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Prince & Related Artists
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0–9 All songs written or co-written
by Prince except where indicated. |
9 Lives
This song is easily one of the best tracks on The
Time's Corporate World album: a melodic
rock number with a strong chorus. The verses are rapped by Morris
Day, while female vocals join in on the chorus. It was planned to
be the first single release from the album. It was offered to Cat
later in 1989 when Prince had ceased production
on the album.
100 M.P.H.
This is Prince's recording of the track he
gave to Mazaratti for their 1986 self-titled
album. It is fairly close to the released version, containing lyrics inspired
by the Wizard Of Oz, among the usual sexual
innuendoes.
2020
Mayte's vocals open and close this tranquil
and subdued number in which
speaks about a future without fear and barriers among people in a club called
"Love4OneAnother." It was on an early configuration of Emancipation.
A 1,000 Hugs And Kisses
"A 1,000 Hugs And Kisses" was recorded with Rosie
Gaines and parts of The NPG at Olympic
Studios in London, June 1992, on the Diamonds
And Pearls tour. The track was shortlisted for the MPLS
project and it was later tried out in 1993 by Nona
Gaye, which is the circulating version. The song is a restrained
and seductive soul number. The arrangement features a rhythm guitar to the
fore. An attractive horn riff adorns the chorus and a saxophone solo enters
towards the end of the song. Gaye is longing for her lover to come home,
offering him a thousand hugs and kisses upon his return, "Lock the door,
you better unplug the phone, cause I want to give you a thousand reasons
why we need to be alone."
A Place In Heaven
Intended for the Dream Factory project, this
song is a lovely, melodic pop tune somewhat in the style of "Starfish
And Coffee." Prince sings in his falsetto
voice over a sparse piano backing and a light drum machine beat. The second
version has Lisa singing lead. The song concerns
the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and making the most of
the life we have (recalling the theme of "Pop Life").
A Positive Place
Recorded at Larrabee Studios in October, 1990, this cut was to be on the
"NPG" maxi single and features Robin Power
on vocals. The fairly monotonous number segues from "My Tree"
and describes themes presented in Graffiti
Bridge. The song leads into "Come Outside And Play".
All Day, All Night
Prince's 26th birthday was celibrated with
a gig at First Avenue that showcased new material. "All Day, All Night",
along with "Roadhouse Garden" and "Our Destiny" were
all premeired at this performance. The 3 songs were later worked on in the
studio and "All Day, All Night" was eventually given to Jill
Jones for her 1987 self-titled album. Her album version is very close
to Prince and the Revolution's live take.
All That
An alternate take exists of the track on the Carmen
Electra album. The outtake more clearly resembles "Adore"
from Prince's Sign
'O' The Times. It was remixed to hide its similarity a bit. The
remix changed a few lyrics around as well.
Alphabet St. (acoustic)
This is most likely a bluesy demo of the Lovesexy
track. It consists of Prince accompanying
himself on acoustic guitar. Some of the lyrics are improvised but are fairly
close to what was released.
Alphabet
St. (remix)
This remix of "Alphabet St." is similar to the "This is not
music" remix that was released as the B-side to the Lovesexy
album track in 1988. However, this version contains additional lyrics and
other ideas not found in the released B-side.
All My Dreams
This long, suite-like track segues from "Old Friends 4 Sale" on
the original Parade
album. Playful and adventurous, this impressive outtake contains two melodic
themes. One features Wendy & Lisa on
vocals while Prince's voice sounds if he
singing through a phone. Without interrupting the flow, the song enters
a dreamlike segment of two lovers where Prince's voice is slowed down half-speed
and then ends climatically with a message to never give up on your dreams.
The spoken intro to the slow speech appears on "Acknowledge Me."
Allegiance
This is Prince's original recording given
to Howard Hewett's 1993 Allegiance
album. A beautiful ballad, the title is not sung until the very end where
Prince "hereby states (his) allegiance" to his lover, even comparing
her to a drug he can't get enough of.
Around The World In
A Day
There are two alternate versions of "Around The World In A Day".
One is a extension of the album track. This one is a more conventional-sounding
pop/rock version with a prominent guitar and bass. The lyrics are identical
to each other, however, and they are simply extended from the album track
(with a few less backing vocals).
Baby
Go-Go
Prince's own recording of "Baby Go-Go," is
very different from the released version on Nona
Hendryx's 1987 album Female Trouble.
Hendryx's version is a re-recording of the
song by her musicians. Although retaining the funky bass riff, which is
the basis of the melody, she turned Prince's lean, understated, and dramatic
synth-led track into a big production number with thrusting horns and guitars
to the fore.
Baby,
You're A Trip
Prince's original recording of "Baby,
You're A Trip" is close to the released version on Jill
Jones' 1987 album. The original doesn't contain Clare
Fischer's orchestral parts or the semi-spoken ending on Jill's version.
The
Ball
Written after the Dream Factory project was
shelved, "The Ball" is a straightforward party song with no deep
message, Prince has "no time for attitudes"
and urges everybody to give up "any notion about the way things are"
and come to the Crystal Ball to "get loose." Most of music was
reused for "I No" on Lovesexy.
In fact, Prince even kept the "party talk" that was used as a
segue between "The Ball" and "Joy In Repetition." A
part of the segue was used once again when most of the original recording
of "Joy In Repetition" turned up on Graffiti
Bridge. "The Ball" was intended to open side four of
the 3-LP Crystal Ball.
Batdance
The track from Batman
is an edit of this outtake. The middle section is basically the same, but
the 2 sections based on "200 Balloons" are extended. This version
contains some samples from "House In Order", which was later given
to Mavis Staples, and "Rave Unto The
Joy Fantastic", which was supposed to be in the film but was replaced
by "Partyman" after being rejected. "Batdance" replaced
"Dance With The Devil", which Prince
thought was too dark.
Be My Mirror
Vocals by Prince, this song is a sweet piano-based
pop tune with a lullaby-like melody, addressed by a parent to his or her
"special little girl." It appeared on the soundtrack to the original
version of I'll Do Anything, but was shelved
when the film was transformed from a musical to a sentimental comedy.
The Beautiful
Ones
This version is the full version of the track that was edited down for Purple
Rain. It contains a few more lyrics toward the end. It was recorded
in September, 1983 at Sunset Sound.
Big Tall Wall
Written during the Dream Factory sessions,
this track was replaced when other songs were recorded for the album. It
was also considered for an early version of the Graffiti
Bridge album. Sung in a variety of vocals by Prince,
the lyrics concern protecting his lover form others by putting her behind
a big tall wall. The lyrics also contain the phrase "I've got more
holes than a golf course", later used as the segue preceding both "Alphabet
St." and "Joy In Repetition". The music is almost demo-like,
containing little more than a drum machine and an occasional guitar.
Bliss
This is Prince's version of the song he gave
to Japanese artist Kahoru Kohiruimaki from
a studio session on September 3, 1989 (could be the date of the final mix).
Kohiruimaki just substituted some of Prince's vocals for her own. Prince
and an engineer can be heard talking before the track. It was collaborated
with Levi Seacer, Jr.
Boom Boom, Can't You
Feel The Beat Of My Heart?
Originally recorded in 1982, this track was updated for a Jill
Jones project in 1989. The medley of the chorus is quite similar
to another 1982 track, "All The Critics Love U In New York" from
1999. The
lyrics concern sexual excitement. A video for the song was produced, indicating
that this may have been the first single from the unreleased album.
Brand New Boy
Intended to be the lead track on the M.C. Flash
album, "Brand New Boy" is performed with lead vocals by Margie
Cox and backing vocals by Prince.
The song features prominent organ and guitar. The theme is basically about
looking for a new lover.
Broken
This song was an early attempt by Prince
to write a 1950s-style blues-based rock number, predating "Jack U Off"
on Controversy
and later "rockabilly" efforts. Even though the song sounds like
a spontaneous live recording with his band, probably recorded by Prince
on his own. A bluesy piano opening is followed by Prince's a cappella vocal
intro before the song gets underway. The arrangement emphasizes an electric
piano and a fast, fluid bassline. Sometimes called "Broken, Lonely
And Crying," it was occasionally played on the Dirty
Mind club tour the spring of 1981.
