1979... I was but 6 years old when I heard the guitar solo in "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad" and was mesmerized by the notes & tones. Yes, 6 is a little young 2 b jamming to "Soft and Wet" or "Sexy Dancer", but thankfully my parents were children of the 60's & allowed me 2 examine that which moved me. I was obviously 2 young 2 understand the statements being made in androgyny and sexuality, but I was not 2 young 2 understand that a dude who could play 27 instruments and deliver vocal acrobatics was something special.
The genius of the artist was his unending desire 2 get music 2 the people, get the ideas on tape, so he could move on 2 the next set of epiphanies that haunted his creative spirit. 2nite I hurt. I've lost a member of my family. His music has helped me thru longing and heartbreak, happiness and sadness, confusion and clarity.
Just last week I dove headlong in2 the Prince Rogers Nelson catalogue, starting at album one "For You" all the way through "Art Official Age".
Here I'd like 2 delve in2 some of the songs that continue 2 move me 2 this day. Some U know, some I suggest searching out.
Prince was different from contemporaries such as Michael Jackson, in that his voice was dirty, powerful yet angelic, dangerous yet inviting. NO ONE had the falsetto of Prince, NO ONE had that ability to project raw emotion, NO ONE could switch it on and off within the song. "The Beautiful Ones" is a prime example of this talent: A sweet, piano-driven ballad dripping in falsetto devolves in2 a primal scream of want and need, as Prince pleads "Do U want him? Or do U want me? Cuz I want U!" Stripped of the longing for acceptance and starting a family, the song becomes a strained, powerful lament 4 his lover 2 give herself 2 him fully, or risk destroying him. There isn't a soul among us that hasn't wanted 2 scream out 4 some1 we couldn't have until it left us broken.
"Do Me, Baby", again, shows his absolute mastery of the falsetto. Delivered in his higher register, Prince reminds his lover that he is a man while not being afraid to b submissive 2 her desires. It is a song dripping in seduction and sexuality, a playful episode not far from reality, I'm sure.
He revisits this falsetto in my personal Prince favorite "If I Was Your Girlfriend", a stunning examination of a man wanting 2 b anything and everything 2 his lover. Built on a melancholy, bass-driven groove, Prince presumably asks Susannah Melvoin what he needs 2 do 2 b as close 2 her as her sister, Wendy. Almost kismet, the soundboard had blown a fuse, creating the overdriven, somewhat distorted vocal recording, underscoring the emotion of a heart pleading 2 b accepted. His response 2 the soundboard malfunction? "Leave it. Maybe it was meant 2 b." Again, he shows a complete mastery of fusing the feminine with the masculine. It's no wonder there r college courses dedicated 2 dissecting his lyrics.
Arguably his most popular song, "When Doves Cry" is almost a character study set 2 music. The decision to pop the bass out in the final mix fundamentally changed the direction of the message. No longer was it a funky, rocked up jam; it became a cold, sterile environment set underneath some of the most personal lyrics Prince had penned. "Dig if u will the picture of U and I engaged in a kiss..." sets the stage for what sounds like another sexually-charged examination, until the chorus radically changes what came b4: "How can u just leave me standing alone in a world so cold...". The song then becomes a story of loss and heartbreak. Interestingly, the original lyric was "when love dies", pretty straight-forward and obvious. The change 2 "when doves cry" brings interpretation in2 the mix; now, the listener is left 2 wonder what that means 2 them, which is the driving emotion of the song.
"When 2 R In Love" from Lovesexy follows the path set by "Do Me, Baby", although from a more spiritual angle. Take the chorus, for example:
"Come bathe with me, let's drown each other in each other's emotion
Bathe with me, let's cover each other with perfume and lotion
Bathe with me, let me touch your body till ur river's an ocean
Bathe with me, let's kiss with 1 synonymous notion
That nothing's forbidden and nothing's taboo, when the 2 r in love"
Somewhat graphic? Sure, but it is here Prince suggests the idea that sex and God may not b 2 different things. Maybe they r meant 2 coexist within this world, one fueling the other thru the connection of souls. If one looks closely, this viewpoint can b found in several compositions: I Would Die 4 U, Let's Go Crazy, even Darling Nikki ends with the backwards message "Hello, how are you? Fine, fine, 'cause I know that the Lord is coming soon. Coming, coming soon>"
Spirituality has always been a theme in Prince's work, with none more indicative of this presence than "I Would Die 4 U". Here Prince tackles God from God's perspective using some of the most provocative lyrics of his career:
"I'm not a woman, I'm not a man, I am something that U'll never understand"
"No need 2 worry, no need 2 cry, I'm your Messiah and U're the reason why"
"I am not human, I am a dove, I am conscience, I am love, all I really need is 2 know that U believe"
It is an amazing composition, deftly presenting himself as God 2 deliver a deeply religious point of view. 4 such a straight forward dance song, the lyrical depth is challenging the listener 2 interpret the message put 4th.
"Still Would Stand All Time" certainly fits in the spiritual category. Essentially a slow piano ballad 2 begin with, the song evolves in2 a full blown church rave up. There's a certain maturity in the call and response with the choir and some of Prince's most spirited vocal delivery. "You better run to the light, leave your past behind, all things will be fine, still would stand all time" is Prince continuing his transition from shockadelic funk rocker 2 searching 4 a higher meaning in the world around him.
So when Eric Clapton earnestly defers 2 ur 6-string prowess when asked how it feels 2 b the best guitarist in the world, U've entered heady territory. Was Prince the "best"? Probably not, but one cannot doubt that pure emotion simply drenched off the neck. The 1st signs of what was 2 come could be heard on "Prince" in the outro 2 "Why U Wanna Treat Me So Bad" and the grunge-rock "Bambi", the latter featuring that all-familiar dirty tone in its infancy.
