PRINCE

Prince (1958-2016), real name: Prince Rogers Nelson, was a musician, producer, actor and filmmaker.  A multi-instrumentalist, he played guitar superbly and could sing from falsetto to baritone.  His music was a blend of many genres: funk, soul, jazz, rock.  Prince released 39 albums, including Controversy; Purple Rain; Around the World in a Day; and Diamonds and Pearls.  Among his hits were “1999”; “When Doves Cry”; “Let’s Go Crazy”; and “Raspberry Beret”.  His 1984 film Purple Rain was autobiographical.  Prince won eight Grammy Awards; six American Music Awards; a Golden Globe Award; and an Academy Award, and he sold over 100 million records.  In 2004 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Prince was famous for his flamboyance, both on and off stage.  His wild fashions, favoring the color purple, and his prominent make-up gave him an androgynous look.

Prince composed numerous erotic songs.  Among them were “Darling Nikki” (masturbation); “Head” (oral sex); “Jack U Off” (handjobs); “Sister” (incest); “Erotic City” (intercourse); “Sugar Walls” (vaginas); “Orgasm” (orgasms); and “Uptown” (orgies).  His work explored the connections of spirituality and sexuality.  At times he saw them in conflict with each other.  At other times he felt they meshed perfectly.  Toward the end of his life, however, he became a Jehovah’s Witness and toned down the eroticism of his songs.

I always loved Prince’s music.  They were a backdrop for the 1980’s for me.  I also respected that his music continued to develop in subsequent years.  And I remain fascinated by his investigation of religion and eroticism.

A quote:

“Hard to say what’s right when all I wanna do is wrong”.