) didn't help it's chart success.
See funnily enough I really don’t care for the Beatles and never have. I couldn’t for the life of me understand the hype around Sgt. Pepper or Abbey Road (they were just…..okay I think psych pop/rock has been done far better in the years since) but I really like the Byrds and the Smiths and think they hold up brilliantly I don’t have a problem with Around the World’s sound, I just find it inconsistent. The best songs are excellent, it’s just there’s a lot of songs that really aren’t (Temptation, Tambourine). The Ladder is okay, Paisley Park is okay. I count 3 excellent songs (title track, Raspberry Beret, Pop Life), 2 good ones (Condition of the Heart, America) 2 okay ones, and 2 duds. That is by my estimation a pretty spotty record with some good ideas but iffy execution Though byrds are more folky and Smiths are more sad jangle lol
@@FoxyChariot Finally someone else says what I've been saying for years. The Beatles were overrated. The seventies Beatles were light years better than the sixties Beatles. Long and winding road and let it be Were their best songs. I think they were better after they broke up. Paul McCartney with wings, George Harrison, My sweet Lord. John Lennon and his solo career, even ringo have 1 or 2 hits. She loves you yeah yeah yeah twist and shout never moved me. I think The Rolling Stones were a better group than The Beatles
@@jrurbbehdidiwdnndjduw85eos73 I'm not impressed. I just think they made better music apart. Do you think Paul McCartney and wings was a better group than The Beatles? Because I do. To me they were just mediocre. I think the best band to come out of the British invasion was The Rolling Stones. But that's just my opinion
Yes and no. He’s widely considered one of the greatest musicians ever but I think to what extent is influence has permeated pop culture is very underrated
I think once you look at Prince career from as far outside the bubble you can start to see Prince didn't mind burning his own success, songs for what was far more important to him. That being, following what it was that was guiding him. If that meant riding the wave of success or the wave of failure, to him it seems from the outside, it may of been one and the same. Later on after his career had changed from the dizzy heights of his Purple Rain to eventually for me anyway the "come "album Prince and the continuation of his unusual career looks more like a person who conquered being a great song writer now wanting to be a great musician, taking him to where it may, with no regrets. The other side of all of this is his indestructible strength [and what means more to me than any of his songs now] for his musical ownership and what it should mean to anyone who picks up a musical instrument and writes a song. That alone helped ,me to refocus the importance of how I view my own songs and how much I would've sacrificed in my early days for musical success compared to today. Thank you Prince for standing up and showing a way to keep your dignity and staying true to your art regardless of success or failure.
Yeah agree. People analysing Prince on a massive audience point of view or comparing him (to MJ) with a modern point of view, doesn't make any sense. Prince wasn't on the state of mind of any regular generic Pop act (that MJ was), or he wasn't on the need to over power himself reaching for a voice (like Madonna was). Prince was closer to the 60s acts that wanted to make money but enough to pay for the house and for their music projects, without loosing control and identity. He was a pure artist. It's sad what your skin color can do to you, he was compared eternally to the most mediocre acts of the 80s or atleast to inferior acts that were talentless next to him just because his cultural background, I mean Lionel Richie won against Purple Rain, they were both on the same awards category, even tough Prince music got nothing to do with Lionel's. So it's unfair (and absurd) to start a Prince-essay video saying that "Mj was the epitome of cool" LOL! so the college crowd (18 to 25 years old) listen and imitate MJ fashion/music/moves in 1983-1984? NO! college crowd were into thinkers, poets, writers, people with musical instruments, real artists, college crowd dictated who was the COOL people. MJ was for kids, only kids tough he was cool, I mean the silly Thriller dance was hated by critics and trashed by young adults (watch Siskel and Ebert toughs on the Thriller music video, that was the same sentiment by other experts and real critics, even the Thriller album had bad reviews), this facts are hard to belive for MJ blind fanatics and facts that get mixed up because the sells reported for Thriller album, "he might be cool or loved by everyone because the sells" LOL! but when does money equals quality? when does money equals cool? This video have good intentions, but it's not that simple. We need to understand the real cultural sentiment of that era, not just money and fame. The people that hated Prince was because they were afraid of him. The people that hated Madonna was because sexism. The people that hated Mj was because they tough it was generic trash Top 40 music with gimmicks. So the artists that sold more, were the ones who were willing to be complacent to the audience. Prince wasn't one. Prince was closer to Frank Zappa, David Bowie, David Byrne and George Clinton, but with bigger sells. That's were you should start a brief Prince-essay video.
@@horrorpowerfilms9481 I think that part about lionel Richie getting the chocolates over purple rain started Prince disdain for the establishment. I believe the same happened when U2 beat him in another catergory album of the 1980's. I think that finished off whatever pop style rock star ambition he had and he just went into full Prince mode, Prince style. I have appreciated since his death people like Susan Rogers, Wendy melvoin, Dr fink, bobby Z etc etc and their experiences with him in the studio or in general. Gives you that inner glimpses and processes he used for creating those albums I use to wait so patently for. I do like seeing new young people discovering him. The big advantage young people today have is they don't have to wait to find out how incredibly gifted a musician he was. It's all out there now. The other thing I like is guitar players of very high level discovering his guitar playing skills. He wasn't granted proper recognition for his playing until way into career.
@@DarrylSteele69 Yeah, I agree, he seemed more uninterested on the process of that present Pop culture after Grammys 1985 and Grammys 1987, like a divorce of his contemporaries, including the media. He stopped been current with the media development and it's trends, for example he could have been a great guest on Mtv Unplugged, or he could have headline the first Lollapalooza tour or even interact with the new generation of young musicians from the cutting edge (that were influenced by him), like R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, Chilli Peppers or even Beck. I mean finally there were colleagues that were talented guitar players, that played their own instruments and were pushing boundaries like him etc. and he turns his back to all of that, Prince was Alternative before Alternative was a trend, he was Funk-Punk before Afropunk. I remember my friend bought Nine Inch Nails' Pretty Hate Machine (first album), back when Industrial rock was hip and underground, and I told him "those are Prince beats!" and he told me "there's no way Trent Reznor will sample somebody that commercial". Prince was entire disconnected with the counterculture he once glorified and that he basically created. For example: he could have made an album with Susane Vega (that he admired) or even with Sinead O' Connor (that he hated) rather then with Carmen Elektra (or another one with Sheila E). The Cure's Robert Smith, Siouxie Sioux and Elvis Costello were big fans, it's hard to belive that he din't see the similarities with the Dark and Goth movements, he was once as bizarre, daring, surreal and as dark as them. Young people are so cool and smart, they actually take the time and discover Prince in ways we never had the chance, like non-chronological way, they could appreciate a post-80s Prince album without been contaminated with the "it's not his real essence" thing, thanks to them I found new ways to understand 90s and 00s Prince. About young guitar players discovering his stuff, it is mind blowing, you can say Purple Rain replaced Stairway to Heaven as the beginners' first guitar lesson, I wish he had the chance to see all that.
@@horrorpowerfilms9481 I agree with you, once his culture accused him of loosing his Funk, Prince stopped been innovated and he became really self aware (thank god he recorded Sign O' the Times years before), because he was the musical symbol of integration, doing Techno, Funk, Rock, Punk, New Wave wave, Jazz etc. the reason he became Prince and the reason he became a star, but after the 80s he put 3 dudes front stage dancing and rapping, it was shocking and absurd. I remember Rolling Stone magazine putting Prince on top of their list of "who could might be Lollapalloza headliners" By the 00s after years also citing Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, Talking Heads as his influences, he keep the list short just for Earth Wind, JB and Sly Stone, he never ever talked about Punk, New Wave and rock again. Sad.
@@horrorpowerfilms9481 If you go back to his first time on tv NBC's Midnight Special (January 8th, 1980) it highlights his awkwardness in an interview situation or his also very awkward moment on stage with MJ at the James Brown concert. These were indications of him being thrust into situations that made him uncomfortable from the outset, but excepted it as just part of the environment he was heading into. Good for him to realise he didn't need to except the papparazzi and others approval along with a music career. This allowed him to freely go where he believed he needed to go. I think "Around the the world in a day" freed him from that choking grip of expectation after purple rain and set his pathway forward without, or less restraints now that he had reached the big stage. I think Prince to collaborate with like minded people R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, Chilli Peppers or even Beck etc seemed like a difficult process for him. It seemed like there were possible trust issues [from possibly his growing up days] or lifestyle issues [drugs and drinking] that he took into consideration or maybe he could see these acts didn't need his help or being pigeon holed into a type of genre. I think there was a fear of being influenced down what he may consider the wrong pathway's. It's hard to say for sure. I like to believe he was doing his best in following God's voice and the pathways God wanted him to go. Prince only seemed interested in people to collaborate with that allowed his influence on them. i'll put a Question mark ? on all of that. That's funny about Purple rain being the new stairway to heaven. I know it was for me when I took up the axe in 1987. I Learnt it on guitar [Rythym section] and keys [melody]. Fascinating piece of music especially the verses. The live 1985 concert video of purple rain and the guitar solo's used to ring in my head all day long especially when I was at the beach. I played a lot of air guitar in those days. Great days discovering this amazing musician.