It wasn't until "Purple Rain" that the signature sound was officially born, exploding from the vinyl grooves in an epic, bombastic solo finishing off "Let's Go Crazy". Melodically, few Prince solos compare 2 the breakdown in "Computer Blue", written by his father on piano and transposed 4 guitar. In fact, the sheet music in the movie adorned with the name Francis L. is from his father's personal collection.
That brings us 2 the seminal "Purple Rain", maybe the apex of his creative expression. From the opening chords, embellished by Wendy Melvoin 2 create that shimmering lushness, there was something different about 2 happen. The lyrics deal with the process of letting go, whether a friend, lover, or otherwise:
"I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
Baby, I could never steal you from another
It's such a shame our friendship had to end"
Where the true magic of this song is showcased is in the guitar and his use of melody as expression. The soaring notes r almost ethereal, as if the heavens actually opened up. I've always felt this was as close 2 church as a rock song could get. The sheer emotion involved in creating something that could touch so many can b difficult 2 put in2 words. Combine that with the falsetto runs after the solo and the song becomes as close 2 a religious experience as one can have musically. Even today, I often find myself overcome with emotion when hearing "Purple Rain". It never ceases 2 amaze and surprise me how wonderfully crafted and delivered the recording is.
By now, I'm sure U, the astute reader, can sense the reverence I feel 4 the late Prince Rogers Nelson. He will forever b a part of who I am and who I think I could b. In many cases, his music has shaped me, comforted me, excited me, and amazed me. He was very much the soundtrack throughout my life. I fondly remember my mom letting me stay home "sick" just so I could watch Purple Rain all day and play air guitar on my homemade "Cloud Guitar".
Several years ago, I asked my friend Karin 2 craft me the purple jacket and frilly shirt 4 a karaoke contest. I brought my Telecaster as a prop, complete with amp, and sang the hell out of "Purple Rain", again doing the best air guitar on planet Earth. I didn't win (even after going full Peter Criss with a lighted KISS backdrop for "Beth"), but damned if that wasn't the closest I felt 2 being a 5'2" superstar.
I guess I don't know how 2 process this other than time waits 4 no 1. I like 2 think he gave all of us what God gave him: an unmatched artistry that was able to transcend ages, genders, and colors. I will miss U, Prince... thank U 4 sharing urself with the rest of us mortals. U will live on.
I'll leave U with some of my favorite lyrics. Take them as U wish; some r personal 2 me, some r simply great songwriting. I hope 2 U they r a means of remembrance 4 1 of the outstanding musicians of any lifetime:
"I guess I should've known by the way U parked Ur car sideways that it wouldn't last" - Little Red Corvette. Seriously, sit back and visualize being able to read compatibility based on how a motor vehicle is parked. It's so ludicrous, it's become iconic. This one line sums up the humorous aspects of Prince's personality.
"I guess I must b dumb, she had a pocket full of horses, Trojans, some of them used" - Little Red Corvette
"If I was ur one and only friend, would U run 2 me if somebody hurt U, even if that somebody was me?" - If I Was Your Girlfriend
"My pants were wet, they came off. But she didn't see the movie cuz she hadn't read the book 1st. Instead she pretended she was blind, an affliction brought on by a witch's curse" - The Ballad of Dorothy Parker
"Thunder drowns out what the lightning sees and U feel like a movie star" - Raspberry Beret
"I guess U know me well, I don't like winter. But I seem 2 get a kick outta doing U cold" - Strange Relationship
"If he poured his heart in2 a glass and offered it like wine, she could drink and b back in time 4 the morning paper" - The Morning Papers
"Loving U in silence, knowing that it's right. Under your gaze I ponder this love 2night" - Soul Sanctuary
"If Ur the 1 who's always lonely, then I'm the 1 who's always alone" - 17 Days
"I play the fool when we're together, but I cry when we're apart" - Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad
"U must become a Prince b4 Ur King anyway" - My Name Is Prince
"My luck's gonna change 2nite, there's gotta b a better life. Take a picture, sweetie, I ain't got time 2 waste" - Baby I'm A Star
"These r the days when U wish Ur bed was already made" - Manic Monday
"Excuse me, but is this really goodbye" - Goodbye
"Shut up already. Damn." - Housequake
SOMETIMES IT SNOWS IN APRIL
Tracy died soon after a long fought civil war,
just after I'd wiped away his last tear
I guess he's better off than he was be4,
A whole lot better off than the fools he left here
I used 2 cry 4 Tracy because he was my only friend
Those kind of cars don't pass u every day
I used 2 cry 4 Tracy because I wanted to see him again,
But sometimes, sometimes life ain't always the way...
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish life was never ending,
and all good things, they say, never last
Springtime was always my favorite time of year,
A time 4 lovers holding hands in the rain
Now springtime only reminds me of Tracy's tears
Always cry 4 love, never cry 4 pain
He used 2 say so strong unafraid to die
Unafraid of the death that left me hypnotized
No, staring at his picture I realized
No one could cry the way my Tracy cried
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad
Sometimes, sometimes I wish that life was never ending,
And all good things, they say, never last
I often dream of heaven and I know that Tracy's there
I know that he has found another friend
Maybe he's found the answer 2 all the April snow
Maybe one day I'll see my Tracy again
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish that life was never ending,
But all good things, they say, never last
All good things that say, never last
And love, it isn't love until it's past
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