Prince (musician)

Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor. Prince was renowned as an innovator, and was widely known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, and wide vocal range. He was widely regarded as the pioneer of Minneapolis sound. His music integrates a wide variety of styles, including funk, rock, R&B, soul, hip hop, disco, psychedelia, jazz, and pop.

He went by the name Prince but between 1993 and 2000 he went by an unpronounceable symbol and was referred to The Artist Formerly Known as Prince. Prince has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. During his career, he produced ten platinum albums, had 40 top ten singles, and promoted singers such as Sheila E., Carmen Electra, The Time, and Vanity 6. He wrote over one thousand songs which have been released by himself, under a pen name, or by another artist. He won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year of his eligibility.

Quotes

 * With special thanks 2 Clare Fischer 4 Making Brighter the Colors Black and White
 * From the closing credits of Under the Cherry Moon (1986), and the liner notes of Parade (1986)
 * At this point, I wouldn't want to jinx it by meeting him. His arrangements are incredible. I just send him a tape, we talk on the phone, and he sends me the finished orchestra tracks. Hear that? I'm gonna get that chord on the radio!
 * Discussing his then nearly decade-and-a-half-long working relationship with arranger Clare Fischer (whom he'd never met, nor ever would meet, face to face), as quoted in the January 2000 issue of Keyboard Magazine, reprinted in Keyboard Presents Synth Gods (2011), edited by Ernie Rideout, p. 97
 * It's a hurtful place, the world, in and of itself. We don't need to add to it. And we're in a place now where we all need one another, and it's going to get rougher.
 * Tavis Smiley Show, PBS (April 27, 2009).
 * Well, the reason why is because I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses and we've never voted. That's not to say that I don't think Barack Obama - President Obama - is a very smart individual and he seems like he means well. Prophecy is what we all have to go by now.
 * When asked why he doesn't vote, Tavis Smiley Show (April 27, 2009).
 * The internet's completely over. [...] The internet's like MTV. At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can't be good for you.
 * Daily Mirror: Prince - world exclusive interview: Peter Willis goes inside the star's secret world (5 July 2010)
 * Chris Rock: I love the story of how you turned down an offer to appear in Michael Jackson's music video for, Bad. Prince: You know that Wesley Snipes character? That would've been me. Now you run that video in your mind. The first line in that song is "your butt is mine." Now I said to Michael, who's gonna sing that to whom? 'Cause you sure ain't singing it to me and I sure ain't singing it to you so right there we got a problem.
 * VH1 interview (1997)
 * I've been to the mountaintop. There's nothing there.
 * To Jim Walsh, in context of writing new material.

Song lyrics


I can no longer hide, I can no longer run No longer can I resist Your guiding light That gives me the power 2 keep up the fight
 * Love... Thy will be done

Oh Lord, Love... Thy will be done Since I have found you, my life has just begun And I see all of Your creations as one perfect complex No one less beautiful or more special than the next We are all blessed and so wise 2 accept Thy will, Love, be done.
 * "Love... Thy Will Be Done", co-written with Martika; Martika's version first released as a single (25 July 1991), for the album Martika's Kitchen (26 August 1991); Prince's original demo version sent to her, based on a prayer poem and lyric ideas she had given to him released on Originals (2019) · Official audio of Prince version at YouTube · Martika's 1991 video · Martika in a 2016 performance in Adelaide, Australia

For You (1978)

 * You can live your own life and I'll live mine I will never try to keep you down And even if I only see you some of the time I'm just happy when you come around And even if the sun don't shine I'm warm enough when you're in these arms of mine Just as long as we're together.
 * Just as Long as We're Together

Prince (1979)

 * I wanna be your lover I wanna be the only one that makes you come running I wanna be your lover I wanna turn you on, turn you out, all night long, make you shout Oh, lover! Yeah. I wanna be the only one you come for.
 * I Wanna Be Your Lover


 * There's some talk going 'round town That you really don't give a damn They say you really put me down When I'm doing the best I can I gave you all of my love I even gave you my body Tell me, baby, ain't that enough?
 * Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?