I’d say most of his non radio played music is his greatest . I see him as just enjoying his craft & experimenting & learning from it all . His own comfortableness with being himself & perhaps learning about whom it reaches as well . He was certainly true to himself
This is a great video. Your deconstruction of If I Was Your Girlfriend makes me want to revisit this classic song. Stuff like this is why Prince was truly THE MAN.
Thank you. It was the first of its kind for my channel and I really enjoyed writing it. I’ll be making more. Certainly some more on Prince but other artists too because I don’t want to bleed my content pool for him dry lol.
Kate Bush is a pioneer that America frankly ignored, but she was a huge star in the rest of the world and was producing ground-breaking work. Kate was born Jul '58, Prince Jun '58, Madonna Aug '58, Michael Aug '58. Kate released her first album same year as Prince & Michael's released their first album (Michael's solo career). Prince & Kate are my two favorite artists, Sign O' the Times is one of my favorites. Kate showed us how to be utterly feminine and yet magnificently powerful at the same time. Prince was well aware of Kate's work and vice versa.
I’d actually agree here, I think the mix on Prince (1979) is very clean as well. 1999’s mix is muddy as hell though. Dirty Mind doesn’t sound mixed at all lol just flattened EQ so nothing is drowned out
I came to say one thing. Like Prince and many other artists would agree on, Prince stated in an Interview - "Music is Success upon creation". And I agree with some on that Music shouldn't be Critiqued just like a Painting. You go to a Painting and Art exhibition and you'll see people that have No Idea of art just stare at something and then an Expert do the same. The Unfamiliar viewer can only argue that they don't understand that piece of art and don't get the message and the Expert might agree on the same but the difference will be that the unfamiliar viewer will only see it as a "dud" or "waste" but the Expert will try to "read into it" experience with a different mindset, time, way whatever. Even then if one does Critique's music they have to represent both Sides "The Unfamiliar Viewer" and the "Expert Viewer". All that to say that I would like for you to judge the album, really particular songs that you mentioned as "duds" on your short. Tamborine, Pop Life, Paisley Park, America and The Ladder. Because I'm talking from a Creator's Perspective, and as a Creator I always try to speak my mind, my truth, my views and a whole part of me really through my creation but I wouldn't always want it to be a Hit or my most notable creation, I'd want for it to be one of the most underrated and forgotten pieces that only a true Expert in this case will pick up and read up on. Thank you for creating this video and every video you ever made and every video you will ever make because talking and discourse is a great bonding experience.
Discovering Prince just 8 years his catalog is incredible from 1980 to 1988 his career can be sum up as great,but he had a productive career in the 1990s, he is the ultimate musician.
Halfway through this and I'm floored. Thanks for doing your homework. Excellent analysis. Do you know the amount of self belief one must have to ditch such a popular lineup as the Revolution, change your sound and bet on yourself, not only once, but during three distinct phases of one's career?
You know how much self belief you have to have to demand full creative control from a label as an unproven prodigy at 18? Mans always had nigh messianic sense of self And I appreciate that, it was fun to write and there’s another coming at sunday
Yeah it was written in 1982, mistake on my part Even still if you’re going to drop a hard left turn experimental album, helps to have a guaranteed hit in your back pocket
I’m gonna interject here. As I’ve talked to one of Michael Jackson’s relatives and one his colleagues and listened to a lot of his unreleased music that hasn’t been released yet. I don’t believe Prince for one minute is underrated at all. He gets full credit and full praise for what he does. People everywhere love him. However Michael Jackson may have been everywhere, but his stardom is purely from his talent just like Prince. Michael may not have been this all around musician that Prince was, but what was special about Michael was that he could literally compose and write a song purely in his head and have it come to fruition. He could create in his mind, his mind was THE instrument. He didn’t need to play music on a keyboard to see if a song started to come around. He heard the entire composition from start to finish. That takes an incredible focus and talent to even make happen. He wasn’t just some commercial juggernaut that everyone happened to know at the time. He had abilities that even Prince in all his musicianship didn’t have. Prince’s music at times is more geared for the instrumental lover. Not saying Michael isn’t that. But Michael utilized the latest techniques in modern sound and built new sounds all on his own. Prince will always be a musical master and genius. No doubt about it. But to me Michael was something otherworldly. And unless you’ve been in the actual recording studios and talked face to face with people who watched him work in person, you just won’t grasp the full extent of why people call him the King of Pop. He wasn’t just the star of the day, like these other artists of today. Prince had a very specific focus in music. Michael catered to everyone, you can find musical lengths in Michael’s catalog where Prince just doesn’t go. His approach was more adult, and for a very different kind of audience. His music had deep emotional and raw sexual appeal that Michael didn’t always go for. He flirted with the idea at times but his music was more than just sexy. Yes I know, for those going to argue that Prince put out a lot of deep songs that weren’t always about sex. I get it, I’ve heard his whole catalog of albums. They are amazing songs but I won’t lie, they weren’t always catchy either. They didn’t always make you wanna dance. And for me personally, I like music that just makes you want to get up and move.
Prince is the greatest musician and writer of all time and his work is extremely underrated. I will also go on record saying Purple Rain is the best album I've ever heard. Yes, better than Thriller.
Dude I love the parade album is one of my top favorites but sign ‘o’ the times is just freaking amazing! He really out did himself with it!! Everyone involved did an amazing job! If I was your girlfriend was supposed to be in the Camille album but somehow it made it to sign o the times cuz remember Camille was suppose to be prince as the opposite gender but with his point of view and they changed his voice by making it sound higher,just like in if I was your girlfriend or at least I’ve heard a lot of people say that because it was suppose to prepare us for the Camille album. I remember when purple rain ended I was so upset because I got used to purple rain but then it was under the cherry moon and to be honest I really loved it more than purple rain because we saw more of his funny side and I really love the parade album as well.
@Foxy Chariot First, you cannot say ANYTHING to even possibly minimize MJ's unparalleled career and impact in the name of uplifting Prince. For one, Prince doesn't need that, and more importantly, you will not win. They are both titans of the music industry, but the length of MJ's career and his overall success place him in VERY rarified air. Secondly, I wish someone would keep it real and say that Prince got ahead himself by cutting "the Purple Rain era" short, which ironically is the reason why he is considered underrated from a commercial and sales perspective. Him not continuing the tour because HE wanted to move on was extremely unfair to the revolution, considering that they were being almost criminally underpaid. In addition, his failure to continue THAT particular tour across the globe robbed several countries of the "rain" experience, which remains and always will be his grearest triumph, and this move played a huge part in how he specifically is viewed on a worldwide basis. He is RESPECTED, but he could've and should've been so much more. Sure, he went on to enjoy ARTISTIC success and greatness, but his chart success declined, which is where general popularity is calculated. Thirdly, Raspberry Beret was originally written several years before, so NO, he did not write it to "probably satisfy Warner execs." Also, though you did a great job breaking down the "Around the world" album, it was, in fact, a major disappointment coming off the success of the "Rain" album and considering all the unreleased material we are now aware of, Prince made an egregious error by not following the Warner execs advice, which cheated himself, and more importantly the fans. But yet, his greatness is universal and undeniable. Great post my friend!
All fair and incredibly valid. Yep original Raspberry Beret was written around 1982, Around the World was 100% a disappointment which is why I’m glad he followed it up with 2 far superior albums Not my intention on the first paragraph. I said MJ was the greatest pop star ever and he has 2 of the greatest albums ever, I said his cultural impact was unprecedented and that he was broadly influential. I just think Prince’s best work is more experimental/subversive in an artistic sense. MJ’s world domination centered pop and Prince was always the artistic pioneer even if he could be head scratching sometimes.
Both of those brothers were awesome but they were just as different as they were awesome. i myself am partial to Prince, truth be told if not for Michael, Prince wouldn't have been able to cross over, at least not when he did and i think that's very telling or at least it should be.
Prince was quite fluid in terms of his sound and production... his '80s albums are fantastic but they're not necessarily the easiest to digest sonically. The Linn drum is very, very dominant and there are a few mixing issues in some of his records... he did everything in one take and it shows. It's seminal material - and I believe Purple Rain, SOTT and Lovesexy to be god-tier - but certain songs lack the sheen their pop presentations demand... at the same time, the rawness of albums like Parade is what makes them unique.
