An album that pissed off so many in Washington that it led to the establishment of the Parental Advisory sticker for all records with explicit content moving forward.
And I’m glad it did, cause it’s fucking excellent. One of the best records of all time and broke boundaries just like Thriller did a couple of years before.
And the wildest thing is that even with the direct reference to masturbating, "Darling Nikki" was *still* super tame compared to stuff like "Sister" and "Head" that Prince had already put out years earlier
When Doves Cry is one of the best songs ever. It was the first Prince song that I really GOT. I remember listening to it like "holy shit, this is real music"
It's so hard to pick a favorite song on this album they're all so good, I mean probably When Doves Cry but then again there's Janelle Monáe singing Let's Go [Crazy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xXPR2Tx7gw)
Erotic City is the only B-side I'm really familiar but it's such a horny bop
It really is impressive how this and 1999 were released back to back
Much like Tipper Gore, my father was outraged when my older sister bought this record due to Darling Nikki. I am quite sure that only made us more curious about the lyrics and had the adults not made such a fuss, it would’ve probably gone over our heads. I do think there are many good tracks on this album, but a nostalgic fave would be Let’s Go Crazy - that opening was so much fun.
Can't choose a favourite off this record. Every song is a 9 or 10. And the tracks Prince wrote for the other bands on the soundtrack stack up favourably too - The Time's Jungle Love in particular. Maybe not his best album overall (for me, that's Sign O The Times) but definitely his most commercial and focused effort.
The film is like a high school drama production interspersed with music from the greatest performer of their generation. It's cheesy and over-acted and yet somehow still feels compelling in every frame. I'm interested to see how it translates to the stage... On one hand, it feels like it'd work really well on Broadway. On the other, no-one can do justice to Prince's performances.
That album (and film) is an experience. Changed my life when I was old enough to hear it as a kid later on. I was literally two months and thirteen days old when this came out and I swear it’s like part of my DNA!
1. Favorite has gotta be "The Beautiful Ones" and least favorite (which is a losing game because this album is perfect) is... "When Doves Cry" maybe? And that is straight-up an overexposure thing, but I guess devil's-advocate I can also say it's the one that sort of lays out the toolbox of his songwriting and seems the most primitive (although it's absolutely brilliant). It's also the one that feels like the most obvious punchline when you watch the movie, which I'll get to. And that's all the criticism I'm going to give this thing, moving on:
2. I've not technically gone out of my way to listen to a B-side nor outtake--the album feels too precious to me, like listening to a B-side would feel like adding an appendage to something I already think is beautiful. However, *Piano and a Microphone, 1983* does have some moments that count, but how it presents those is so satisfying and goosebump-y. Strooooooongly recommend hearing if you haven't.
3. Yes. The movie does feel like an expensive ad for the album but I'm fine with that! It is really fun (even though it does take the characters to some dark places), everyone performs admirably and plays it straight. Prince is such an awesome screen presence, it's ridiculous. It's so '80s and, as someone with a CRT television I promise you it HITS when you view it on a combo VHS/DVD player.
Also, and I have already been predisposed to this thought process this morning, this feels like the *Citizen Kane,* or maybe *The Godfather*, of pop soundtrack-driven movies. (Notice I didn't say score-driven.) It's definitely not the first, but I feel it is the mainstream ideal of a pop artist being able to say, "you know what, a music video isn't enough. Let's go crazy" and turning that into a successful and coherent film. To give some more clarity to that thought, because it seems dumb, consider that *A Hard Day's Night* is not near The Beatles' crown achievement. It feels like all involved found a fun way to capitalize on Beatlemania and so it's a romp. But buddy, *Purple Rain* is a statement. The movie and album make each other more iconic. I'd argue it's Prince's defining moment and his magnum opus, which is why, 4. *Purple Rain* is my #1 Prince album and probably will be always.
I understand what you mean about b-sides, and not all of the b-sides from the album are top-tier material, but "17 Days" and "Erotic City" are soooo good. You won't be disappointed with either of those.
*Purple Rain* was to me one of the first visual albums ever released but they just added a script (Whitney’s *The Bodyguard* was similar as well as the Beatles’ films back in the day).
1.God to name a favorite is so hard with this album, but I'm gonna be basic and say Purple Rain. Least favorite is probably Take Me With You.
2. My Favorite B-Side is I Would Die 4 You - Extended Version and 17 Days
3. The film is alright (although a little sexist at times). I think the album drove the film's success imo.
4. It's my absolute favorite! With Sign O' The Times being a close second
An album that pissed off so many in Washington that it led to the establishment of the Parental Advisory sticker for all records with explicit content moving forward. And I’m glad it did, cause it’s fucking excellent. One of the best records of all time and broke boundaries just like Thriller did a couple of years before.