Can I Play With U?
Recorded in late December 1985 for Miles Davis
for possible inclusion on his Tutu album,
Miles and his keyboard player, Adam Holzman,
added their parts to the tune, but when Prince heard the other material,
he did not think his number fit and pulled it. The lyrics has Prince's
speeded up vocals making advances on a girl, while the song is highlighted
by Eric Leeds' funky sax riff and Prince's
frenzied guitar playing.
Can't Stop This Feeling
I Got
Originally recorded in 1982, this song was later re-recorded and released
on Graffiti Bridge,
maintaining the lyrics from this 1986 effort. Recorded during the Dream
Factory sessions (but actually intended for a Broadway musical),
it segues into "We Can Funk" (1986 outtake). Two alternate mixes
of the song exist from this year.
Carmen On Top
On an early configuration of Carmen Electra's
1993 self-tiled album, this slow funky song has a James
Brown-like groove and horn arrangement. Tony
M.'s vocals can be heard in various parts of the track.
Chocolate
This is Prince's version of the song that
was released several years later on The Time's
Pandemonium
album. It was at one time considered for placement on Ice
Cream Castle. The vocals are close to the released song and Prince's
appearance as a waiter even remains intact.
Come (#2)
Version #2 of "Come" was a reworking of the demo aired before
the Los Angeles Act I concert on April 16,
1993. Prince re-recorded the lead vocal and
added several musical embellishments, as well as a chorus. The song has
a very "live" feel to it and was presented in the "interactive
musical" Glam Slam Ulysses. Unfortunately
the musical split the song into segments, so a full recording of this version
is not circulating. An edit which contains the beginning and end of the
song exists in better quality, but is missing some of the lyrics.
Come (#3)
Prince aired a demo of this song at the Los
Angeles Act I concert on April 16, 1993.
It was reworked for the "interactive musical" Glam
Slam Ulysses. This version utilizes a hypnotic drum beat while the
lyrics evolved to include spiritual overtones. Prince re-recorded the song
once again for his 1994 Come
album.
Come Outside And Play
Recorded from the Larrabee sessions in October 1990 for the "New Power
Generation" 12" single, Robin Power's
question of "U want me 2 what?" and Ingrid
Chavez's "Clap your hands and stomp your feet" segue into
this song from "Eliminate The Negative" (1990 outtake). It's a
fast rocking number with a catchy riff, acoustic guitar arrangements, and
thick vocal overdubs by Prince.
Computer Blue
This original clocks in around 11 minutes and is superb compared to the
much edited down version on Purple
Rain. Prince portrays himself
as "computer blue" in search of the "righteous one,"
and in response, he is told that he is narrow-minded, chauvinistic and needs
to be programmed to tell the difference between love and hate. Certain parts
of this outtake were used on the Purple Rain
tour.
Cookie Jar
Recorded while on the US Lovesexy
tour, this is Prince's unreleased version
of a song originally recorded by Fuzzy Haskins on the rare
album A Whole Nother Thang (1976) and later
re-recorded by Parlet on Pleasure
Principle (1978). Fuzzy and Parlet were both offshoots of George
Clinton's Parliament / Funkadelic
group. Like a great number of musical "exercises" Prince does
in the studio, it was never considered for any album. Nevertheless, his
version is brilliant tight funk with a prominent organ and a catchy chorus.
Corporate World
Lead vocals by Morris Day, this title track
from the Corporate World sessions is a funky
song delivering a message that big companies should spend money to make
a better world where kids can grow up safe. A similar theme is expressed
in "It's Your World" on Pandemonium.
The song includes a brief sample from Sly Stone's
"Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey."
Crystal Ball
Performed by Prince, this alternate take
was recorded during the Dream Factory sessions.
It differs from the released track in that several vocals by Wendy
and Lisa were removed when Prince updated it for his Crystal
Ball 3 LP set later in 1986. Also missing is the added instrumentation
and sound effects throughout the song, as well as
Clare Fischer's orchestra. The updated track was released in 1998
on the Crystal Ball
3 CD set.
The Dance Electric
This is Prince's 11:25-minute version of
the song he gave to ex-band member Andre Cymone.
The backing vocals by Wendy & Lisa were
kept on Andre's version. The song played backwards was used as filler music
during the Purple
Rain tour. The lyrics dwell on the Second Coming.
Dance With The Devil
Intended for Batman,
this dark eerie track utilizes a drum machine, piano, synth, and the voice
of The Joker. The song is based on the scene where The Joker holds Vicki
Vale hostage in Gotham's bell tower. Prince
warns to be cautious of the devil's tricks. Some lyrics can be seen in the
liner notes of the soundtrack.
Data Bank
This cut was recorded June 17, 1986, along with "Can't Stop This Feeling
I Got" and "We Can Funk" for a Broadway musical. Despite
a few lyrics at the start, this is more of a jam than a completed song.
With a pumping bass and jazzy horns, Prince uses a slightly speeded up voice.
It goes into an extended jam toward the end with Prince
pleading to the band to follow his lead. The song was re-recorded for The
Time's Corporate World album in 1989,
but eventually turned up on Pandemonium.
Days Of Wild
Intended for The Gold
Experience, this studio version is a repetitious mid-tempo funk
workout with
rapping about some negative aspects of the music business, weapons, drug
abuse, and depicting women in a derogatory way. The version on Crystal
Ball is live from Paisley Park.
Delirious
This version is much longer than the one on 1999.
It's hard to understand why the full version was edited down since it was
Prince's first double album.
Do Yourself A Favor
This is Prince's version of Pepe
Willie's catchy soul/pop tune "If You See Me." Prince strips
the music down to the bass and drums toward the end and incorporates a scene
where he meets his former girlfriend and tries to impress her with his money.
He uses his Morris Day-like voice to great
effect. Pepe recalls hearing Prince's version around Spring 1982. Jesse
Johnson released the song on his 1986 Shockadelica
album.
Donna
A soft melodic, acoustic demo from 1979, this song is about the wanting
of woman that belongs to another man. It was recorded for possible inclusion
on Prince's self-titled album of the same
year.
Don't Say U Love Me
Demo vocals by Prince, this song was offered
to Paula Abdul, but turned down. Martika
recorded the song with her vocals for Martika's
Kitchen.
Don't You Wanna Ride?
This song exists as a simple demo recorded in 1976 by Prince on
a tape recorder or a 4-track recorder. It is a lively, funky number created around
an acoustic guitar riff. Prince sings in a double-tracked falsetto voice accompanied
only by his acoustic guitar. Interestingly, his normal voice can also be heard
in places. Prince refers to himself as "the golden lover" and he goes on to describe
an encounter with "a foxy lady down in New Orleans" using sailing as a metaphor
for their lovemaking.
Down A Long Lonely
Road
This demo is a multi-tracked a cappella, somewhat similar to "For You,"
for the Prince
album. Prince repeats the same line over
and over.
Dream Factory
Recorded in late 1985 during an extremely prolific time, "Dream Factory"
became the title track for Prince's next
major project. The song was later released on 1998's Crystal
Ball 3-CD set, but this alternate version is missing a few lyrics
and has a new intro. The intro is representative of Prince's experimental
nature and contains samples of other Dream Factory
songs "Witness" and "A Place In Heaven" (played backwards).
There is also an argument between Wendy and Lisa
and a club owner about their age.
Electric Intercourse
Intended for Purple
Rain, this song was taped during the benefit concert for the
Minnesota Dance Theatre company at First Avenue, August 3rd 1983. It's a
simple ballad with an electric piano to the fore. Prince
sings of the sexual electricity that exists between him and his lover. No
known studio recording is in circulation.
Elephants & Flowers
This original demo from Graffiti
Bridge maintains the theme of spiritual redemption, but with
slightly different lyrics. The song makes reference to a girl named "Coco"
wearing a leather coat with the likeness of Jesus.