Absolutely agreed. 1999 is mixed like shit, it’s so muddy and washed out. The peaking on Little Red Corvette is terrible. SOTT is mixed better than 1999 but still a bit beneath Purple Rain and Prince for me which is strange that his best records have muddy mixing And this is strange because Prince (1979) is a beautifully clear mix I do think that the tacky drumming gives it character, it’s very distinctive
@@FoxyChariot Yeah, I find the differences in eras fascinating. I mean, the way he transitioned from smooth, relatively conventional funk/soul compositions (his first two records) to singularly gritty, almost lo-fi new wave synth-funk with Dirty Mind and Controversy... If Prince had never broken nationally, Controversy would be an even bigger cult classic than it currently is... Annie Christian is a subversive masterpiece. He completely morphs from the lovelorn, horny radio friendly crooner of '79 to an underground political commentator. It's absolutely unreal - it's like a different artist. Eventually the late '80s roll around, with Prince at the tail end of his peak as an album artist, and we start to see consistently maximalist arrangements and polished pop production once again. The way he morphed in and out of sounds, production techniques and industry footings throughout his career is so unique and impressive... have to say though, I do wish he'd swallowed his pride and worked with some more established producers post-Gold Experience. Rave un2 the Joy Fantastic sounded very tired in places... Anyway, great video. Really captures what separated Prince from his peers.
Yes I have! I love it. Alllll of the people in the worrrrld. I’m a big Kate fan too, I’ll do vids on her eventually once I’m a bit more established lol
Around the World In A Day was going against the grain. Parade was expounding upon what he started to explore on Around. Sign O the Times was the culmination of his pent up feelings for change.
I'm sure you've heard this before but: music is subjective. Maybe you don't believe it but there's no denial that we all got our biases. I honestly have a soft spot for syncopated rhythms, funky jams and raw painful/soulful vocals... amongst other things. We should be able to understand our own biases and tell it how it is. The only objective stuff we can talk about is: "There is a tenor saxophone in this song. The tempo is 162. It's in the key of C but then it modulates to Db" Stuff like that. Sometimes critics just throw a bunch of ambiguous adjectives that don't mean nothing and call it a specialized analysis: "It fails to achieve what the last record did flawlessly. It's an enjoyable cut. As underwhelming as it can get. Brilliantly crafted" Stuff like that. If we believe in musical superiority then we believe there are better chord progressions than others. Or better intervals... And that is utterly ridiculous, we all agree on that. We can't say that a 3M sounds objectively better than a 6m or viceversa. Now I also prefer SOTT over Around The World but the reason isn't because it's a better album, but because it meets my personal criteria and biases. It also positively subverted the expectations that I had gained during my lifetime through hearing a lot of different music. To me there's the same brillance in Prince's 90 era. I don't get why it gets so overshadowed by the 80s albums.. Listen, I love "Dirty Mind" and "1999", a lot. But why are those genius and "Come" or "The Truth" are not? Rave Un2 is the last album I've heard (I'm going chronological) and it's still great. You also used the word "inconsistent". What does that mean? A lot of styles in the same place? I was confused cause that's a good thing to me, albums don't require to maintain a consistent sound. The joy of hearing Prince is not knowing what comes next but knowing it's good. Btw Tambourine and America are also bangers XD. If you want to understand any song deeper just sing it or play it. That way you'll feel closer to the artist expression. R&B, metal, rap, rock, funk, jazz, pop, classical, trap, whatever.
It also surprised me that someone considered "If I Was Your Girlfriend" his favorite on SOTT because I'd never choose it over the first 5 or The Cross. Still I understand it because it's an overall flawless album.
If I was your girlfriend is rumored to be about Prince's jealousy of then-girlfriend Susannah Melvoin's relationship with her twin sister, Wendy (band member of the revolution)
It's easy to forget that Prince was 5'2" and a heterosexual male. In a world where being over six feet is most womens first dating criteria for men, Prince knew he had to use reverse psychology on women to compete with tall men, or he was going to be a life long virgin. He sold the illusion that he didn't need to be six feet tall because he wasn't competing with men, he was competing with some fantastical other worldly beings that were not male nor female, not black nor white, maybe not straight nor gay, etc. I highly doubt if Prince was 6 feet tall or even 5'8" tall that he would've crafted the same image and music.
@@missy652 Have you ever had a conversation with literally any woman? List the names of women you know who set their match criteria below 5'9" on dating websites. I don't have to know Prince to know that women don't like short men.
@@hirokomlm131 Listen junior, you don't have to be so indignant. I just asked a question. I happened to know a lot of things you don't know about the man and have known for many years. You haven't a inkling of the truth, if only you knew, if only.
@@missy652 I just don't like people rewriting history to suit their modern political ideology. Prince was not some gender confused green haired "they/them" from 2023. He was just a short heterosexual man in a tall mans world who compensated for his height with his art.
@@FoxyChariot Of course, all of this is subjective but he taking a total left turn after Purple Rain’s heights was no accident. He was bold. Songs like Condition of the Heart remain some of his most thoughtful and beautiful works ever. I would say that he made it all look so easy and writing great songs came so easy that an album with songs as good as the aforementioned Condition, Raspberry, Pop Life, Around the World, America and Tambourine can actually be described as somehow, not great. Even Temptation is good but with his screaming and guitar soloing, it is just out of this world. Who else could do that- crazed screaming all the while ripping it on the guitar?!? Btw, Raspberry Beret may have first been dreamt up in 1982…so, not for this album.
@@RBHADD Mistake on my part, the chord progression for RB was in fact conceived in 1982, but the way it is arranged here is certainly a by product of the revolutions influence I thought that the excellent songs on Around the World were excellent but it’s pretty spotty imo. Title track, Raspberry Beret and Pop Life are excellent, quality Prince songs. America and Condition of the heart are decent. Paisley Park and the Ladder are okay and Temptation and Tambourine are duds imo. So it’s not a bad album, it’s just in the middle of one of the greatest musical runs in history so it just doesn’t stack up
@@FoxyChariot like I said, subjective…I would suggest listening to Tambourine again. I have said it before, nearly all his output as some redeeming qualities. If the melody isn’t top notch, the lyrics might be. If the lyrics Don grab you, his drumming might..or his bass playing, or his piano …guitar… backgrounds…you get my point. He had so many exceptional talents…as Tom Morello said so well…his guitar playing was just one arrow in a quiver full of remarkable talents. Tambourine’s drumming always had my ear…so odd, energetic and oh so Princely.
@@RBHADD Tambourine is one of those songs that builds tension to fever pitch but never quite releases it, like you’re waiting on something to happen but it never does. It’s like if Computer Blue never dropped into Father’s Song, the build up would be pointless and it’d feel kinda incomplete. But yes subjective
"It's Prince's answer to 'Running Up That Hill," and I'd be surprised if he hadn't heard it." I think you're incredibly safe with that assumption: ruclips.net/video/ZvVWnMeztqU/видео.html
You are right that 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller' are two incredibly tightly crafted pop albums. However, I don't think Jackson was the one crafting them. He was a vocalist and an impressive dancer/performer. That doesn't exactly make you impressive as a musician. I'm sure the studios paid only the best songwriters and studio musicians to write and play, but Jackson, didn't I don't think he played any instruments, while Prince played 17. Prince also danced, and in frankly, more spectacular fashion IMO than Jackson. You can see derivative moves from James Brown and others, but it did not feel entirely planned. It was passionate, sensual and sexual, which Jackson avoided. Unfortunately, that meant that Jackson could not speak to a fundamental adult human experience, sex and love. And it was one of the the things that made Jackson increasingly creepy as he got older. Prince had range in his voice, while Jackson's were mainly falsetto. Prince released his first record, all written and played by himself, at 17 years old. He was a prodigy. He also was prodigal in his output. He had a vault of music unheard at the time of his death. Jackson, not so much. I much preferred Michael Jackson when he was in the Jackson 5. His voice sounded appropriate for his age, his dancing was precocious, he wasn't white with his nose falling off yet. Not that we knew he was gonna go there in the eighties. I especially love his funky songs with them in the 70's on Soul Train. My favorite song of MJ's is "Working Day and Night". I have a coloratura and I like to sing along with his most high notes on it, it has real rhythmic propulsion and interest, the tempo is daunting, and his falsetto works perfectly here, as it does on so much of his incredibly catchy dance music. It is even such a great song that other trained musicians cover it. However, it doesn't touch the soul the way a Prince song could do. Prince sang from the heart, and was able to write the music to translate feelings expertly and exquisitely. Anyone free to disagree, but this is my take on it.
Prince didn’t play 17 instruments and I’m not discredit him. He played 4 (which is impressive and daunting in and of itself) and their many derivatives: that’s piano, bass, guitar, and drums. So the only way you could arrive at 17 is if you’re doing some wild math. I agree MJ wasn’t the musical prodigy Prince was, I think that goes without saying. I didn’t really want to get into that though because it tangential to the video. However, MJ was *him.* Inimitable. We know Thriller was the work of committee, it’s nothing like the one man machinations of an album like 1999. But I love it all the same, it’s great for a different reason I’m gonna stop you there, if anything *Prince* used his falsetto more especially early on (For You to 1999 when he started singing lower really). MJ wasn’t a multi instrumentalists but that cat *had range.* He’s easily my favorite male vocalist. Is my favorite overall *artist?* No. But he’s a lot of people’s favorite and I totally get why. His greatness cannot be denied.
