Born and raised in Minneapolis, Prince signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19, soon releasing the albums For You (1978) and Prince (1979). He went on to achieve critical success with the influential albums Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982). His sixth album, Purple Rain (1984), was recorded with his new backing band the Revolution, and was also the soundtrack to the film of the same name in which he starred. Purple Rain garnered continued success for Prince and was a major commercial achievement, spending six consecutive months atop the Billboard 200 chart. The soundtrack also won Prince the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. After disbanding the Revolution, Prince released the album Sign o' the Times (1987), widely hailed by critics as the greatest work of his career. In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he changed his stage name to the unpronounceable symbol logo. Hollow circle above downward arrow crossed with a curlicued horn-shaped symbol and then a short bar (known to fans as the "Love Symbol") and was often referred to as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince (or TAFKAP) or simply The Artist.
After signing with Arista Records in 1998, Prince reverted to his original name in 2000. Over the next decade, six of his albums entered the U.S. top 10 charts. In April 2016, at the age of 57, Prince died after accidentally overdosing on fentanyl at his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. He was a prolific musician who released 39 albums during his life, with a vast array of unreleased material left in a custom-built bank vault underneath his home after his death, including fully completed albums and over 50 finished music videos. He also released songs under multiple pseudonyms during his life, as well as writing songs that were made popular after being covered by other musicians, most notably "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor and "Manic Monday" by the Bangles. Estimates of the complete number of songs written by Prince range anywhere from 500 to well over 1,000. Released posthumously, his demo albums Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018) and Originals (2019) both received critical acclaim.
Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. His awards included the Grammy President's Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016, and was inducted twice into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician)
Studio albums
For You (1978)
Prince (1979)
Dirty Mind (1980)
Controversy (1981)
1999 (1982)
Purple Rain (1984)
Around the World in a Day (1985)
Parade (1986)
Sign o' the Times (1987)
Lovesexy (1988)
Batman (1989)
Graffiti Bridge (1990)
Diamonds and Pearls (1991)
Love Symbol (1992)
Come (1994)
The Black Album (1994)
The Gold Experience (1995)
Chaos and Disorder (1996)
Emancipation (1996)
Crystal Ball (1998)
The Truth (1998)
The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (1999)
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999)
The Rainbow Children (2001)
One Nite Alone... (2002)
Xpectation (2003)
N·E·W·S (2003)
The Chocolate Invasion (2004)
The Slaughterhouse (2004)
Musicology (2004)
3121 (2006)
Planet Earth (2007)
Lotusflow3r (2009)
MPLSound (2009)
20Ten (2010)
Plectrumelectrum (2014)
Art Official Age (2014)
HITnRUN Phase One (2015)
HITnRUN Phase Two (2015)
Posthumous releases:
Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018)
Originals (2019)
Welcome 2 America (2021)
Prince also released two albums credited to Madhouse, three albums credited to the New Power Generation, and one credited to the N.P.G. Orchestra:
Madhouse:
8 (1987)
16 (1987)
The New Power Generation:
Goldnigga (1993)
Exodus (1995)
Newpower Soul (1998)
The N.P.G. Orchestra:
Kamasutra (1997)
For Serbian singer Princ, please use Princ.
Dear Michaelangelo
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A peasant of female persuasion
Used to cry for Michaelangelo
To save her from death's invitation
Some say this woman was crazy
Others say this woman was possessed
But just one look at her face
Oh dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
And I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
By summer's end came many offers
All of which the peasant refused
She wanted Michaelangelo
And no other, no other man would do
No one could speak of passion and touch her
Touch her the way that he does
No one except Michaelangelo
It was him
Or a life without love
Dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
And I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
A life without love
A life without love
Don't die
Don't die without love
Dear Michaelangelo
Dear Michaelangelo
Dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
And I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
Dear
Dear
Dear Michaelangelo, angel
Dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
Dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
And I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
The lyrics of "Dear Michaelangelo" tell the story of a woman, described as a peasant, who deeply admires and desires the renowned artist Michaelangelo. This woman sees Michaelangelo as her savior, someone who can rescue her from the inevitability of death. While some perceive her as crazy or possessed, the intensity of her emotions towards him is undeniable. The mention of Florence's gardens, a place known for its beauty and art, creates a backdrop for her longing.
The woman speaks of Michaelangelo's paintings and how they transport her into his world, where she can be intimately connected to him. She desires to be with him not only in her thoughts but also in a physical sense, in his bed. This illustrates her yearning and obsession with the artist. She believes that no one else can ignite the passion within her and touch her as he does. Any proposal or offer from others is rejected because she only wants Michaelangelo.