Dirty Mind (1980)

 * Now where I come from We don't let society Tell us how it's supposed to be Our clothes, our hair We don't care It's all about being there Everybody's going Uptown That's where I wanna be Uptown Set your mind free.
 * Uptown

Controversy (1981)

 * I just can't believe all the things people say—Controversy Am I black or white? Am I straight or gay? -- Controversy Do I believe in God? Do I believe in me?
 * Controversy


 * Do I believe in God? Do I believe in me? Some people wanna die so they can be free (I said) Life is just a game, we're all just the same...do you wanna play?
 * Controversy


 * C'mon everybody, yeah, this is your life I'm talking about a revolution we gotta organize We don't need no segregation, we don't need no race New age revelation, I think we got a case. I'm OK as long as u are here with me Sexuality is all we ever need.
 * Sexuality

1999 (1982)

 * I was dreamin' when I wrote this So sue me if I go 2 fast. But life is just a party, and parties weren't meant 2 last. War is all around us, my mind says prepare 2 fight So if I gotta die I'm gonna listen 2 my body tonight. Yeah, they say two thousand zero zero party over, oops out of time So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999.
 * 1999


 * I guess I shoulda closed my eyes When U drove me 2 the place Where your horses run free. 'Cuz I felt a little ill When I saw all the pictures Of the jockeys that were there before me. Believe it or not, I started to worry I wondered if I had enough class. But it was Saturday night I guess that makes it all right And U say, "Baby, have U got enough gas?"
 * Little Red Corvette


 * I get delirious whenever you're near Lose all self-control, baby just can't steer Wheels get locked in place Stupid look on my face. It comes 2 makin' a pass, pretty mama I just can't win a race.
 * Delirious

Purple Rain (1984)



 * Dearly beloved We are gathered here today 2 get through this thing called life. Electric word life It means forever and that's a mighty long time But I'm here 2 tell U There's something else: The afterworld. A world of never ending happiness U can always see the sun, day or night.
 * Let's Go Crazy


 * So when u call up that shrink in Beverly Hills U know the one - Dr Everything'll Be Alright Instead of asking him how much of your time is left Ask him how much of your mind, baby. 'Cuz in this life Things are much harder than in the afterworld In this life, You're on your own.
 * Let's Go Crazy''


 * Dr. Everything'll Be Alright will make everything go wrong Pills and thrills and daffodils will kill Hang tough children.
 * Let's Go Crazy


 * I knew a girl named Nikki I guess U could say she was a sex fiend I met her in a hotellobby Masturbating with a magazine. She said "How'd U like 2 waste some time?" And I could not resist when I saw little Nikki grind.
 * Darling Nikki


 * Dig if U will the picture Of U and I engaged in a kiss. The sweat of your body covers me. Can U my darling, Can U picture this? Dream if U can a courtyard, An ocean of violets in bloom. Animals strike curious poses; They feel the heat, The heat between me and U.
 * When Doves Cry


 * How can U just leave me standing? Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold) Maybe I'm just 2 demanding Maybe I'm just like my father, 2 bold Maybe you're just like my mother She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied) Why do we scream at each other? This is what it sounds like When doves cry.
 * When Doves Cry


 * I'm not a woman; I'm not a man. I am something that U'll never understand. I'll never beat U; I'll never lie. And if U're evil I'll forgive U by and by.
 * I Would Die 4 U


 * I never meant 2 cause u any sorrow I never meant 2 cause u any pain I only wanted 2 one time see u laughing I only wanted 2 see u laughing in the purple rain.
 * Purple Rain

Around the World in a Day (1985)

 * There is a park that is known 4 the face it attracts colorful people whose hair On 1 side is swept back The smile on their faces It speaks of profound inner peace Ask where they're going They'll tell U nowhere They've taken a lifetime lease On Paisley Park.
 * Paisley Park


 * I was workin' part-time in a 5-and-dime. My boss was Mr. McGee, huh. He told me several... times That he didn't like my kind cuz I was a bit 2 leisurely. It seems that I was busy doin' somethin' close 2 nothin', But different than the day before That's when I saw her, ooh, I saw her, She walked in through the out door ...out door. She wore a raspberry beret The kind U find in a second hand store Raspberry beret And if it was warm she wouldn't wear much more Raspberry beret I think I love her.
 * Raspberry Beret


 * Pop life Everybody needs a thrill Pop life We all got a space 2 fill Pop life Everybody can't be on top But life it ain't real funky Unless it's got that pop Dig it.
 * Pop Life

Parade Under the Cherry Moon (1986)

 * I want to live life to the ultimate high, Maybe I'll die young like heroes die, Maybe I'll kiss you some wild special way. If nobody kills me or thrills me soon, I'll die in your arms under the cherry moon.
 * Under the Cherry Moon