I stopped the video 2:00 minutes in, how can you say Around The World In A Day issn't a great Album.....that's absolute apeshit.....It's a masterpiece start till finish.
Okay, that’s your prerogative but to me it’s not. I have no idea why some of you are treating this like it’s a mega scorcher like I said Sign O The Times was terrible or something. ATWIAD is straight up inconsistent. Just because it was in Prince’s best era doesn’t mean everything he touched was some perfect masterpiece, I believe in fair criticism with fan goggles off. Around the World In A Day - excellent, way to begin the album Paisley Park - eh, could have been left in the vault, it’s okay though Condition of the Heart - beautiful Raspberry Beret - classic, one of the best prince songs Tambourine - never develops into anything, builds tension to no payoff America - pretty decent funk rock though nothing special for Prince and it honestly doesn’t fit the album, feels like a Purple Rain throwaway Pop Life - one of the best songs here The Ladder - it’s okay, this one literally sounds like Purple Rain (the song) Temptation - easily one of the worst golden era prince songs I’ve ever laid ears on It’s all over the place. *It is a mixed bag.* It is not a great album, and it’s certainly no masterpiece unless you use that word very loosely. That’s 4 iffy to bad songs, 3 great ones, and a decent one by my count. I’d put it below every peak era prince album literally from Prince (1979) on. It’s worse than Sign, 1999, Dirty Mind, PR, Parade, Prince, and Controversy. It’s really not that good and I’d hear arguments (with the first 4 or so you’d have a good one) about any of those being masterpieces before ATWIAD. I just can’t see it. For it to follow PR whose weakest song has to be *Darling Nikki* which is not even close to being a bad song, it is a disappointing record and he did progressive pop far superior in the future as I’d go on to say Parade did was this album was trying to do so much better. Every Prince album was not some equally great magnum opus, let’s not kid ourselves, no artist can say that, that’s why their actual masterpieces are special. He was a man, a very talented man, but he’s not above reproach and it’s not great just because he made it.
I’m happy you’re praising Prince being undervalued but you saying Around the world in a day is not a great album is completely wrong…my question is how old are you? We’re you born when the album was released? You sound like you were born after 2000!
I love Sign o the times .. the entire album . I disagree about the gender thing you state about …girlfriend . I don’t think it’s that at all . I think it’s just a man whom wants this girl & perhaps she’s not reciprocating & he just feels like he wants to be as close to her as her girlfriends are . .. it’s just a fantasy . ..a dream .. a desire that she could relax with him like she does her friends .
True, but that last statement “like she does with her friends” would necessitate some degree of androgyny because how can they be like how she is with her friends if Prince is a man?
@@FoxyChariot Janet , Madonna , Michael George Michael all have completed play from beginning to the end but not prince not even purple rain , yes he has massive songs but never full albums .
@@michaelajayi8546 I do not agree with this take. Sign O The Times had no massive songs on par with Purple Rain but is far superior. Every album has duds. I even think The Girl Is Mine on Thriller is a skip. I think Prince has a few classic tier albums with few skips to be honest Some of rhythm nation is very skippable as well that album is far too long Madonnas first album is actually pretty close to having no skips but I Know It is really bad. It’s very hard to make an album with 0 iffy songs. Even Off The Wall has Burn This Disco Out on it
@Foxy Chariot thriller is a whole 🔥 genre on its own , the girl is mine is never a skip , how many comedians draw material from that song rhythm nation is complete album actually janet has the best album cohesion in 4 of them , prince is legand based on the fact he can play all the instruments and knows a hit once it comes across his table . Some written by and some written by other people with his name attached to it . Yes he is a massive talent but album wise nope
@derekbos4404 i can’t really say I blame you, most of the upper class tends to have dubious morals. That isn’t even to get into the weird jehovah witness stuff and the homophobia associated Tell ya the truth I burnt out on making these because of how toxic his fans can be. It was just exhausting.
I honestly think Prince peaked with purple rain, the album and the movie. 1999 and I wanna be your lover all led to purple rain. I think Rick James made better music than Prince did. Prince's career was experimental genius and Avant-garde But like dude told him in purple rain, nobody likes you music but yourself🤔
Not gonna lie to you I disagree, respectfully. I honestly think prince was better than Rick James at his own game as I’d personally prefer an album like Dirty Mind or 1999 over Street Songs. No one did synth funk like Prince. Rick James was good. Prince was great imo
@@FoxyChariot I hear you. The only reason I really brought up Rick James is that Prince opened for him at 1 time and rick was feeling threatened by Prince. But they were totally different Genre of music. Rick was the king of punk funk and I just think his music sounded richer And was more powerful than prince's music. And of course Rick treated his band mates better than Prince did. Purple rain was his best album by far, every cut was banging. After that I just liked 1 or 2 singles on every album he did after purple rain🤷🏿
@@FoxyChariot Plus you have to also keep in mind that Prince was always beefin with Warner brothers. I think he went out of his way not to be poppy. He wanted to Set himself apart from Michael Jackson and Madonna. So I think his music suffered. Raspberry beret was cute but it wasn't anywhere near when doves cry Or anything that Michael Jackson was doing
@@generalinformation3507 I honestly think Raspberry Beret was Prince doing pop *his* way. It really think it or When You Were Mine could be his best pure pop song. It’s really one of the defining examples of baroque pop. Imo 1999 and Sign O The Times are goat tier albums and stand up to anything MJ has done
@@generalinformation3507 I’d honestly rank his albums like so 1. Sign O The Times 2. 1999 3. Dirty Mind 4. Purple Rain 5. Prince or Parade I can’t decide
Around The World In A Day is an awesome album!!!!!!!!
Lotta people had my head for my take on Around the World 😂😂
@@FoxyChariot 😂😂😂😂
Lol as they should!!!!
It was the first Prince cassette I bought back in the day. It was my favourite Prince album until Sign "o" the Times came out.
Prince went “Mozart” on em: ATWIAD, PARADE, SOTT, LOVESEXY
The fact that you singled out If I Was Your Girlfriend is EVERYTHING!! That remains my favorite song by anyone. Respect
Of course! That was really how this whole idea started and then once I started writing I got a little carried away with context. But no I love If I Was Your Girlfriend, it could be argued Prince’s best song.
@@FoxyChariot I was 15 when the album came out. Changed my life forever
Riiiiight!!! I know there’s a lot of good prince songs but I really really love that song and I’m so glad they decided to keep it and use it cuz It was supposed to be in the Camille album. Well at least that’s what I’ve heard so many people say
@@ziggyflame6988 if you look up the Camille track list it's on there. I think the only song he recorded with the Camille voice that wasn't intended for that album besides Love Or Money that I'm aware of was U Got The Look because it was done later
If I was your girlfriend is a great song. But to me, the Ballad of Dorothy Parker is the most brilliant song on the album, IMO.
Pop Life was a hit song, too, and America made a bit of a splash, and don't forget the classic "killer B" song, "She's Always In My Hair."
No Lies Here, WHATSOEVER🪨☮️
Mistake on my part, pop life was also a hit
Paisley Park was released as a single in Europe & Australia. I remember hearing it on the radio on 85 & thinking what a great song. The accompanying music video in which Prince & the Revolution didn't appear (kids in a playground) didn't help it's chart success.
Exactly
I personally love "Around the World" it feels like his own SGT. Pepper in a way.
See funnily enough I really don’t care for the Beatles and never have. I couldn’t for the life of me understand the hype around Sgt. Pepper or Abbey Road (they were just…..okay I think psych pop/rock has been done far better in the years since) but I really like the Byrds and the Smiths and think they hold up brilliantly
I don’t have a problem with Around the World’s sound, I just find it inconsistent. The best songs are excellent, it’s just there’s a lot of songs that really aren’t (Temptation, Tambourine). The Ladder is okay, Paisley Park is okay. I count 3 excellent songs (title track, Raspberry Beret, Pop Life), 2 good ones (Condition of the Heart, America) 2 okay ones, and 2 duds. That is by my estimation a pretty spotty record with some good ideas but iffy execution
Though byrds are more folky and Smiths are more sad jangle lol
Irony is Prince didn’t like them lol
@@FoxyChariot Finally someone else says what I've been saying for years. The Beatles were overrated. The seventies Beatles were light years better than the sixties Beatles. Long and winding road and let it be Were their best songs. I think they were better after they broke up. Paul McCartney with wings, George Harrison, My sweet Lord. John Lennon and his solo career, even ringo have 1 or 2 hits. She loves you yeah yeah yeah twist and shout never moved me. I think The Rolling Stones were a better group than The Beatles
@@generalinformation3507 the beatles were so much more than she loves you, just listen to tommorrow never knows or a day in the life
@@jrurbbehdidiwdnndjduw85eos73 I'm not impressed. I just think they made better music apart. Do you think Paul McCartney and wings was a better group than The Beatles? Because I do. To me they were just mediocre. I think the best band to come out of the British invasion was The Rolling Stones. But that's just my opinion
Prince is underrated asf
Yes and no. He’s widely considered one of the greatest musicians ever but I think to what extent is influence has permeated pop culture is very underrated
They intentionally down play Prince, because he was too good for his own good.