Empty Room
Re-recorded for the I'll Do Anything soundtrack,
this haunting, somber medium-paced rock song uses a three chord repetition
with no chorus. Prince is wondering how he
is going to fill his empty room after being deserted. A second version is
closer to the original version recorded in 1985.
Empty Room (#2)
Inspired by Susannah Melvoin, Prince
revamped the original 1985 version with this rock-oriented version, while
maintaining the cymbals used from the original. A video of the song was
often shown before the 1995 Ultimate Live Experience
tour.
Eternity
Intended for Vanessa Williams, this demo
from December 1985 ended up on Sheena Easton's
1987 No Sound But A Heart album. It was later
re-recorded by Chaka Khan in 1988. Vanessa's
album was to be produced by George Clinton
but never materialized.
Extra Lovable
Although recorded solo by Prince, he performs it as
a band number, calling out the names of his band members while mocking Dez
Dickerson's decision to leave by asking "Dez, don't U like my
band?" The song is built around a guitar riff and is rockier than most
of the 1999
material. Prince pleads with his lover to take a bath with him, even to
the point of threatening rape. The song was considered for Vanity
6's first album. With the revised title of "Xtraloveable", the track was picked by fans
during the "Prince: A Celebration" for the projected Crystal
Ball Volume II album.
Face Down (Money Mix)
Several mixes of "Face Down" were intended to be on a maxi-single
of the Emancipation
track but remain unreleased to this day. This mix of the song is totally
re-recorded version. Prince replaces the
harsher curse words with "cleaner" substitutes, as well as adding
lyrics from "18 & Over".
Feel Good
Created around a funky bassline, this groove by
was on an early configuration of Emancipation
and performed a few times in March 1995 aftershows. The lyrics are rapped
and make a reference to Prince's last Warner
Bros. contract ($10 million upfront per album) and fans recording his live
shows.
Feel U Up
This outtake was recorded toward the end of 1981 and was taped in sequence
with "Irresistible Bitch". Both songs were later re-recorded.
The lyrics are very similar to to the released song although the vocals
seem to have been recorded at a low level. "Feel U Up" was re-recorded
in 1986 for the shelved Camille album and
finally released in 1989 as the B-side to "Partyman".
Flesh And Blood
This track was newly written in 1989 for a Jill
Jones project. The lyrics concern "revolutionary" love
and even mention Napoleon and Josephine. Jill will do what's necessary in
the relationship despite being "only flesh and blood." The music
is fast and energetic and Prince's voice
can clearly be heard in the chorus.
The Flow
"The Flow" rap was added to "The Future" halfway through
the Nude tour in 1990. The original version of the song has Tony
M. rapping over a funky groove, which actually resembles "Live
4 Love." Rosie Gaines joins in on the
chorus. The chant of "Michael B. in the house" was later used
in "Daddy Pop" on Diamonds
And Pearls.
Funky
"Funky" is actually a cover song with the names in the original
replaced by the NPG members. Like most of
Exodus,
it features lead vocals by Sonny T. Despite
the title, the song is more rock-blues than funk. It segues from "Love,
Thy Will Be Done" and is followed by another cover song: "Proud
Mary".
The Funky Design
This busy one-chord funk offering has mostly rapped lyrics.
ridicules all the musical "rookies" that are "kickin' it
with the groove folks in the wrong key" and advises they find somebody
who will hip them to the "funky design." The chorus features the
title phrase followed by a high-pitched synth line while the song includes
a base solo with
's
voice in an angry, accusatory tone.
replaced his vocals with Sonny T.'s and the
song was the closing track on the December 2, 1994 sequence of Exodus.
Sonny's version also included a new phrase sung in the chorus.
's
original version was posted on NPG Online LTD on July 17, 2000 before the
entire track was released by the NPG Music Club on Feb. 20, 2001 along with
"Mad." The released version features
's
lead vocals.
G-Spot
Along with "Sex Shooter" and "Vibrator", "G-Spot"
was intended for a second Vanity 6 album.
The song is mentioned in, and segues from "Vibrator". Vocals are
by Prince on this early version, which is
less polished than what ended up on Jill Jones
album. The lyrics are practically the same, although at the end Prince imitates
James Brown, even calling out the name of Brown's sax player, Maceo
Parker, whom Prince would work with years later. The song may have
been intended for Purple
Rain at one point.
Get Blue
Using the same instrumentation from the "Open Book" outtake, this
ballad was given to Louie Louie for their
1993 Let's Get Started album. In the song,
Prince pleads to his lover to not hesitate
and listen to others in regards to their relationship.
Get On Up
"Get On Up" is alive recording with members of the Revolution
and Sheila E.'s band. The song is a cover
of the 1967 original by The Esquires (written
by Gilbert Moorer), which Prince
performed a portion of on the Act I tour
in 1993. Parts of the song were also used in "Everybody Get On Up"
on Carmen Electra's 1993 album.
Girl O' My Dreams
This rock-oriented track was recorded June 18, 1986, for a Broadway musical,
and features the expanded Revolution. The
song is about what Prince wants in a woman.
It was later drastically reworked and recorded by T.C.
Ellis for his 1991 True Confessions
album.
Girl Power
Sessions began in late 1987 for Sheila E.'s
fourth album with Prince, with this track
being included. The album was scrapped when Sheila left Paisley Park in
1989. Sheila provides the vocals and plays percussion, Boni
Boyer on organ, while Prince plays guitar on this number about the
empowerment of women.
Glam Slam '91
Broadcast on WLOL radio station in Minneapolis on January 6, 1991, this
song contains a sample from "Love Machine" and Duke
Ellington horn arrangements. Most of the lyrics ended up on "Gett
Off" from Diamonds
And Pearls, while the chorus is borrowed from "Glam Slam"
off Lovesexy.
Go Carmen Go
This unreleased track from Carmen Electra's
album is a rock-rap number with heavy guitars and a repeated chant of the
title by the Gameboyz. It contains a sample
of "Push" throughout the song, as well as James
Brown.
God Is Alive
"God Is Alive" was recorded at Olympic Studios in London, July 1988, on
the Lovesexy
tour. The song was placed on the first configuration of Graffiti
Bridge (September 1988) and the original Rave
Unto The Joy Fantastic album (October 1988). A part of the song was
often played on the Lovesexy tour, segued
from "I Wish U Heaven." "God Is Alive" is a raw, stripped down funk/rock
effort boasting an infectious vocal chant. Mavis
Staples shares lead vocals with Prince.
The song takes shape around a primitive-sounding drum machine beat and a
repetitious synth bass motif. Prince inserts fiery guitar chords and licks
throughout. He also adds some synth touches, but the arrangement is very
spartan and demo-like. The arrangement and overall sound is close to that
of "Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic," which was recorded around the same time.
The song reaffirms Prince's belief that God dwells inside of man. He urges
people to let God into their lives and "take a blissy ride," which will
make them "so happy, purely satisfied." His simple message for a better
world is "up with education, down with crime." The title of song is shown
in the Graffiti Bridge movie.
Good Man
This uptempo rock effort features guitar and keyboard. The speeded up vocals
by Prince are playful with many sampled voices.
A second version was also recorded with Dr. Mambo's
Combo's guitarist Billy Franze on
vocals. The song is a collaberation with Levi Seacer,
Jr.
The Grand Progression
This outtake was left off the Graffiti
Bridge record and film in favor of "Still Would Stand All
Time." It's a beautiful, gentle love song, set against delicate piano
playing and some touches of synth. It was meant to be the climatic song
of the movie.
Hey Louie Louie
Offered to Louie Louie, but turned down in
favor of "Get Blue," this upbeat rap number featuring Tony
M. uses the metaphor of a professional baseball player, Louie, who's
headed to the Hall of Fame.
High Fashion
Performed as a duet between Prince and St.
Paul, this version is very close to the released song on The
Family. There are a few lyrical differences, however, and this
take doesn't contain the strings in the released song.
Hit U In The Socket
Rosie Gaines sings lead vocals on "Hit U
In The Socket." The song was recorded in June 1991 (horns were added in
November 1992) and was originally placed on Gaines' Concrete
Jungle album, prepared for release on Paisley Park Records on March
22nd 1994. However, the album was withdrawn when the label was terminated.