 * Happiness in it's uncut form Is the feeling that I get, you're warm, warm Happy's what I get when we do what we do Happiness, mama, is being with u Good lord.
 * Girls & Boys


 * Women not girls rule my world I said they rule my world Act your age, mama (not your shoe size) Not your shoe size Maybe we could do the twirl U don't have 2 watch Dynasty 2 have an attitude U just leave it all up 2 me My love will be your food Yeah. U don't have 2 be rich 2 be my girl U don't have 2 be cool 2 rule my world Ain't no particular sign I'm more compatible with I just want your extra time and your Kiss.
 * Kiss

Sign O' the Times (1987)

 * Oh yeah In France a skinny man Died of a big disease with a little name By chance his girlfriend came across a needle And soon she did the same At home there are seventeen-year-old boys And their idea of fun Is being in a gang called The Disciples High on crack, totin' a machine gun.
 * Sign o' the Times


 * Here we are folks The dream we all dream of Boy versus girl in the World Series of love Tell me, have U got the look?
 * U Got the Look


 * U walked in (I walked in) I woke up (U woke up) I never seen a pretty girl look so tough' baby (baby) U got that look, yes U do (yes U do) Color U peach and black Color me takin' aback, baby Crucial, I think I wantcha.
 * U Got the Look


 * And I said, baby don't waste your time I know what's on your mind U wouldn't be satisfied with a one night stand And I could never take the place of your man.
 * I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man

Lovesexy (1988)

 * I'm going down 2 Alphabet Street I'm gonna crown the first girl that I meet I'm gonna talk so sexy She'll want me from my head 2 my feet.
 * Alphabet St.


 * This feeling's so good in every single way, I want it morning, noon and night of every day; And if by chance I cannot have it, I can't say But with it I know heaven's just a kiss away.
 * Lovesexy

Batman (1989)

 * I've seen the future and it will be I've seen the future and it works If there's life after, we will see So I can't go like a jerk Systematic overthrow of the underclass Hollywood conjures images of the past New world needs spirituality that will last I've seen the future and it will be.
 * The Future

Graffiti Bridge (1990)



 * Pardon me 4 living, but this is my world 2 I can't help that what's cool to us might be strange to u. Pardon me 4 breathing, can we borrow some of your air? The problem with u and your kind is that u don't know love is there.
 * New Power Generation

Diamonds and Pearls (1991)

 * Gett off - 23 positions in a 1 night stand. Gett off - I'll only call u after if u say I can. Gett off - let a woman be a woman and a man be a man. Gett off - if u want 2 baby here I am (Here I am).
 * Gett Off

The Gold Experience (1995)

 * Could you be The most beautiful girl in the world? Could you be? It's plain to see. You're the reason that God made a girl. Oh, yes, you are.
 * The Most Beautiful Girl in the World

Emancipation (1996)
Outside the rain is pourin', I'm lonely as can be Maybe 2night'll be different than the nights before I need 2 feel someone beside me, I can't be alone no more
 * It's 2 o'clock in the morning and I just can't sleep
 * Somebody's Somebody, written by Prince, Brenda Lee Eager, and Hilliard Wilson

Musicology (2004)

 * I’ve never seen the moon look so lovely as the night I saw it with you. It let me know I’d never seen the moon before. (Never seen the moon before) So many speak of the moon as though it had no flaws. But to compare it to a beauty like yours would give one pause.
 * Call My Name

Quotes about Prince



 * Somebody like Prince, who is so impressive as a human being, it is difficult to not completely canonize him. He is amazing, a gift to humanity. But at the same time, he was a guy we worked with every day and it could get really stressful and annoying. One day he'd come in and be all excited and energetic and happy and want to goof around. The next day he'd walk in really somber with a cloud over his head, mumble into the microphone, and be a dick. Evey show we played, he videotaped and made us watch on the bus afterward. He was charming and funny, but also boring, repetitive and self-absorbed.
 * Lisa Coleman, in Prince and The Parade and Sign o' the Times Era Studio Sessions 1985 and 1986 (2021) by Duane Tudahl