I think once you look at Prince career from as far outside the bubble you can start to see Prince didn't mind burning his own success, songs for what was far more important to him. That being, following what it was that was guiding him. If that meant riding the wave of success or the wave of failure, to him it seems from the outside, it may of been one and the same.
Later on after his career had changed from the dizzy heights of his Purple Rain to eventually for me anyway the "come "album Prince and the continuation of his unusual career looks more like a person who conquered being a great song writer now wanting to be a great musician, taking him to where it may, with no regrets.
The other side of all of this is his indestructible strength [and what means more to me than any of his songs now] for his musical ownership and what it should mean to anyone who picks up a musical instrument and writes a song.
That alone helped ,me to refocus the importance of how I view my own songs and how much I would've sacrificed in my early days for musical success compared to today. Thank you Prince for standing up and showing a way to keep your dignity and staying true to your art regardless of success or failure.
Yeah agree. People analysing Prince on a massive audience point of view or comparing him (to MJ) with a modern point of view, doesn't make any sense. Prince wasn't on the state of mind of any regular generic Pop act (that MJ was), or he wasn't on the need to over power himself reaching for a voice (like Madonna was). Prince was closer to the 60s acts that wanted to make money but enough to pay for the house and for their music projects, without loosing control and identity. He was a pure artist. It's sad what your skin color can do to you, he was compared eternally to the most mediocre acts of the 80s or atleast to inferior acts that were talentless next to him just because his cultural background, I mean Lionel Richie won against Purple Rain, they were both on the same awards category, even tough Prince music got nothing to do with Lionel's. So it's unfair (and absurd) to start a Prince-essay video saying that "Mj was the epitome of cool" LOL! so the college crowd (18 to 25 years old) listen and imitate MJ fashion/music/moves in 1983-1984? NO! college crowd were into thinkers, poets, writers, people with musical instruments, real artists, college crowd dictated who was the COOL people. MJ was for kids, only kids tough he was cool, I mean the silly Thriller dance was hated by critics and trashed by young adults (watch Siskel and Ebert toughs on the Thriller music video, that was the same sentiment by other experts and real critics, even the Thriller album had bad reviews), this facts are hard to belive for MJ blind fanatics and facts that get mixed up because the sells reported for Thriller album, "he might be cool or loved by everyone because the sells" LOL! but when does money equals quality? when does money equals cool?
This video have good intentions, but it's not that simple. We need to understand the real cultural sentiment of that era, not just money and fame. The people that hated Prince was because they were afraid of him. The people that hated Madonna was because sexism. The people that hated Mj was because they tough it was generic trash Top 40 music with gimmicks. So the artists that sold more, were the ones who were willing to be complacent to the audience. Prince wasn't one. Prince was closer to Frank Zappa, David Bowie, David Byrne and George Clinton, but with bigger sells. That's were you should start a brief Prince-essay video.
@@horrorpowerfilms9481 I think that part about lionel Richie getting the chocolates over purple rain started Prince disdain for the establishment. I believe the same happened when U2 beat him in another catergory album of the 1980's. I think that finished off whatever pop style rock star ambition he had and he just went into full Prince mode, Prince style.
I have appreciated since his death people like Susan Rogers, Wendy melvoin, Dr fink, bobby Z etc etc and their experiences with him in the studio or in general. Gives you that inner glimpses and processes he used for creating those albums I use to wait so patently for.
I do like seeing new young people discovering him. The big advantage young people today have is they don't have to wait to find out how incredibly gifted a musician he was. It's all out there now.
The other thing I like is guitar players of very high level discovering his guitar playing skills. He wasn't granted proper recognition for his playing until way into career.
@@DarrylSteele69 Yeah, I agree, he seemed more uninterested on the process of that present Pop culture after Grammys 1985 and Grammys 1987, like a divorce of his contemporaries, including the media. He stopped been current with the media development and it's trends, for example he could have been a great guest on Mtv Unplugged, or he could have headline the first Lollapalooza tour or even interact with the new generation of young musicians from the cutting edge (that were influenced by him), like R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, Chilli Peppers or even Beck. I mean finally there were colleagues that were talented guitar players, that played their own instruments and were pushing boundaries like him etc. and he turns his back to all of that, Prince was Alternative before Alternative was a trend, he was Funk-Punk before Afropunk. I remember my friend bought Nine Inch Nails' Pretty Hate Machine (first album), back when Industrial rock was hip and underground, and I told him "those are Prince beats!" and he told me "there's no way Trent Reznor will sample somebody that commercial". Prince was entire disconnected with the counterculture he once glorified and that he basically created. For example: he could have made an album with Susane Vega (that he admired) or even with Sinead O' Connor (that he hated) rather then with Carmen Elektra (or another one with Sheila E).
The Cure's Robert Smith, Siouxie Sioux and Elvis Costello were big fans, it's hard to belive that he din't see the similarities with the Dark and Goth movements, he was once as bizarre, daring, surreal and as dark as them.
Young people are so cool and smart, they actually take the time and discover Prince in ways we never had the chance, like non-chronological way, they could appreciate a post-80s Prince album without been contaminated with the "it's not his real essence" thing, thanks to them I found new ways to understand 90s and 00s Prince.
About young guitar players discovering his stuff, it is mind blowing, you can say Purple Rain replaced Stairway to Heaven as the beginners' first guitar lesson, I wish he had the chance to see all that.
@@horrorpowerfilms9481 I agree with you, once his culture accused him of loosing his Funk, Prince stopped been innovated and he became really self aware (thank god he recorded Sign O' the Times years before), because he was the musical symbol of integration, doing Techno, Funk, Rock, Punk, New Wave wave, Jazz etc. the reason he became Prince and the reason he became a star, but after the 80s he put 3 dudes front stage dancing and rapping, it was shocking and absurd. I remember Rolling Stone magazine putting Prince on top of their list of "who could might be Lollapalloza headliners" By the 00s after years also citing Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, Talking Heads as his influences, he keep the list short just for Earth Wind, JB and Sly Stone, he never ever talked about Punk, New Wave and rock again. Sad.
@@horrorpowerfilms9481 If you go back to his first time on tv NBC's Midnight Special (January 8th, 1980) it highlights his awkwardness in an interview situation or his also very awkward moment on stage with MJ at the James Brown concert. These were indications of him being thrust into situations that made him uncomfortable from the outset, but excepted it as just part of the environment he was heading into. Good for him to realise he didn't need to except the papparazzi and others approval along with a music career. This allowed him to freely go where he believed he needed to go. I think "Around the the world in a day" freed him from that choking grip of expectation after purple rain and set his pathway forward without, or less restraints now that he had reached the big stage.
I think Prince to collaborate with like minded people R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, Chilli Peppers or even Beck etc seemed like a difficult process for him. It seemed like there were possible trust issues [from possibly his growing up days] or lifestyle issues [drugs and drinking] that he took into consideration or maybe he could see these acts didn't need his help or being pigeon holed into a type of genre. I think there was a fear of being influenced down what he may consider the wrong pathway's. It's hard to say for sure. I like to believe he was doing his best in following God's voice and the pathways God wanted him to go. Prince only seemed interested in people to collaborate with that allowed his influence on them. i'll put a Question mark ? on all of that.
That's funny about Purple rain being the new stairway to heaven. I know it was for me when I took up the axe in 1987. I Learnt it on guitar [Rythym section] and keys [melody]. Fascinating piece of music especially the verses. The live 1985 concert video of purple rain and the guitar solo's used to ring in my head all day long especially when I was at the beach. I played a lot of air guitar in those days. Great days discovering this amazing musician.
He was also a master at fashion
Susan Rogers, Prince’s great engineer said that when Running up that Hill came out, Prince wore that record out. He loved it! My two favs haha ❤
I love Kate and I feel like I’ve referenced her tangentially in like every video now lol, I need to do a full video on Ms. Catherine
I’d say most of his non radio played music is his greatest . I see him as just enjoying his craft & experimenting & learning from it all . His own comfortableness with being himself & perhaps learning about whom it reaches as well . He was certainly true to himself
Of course, Prince has some of the best deep cuts of any artist and he was no stranger to experimentation
This is a great video. Your deconstruction of If I Was Your Girlfriend makes me want to revisit this classic song. Stuff like this is why Prince was truly THE MAN.
Thank you. It was the first of its kind for my channel and I really enjoyed writing it. I’ll be making more. Certainly some more on Prince but other artists too because I don’t want to bleed my content pool for him dry lol.