"Hit U In The Socket" starts off sounding a great deal like Sam
and Dave's classic "Soul Man," but it soon develops into a fun, upbeat
pop number with a very funky feel. The lyric is more serious than the buoyant
music suggests, issuing a warning to "girls out there" to be aware of men
who lie and cheat to get what they want, namely sex. These men do not want
to commit to relationships, instead being free to see other women and being
with the boys. The expression of being "hit" in the "socket" is hardly one
of Prince's most subtle or imaginative metaphors.
The song was updated with new music and released in May, 2001 on the New
Power Generation Music Club.
Hold Me
Falsetto vocals by Prince, this song was
eventually given to Jevetta Steele for her
1993 Columbia Records (2nd edition) album Here It
Is and released as a US single. The song is quite an ordinary ballad,
which Prince initially offered to Anita Baker.
Honky Tonk Women
On October 8, 1993, the The Undertaker mini-concert
film featured this jam and showcased
,
Sonny T. and Michael
B. Only 1,000 copies of the video were sold. This Rolling
Stones cover features improvised lyrics and segues into "Bambi".
I Am The DJ
's
falsetto vocals and Eric Leeds' sax riff,
along with a catchy chorus, drive this funk dance groove along. Intended
for Emancipation,
implores everyone that he is the DJ, the first and only act that can take
you higher on the dance floor. The lyrics also pick on MTV's playlist.
I Can't Love U
Anymore
Prince recorded a demo of "I Can't Love U
Anymore" in a hotel room in Australia, while on the Diamonds
And Pearls tour in April, 1992. Written for I'll Do Anything,
the song is a stunningly beautiful piano ballad, with a delicate falsetto
vocal delivery by Prince, who laments the end of a relationship. Capturing
the emotion of the lyric, the song has a haunting, plaintive melody. The
song is a classic Prince heartbreak tale, addressed to a woman with "no
real love in [her] heart." The track has a great deal of potential if the
piano demo would become a fully-realized song.
I Hear Your Voice
This is Prince's demo version (lyrics "even
bought a new dress" is in his version also) given to Patti
LaBelle for her 1991 Burnin' album. The song, about an ex-lover, was co-produced with Rosie
Gaines & Francis Jules.
I Spend My Time Loving You
Demoed in 1976 on a cassette recorder, this is a calm and gentle number which Prince sings in a timid falsetto voice over delicate guitar picking. Prince sings about his love for a woman who replaces his pastime of "painting watercolor portraits". The track also makes an early reference to "the dawn", and God - "who changed the day into the night", both themes he would explore throughout his career. The overall wistful mood and acoustic arrangement foreshadow songs like "So Blue" and "Crazy You" on For You.
I Wonder
Layered vocals by Prince, this excellent
track concerns a man wondering if his lover knows how much he loves her
since "a gust of southern wind" took her away. It's quite similar
to "Elephants & Flowers" in vocal arrangement and melody.
I'll Do Anything
This jazz-flavored title track is from the unreleased movie soundtrack of
the same name by James L. Brooks. Prince
speaks of doing anything to be loved while the instrumentation features
a complex interplay between rhythm guitar, keyboard and bass.
If I Had A Harem
"If I Had A Harem" was recorded at Paisley Park in October 1988 in between
shows on the Lovesexy
tour. The track was placed on the 1988 version of the Rave
Unto The Joy Fantastic album. Interestingly, the circulating studio
version is remarkably different from the slow, bluesy Lovesexy
tour live version (released on video), which was titled "Blues In C (If
I Had A Harem)." In contrast, "If I Had A Harem" is a light and bouncy rockabilly-flavored
offering, featuring an additional keyboard riff that makes it quite different
from the live take. Prince also throws in
some jazzy guitar phrases. The lyrics of the two versions are essentially
the same but there are several minor differences. The song is lighthearted
and humorous, with Prince gently mocking his reputation as a stud. Prince
puts a twist on the theme as he explains that, if he had a harem of girls
"like all the papers say," he would only "have them for one reason: just
to take care of you."
If I Love U 2 Nite
First done by The Rebels in 1979, Prince
re-recorded this superior outtake with his falsetto vocals. It was then
given to Mica Paris for her 1990 Contribution
album. Mayte re-recorded it as "If I
Love U 2night" for her 1995 Child
Of The Sun album.
In A Large Room With
No Light
Eric Leeds' sax starts off this busy, animated
rock number with jazz overtones. The song has a lively spontaneous feel,
probably recorded with the expanded Revolution.
The music contradicts the serious lyrics, which concern the harshness
of life and feelings of being lost. Prince compares
life to "looking for a penny in a large room with no light". Originally
considered for the 19 track, 2-LP Dream Factory,
the song was later dropped.
Insatiable
The full 8:08 minute version of this Diamonds
and Pearls track contains all the lyrics printed in the CD booklet.
Also included are a few more instrumental sections and vocal ad-libs.
Irresistible Bitch
This original synth-dominated version segues from "Feel U Up,"
with Prince singing the lyrics James Brown-like.
It was re-recorded 2 years later as a B-side to "Let's Pretend We're
Married."
It Takes 3
An Exodus
leftover, "It Takes 3" was recorded during the initial sessions for the
album, in May 1994. Sonny Thompson sings
lead vocals on this relaxed but undistinguished jazz and blues-flavored
effort. The song has a typical NPG live sound, including The NPG Hornz and
an organ to the fore. The song is based around a fast bass line that repeats
throughout, interrupted only by an ascending horn riff derived from James
Brown (both "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "Cold Sweat" boast similar
riffs). Thompson alternatively sings and speaks the fairly sexist lyrics.
He is trying to convince his girlfriend to bring along a female friend the
next time they make love. After first trying to sweet-talk her, he makes
it quite clear that she cannot be with him unless she does as he says, warning
her, "If you ain't got a friend, you can't be with me."
It's A Wonderful Day
Intended for Dream Factory, "It's A
Wonderful Day" is a fairly nondescript uptempo number, and may have
been intended to be replaced at a later time, according to Susan
Rogers. Recorded in January, 1986, the song is a positive and upbeat
number and features prominent vocals from Lisa and
Wendy. Although discarded, some of the song may have been inspiration
for Camille track, "Good Love".
Jerk Out
This song dates back to 1982, but was re-recorded here by Mazarati,
along with "100 M.P.H." and "Kiss" for their 1986 album.
Prince retained "Kiss" for himself
and "Jerk Out" turned up on The Time's
1989 Pandemonium
album with Mazarati's BG vocals remaining intact. The lyrics are slightly
different.
The Juice
An early configuration of Carmen Electra's
album features "The Juice". It is a funky effort and easily one
of the better outtakes from the sessions. The message is upbeat and concerns
doing your best to achieve what you want in life. The song benefits from
strong sampled background vocals and a catchy chorus.
Journey 2 The Center
Of Your Heart
Copyrighted at ASCAP on August 25, 1995, this beautiful ballad by
was on an early configuration of Emancipation,
but never used. It was later given to Chaka Khan
for her 1998 Come 2 My House album and is
about the conquest of another's heart in spite of everything else.
Kiss (#1)
This demo was recorded in April, 1985 and given to Mazarati
, along with "100 M.P.H." and "Jerk Out" for their 1986
album. The demo only consists of Prince on
acoustic guitar singing the first verse and the chorus.
Kiss (#2)
Mazarati, along with David
Rivkin and Brown Mark, took Prince's
acoustic demo of "Kiss" and totally reworked it into this funk
number, which is quite similar to the released track. Upon hearing the new
version, Prince reclaimed the song, making very few changes for the Parade
track, even keeping Mazarati's backing vocals intact. Prince replaced Terry
Casey's lead vocal and added a rhythm guitar part and dropped out
the bass when he reclaimed the track
The Latest Fashion
Radically different than the Graffiti
Bridge version of "The Latest Fashion", this earlier
take is far superior. The song was originally written in 1987 and offered
to Dale for her Riot In English album. The version recorded for Corporate
World in 1989 did not reuse the music (and some lyrics) for "My
Summertime Thang" as in the released version. This version is darker
as Morris explains over the phone that he
was lying to his jilted partner (though she has been lying as well).