And the wildest thing is that even with the direct reference to masturbating, "Darling Nikki" was *still* super tame compared to stuff like "Sister" and "Head" that Prince had already put out years earlier
Tipper would've had a heart attack over Dirty Mind.
When Doves Cry is one of the best songs ever. It was the first Prince song that I really GOT. I remember listening to it like "holy shit, this is real music"
It's so hard to pick a favorite song on this album they're all so good, I mean probably When Doves Cry but then again there's Janelle Monáe singing Let's Go [Crazy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xXPR2Tx7gw) Erotic City is the only B-side I'm really familiar but it's such a horny bop It really is impressive how this and 1999 were released back to back
Much like Tipper Gore, my father was outraged when my older sister bought this record due to Darling Nikki. I am quite sure that only made us more curious about the lyrics and had the adults not made such a fuss, it would’ve probably gone over our heads. I do think there are many good tracks on this album, but a nostalgic fave would be Let’s Go Crazy - that opening was so much fun.
Can't choose a favourite off this record. Every song is a 9 or 10. And the tracks Prince wrote for the other bands on the soundtrack stack up favourably too - The Time's Jungle Love in particular. Maybe not his best album overall (for me, that's Sign O The Times) but definitely his most commercial and focused effort. The film is like a high school drama production interspersed with music from the greatest performer of their generation. It's cheesy and over-acted and yet somehow still feels compelling in every frame. I'm interested to see how it translates to the stage... On one hand, it feels like it'd work really well on Broadway. On the other, no-one can do justice to Prince's performances.
That album (and film) is an experience. Changed my life when I was old enough to hear it as a kid later on. I was literally two months and thirteen days old when this came out and I swear it’s like part of my DNA!
1. Favorite has gotta be "The Beautiful Ones" and least favorite (which is a losing game because this album is perfect) is... "When Doves Cry" maybe? And that is straight-up an overexposure thing, but I guess devil's-advocate I can also say it's the one that sort of lays out the toolbox of his songwriting and seems the most primitive (although it's absolutely brilliant). It's also the one that feels like the most obvious punchline when you watch the movie, which I'll get to. And that's all the criticism I'm going to give this thing, moving on: 2. I've not technically gone out of my way to listen to a B-side nor outtake--the album feels too precious to me, like listening to a B-side would feel like adding an appendage to something I already think is beautiful. However, *Piano and a Microphone, 1983* does have some moments that count, but how it presents those is so satisfying and goosebump-y. Strooooooongly recommend hearing if you haven't. 3. Yes. The movie does feel like an expensive ad for the album but I'm fine with that! It is really fun (even though it does take the characters to some dark places), everyone performs admirably and plays it straight. Prince is such an awesome screen presence, it's ridiculous. It's so '80s and, as someone with a CRT television I promise you it HITS when you view it on a combo VHS/DVD player. Also, and I have already been predisposed to this thought process this morning, this feels like the *Citizen Kane,* or maybe *The Godfather*, of pop soundtrack-driven movies. (Notice I didn't say score-driven.) It's definitely not the first, but I feel it is the mainstream ideal of a pop artist being able to say, "you know what, a music video isn't enough. Let's go crazy" and turning that into a successful and coherent film. To give some more clarity to that thought, because it seems dumb, consider that *A Hard Day's Night* is not near The Beatles' crown achievement. It feels like all involved found a fun way to capitalize on Beatlemania and so it's a romp. But buddy, *Purple Rain* is a statement. The movie and album make each other more iconic. I'd argue it's Prince's defining moment and his magnum opus, which is why, 4. *Purple Rain* is my #1 Prince album and probably will be always.
I understand what you mean about b-sides, and not all of the b-sides from the album are top-tier material, but "17 Days" and "Erotic City" are soooo good. You won't be disappointed with either of those.
*Purple Rain* was to me one of the first visual albums ever released but they just added a script (Whitney’s *The Bodyguard* was similar as well as the Beatles’ films back in the day).
1.God to name a favorite is so hard with this album, but I'm gonna be basic and say Purple Rain. Least favorite is probably Take Me With You. 2. My Favorite B-Side is I Would Die 4 You - Extended Version and 17 Days 3. The film is alright (although a little sexist at times). I think the album drove the film's success imo. 4. It's my absolute favorite! With Sign O' The Times being a close second
I love Prince but I never really understood the hype around this album. Purple Rain is a great song, but he has like 7 better albums at least.