Kate Bush is a pioneer that America frankly ignored, but she was a huge star in the rest of the world and was producing ground-breaking work. Kate was born Jul '58, Prince Jun '58, Madonna Aug '58, Michael Aug '58. Kate released her first album same year as Prince & Michael's released their first album (Michael's solo career). Prince & Kate are my two favorite artists, Sign O' the Times is one of my favorites. Kate showed us how to be utterly feminine and yet magnificently powerful at the same time. Prince was well aware of Kate's work and vice versa.
As far as the records being mixed and mastered properly, sonically "Parade" had the best sound.
I’d actually agree here, I think the mix on Prince (1979) is very clean as well. 1999’s mix is muddy as hell though. Dirty Mind doesn’t sound mixed at all lol just flattened EQ so nothing is drowned out
I came to say one thing. Like Prince and many other artists would agree on, Prince stated in an Interview - "Music is Success upon creation". And I agree with some on that Music shouldn't be Critiqued just like a Painting. You go to a Painting and Art exhibition and you'll see people that have No Idea of art just stare at something and then an Expert do the same. The Unfamiliar viewer can only argue that they don't understand that piece of art and don't get the message and the Expert might agree on the same but the difference will be that the unfamiliar viewer will only see it as a "dud" or "waste" but the Expert will try to "read into it" experience with a different mindset, time, way whatever.
Even then if one does Critique's music they have to represent both Sides "The Unfamiliar Viewer" and the "Expert Viewer".
All that to say that I would like for you to judge the album, really particular songs that you mentioned as "duds" on your short.
Tamborine, Pop Life, Paisley Park, America and The Ladder.
Because I'm talking from a Creator's Perspective, and as a Creator I always try to speak my mind, my truth, my views and a whole part of me really through my creation but I wouldn't always want it to be a Hit or my most notable creation, I'd want for it to be one of the most underrated and forgotten pieces that only a true Expert in this case will pick up and read up on.
Thank you for creating this video and every video you ever made and every video you will ever make because talking and discourse is a great bonding experience.
Killing it my man. Looking forward to more! Keep this coming.
I think that college classes on Prince and his art should be in every college.
Well here’s your free crash course, all you gotta do is watch lol and you’ve done that so I’m good, I’m just there to make good content
Discovering Prince just 8 years his catalog is incredible from 1980 to 1988 his career can be sum up as great,but he had a productive career in the 1990s, he is the ultimate musician.
P has one of the all time great golden eras from like 1980-1986 imo
Halfway through this and I'm floored. Thanks for doing your homework. Excellent analysis.
Do you know the amount of self belief one must have to ditch such a popular lineup as the Revolution, change your sound and bet on yourself, not only once, but during three distinct phases of one's career?
You know how much self belief you have to have to demand full creative control from a label as an unproven prodigy at 18? Mans always had nigh messianic sense of self
And I appreciate that, it was fun to write and there’s another coming at sunday
Raspberry Beret wasn't written to satisfy WB. As a matter of fact it was written way before Around The World In A Day was even thought of.
Yeah it was written in 1982, mistake on my part
Even still if you’re going to drop a hard left turn experimental album, helps to have a guaranteed hit in your back pocket
Knew you were a real fan soon as I hear rehearsals and demos in the background lol
The fact you picked that out makes you a real fan lmaoooo
@@FoxyChariot 😂🤝🏾
I'm proud of you foxy you doing it big on RUclips
Nothing crazy man, I’m just glad people are enjoying what I’m making lol
Bro you’re literally like my OG for real 🥹
I’m gonna interject here. As I’ve talked to one of Michael Jackson’s relatives and one his colleagues and listened to a lot of his unreleased music that hasn’t been released yet. I don’t believe Prince for one minute is underrated at all. He gets full credit and full praise for what he does. People everywhere love him. However Michael Jackson may have been everywhere, but his stardom is purely from his talent just like Prince. Michael may not have been this all around musician that Prince was, but what was special about Michael was that he could literally compose and write a song purely in his head and have it come to fruition. He could create in his mind, his mind was THE instrument. He didn’t need to play music on a keyboard to see if a song started to come around. He heard the entire composition from start to finish. That takes an incredible focus and talent to even make happen. He wasn’t just some commercial juggernaut that everyone happened to know at the time. He had abilities that even Prince in all his musicianship didn’t have. Prince’s music at times is more geared for the instrumental lover. Not saying Michael isn’t that. But Michael utilized the latest techniques in modern sound and built new sounds all on his own. Prince will always be a musical master and genius. No doubt about it. But to me Michael was something otherworldly. And unless you’ve been in the actual recording studios and talked face to face with people who watched him work in person, you just won’t grasp the full extent of why people call him the King of Pop. He wasn’t just the star of the day, like these other artists of today. Prince had a very specific focus in music. Michael catered to everyone, you can find musical lengths in Michael’s catalog where Prince just doesn’t go. His approach was more adult, and for a very different kind of audience. His music had deep emotional and raw sexual appeal that Michael didn’t always go for. He flirted with the idea at times but his music was more than just sexy. Yes I know, for those going to argue that Prince put out a lot of deep songs that weren’t always about sex. I get it, I’ve heard his whole catalog of albums. They are amazing songs but I won’t lie, they weren’t always catchy either. They didn’t always make you wanna dance. And for me personally, I like music that just makes you want to get up and move.
Prince was beautiful! 😍
So accurate
Thanks man
Prince recorded Parade two weeks after wrapping the Purple Rain tour
Crazy how much his sound changed in such a short time span
Prince is the greatest musician and writer of all time and his work is extremely underrated. I will also go on record saying Purple Rain is the best album I've ever heard. Yes, better than Thriller.
Dude I love the parade album is one of my top favorites but sign ‘o’ the times is just freaking amazing! He really out did himself with it!! Everyone involved did an amazing job! If I was your girlfriend was supposed to be in the Camille album but somehow it made it to sign o the times cuz remember Camille was suppose to be prince as the opposite gender but with his point of view and they changed his voice by making it sound higher,just like in if I was your girlfriend or at least I’ve heard a lot of people say that because it was suppose to prepare us for the Camille album. I remember when purple rain ended I was so upset because I got used to purple rain but then it was under the cherry moon and to be honest I really loved it more than purple rain because we saw more of his funny side and I really love the parade album as well.
@Foxy Chariot First, you cannot say ANYTHING to even possibly minimize MJ's unparalleled career and impact in the name of uplifting Prince. For one, Prince doesn't need that, and more importantly, you will not win. They are both titans of the music industry, but the length of MJ's career and his overall success place him in VERY rarified air. Secondly, I wish someone would keep it real and say that Prince got ahead himself by cutting "the Purple Rain era" short, which ironically is the reason why he is considered underrated from a commercial and sales perspective. Him not continuing the tour because HE wanted to move on was extremely unfair to the revolution, considering that they were being almost criminally underpaid. In addition, his failure to continue THAT particular tour across the globe robbed several countries of the "rain" experience, which remains and always will be his grearest triumph, and this move played a huge part in how he specifically is viewed on a worldwide basis. He is RESPECTED, but he could've and should've been so much more. Sure, he went on to enjoy ARTISTIC success and greatness, but his chart success declined, which is where general popularity is calculated. Thirdly, Raspberry Beret was originally written several years before, so NO, he did not write it to "probably satisfy Warner execs." Also, though you did a great job breaking down the "Around the world" album, it was, in fact, a major disappointment coming off the success of the "Rain" album and considering all the unreleased material we are now aware of, Prince made an egregious error by not following the Warner execs advice, which cheated himself, and more importantly the fans. But yet, his greatness is universal and undeniable. Great post my friend!
All fair and incredibly valid. Yep original Raspberry Beret was written around 1982,
Around the World was 100% a disappointment which is why I’m glad he followed it up with 2 far superior albums
Not my intention on the first paragraph. I said MJ was the greatest pop star ever and he has 2 of the greatest albums ever, I said his cultural impact was unprecedented and that he was broadly influential. I just think Prince’s best work is more experimental/subversive in an artistic sense. MJ’s world domination centered pop and Prince was always the artistic pioneer even if he could be head scratching sometimes.
@Foxy Chariot VERY well stated my friend!
@@tigeranthony Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!
@Foxy Chariot Anytime my friend, great content!!
Both of those brothers were awesome but they were just as different as they were awesome. i myself am partial to Prince, truth be told if not for Michael, Prince wouldn't have been able to cross over, at least not when he did and i think that's very telling or at least it should be.
Prince… greatest artist of any kind in my opinion… ever
Excellent work for a less than 6 minute video. Props! 👊🏾
Thank you! More on the way! Every Sunday.