Leaving For New York
This is one of the most accomplished and interesting unreleased songs from
the pre-For
You years. Prince demoed the song
on a cassette recorder in 1976 and recorded a version of it at Moonsound the
same year. It is a gentle piano ballad with some very "Princely" lines, including
probably what is his first use of the words "purple", "rain" and "dawn".
The song is addressed to a lover, "a love extraordinaire", he is leaving
behind as he is going to New York. She is in pain but he assures her that she
will "overcome that misery". Oddly enough, the lyrics never specifies why
Prince is going to New York.
The Line
This song was recorded with the Lovesexy
tour band in late 1987. Prince wrote the
song in response to a poem by Ingrid Chavez
called "The Line." It is a sparse, monotonous bass-driven rock
number with prominent vocals by Sheila E.
and Boni Boyer. The song borrows some music
and lyrics from "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (by Thomas
A. Dorsey). Toward the end, a new dance called "The Kangaroo"
is introduced. The theme of "crossing the line" was used in the
Lovesexy shows.
Lisa
Although written alongside the Dirty
Mind material, this track instead points toward 1999
with its synth-dominated texture and use of a simple drum machine, creating
a hypnotic feel. Written tongue-in-cheek about new band member Lisa
Coleman, the lyrics state how Prince
knows Lisa is nasty and how he plans to take her away from her current man.
Live 4 Love
"Live 4 Love" was one of the first tracks written for Diamonds
and Pearls in late 1989 and updated in 1990. A chant of the title
which was lifted from the live version of "Purple Rain" from the
Nude Tour is sampled throughout this track.
There are a few lyrical differences from the released track and seems to
be sung with less passion. Prince also makes
use of his falsetto vocals here.
Love Machine (#1)
This is the first version of the song, featuring Prince
on lead vocals. There are some "dirtier" lyrics in this version
including: "Don't lie, you want some head that'll make you cry"
and "tunin' in to your pussy's psyche." It also contains the line
from the remix of "Partyman", "When I want sax, I call Candy",
referring to Candy Dulfer.
Love Or Money
This original is superior to the released version, being built around a
funky guitar riff that was removed when Prince
decided to release the track as the B-side to "Kiss." Prince also
uses his normal voice on the original.
Love...Thy Will Be Done
Demo vocals by Prince, this excellent track
about God was recorded by Martika for her
Martika's Kitchen album. The
NPG later updated the song and
has played it live several times. The instrumentation was later used again
on "One Of Us" from Emancipation.
Mad
This 1994 outtake is an appealing funky uptempo effort with a catchy chorus,
similar to "Acknowledge Me" and "Mr. Happy."
incorporates a high-pitched synth line that comes to the fore on the chorus.
The lyrics speak of
going mad if he ever gets the female protagonist into bed.
replaced his vocals with Sonny T.'s and the
song was included on the December 2nd 1994 sequence of Exodus.
's
original version was finally officially released as an MP3 on the New Power
Generation Music Club on Feb. 20, 2001 along with "Funky Design."
Make Believe
This I'll Do Anything outtake has Prince
playing bass up and down the fretboard, in addition to rhythm guitar and
organ fills. He alternates between speaking and singing the lyrics about
positive thinking and self-motivation.
Make It Through The
Storm
Arguably one of the best outtakes from the 1976-79 period, and re-recorded
several times, Prince sings this pop tune
in a soft timid voice that is lower than his trademark falsetto, which he
used almost exclusively until 1981. He describes his world as cold and empty
without his woman. It was later recorded again with Sue
Ann Carwell on a 1978 project.
Manic Monday
Originally recorded by Apollonia 6 with background
vocals by Prince for their self-titled album,
it was eventually replaced by "Happy Birthday, Mr. Christian"
at the last minute. It was then given to The Bangles
for their 1986 Different
Light album.
Martika's Kitchen
Demo vocals by Prince, the lead were simply
replaced by Martika for her Martika's
Kitchen album.
Me Touch Myself
A sparsely arranged track containing little more than a drum machine, bass,
and some synth embellishments. Prince's sings
the versus in a low whisper-like voice while the chorus is multi-layered.
Prince fantasizes about his woman which leads to sexual frustration.
Melody Cool
Recorded in early 1987, Prince's version
of "Melody Cool" is quite similar to the released version, but
lacks the intro as well as Mavis Staples '
ad-libs. The song may have roots back to a 1983 piano demo not in circulation.
After Mavis re-recorded it, the song was added to the 1988 Rave
Unto The Joy Fantastic album and later Graffiti
Bridge.
Mindbells
This is Prince's version given to Japanese
artist Kahoru Kohiruimaki for her 1989 Time
The Motion album. She simply substituted his vocals for her own.
The song has a production date of September 3rd, 1989, which probably refers
to the final mix date.
Miss Understood
Susannah Melvoin sings lead vocals on this
track, an outtake from The
Family album. The song is a cheerful pop exercise with somewhat
silly lyrics depicting Susannah as the misunderstood (play on words), lovelorn
girl. The drumming is similar to "Erotic City."
Miss You
An acoustic demo from 1979 about how much Prince
misses his woman, the ocean, the summer breeze, the blue skies, and, oddly
enough, "those big old fancy cars." It's one of 20 songs written
for the Prince
album.
Moonbeam Levels
Often titled "A Better Place 2 Die" by bootleggers, this classic
was recorded towards the end of the 1999
sessions. Prince played a brief part on tour
in Los Angeles, March 28th, 1983. It's an excellent melodic mid-tempo rock
number focusing on piano in the versus with a guitar giving the chorus added
punch, similar to "Free." The musical resemblance to "Free" may be one of the reasons
it was left off 1999. The lyrics dwell on imminent nuclear
war destruction and looking for "a better place to die."
Murph Drag
Recorded during the Corporate World sessions,
Morris Day sings lead on this funky number
about a dance that "only people with money can do." "Murph"
is slang for a thick roll of money, while "Murph drag" means the
money roll is so heavy, it drags along the ground. The title is mentioned
in "The Latest Fashion" on Graffiti
Bridge. It features various samples from the What
Time Is It? album and Candy Dulfer
on saxophone. An edit of the song was released in April 2001 on the New
Power Generation Music Club.
My Baby Knows How
To Love Me
This bouncy uptempo pop tune was pulled out of the vault to use on the 1989
Jill Jones project. Originally recorded in
1982, it sounds similar to some of the Vanity 6
material written around that time frame; however, the 1989 take contains
some sampling of the chorus and other "modern" updates. The lyrics
relate that Jill would never stray from a lover that knows how to treat
her.
My Pony
"My Pony" is an unreleased track written and produced by Prince
for George Clinton's Hey
Man... Smell My Finger. The song was recorded in 1990 (horns were
added in late January 1991). It was included on the first configuration
of Clinton's album, dated February 5th 1991. The song is a rather stiff
and monotonous funk number, livened up only by a jazzy horn arrangement
by Eric Leeds. Another homage to sex, Prince
draws a parallel between his lover and a pony, who makes him lose all self
control. Obviously, Prince liked the image of the unrestrained and free-spirited
pony, and it occurs in three songs from 1987-90: "Le Grind, "Alphabet St.",
and "Horny Pony."
My Summertime Thang
Updated from the 1983 recording, the Corporate World
version of "My Summertime Thang" contains movie dialogue from
an early draft of Graffiti
Bridge which was omitted from the final version. An "extended
portion" of the song reuses some of this dialogue and features some
guitar soloing by Prince. The song was reworked
for Pandemonium
with more singing. Also, the music and several lines of lyrics were used
in the Graffiti Bridge recording of "The
Latest Fashion". Also, one line, "You're fired" was used
in "Shake!"
My Tree
Mavis Staples' exclamation "leave my
tree alone" launches this track, an uptempo number with falsetto vocals
by Prince and backing vocals by Robin
Power. It was recorded during the Larrabee sessions in October 1990
for the "New Power Generation" maxi-single and segues into "Eliminate
The Negative." The lyrics warn that this is Prince's musical world
and if you don't like it, get out!
