Luckiest Music Generation: Prince - Controversy

[Genki Hikari]

Before 1999 or Purple Rain, there was this guy named Prince who mostly only the cool kids knew about. Because he was still circling the periphery of fame in the fall of 1981, this didn't get far on the Top 40, but it was huge on the R&B charts--and at the record store where I was working at the time (ah, memories!).

"Controversy" is one of Prince's most personal sociopolitical songs, bashing the media for their idiotic obsessions in asking him about things like what race he is, and who he sleeps with. The song's lyrical theme gets summed up with the poignant line, "Some people want to die, so they can be free." As in, you're asking me this stupid crap, when there are serious things going on in this world? Really?

I don't think he ever wrote a harder-hitting line than that in his work before or after. And yet he made such a serious song into a super-fun dance-floor banger. Like all things Prince, it was a classic dichotomy that he exploited to the fullest.

Special note: Prince always had the most smashing taste in boots.

RIP, my good man.

[Sky Jewels]

1. This is my favorite Prince song.

I saw him on the Purple Rain tour in 1985. Very, very, very talented guy.

(He treated people bizarrely and often cruelly, to say the least, but I try to not think about that aspect of him.)

[Genki Hikari]

3. He was always weird

I mean, always. He did a signing at our record store, and he was this tiny thing, didn't have much to say to anyone. Mumbled a lot.

I also read an interview that a music magazine did with him at the time, and he was on the nasty side, even in print. I think the reporter and editors let that nasty side show, to get even with him.

Super-talented, but not the most pleasant guy to be around, as you said.

Now Rick James? That guy was crazy fun to be around. Had to watch out for the hands with him, though.

[Sky Jewels]

4. I read Sinead O'Connor's autobiography.

Prince invited her over to his house, berated her and treated her like shit, ordered her around, their animosity escalated, he attacked her with heavy object he'd put in a pillowcase, she tried to leave and he wouldn't let her, she finally got away, he chased after her for miles. That chapter reads like a horror movie, seriously. It also describes how he had a butler obeying his every command. She finally figured out his butler was his own brother, Duane, who was absolutely cowed and terrified of Prince.

https://www.nme.com/news/music/sinead-oconnor-says-prince-attacked-her-at-his-hollywood-home-2943836

[Genki Hikari]

5. Oh, I don't doubt it.

About halfway through his appearance at the store, he asked "Where's that black woman who works here?" Nobody knew what he meant. We had no black women working there. He repeated it, and added as if we were stupid, "The one with the fine a--."

I knew then that he meant me (dark hair, dark eyes, only slightly paler than him, and the rear end--well, long story). I told him, "My fine a-- is right behind you. What do you want?"

When he turned around to see me there, that was one of the few times he smiled all day. He wanted me to get him something to drink. Why me, I don't know. It wasn't like I was allowed to ask any questions of our celebrity guest. I did what I was told, with all due haste. I needed the job.

He mumbled a thank you, but that was it. Minnesota nice obviously didn't take hold with him.

[Sky Jewels]

6. Wow!

He was weird, but at least he gave you a very good story to tell!

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. Love this song and the album upon which it is the eponymous track ...

But I'd argue offhand there's some lines in the song Sign O' The Times that are equally hard-hitting

PRN