Michael Jackson was great but he was Prince 💜. Prince was from another planet 🌍
Prince was quite fluid in terms of his sound and production... his '80s albums are fantastic but they're not necessarily the easiest to digest sonically. The Linn drum is very, very dominant and there are a few mixing issues in some of his records... he did everything in one take and it shows. It's seminal material - and I believe Purple Rain, SOTT and Lovesexy to be god-tier - but certain songs lack the sheen their pop presentations demand... at the same time, the rawness of albums like Parade is what makes them unique.
Absolutely agreed. 1999 is mixed like shit, it’s so muddy and washed out. The peaking on Little Red Corvette is terrible.
SOTT is mixed better than 1999 but still a bit beneath Purple Rain and Prince for me which is strange that his best records have muddy mixing
And this is strange because Prince (1979) is a beautifully clear mix
I do think that the tacky drumming gives it character, it’s very distinctive
@@FoxyChariot Yeah, I find the differences in eras fascinating. I mean, the way he transitioned from smooth, relatively conventional funk/soul compositions (his first two records) to singularly gritty, almost lo-fi new wave synth-funk with Dirty Mind and Controversy... If Prince had never broken nationally, Controversy would be an even bigger cult classic than it currently is... Annie Christian is a subversive masterpiece. He completely morphs from the lovelorn, horny radio friendly crooner of '79 to an underground political commentator. It's absolutely unreal - it's like a different artist. Eventually the late '80s roll around, with Prince at the tail end of his peak as an album artist, and we start to see consistently maximalist arrangements and polished pop production once again. The way he morphed in and out of sounds, production techniques and industry footings throughout his career is so unique and impressive... have to say though, I do wish he'd swallowed his pride and worked with some more established producers post-Gold Experience. Rave un2 the Joy Fantastic sounded very tired in places... Anyway, great video. Really captures what separated Prince from his peers.
Prince 1A. Michael Jackson 1B.
Prince A. MJ C
i have to agree about him and kate bush ! have you ever heard their collab “Why Should I Love You” ?
Yes I have! I love it.
Alllll of the people in the worrrrld. I’m a big Kate fan too, I’ll do vids on her eventually once I’m a bit more established lol
@@FoxyChariot i cant wait ! thank you for covering these artists and these topics !
@@SuperNicholas8 That means a ton, thank you so much, haven’t told anyone yet but Michael video for next week 😏
Around the World In A Day was going against the grain. Parade was expounding upon what he started to explore on Around. Sign O the Times was the culmination of his pent up feelings for change.
Exactly
I'm sure you've heard this before but: music is subjective. Maybe you don't believe it but there's no denial that we all got our biases. I honestly have a soft spot for syncopated rhythms, funky jams and raw painful/soulful vocals... amongst other things. We should be able to understand our own biases and tell it how it is.
The only objective stuff we can talk about is: "There is a tenor saxophone in this song. The tempo is 162. It's in the key of C but then it modulates to Db" Stuff like that.
Sometimes critics just throw a bunch of ambiguous adjectives that don't mean nothing and call it a specialized analysis: "It fails to achieve what the last record did flawlessly. It's an enjoyable cut. As underwhelming as it can get. Brilliantly crafted" Stuff like that.
If we believe in musical superiority then we believe there are better chord progressions than others. Or better intervals... And that is utterly ridiculous, we all agree on that. We can't say that a 3M sounds objectively better than a 6m or viceversa.
Now I also prefer SOTT over Around The World but the reason isn't because it's a better album, but because it meets my personal criteria and biases. It also positively subverted the expectations that I had gained during my lifetime through hearing a lot of different music.
To me there's the same brillance in Prince's 90 era. I don't get why it gets so overshadowed by the 80s albums..
Listen, I love "Dirty Mind" and "1999", a lot. But why are those genius and "Come" or "The Truth" are not?
Rave Un2 is the last album I've heard (I'm going chronological) and it's still great.
You also used the word "inconsistent". What does that mean? A lot of styles in the same place? I was confused cause that's a good thing to me, albums don't require to maintain a consistent sound. The joy of hearing Prince is not knowing what comes next but knowing it's good.
Btw Tambourine and America are also bangers XD. If you want to understand any song deeper just sing it or play it. That way you'll feel closer to the artist expression. R&B, metal, rap, rock, funk, jazz, pop, classical, trap, whatever.
I'm sorry if it's a lot but I've been thinking about it lately
It also surprised me that someone considered "If I Was Your Girlfriend" his favorite on SOTT because I'd never choose it over the first 5 or The Cross. Still I understand it because it's an overall flawless album.
If I was your girlfriend is rumored to be about Prince's jealousy of then-girlfriend Susannah Melvoin's relationship with her twin sister, Wendy (band member of the revolution)
It's easy to forget that Prince was 5'2" and a heterosexual male. In a world where being over six feet is most womens first dating criteria for men, Prince knew he had to use reverse psychology on women to compete with tall men, or he was going to be a life long virgin. He sold the illusion that he didn't need to be six feet tall because he wasn't competing with men, he was competing with some fantastical other worldly beings that were not male nor female, not black nor white, maybe not straight nor gay, etc.
I highly doubt if Prince was 6 feet tall or even 5'8" tall that he would've crafted the same image and music.
Well said, friend
Did you ever have a conversation with Prince about his height, his sexuality or anything related?? OR is your analysis based on what YOU believe?
@@missy652 Have you ever had a conversation with literally any woman? List the names of women you know who set their match criteria below 5'9" on dating websites.
I don't have to know Prince to know that women don't like short men.
@@hirokomlm131 Listen junior, you don't have to be so indignant. I just asked a question. I happened to know a lot of things you don't know about the man and have known for many years. You haven't a inkling of the truth, if only you knew, if only.
@@missy652 I just don't like people rewriting history to suit their modern political ideology. Prince was not some gender confused green haired "they/them" from 2023. He was just a short heterosexual man in a tall mans world who compensated for his height with his art.
Don’t agree with dismissing ATWIAD
Fair. Care to elaborate?
@@FoxyChariot Of course, all of this is subjective but he taking a total left turn after Purple Rain’s heights was no accident. He was bold. Songs like Condition of the Heart remain some of his most thoughtful and beautiful works ever. I would say that he made it all look so easy and writing great songs came so easy that an album with songs as good as the aforementioned Condition, Raspberry, Pop Life, Around the World, America and Tambourine can actually be described as somehow, not great. Even Temptation is good but with his screaming and guitar soloing, it is just out of this world. Who else could do that- crazed screaming all the while ripping it on the guitar?!? Btw, Raspberry Beret may have first been dreamt up in 1982…so, not for this album.
@@RBHADD Mistake on my part, the chord progression for RB was in fact conceived in 1982, but the way it is arranged here is certainly a by product of the revolutions influence
I thought that the excellent songs on Around the World were excellent but it’s pretty spotty imo. Title track, Raspberry Beret and Pop Life are excellent, quality Prince songs. America and Condition of the heart are decent. Paisley Park and the Ladder are okay and Temptation and Tambourine are duds imo.
So it’s not a bad album, it’s just in the middle of one of the greatest musical runs in history so it just doesn’t stack up
@@FoxyChariot like I said, subjective…I would suggest listening to Tambourine again. I have said it before, nearly all his output as some redeeming qualities. If the melody isn’t top notch, the lyrics might be. If the lyrics Don grab you, his drumming might..or his bass playing, or his piano …guitar… backgrounds…you get my point. He had so many exceptional talents…as Tom Morello said so well…his guitar playing was just one arrow in a quiver full of remarkable talents. Tambourine’s drumming always had my ear…so odd, energetic and oh so Princely.
@@RBHADD Tambourine is one of those songs that builds tension to fever pitch but never quite releases it, like you’re waiting on something to happen but it never does.
It’s like if Computer Blue never dropped into Father’s Song, the build up would be pointless and it’d feel kinda incomplete. But yes subjective
0:33 1:07 3:01 3:22 3:53 4:28 5:11 what's with the constant swallowing noises in these videos? it's distracting
I just started making these man lol I one taked this
"It's Prince's answer to 'Running Up That Hill," and I'd be surprised if he hadn't heard it."
I think you're incredibly safe with that assumption: ruclips.net/video/ZvVWnMeztqU/видео.html
Alllll of the people in the worrrrrld. I actually really like that one. I’m a big Kate fan too if you couldn’t tell.