Neon Telephone
This is Prince's version he later gave to
Three O'Clock (after The
Jets turned it down) for their 1988 Vermillion
album. Recorded during the Parade
sessions, the song inspired the neon telephone in Under The Cherry Moon,
used by Mary to speak with Christopher. The lyrics are about a woman who
refuses to call Prince on account of her pride.
Nightingale
A serene and tender ballad demoed by Prince in
1976 on a cassette recorder. Prince's falsetto would appear to be double- or
even triple-tracked. The acoustic
guitar accompaniment is understated and sparse, so the song is almost an
a cappella piece. The lyrics speak from a prisoner's viewpoint about how
he's able to survive his jail term with his nightingale's love.
No Call U
This 1999
outtake is a frenzied rock-style effort built around a fluid synth bassline
and a straightforward drum machine beat, similar to "Turn It Up."
It injects a brief chorus to provide some variation. Prince
wants a girl to call him to confirm he is the only one. The song was tried
out for use by Vanity 6 and Jill
Jones.
Number One
Robin Power sent Prince a tape of her raps
in 1989 and although Prince said he wasn't
impressed, he brought her to Paisley Park
studios to work on some material. Number One is a rap that features the
backing music of "Elephants & Flowers" and a sampled vocal
from Prince. The lyrics and flow are very sub-par and it is not a surprise
that this track was not released. It was, however heard briefly in the Graffiti
Bridge film and sampled on the song "New Power Generation,
pt 2".
Old Friends 4 Sale
This slow bluesy classic is one of Prince's
most autobiographical songs in which he sings about Steve
Fargnoli, Wendy Melvoin, Jimmy
Jam and Terry Lewis, and the late
bodyguard Chick Huntsberry. A somber mood
is established from an eerie slightly discordant synth with a piano the
main accompaniment. Recorded during the Parade
sessions, two versions exist, with one including Clare
Fischer's orchestra. It was revised in 1991.
On Your Own
Lyrics about the dissolution of a relationship, this lively pop/soul effort
was written by
for Ashley Davis (who sings lead). It is
propelled by a bouncy synth bass and features extensive background vocals
by
,
as well as some nice piano work.
Oobey Doop
Featuring lead vocals by Elisa Fiorillo,
this track was recorded for the "New Power Generation" maxi-single
at the Larrabee sessions October 1990. The antiwar lyrics "Every time
I turn around, there's another war tryin' 2 bring me down" is a common
theme repeated by Prince.
Open Book
Prince's version is superior to Jevetta
Steele's cover on her 1993 Here It Is
album. Originally offered to Martika, this
beautiful ballad speaks of a possible failed relationship. It features piano
and synth.
Others Here With Us
Prince's experimental frame of mind is evident
on this track, a dark, strange number with a stark instrumentation made
up of tribal-like drumming and various sound effects, such as someone weeping.
Prince's vocals are harsh and confused, matching the nightmarish lyrics
mentioning death and suicide. Recorded during the Parade
sessions, it confirms Prince's belief the spirit lives on after death.
The P
Recorded in the autumn of 1992, "The P" was originally intended for Tevin
Campbell's I'm Ready album. The track
is an urgent, high-energy dance number with rapping by Prince.
It revolves around a loud, booming bass loop. The brief chorus is followed
by a simple horn-like motif that recalls "Fun" on Carmen
Electra. The texture is dense, featuring many different sampled sounds
and weird sound effects. "The P" is short for the penis, but the meaning
is too obvious (not unlike "The Big Pump," which Prince gave George
Clinton). Predictably, the song sexually preoccupied, with Prince
asking "how many ways can you work the P." He makes it clear to the women
he meets that he is only interested in a quick three-minute workout because
"real love takes time to satisfy." More than likely, Campbell found the
song far too dirty for his style. The lyrics mention Tevin numerous times
and quotes the phrase "Ebony American" from Tevin's album. Prince
sang this outtake live a couple of times in clubs.
P Control (House
Mix)
This remix was handed out on tape to VIP's only during the VH-1 Fashion
& Music Awards in Los Angeles, December 3rd 1995 and was performed during
the opening segment by
.
It contains the rap from "Get Wild" on the Exodus
album. The Club Mix version is on Crystal
Ball, with the original being from The
Gold Experience.
Player
A mid-tempo pop effort, somewhat reminiscent of "Money Don't Matter
2 Night, in which Prince alternates between
his normal speaking voice and falsetto vocals. Prince states he's tired
of being a player of the field and wants to settle down.
Poor Little Bastard
"Poor Little Bastard" was recorded in Australia, April 1992, along with
the other I'll Do Anything material. It features
the entire NPG, including The NPG Hornz, playing live in the studio. The
track is a gentle and sentimental pop ballad, sung in a tender falsetto
by Prince. Asking, "Where is your papa now?",
the lyric relates to the story of I'll Do Anything,
with an actor raising his young daughter while trying to get a job.
Possessed
An ode to James Brown in vocal style by Prince,
this track is built around a repeated synth line. It was later reworked
as an instrumental for the movie Purple
Rain. The lyrics concern Prince's obsession with a girl and his
inability to resist temptation. The song was added late to the Purple
Rain tour.
Power From Above
Originally planned to be the opening track of Carmen
Electra's album, "Power From Above" is a powerful uptempo
dance cut introduced by synths that recall Bruce
Springstein's "Born In The USA". The chorus of "Hey,
we got the power, oh, we got the soul" was originally from the outtake
"We Got The Power" and later used in "Batdance". Prince
also makes appearances as several humorous characters throughout the song.
Powerline
Carmen Electra raps over this stripped down
funky groove. The chorus features samples of Prince
singing "Power". The lyrics are very Prince-like (obviously) but
in an attempt to sound hip, they actually come off quite weak.
Purple Music
This uptempo effort uses a drum machine and synth bassline, in the same
vain as "All The Critics Love U In New York," while adding a "Controversy"-style
rhythm guitar. Prince's voice is electronically
manipulated to give the impression of getting high off his "purple"
music. The message is anti-drugs, only comparing the natural high of music
with the unnatural effects of drugs.
Rebirth Of The Flesh
Intended for the 8-track Camille album, Prince
recorded this song at Sunset Sound on October 28th 1986 on the same day
as "Rockhard In A Funky Place". When the Camille
album was shelved, the song was slated for inclusion on Prince's next album
project, Crystal Ball. It was going to be
the opening track segueing into "Play In the Sunshine". The NPG
Music Club made a 1988 rehearsal recording available in September 2001,
which means that all the Camille tracks have
now been officially released, although the original studio version remains
unreleased. "Rebirth Of the Flesh" is a rousing and somewhat chaotic rock,
spearheaded by a charged guitar riff. Prince's vocal is speeded-up. The
song features a nonsensical sing-along chorus, "La, la, la, la, la, la,
Souli-a-Colia". The 1988 live rendition is quite faithful to theoriginal
studio recording. Miles Davis' early '50s
classic Birth Of The Cool seems to have provided
inspiration for the song title and some of the lyrics. Incidentally, Birth
Of The Cool includes a track by Gerry Mulligan
called "Venus De Milo", a title Prince borrowed for a Parade
instrumental. The song introduces "the fathers of the new boogie cool",
who have "got the beat you're looking for". They are guaranteed to rock
the audience because they are from "the old school". Slightly altered, the
introductory lyrics, "Kick drum pound on the two and four, all the party
people get on the floor", turned up in "Escape" (the B-side of "Glam Slam"
in 1988) and as the opening words of the Lovesexy show. The melody
of the chorus "Walk Don't Walk" on Diamonds
and Pearls also borrows from "Rebirth Of The Flesh".
The Ride
premiered this blues number during the Act II tour aftershows. On
October 8th 1993, the The Undertaker mini-concert
film featured this jam and showcased
,
Sonny T. and Michael
B. Only 1,000 copies of the video were sold. This is the studio version,
whereas the Crystal
Ball version is live.