 * [M]ost of the pop music out today I consider to have become a homogenized product. It gets to the point that so much of what is going on is copying everything else that is out, because there is a businessman that knows what he has just sold millions of records with, and so he keeps trying to get every group that comes in to do it, you know. You know, you approach somebody who is well known as a booker or manager, and the first remark will be, "I love what you do, but you would have to change this to this, and that to that, and this to this, in order for me to be able to sell it." Well, by the time you've changed that, of course, it's like everything else that is out there. And when Prince first started sending me songs, I thought maybe that by the time I had done four arrangements that I would have started getting some sort of a repetitive something or other. I have been extremely surprised to find that each one is as different from the last as the next one is going to be different. Some of them are like little art songs. Some of them have dealt with heavy things like friendship and death. I mean, death of a friend. And yet, some of them are as baudy as...
 * Clare Fischer, being interviewed, circa 1985, by Ben Sidran, as quoted in Talking Jazz With Ben Sidran, Volume 1: The Rhythm Section (1992, 2006, 2014)
 * I've talked to him on the phone, received notes through the mail, but I've never seen him face to face. I sent him my last LP and I understand that he turned his head away as he took the disc out, saying, "I don't want to see what he looks like. I have this image and I don't want to destroy it." So there's a certain amount of mystery involved. I suppose if he knew I were a gray-haired, older guy with a big paunch, he might say, "Oh, that ruins it."
 * Clare Fischer, on his working relationship with Prince, as quoted in "He Arranges, Composes, Performs: Fischer: A Renaissance Man Of Music" by Zan Stewart, in The Los Angeles Times (May 14, 1987)
 * Prince is intelligent. He never visits the studio when I am working for him; and I have never met him in person. He sends me memos and we talk over the phone. Once I sent him my Grammy-winning CD. I heard from people that were present at the time that while he took out the disc he looked away from the cover, saying, 'I don't want to know what he looks like. It is working just fine as it is.' Prince does not want to meet me because he knows that the minute he walks into a studio he will start interfering. It is uncommon that a person with such a strong ego realizes that I have an ego too.
 * Clare Fischer, as quoted in "Clare Fischer: The Best Kept Secret in Jazz" by Maarten De Haan, in Artist Interview (1998)


 * Last night I was watching TV. I was watching . And he had Prince on. I wanna— What a character he is! Holy cow! Entertainer. Singer. And he can dance. He's a little bitty guy. He had a weird beard. I tell ya it was— I couldn't explain it.
 * , from The Prince, as published in  (September 18, 1991), directly quoting Rizzuto's remarks made during the second-inning at-bat of vs. Yankee starter, at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium; reproduced in O Holy Cow: The Selected Verse of Phil Rizzuto (1993), ed. Tom Peyer and Hart Seely, p. 102


 * The morning of the game, I opened the curtains in my hotel room, and Oh my God — it was like a scene from Moby Dick — it was like the winds were blowing the palm tress, the rains were one of those Miami rainstorms which would just not relent ... were in this truck, sitting behind Don Mischer, and I remember Don said, put me off the phone with Prince. Don says, "I want you to know it's raining" — and Prince, like: "Yes it's raining" — and "Are you OK?" And Prince was like "Can you make it rain harder?" — and I thought Right on! … To me its about one guy in front of a hundred thousand people, and a hundred million people on television, and its your moment to be "Prince — at the Super Bowl", and Mother Nature is dropping thousands and thousands of gallons of rain. I always thought, how cool the guy is — to rise up and to just get stormed upon — and just bring what he brought —  that was so special.
 * Bruce Rodgers, production designer on the Super Bowl XLI halftime show (4 February 2007), commenting on it, in "Prince Performs “Purple Rain” During Downpour — Super Bowl XLI Halftime Show"


 * I think Prince was heads, hands and feet about all the rest of them, I thought he left (Michael) Jackson in the dust. Prince was way beyond that. But how pathetic that he killed himself. Don't kid yourself, that's what he did. Slowly, I'll grant you … but that's what drugs and alcohol is: a slow death.
 * Gene Simmons, about Prince's death. (May 10, 2016)


 * Isn’t the artist’s characteristic to surprise and often to be where no one expects him? What seems certain in any case is that Prince was no exception to the rule. While he was internationally known as a singer, guitarist and dancer, he took the initiative of playing solo piano on stage at concerts held at his Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, in the United States and Australia. (…) Prince had no alter ego. Neither in his extravagances, nor in his ultra-sophisticated and perfectionist showman performances. Nor even in his final improvisations on the piano..."
 * , in Improvision so piano (P comme Prince) (2017). ISBN 978-2-35055-228-6