The plea for Michaelangelo's presence intensifies as the song progresses. The woman desperately calls out to him, asking him to color the dreams in her head, indicating her desire for him to bring joy and make her fantasies come alive. She believes that he can save her from death's invitation, suggesting that his love and companionship are the only things that can make her feel truly alive.
The repeated phrase "A life without love" emphasizes the woman's fear of a loveless existence. She implores Michaelangelo not to let her die without experiencing love. This sentiment further reinforces her belief that he is the only one for her, and she will not engage in intimate relationships with anyone unless they possess qualities that resemble his.
In conclusion, "Dear Michaelangelo" depicts a woman entranced by the art and persona of Michaelangelo, longing for his love and companionship. She believes that only he can color the dreams in her head and save her from a life without love. The song explores themes of obsession, desire, and the power of art in inspiring deep emotions and connections.
Line by Line Meaning
Every summer in the gardens of Florence
Every year, during the summer season, in the beautiful gardens of Florence
A peasant of female persuasion
A woman of humble origins, with a strong determination
Used to cry for Michaelangelo
Would weep and plead for Michaelangelo's help
To save her from death's invitation
To rescue her from the grasp of mortality
Some say this woman was crazy
Some people believed she was mentally unstable
Others say this woman was possessed
Others thought she was under the influence of supernatural forces
But just one look at her face
But with a single glance at her expression
And it's evident to her he was the best (Oh)
It becomes clear to her that Michaelangelo was the greatest artist
Oh dear Michaelangelo
Oh beloved Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
Bring vibrancy and life to the visions in my mind
I look at your paintings
When I gaze upon your artworks
And I'm with you in your bed
I feel intimately connected to you
Save me from death's invitation
Rescue me from the looming specter of mortality
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
I will only engage in romantic relationships with someone who embodies your essence
By summer's end came many offers
As the summer season neared its conclusion, numerous suitors appeared
All of which the peasant refused
Yet she rejected all of them
She wanted Michaelangelo
She yearned solely for Michaelangelo
And no other, no other man would do
She desired no one else; no other man could satisfy her
No one could speak of passion and touch her
No one could express and ignite passion within her
Touch her the way that he does
Evoke the intense sensations that only he could impart
No one except Michaelangelo
Excluding Michaelangelo from this equation
It was him
He was the one
Or a life without love
Otherwise, she would endure a loveless existence
A life without love
An existence void of affection
Don't die
Do not succumb to death
Don't die without love
Do not depart from this world without experiencing love
Dear Michaelangelo
Beloved Michaelangelo
Dear
Dearest
Dear Michaelangelo, angel
Oh precious Michaelangelo, heavenly being
Lyrics © IMRAS (INT'L MUSIC RYLTY ADMIN SERV)
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cain
Every summer in the gardens of Florence
A peasant of female persuasion
Used to cry for Michaelangelo
To save her from death's invitation
Some say this woman was crazy
Others say this woman was possessed
But just one look at her face
And it's evident to her he was the best (Oh)
Oh dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
And I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
By summer's end came many offers
All of which the peasant refused
She wanted Michaelangelo
And no other, no other man would do
No one could speak of passion and touch her
Touch her the way that he does
No one except Michaelangelo
It was him
Or a life without love
Dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
And I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
A life without love
A life without love
Don't die
Don't die without love
Dear Michaelangelo
Dear Michaelangelo
Dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
And I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
Dear
Dear
Dear Michaelangelo, angel
Dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
Dear Michaelangelo
Color the dreams in my head
I look at your paintings
And I'm with you in your bed
Dear Michaelangelo
Save me from death's invitation
I'll make love to no one unless he's of your persuasion
SmiteSesh
I'm 25 years old and I get this strange sense of nostalgia of a time I didn't even exist. Wish I was born earlier...
Funkyfreshdapperdan
You and me both my man. This is pure perfection
Sweet Sweet
That voice is still like fresh snow. Like it's my first time hearing him sing. I Love This Feeling.😍💖
Katy Martin
Oh really Sweet Sweet?
Derrick Washington
Join the club.
Melanie P
Me 2!
TIffanyrose Angeles
Christa Sweet great metaphor!!🤗❤️❤️
Jeeya
Sis, what a beautifully perfect description. 💜
Wendy Bone
Prince is the Michaelangelo of music--he paints with sounds <3
Regina Simmons
Prince was a true and sincere visionary. He knew exactly how to record songs. He knew if the song was a ballad, rock anthem, dance song, rap/hi-hop vibes, jazz, blues, R&B , blues or alternative.