Rock Me, Lover
This track was recorded by Prince on a cassette recorder in 1976. he also recorded a version of the song in his Edina home in 1978. The originally cassette version of the demo is not dissimilar to "Don't You Wanna Ride?", another 1976 demo, being created around a guitar riff that repeats from start to finish. Prince sings in a falsetto voice accompanied only by his acoustic guitar. The raunchy lyrics provides clear hints where he was heading. Prince says that "Feels so good I could scream" when he and his lover "get down" and that his lover sure knows "how to cream". He asks her "Won't you rock me, lover? let me feel your heat up next to mine."
The Ryde Dyvine
"The Ryde Dyvine" was played by the Sonny
Thompson-led The Crayons on The
Ryde Dyvine TV film, broadcast Dec 19, 1992. The Crayons included Morris
Hayes and members from Dr. Mambo's Combo.
The project later became Minneapolis. "The
Ryde Dyvine" is an energetic, uptempo number that invites listeners
to explore their mind. The song promote racial harmony through music. The
song was later released on a withdrawn cassette single and later a rare
CD single, making it "semi-unreleased."
Schoolyard
Written and recorded on the Nude tour, Prince
talked about the song in the October 1990 Rolling Stone interview. The lyrics
tell a story of a 16-year-old boy with the help of his friend trying to
seduce a girl while listening to Tower Of Power.
Intended for Diamonds
And Pearls, background vocals are by Rosie
Gaines.
The Second Coming
This prerecorded a cappella track by Prince
opened the Controversy
tour set. It concerns the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and a warning to
all His children to learn how to love, in addition to gun control (a similar
topic in "Annie Christian"). A film concept of the same name was
considered by Prince to document the Controversy
Tour but was eventually canceled.
Seven Corners
"Seven Corners" features the spoken lyrics by Ingrid
Chavez set to music by Prince and
Levi Seacer, Jr. Summarizing the plot of
Graffiti Bridge,
Chavez recites the lyrics over a sparse backing
with an echoed drum beat and piano. Some lines from the song were spoken
in the film.
The Sex Of It
Played live a couple of times in 1987, Prince
recorded this track in July after the Sign
'O' The Times tour. It's about a two-way relationship wherein
he loves her but she wants him for the sex. It was eventually given to Kid
Creole & The Coconuts for their 1990 Private
Waters In The Great Divide album. Also in circulation is a 45-minute
rehearsal of Prince teaching the song 2 his
band.
Sex Shooter
The original Vanity
6 version of this song has the same basic lyrics that appears
on Apollonia
6, but it includes Prince singing
"Come on, kiss the gun, guaranteed 4 fun," as well as some miscellaneous
background vocals. The song ends with a scream from Prince, as if he were
an unwilling victim of Vanity's firearm.
The instrumentation is unpolished and lacks the punch and clean sound of
the final Apollonia 6 version. It was intended
for Vanity 6's second album.
She's Just A Baby
From early 1981, this slightly blues-flavored number features Prince
singing in falsetto about his love of a young girl. It's a more subdued
expression of the "Uptown" concept of doing what you feel is right
and not prejudging people - in this case, age.
Slave 2 The System
Originally on Emancipation,
it eventually evolved into "Slave" where the marching drums were
retained from this laid-back funky groove.
sings about his future being arranged and the future of black men in general,
even before birth. It contains some nice rhythm guitar work and Clare
Fischer's strings. The completed Exodus
outtake by The NPG is much faster with angry
vocals.
Snow Man
This brilliant delicate ballad creates a nostalgic feel with Nona
Gaye singing low over an understated synth backing. The highly personal
track, written by
concerns memories of her father, Marvin Gaye,
and her childhood in Belgium.
Soft And Wet (#2)
This second version was updated with a sparser and tighter arrangement than
the original 1976 recording. The lyrics were changed, although still slightly
different from the one released on For
You.
Something Funky This
House Comes
Tony M. raps this outtake from Diamonds
and Pearls. It's more of an introduction to the band than a proper
song though. It debuted during the Glam Slam concert on Jan 6, 1991. Tony
mentions all the band members except for Sonny T.
and Damon D.
Something In The Water
(Does Not Compute)
This version features a piano to the fore and a prominent bass, as well
as different vocal take from the 1999
version. Prince's piano playing is a delight
and this alternate version is superb. The released version is a lot sparser,
with the piano and bass being removed and vocals added.
Soul Psychodelicide
The title, conceived around 1986 during the Crystal
Ball sessions, is mentioned in "Joy In Repetition" off
the Graffiti Bridge
soundtrack as being "a year long." This polished hip-hop original
is from 1989 and features Prince on vocals
and a catchy chorus guitar riff. The guitar riff is taken from the intro
instrumental famous on the "Small Club" aftershow boot of 1988.
All other versions feature George Clinton
on vocals.
Soul Psychodelicide
(#2)
Mentioned in "Joy In Repetition" off Graffiti
Bridge, this version features George
Clinton on vocals over Prince's vocals
from the original. The guitar is removed from the chorus and the song is
filled with samples, most notably a sample from "Cloreen Bacon Skin."
Spirit
Demo vocals by Prince, the lead were simply
replaced by Martika for her Martika's
Kitchen album.
Strange Relationship
This Sign 'O' The
Times track was originally recorded in 1982, but updated in 1985
by Wendy and Lisa. They added backing vocals,
a sitar-like sound and other ideas to the mix. The track was going to be
used on the canceled Dream Factory project.
Prince later updated the track with a new
vocal and other changes for the Camille LP,
and that recording survived through the editing of the Crystal
Ball 3 LP into Sign 'O' The Times.
Super Hero
Originally given to Earth, Wind & Fire for
their 1993 Millennium album and then re-recorded
by The NPG for the 1994 Blankman
soundtrack, this version features
on vocals. Another version exist with Sonny T.
on vocals.
Sweet Thing
This track was recorded by Prince on a cassette recorder in 1976. Similar to other tracks such as "Rock Me, Lover" and "I Spend My Time Loving You", Prince is accompanied only by acoustic guitar. The cover version is lyrically faithful to the original track by Rufus and Chaka Khan.
Teacher, Teacher
Originally recorded in 1982, "Teacher, Teacher" was revamped in
1986 with additional input by Lisa and Wendy
and included on various configurations of Dream
Factory. The song recalls "Neon Telephone" in it's whimsical
nature, featuring harpsichord and a organ riff reminiscent of 50's rock-and-roll.
The lyrics concern a female student fighting off the advances of a horny
teacher. "Teacher, Teacher" was offered to the group Three
O'Clock when they signed with Paisley Park Records, but it was turned
down in favor of "Neon Telephone".
Thrill You Or Kill
You
Andre Cymone's "Thrill You Or Kill You"
is built around a funky bassline. Much like "Head", which it recalls
in many ways, it is a one-chord funk effort, with a quick lead in before
the chorus. It also features some very "Princely" synth embellishments,
as well as lyrics which may have later inspired "Irresistible Bitch".
Although the song threatens violence, it was probably written tongue in
cheek. Recorded during The Rebels sessions
in 1979.
Tick, Tick, Bang
Recorded in the summer of 1981 at Prince's home studio, this original is
faster in arrangement and instrumentation than the Graffiti
Bridge version. This Controversy
outtake contains Prince's falsetto vocals,
which were similar in other songs from the sessions.
Thieves In The Temple
The final track added to Graffiti
Bridge ended up being the first single from the album. This demo
consists of Prince singing in falsetto, accompanied
by an acoustic guitar. There are a few differences in the lyrics, though
it's close to the released version.
Train
Prince spent three days in his home studio,
July 7th to 9th taping "Train" for the Dream
Factory project. It was later revamped for use by Mavis
Staples. The version released on Time
Waits For No One retains the basic tracks of Prince's original
recording for Dream Factory. The song uses
an unusual drum machine sound to mimic a train engine, as well as a traditional
R&B horn performance by Eric Leeds and
Atlanta Bliss.
Turn It Up
This outtake is a fast rockabilly-influenced effort, similar to "Horny
Toad," propelled by a drum machine and a relentless pumping synth bassline.
Prince's animated vocals compare his body
to a radio, imploring his lover to come and play with his controls.