Weird that I read that right as he said it
You are right that 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller' are two incredibly tightly crafted pop albums. However, I don't think Jackson was the one crafting them. He was a vocalist and an impressive dancer/performer. That doesn't exactly make you impressive as a musician. I'm sure the studios paid only the best songwriters and studio musicians to write and play, but Jackson, didn't I don't think he played any instruments, while Prince played 17. Prince also danced, and in frankly, more spectacular fashion IMO than Jackson. You can see derivative moves from James Brown and others, but it did not feel entirely planned. It was passionate, sensual and sexual, which Jackson avoided. Unfortunately, that meant that Jackson could not speak to a fundamental adult human experience, sex and love. And it was one of the the things that made Jackson increasingly creepy as he got older. Prince had range in his voice, while Jackson's were mainly falsetto. Prince released his first record, all written and played by himself, at 17 years old. He was a prodigy. He also was prodigal in his output. He had a vault of music unheard at the time of his death. Jackson, not so much. I much preferred Michael Jackson when he was in the Jackson 5. His voice sounded appropriate for his age, his dancing was precocious, he wasn't white with his nose falling off yet. Not that we knew he was gonna go there in the eighties. I especially love his funky songs with them in the 70's on Soul Train. My favorite song of MJ's is "Working Day and Night". I have a coloratura and I like to sing along with his most high notes on it, it has real rhythmic propulsion and interest, the tempo is daunting, and his falsetto works perfectly here, as it does on so much of his incredibly catchy dance music. It is even such a great song that other trained musicians cover it. However, it doesn't touch the soul the way a Prince song could do. Prince sang from the heart, and was able to write the music to translate feelings expertly and exquisitely. Anyone free to disagree, but this is my take on it.
Prince didn’t play 17 instruments and I’m not discredit him. He played 4 (which is impressive and daunting in and of itself) and their many derivatives: that’s piano, bass, guitar, and drums. So the only way you could arrive at 17 is if you’re doing some wild math.
I agree MJ wasn’t the musical prodigy Prince was, I think that goes without saying. I didn’t really want to get into that though because it tangential to the video. However, MJ was *him.* Inimitable. We know Thriller was the work of committee, it’s nothing like the one man machinations of an album like 1999. But I love it all the same, it’s great for a different reason
I’m gonna stop you there, if anything *Prince* used his falsetto more especially early on (For You to 1999 when he started singing lower really). MJ wasn’t a multi instrumentalists but that cat *had range.* He’s easily my favorite male vocalist. Is my favorite overall *artist?* No. But he’s a lot of people’s favorite and I totally get why. His greatness cannot be denied.
I stopped the video 2:00 minutes in, how can you say Around The World In A Day issn't a great Album.....that's absolute apeshit.....It's a masterpiece start till finish.
Okay, that’s your prerogative but to me it’s not. I have no idea why some of you are treating this like it’s a mega scorcher like I said Sign O The Times was terrible or something. ATWIAD is straight up inconsistent. Just because it was in Prince’s best era doesn’t mean everything he touched was some perfect masterpiece, I believe in fair criticism with fan goggles off.
Around the World In A Day - excellent, way to begin the album
Paisley Park - eh, could have been left in the vault, it’s okay though
Condition of the Heart - beautiful
Raspberry Beret - classic, one of the best prince songs
Tambourine - never develops into anything, builds tension to no payoff
America - pretty decent funk rock though nothing special for Prince and it honestly doesn’t fit the album, feels like a Purple Rain throwaway
Pop Life - one of the best songs here
The Ladder - it’s okay, this one literally sounds like Purple Rain (the song)
Temptation - easily one of the worst golden era prince songs I’ve ever laid ears on
It’s all over the place. *It is a mixed bag.* It is not a great album, and it’s certainly no masterpiece unless you use that word very loosely. That’s 4 iffy to bad songs, 3 great ones, and a decent one by my count. I’d put it below every peak era prince album literally from Prince (1979) on.
It’s worse than Sign, 1999, Dirty Mind, PR, Parade, Prince, and Controversy. It’s really not that good and I’d hear arguments (with the first 4 or so you’d have a good one) about any of those being masterpieces before ATWIAD. I just can’t see it.
For it to follow PR whose weakest song has to be *Darling Nikki* which is not even close to being a bad song, it is a disappointing record and he did progressive pop far superior in the future as I’d go on to say
Parade did was this album was trying to do so much better. Every Prince album was not some equally great magnum opus, let’s not kid ourselves, no artist can say that, that’s why their actual masterpieces are special. He was a man, a very talented man, but he’s not above reproach and it’s not great just because he made it.
Dawg are u eating during the video?
No, I was swallowing a lot probably a little bit of nerves because I didn’t want to botch the take
@@FoxyChariot no doubt
That's a weird way to end a video...
When you botch an otherwise pristine take on your first video essay at the very end why retake it
I’m happy you’re praising Prince being undervalued but you saying Around the world in a day is not a great album is completely wrong…my question is how old are you? We’re you born when the album was released? You sound like you were born after 2000!
I love Sign o the times .. the entire album . I disagree about the gender thing you state about …girlfriend . I don’t think it’s that at all . I think it’s just a man whom wants this girl & perhaps she’s not reciprocating & he just feels like he wants to be as close to her as her girlfriends are . .. it’s just a fantasy . ..a dream .. a desire that she could relax with him like she does her friends .
True, but that last statement “like she does with her friends” would necessitate some degree of androgyny because how can they be like how she is with her friends if Prince is a man?
@@FoxyChariot The song is about twins Susannah & Wendy & Prince being envious of their tight relationship.
@@brianinglis3805 Yes, as far as what it was directly referencing, but that’s common knowledge so I felt it redundant to address
@@FoxyChariot just bc you’re opposite sex doesn’t mean you can’t be as close as same sex friends .
Prince does not have an album, you can listen to from beginning to end
Pardon? Everybody has lesser tier albums. They’re not all perfect masterpieces. Not even Prince. Around the World was inconsistent by my estimation
@@FoxyChariot Janet , Madonna , Michael George Michael all have completed play from beginning to the end but not prince not even purple rain , yes he has massive songs but never full albums .
@@michaelajayi8546 I do not agree with this take. Sign O The Times had no massive songs on par with Purple Rain but is far superior. Every album has duds. I even think The Girl Is Mine on Thriller is a skip. I think Prince has a few classic tier albums with few skips to be honest
Some of rhythm nation is very skippable as well that album is far too long
Madonnas first album is actually pretty close to having no skips but I Know It is really bad.
It’s very hard to make an album with 0 iffy songs. Even Off The Wall has Burn This Disco Out on it
@Foxy Chariot thriller is a whole 🔥 genre on its own , the girl is mine is never a skip , how many comedians draw material from that song rhythm nation is complete album actually janet has the best album cohesion in 4 of them , prince is legand based on the fact he can play all the instruments and knows a hit once it comes across his table . Some written by and some written by other people with his name attached to it . Yes he is a massive talent but album wise nope
@@michaelajayi8546 Thriller is excellent but my point is even that album has weak songs
What is this dude talking about? He obviously doesn’t know Prince’s music.
And how about how he groomed 15yo Mayte. Oh he will get found out.
@@derekbos4404 🤢 yeah he did. The cat was problematic and all if his legacy ain’t pretty
@FoxyChariot Thanks for the kind reply. I was a HUGE Prince fan. I don't listen to his music any more.
@derekbos4404 i can’t really say I blame you, most of the upper class tends to have dubious morals. That isn’t even to get into the weird jehovah witness stuff and the homophobia associated
Tell ya the truth I burnt out on making these because of how toxic his fans can be. It was just exhausting.
@@FoxyChariot I noted that also. Love you much.
@@derekbos4404 thanks for watching this old shìt lmao
Smh whoever's talking must not be into music🤣🤣🤣🤣
Responding for the algorithm thanks for helping my video rank by commenting 🔥 🔥
@@FoxyChariot I knew you would say that👍🤣🤣
I honestly think Prince peaked with purple rain, the album and the movie. 1999 and I wanna be your lover all led to purple rain. I think Rick James made better music than Prince did. Prince's career was experimental genius and Avant-garde But like dude told him in purple rain, nobody likes you music but yourself🤔
Not gonna lie to you I disagree, respectfully. I honestly think prince was better than Rick James at his own game as I’d personally prefer an album like Dirty Mind or 1999 over Street Songs. No one did synth funk like Prince. Rick James was good. Prince was great imo
@@FoxyChariot I hear you. The only reason I really brought up Rick James is that Prince opened for him at 1 time and rick was feeling threatened by Prince. But they were totally different Genre of music. Rick was the king of punk funk and I just think his music sounded richer And was more powerful than prince's music. And of course Rick treated his band mates better than Prince did. Purple rain was his best album by far, every cut was banging. After that I just liked 1 or 2 singles on every album he did after purple rain🤷🏿
@@FoxyChariot Plus you have to also keep in mind that Prince was always beefin with Warner brothers. I think he went out of his way not to be poppy. He wanted to Set himself apart from Michael Jackson and Madonna. So I think his music suffered. Raspberry beret was cute but it wasn't anywhere near when doves cry Or anything that Michael Jackson was doing
@@generalinformation3507 I honestly think Raspberry Beret was Prince doing pop *his* way. It really think it or When You Were Mine could be his best pure pop song. It’s really one of the defining examples of baroque pop. Imo 1999 and Sign O The Times are goat tier albums and stand up to anything MJ has done
@@generalinformation3507 I’d honestly rank his albums like so
1. Sign O The Times
2. 1999
3. Dirty Mind
4. Purple Rain
5. Prince or Parade I can’t decide