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.
Eye No
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clap your hands, and stomp your feet
Everybody, everybody knows
When love calls, you gotta go
Welcome 2 the new power generation
The reason my voice is so clear
Is there's no smack in my brain
I know there is a heaven, I know there is a hell
Listen 2 me people, I got a story to tell
I know there was confusion lightnin' all around me
That's when I called his name don't you know he found me
No! Is what spooky electric say, it's not ok
But I know love is the only way till my dying day
No til my dying day I'll be ok
Cuz lovesexy is the one til my day is done
Hundalasiliah
I know there is a devil because he talks so loud
He makes you do things that your friends do, hang out with the crowd
But my lord he is so quiet when he calls your name
When you hear it your heart will thunder
You will want 2 hear it every day
No! (people) is what spooky electric say (everbody say)
But don't you know that I know
Love is the only way, til my dying day
No til my dying day I'll be ok
'Cause lovesexy is the one til my day is done
Hundalasiliah
Alright y'all, everybody in the house (serve it up, frankie)
Here's what I want you 2 do
Raise your hand up, straight in the air
Swing it 2 the right, savoir faire
Up on the 2, swing on the 4
Everybody on the dancefloor
Sha-ho, sha-ho, sha-ho, sha-ho
Y'all ain't got it together
Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead
Raise your hand up, straight in the air
(Let's get it up, let's get it up)
Yeah
Say no
(Say no) no if you can't find your way everybody say
(Say no) no if you're afraid, everybody ain't got it made
(Say no) if you want a drug other than the god above
No if you need a drink every single day
Blow that devil away!
Say yes
Yes if you want this feeling called love
(Come on 'ya, say)
Yes if you want it now raise your hand 2 the man above
(Yes) up on the 2, swing right on the 4
We want everybody 2 open this door!
Say no if you don't wanna live life under the gun
(I know) we know a better way 2 have some fun
(I know) I know there is a heaven and a hell
I know there is a heaven and a hell
The lyrics of Prince's song Eye No seem to center around the themes of love, heaven, hell, and the devil. The opening lines of the song present seemingly simple truths, stating that rain is wet, sugar is sweet, and when love calls, one has to answer. These lines precede the lyrics of the chorus, where Prince welcomes the new power generation. He mentions that his voice is clear, without any 'smack' or drugs influencing him. The chorus also features a repetitive chant, 'Hundalasiliah,' which seems to be a reference to the Hallelujah, a Hebrew word expressing praise, joy, and thanksgiving.
The verse that follows talks about Prince's knowledge of heaven and hell. He claims to have called God's name when there was chaos around him, and God found him. Prince also acknowledges the devil's existence, who talks loudly and makes people do things that their friends do, but is also quiet when he calls one's name. The song ends with Prince exhorting the listener to say no to things that don't lead to a good life under the gun and to say yes to love and the man above.
Overall, the song appears to be a call to a higher power, asking people to turn away from negative influences and embrace love and positivity.
Line by Line Meaning
Rain is wet, and sugar is sweet
Life has its simple truths - it's up to us to recognize and accept them.
Clap your hands, and stomp your feet
Don't be afraid to express yourself, be joyful, and participate fully in life.
Everybody, everybody knows
When love calls, you gotta go
We all recognize the importance of love in our lives and the need to follow its lead.
Welcome 2 the new power generation
The reason my voice is so clear
Is there's no smack in my brain
Hundalasiliah
Prince introduces us to his new band and reveals that his clear-headedness has given him a renewed strength and faith.
I know there is a heaven, I know there is a hell
Listen 2 me people, I got a story to tell
I know there was confusion lightnin' all around me
That's when I called his name don't you know he found me
Prince shares a story of redemption amidst personal struggles and reminds us to turn towards hope in difficult times.
No! Is what spooky electric say, it's not ok
But I know love is the only way till my dying day
No til my dying day I'll be ok
Cuz lovesexy is the one til my day is done
Hundalasiliah
Prince asserts his belief in the power of love over negativity, using the phrase 'spooky electric' to represent its opposite. He finds solace in the spiritual plane, embodied by 'lovesexy'.
I know there is a devil because he talks so loud
He makes you do things that your friends do, hang out with the crowd
But my lord he is so quiet when he calls your name
When you hear it your heart will thunder
You will want 2 hear it every day
Prince reflects on the lure of temptation and the struggle against it. He finds that the call of the divine is strong enough to overpower it.
Alright y'all, everybody in the house (serve it up, frankie)
Here's what I want you 2 do
Raise your hand up, straight in the air
Swing it 2 the right, savoir faire
Up on the 2, swing on the 4
Everybody on the dancefloor
Sha-ho, sha-ho, sha-ho, sha-ho
Y'all ain't got it together
Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead
Prince commands his audience to dance and let loose, using specific instructions for each beat. He encourages them to find their own rhythm and let go of inhibitions.
Say no
(Say no) no if you can't find your way everybody say
(Say no) no if you're afraid, everybody ain't got it made
(Say no) if you want a drug other than the god above
No if you need a drink every single day
Blow that devil away!
Prince reminds us to say 'no' to things that might harm us, such as drugs and alcohol. He encourages us to reject fear and to smash through temptation when it arises.
Say yes
Yes if you want this feeling called love
(Come on 'ya, say)
Yes if you want it now raise your hand 2 the man above
(Yes) up on the 2, swing right on the 4
We want everybody 2 open this door!
Prince urges us to say 'yes' to the transformative power of love and faith. He envisions a communal gathering in which everyone embraces this message and shares it with others.
Say no if you don't wanna live life under the gun
(I know) we know a better way 2 have some fun
(I know) I know there is a heaven and a hell
I know there is a heaven and a hell
Prince advocates for a life that is free from harm and control, and encourages us to seek out our own joy. He returns to the theme of heaven and hell as a metaphor for the choices we make in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yvette Sanchez
This is very funky!! Prince really knew how to get down!! I love the beat & this song & that one of a kind amazing voice!! & Prince always did such incredible moves on stage & in his music videos!! He was truly a master musician, singer, dancer, actor, performer, & song writer!!
Eve Catherine
Prince is the god of funkiness 😎
Yvette Sanchez
@Eve Catherine Hello, my dear friend!! Great thanks for reading my comment!! & Great thanks for a wonderful reply!! I love what you wrote!! & I agree with you 100%!! Only our forever beloved, sweet Prince is the god of funkiness!! & He is truly The Ultimate in every way at that!!
I hope that life will always give you the very best of everything & total happiness, my dear friend, gypsylee73!!
Prince Is Eternal!! Purple Power!! Peace Always!!
🕊️💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🕊️
Tzipporah36
Prince just has the ability to infuse such soul,.groove, funk, love and power into everything he does.
He is missed every moment..
💜💜💜💜💔
Azzam Zamzam
And Rock, Pop, Blues and Jazz
Barry McKinney
Dig this version....Its live, stripped down, and funky.
At his worst he was better than most....😎
Horrorpowerfilms
Great version, I don't know about the funkiest version ever, but thank you for sharing, always a blast to hear new Prince versions.
Donald Bowers
I'm so happy to be hearing all of this. This era was so good. His music was huge in my life. Everyday I listened to this... the album version but I love this also...
Orbsy Orb
Love it, love it, love it! Fun song. I can see Prince smiling and having fun while playing that one!!!
suZee Six
Orbsy Orb That’s what I love most about this era, 86-88. It seems like he and everyone around him was having so much fun. It was so contagious. He was so special.