U Gotta Shake Something
Recorded on December 30, 1985, this track was taped during The
Flesh sessions even though it was not planned for the album. It is
a spontaneous funky jam featuring Prince
on whatever, Sheila E. on drums, Eric
Leads on sax and Levi Seacer, Jr.
on bass. The crowd sound was mixed into the recording and a DJ introduces
the band.
Uh-Huh!
A blues-tinged number built around a funky bassline which Prince
wrote for Ray Charles for use in a 1991 Diet
Pepsi commercial. Reportedly, Prince received a cool $7 million for the
slogan. The lyrics are about the virtues of a positive, spiritual frame
of mind.
Vibrator
"Vibrator" is a hilarious number that is essentially Vanity's
ode to her battery-operated sex toy. This classic Vanity
6 track was recorded in the summer of 1983 in preparation for their
second album. It utilizes a drum machine and synth bassline while featuring
Prince as a female storekeeper who eventually,
after trying Jill Jones' store, sells Vanity
her much needed batteries for her "body massager." Prince later
used Vanity's vocals on the Madhouse 8
album and the track "Orgasm" from Come.
The Voice (#1)
"The Voice" was the first song recorded for Mavis
Staples' second Paisley Park Records album. This is Prince's
original version of the song, with vocals by him. The song is very close
to what was released, but may be a bit less spontaneous than Mavis's version.
The Voice (#2)
This remix of "The Voice" was most likely intended for a single release
from the album, but never materialized. The song is a bit more dance oriented,
although the main lyrics are the same. Tony M.
adds a rap at the end.
The Voice Inside
Written after Lovesexy
in the summer of 1988, "The Voice Inside" was intended to be a track on
the 1988 LP, Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic.
The album was abandoned when Prince got involved
with the Batman
project and this track is one of the two from the album that remains unreleased.
The song is an uplifting number urging everyone to listen to the voice of
positivity when we feel the urge to succumb to negative vices. Musically,
the song is uptempo and features a number of playful sound effects, similar
to some of the Lovesexy
material. It segues into "Melody Cool", which later was released
on Graffiti Bridge,
along with several other tracks from Rave Unto The
Joy Fantastic.
We Can Funk
This cut was recorded June 17, 1986, along with "Can't Stop This Feeling
I Got" and "Databank" for a Broadway musical. Segued from
"Can't Stop This Feeling I Got", this original is excellent, quite
different from the Graffiti
Bridge version. It's a slow sensuous funk number with a whispered
chorus and brass, heavy bass and lots of organ. It features a guitar solo
from Miko Weaver. This song was was originally
recorded in 1983 and known as "We Can Fuck", and it is those backing
tracks that were used in the Graffiti
Bridge version.
We Can Funk (#2)
This version of the Graffiti
Bridge track features mainly George Clinton
on vocals and contains additional instrumental background vocals and synths.
It also has a few vocals that were not included in the album version. Other
than that is it very similar to what was released.
We Can Work It Out
Singing in his regular voice, Prince sells
himself to Warner Bros. Records as the lyrics "Making music naturally,
me and WB" indicate. Ironically, 20 years later,
is now free from any contract with Warner Bros. It's likely he recorded
this outtake after signing a contract for his first 3 albums in June, 1977.
We Got The Power
"We Got The Power" was recorded in October 1988, in between shows on the
Lovesexy
tour. The song is sometimes referred to as "Dance With Power," but the engineer
who worked on the song remembers it as "We Got The Power." The track is
preceded by a brief robotic-sounding countdown lifted from Roger
Vadim's 1967 film Barbarella. This countdown was later used
in "Live 4 Love" on the Diamonds
And Pearls album. "We Got The Power" is a fast, exuberant dance
number propelled by a pumping synth bass, not dissimilar to the later "The
Undertaker". The bass and a percussive drum machine beat provide a foundation
on top of which Prince adds dissonant horn-like
riffs and all manner of sound effects. The chorus features a multi-tracked
choir with female vocalists, most likely Boni Boyer
and Sheila E., singing along with Prince.
The chorus, slightly changed, was lifted for use in "Batdance." A chant
of "hey, we got the power, oh we got the soul" also became an important
ingredient in the Carmen Electra outtake
"Power From Above." It is obvious that Prince is referring to the power
of God and the song ties in with the predominantly spiritually-oriented
material Prince was writing at the time.
Well Done
The circulating version of "Well Done" is more or less identical
to the released version on The Steeles' Heaven Help Us All album, only with
Prince's vocals instead of The
Steeles'. The track dates back to 1990, when Prince worked on three
songs with David Z. Rivkin and Levi
Seacer Jr.: "Well Done," "And How" (released
on the first edition of Jevetta Steele's
Here It Is album), and "Move Me" (still unreleased). Prince later
revamped "Well Done" for Heaven Help Us
All, claiming sole credit for the song because he felt the new version
was substantially different from the original recording. Rivkin, Levi, and
JD Steele objected, however, preferring the
first version, which featured many musical differences, including Rivkin's
drum programming. The record company, Elektra, also liked the original recording
better so it was chosen for inclusion on the album. In spite of this, Prince
kept Rivkin and Levi out of the songwriting credits on the album (the song
was originally registered at ASCAP in May, 1991 featuring all three as songwriters).
The circulating version is the original take, with Rivkin's drum track.
Wendy's Parade
"Christopher Tracy's Parade" was originally recorded as this outtake.
The song is basically the same but with a reference to Wendy's
guitar (rhymes with "car" in the next line) as opposed to Tracy's
piano. Incidentally, Prince sings "little
girl Wendy's parade" in "Kiss" right before the third verse.
Witness 4 The Prosecution
This raw, hard, bluesy rock number featuring Prince's
guitar was recorded during the Dream Factory
sessions. It was embellished with horns and background vocals by Wendy,
Lisa, Susannah and Eric Leads. Prince uses a court analogy in describing
his love/hate relationship with his woman.
Witness 4 The Prosecution
(#2)
Prince re-recorded "Witness" in
October, 1986, possibly for inclusion on his new project, Crystal
Ball. The new version features additional lyrics and totally new
music. Although the song features a rough guitar and keyboards, the main
instrumentation is made up of bass and drums, quite similar to "Bob
George."
Wonderful Ass
Dating back to 1983, this funky pop effort was updated in 1986 using synth,
rhythm guitar and a loud dominating drum machine. It's about a girl's ass
making up for her lack of understanding Prince's
quirky ways. Wendy and Lisa updated Prince's
original and at one point chant "The Revolution will be heard!"
Work That Fat
Recorded over the instrumentation from "Martika's Kitchen," this
hilarious number about "fat" girls features "Bob George"-style
vocals from Prince and a guitar solo from
Mike Scott, who later joined the band in
1997.
Wouldn't You Love
To Love Me? (#2)
Re-recording the 1976 original several times, Prince
most likely recorded this version in his home studio in 1978. Later in the
year, it was worked on again for a project with Sue
Ann Carwell. It was finally copyrighted this track in 1980. Using
bass guitar, keyboard and a soft drum machine, it was eventually given to
Taja Sevelle for her 1987 self-tiled album.
Wow!
This song is just a segment of the I'll Do Anything
medley performed by the cast of the movie. The song also exists with vocals
by Prince, but it is not in circulation.
The song contains the ethereal sounds often heard on the
album, and the ending is very similar to "Be My Mirror". The lyrics
are uplifting and hopeful.
You
"You" is one of the most original songs recorded during The
Rebels sessions: a hard, driving, guitar-fuelled rock tune with a
fast pulse and playful synth effects. Gayle Chapman
sings lead vocals in falsetto. The song was drastically updated in 1987
and re-titled "U". It was that recording from which Paula
Abdul's version is based.
Your Love Is So Hard
Not intended for any album, this track is sparse and upbeat with lots of
sampled brass, strings and voice embellishments by Prince.
Prince tells a story of woman who treats him bad. The song was a collaberation
with Levi Seacer, Jr.
Zannalee
re-recorded the song for Chaos
And Disorder, but this outtake is stripped down using mainly
guitar, drums and bass. A video for the song was shot in 1994.