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.
Father
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the Lord
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
I give my everything I owe, oh its a start
I give you every single thing I give my heart
Why did the Devil just knock on my door?
Why do these niggas keep tripping
Every time I have a vision they be closing the door
Why do these women stand next to the niggas with money and hope that they get on the blogs
Why does my Momma keep crying and hoping that I'm the one that can get us out the slums
Momma I'm broke I ain't even rich
It's not about the money nigga, really how you think?
Really gotta get it homie time don't wait
God gave you two hands nigga do what it takes, do what it
Its all you, its all you at the end of the day it's all you
Said it once before you bounce back before
Young kid with the juice how about some more
That's your light
I been wondering what my purpose is at night
As soon as I got all the answers it's nothing but love
Tell everybody I'mma go wild wild wild
As for the night how about right now for the night
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
I give my everything I owe, oh its a start
I give you every single thing I give my heart
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
I give my everything I owe, oh its a start
I give you every single thing I give my heart
Lucifer will not save you
Lose yourself and be a slave to the game
Lose yourself to cocaine and the fame
Lose yourself to all the money that you make
Lose yourself to all the people that you hate
Choose the bed you make, prepare to lay
I'm still the guy that's tryna pave a way
Still divided by the love and hate
Cruise through the city just to think about life
Yeah it's been a minute had to really think deep
Little self doubt, can make you think twice
Giving my all so there's some kind of light
Live through the darkness and live through the pain
Tell you these things that I hope you relate, to
Nothing but love that I crave too
Yeah it's nothing but love that I crave too
That's your light
I been wondering what my purpose is at night
As soon as I got all the answers it's nothing but love
Tell everybody I'mma go wild wild wild
As for the night how about right now for the night
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
I give my everything I owe, oh its a start
I give you every single thing I give my heart
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
I give my everything I owe, oh its a start
I give you every single thing I give my heart
The lyrics of Prince's Father contain a message of seeking guidance and help from a higher power, namely God. The repeated line "It's the Lord" conveys the idea that Prince believes in a divine force that can provide the answers he seeks. The song expresses frustration with the obstacles and challenges that come with pursuing a dream, such as people who try to shut down your vision or those who only see you for the money you could potentially provide. The line "Why do these women stand next to the niggas with money and hope that they get on the blogs" speaks to the idea that some may place material wealth or fame over genuine connection and purpose.
The lyrics also warn against losing oneself to vices such as drugs, money, and hate. The line "Lucifer will not save you" suggests that one should not rely on negative influences or indulgences to bring them success or happiness. The repeated phrase "Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now" could represent a sense of impulsivity or recklessness that may arise when grappling with these obstacles and vices.
Overall, Father is a song about seeking guidance and purpose while navigating the ups and downs of pursuing a dream.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the Lord
Acknowledgement of God's authority and presence
Oh yeah we get it now, we acting wild now
Recognizing the need for change in behavior
I give my everything I owe, oh its a start
Giving all that is owed and recognizing it's only the beginning
I give you every single thing I give my heart
Surrendering all to God with love and devotion
Father, father help me Lord
Calling out to God for guidance and support
Why did the Devil just knock on my door?
Questioning the presence of negativity and temptation
Why do these n****s keep tripping
Frustration with those who obstruct progress
Every time I have a vision they be closing the door
Obstacles preventing the realization of dreams
Why do these women stand next to the n****s with money and hope that they get on the blogs
Criticism of those who prioritize superficial success over true love and connection
Why does my Momma keep crying and hoping that I'm the one that can get us out the slums
Pressure to succeed for the sake of loved ones and to escape difficult circumstances
Momma I'm broke I ain't even rich
Acknowledgement of current financial struggle
It's not about the money n****, really how you think?
Emphasis on the importance of non-material values
Really gotta get it homie time don't wait
Urgency in pursuing goals
God gave you two hands n**** do what it takes, do what it
Encouragement to utilize personal abilities and resources to reach success
Its all you, its all you at the end of the day it's all you
Responsibility for one's own actions and outcomes
Said it once before you bounce back before
Positive affirmation and reminder of past successes
Young kid with the juice how about some more
Ambition to achieve more and reach greater heights
Lucifer will not save you
Warning against the dangers of falling into temptation and losing oneself
Lose yourself and be a slave to the game
Condemning the toxic nature of the music industry
Lose yourself to cocaine and the fame
Critical of those who prioritize drugs and fame over their well-being and true purpose
Lose yourself to all the money that you make
Highlighting the negative effects of greed and obsession with wealth
Lose yourself to all the people that you hate
Warning against the dangers of holding onto hate and negativity
Choose the bed you make, prepare to lay
Emphasis on the consequences of one's actions and the need to take responsibility
I'm still the guy that's tryna pave a way
Maintaining motivation and determination to create a better future
Still divided by the love and hate
Struggling with conflicting emotions and perspectives
Cruise through the city just to think about life
Reflecting on life and one's purpose while navigating through the world
Yeah it's been a minute had to really think deep
Taking time to truly contemplate and reflect on one's life path
Little self doubt, can make you think twice
Acknowledging the impact of doubts on decision-making
Giving my all so there's some kind of light
Putting in maximum effort to create a positive change
Live through the darkness and live through the pain
Enduring hardships and overcoming obstacles
Tell you these things that I hope you relate, to
Sharing personal experiences and offering guidance to others
Nothing but love that I crave too
Desiring love and positivity as much as anyone else
That's your light
Acknowledging one's own personal light and purpose
I been wondering what my purpose is at night
Questioning and seeking clarity on one's life purpose
As soon as I got all the answers it's nothing but love
Realizing that love and positivity are the answers to life's questions
Tell everybody I'mma go wild wild wild
Expressing intent to live life freely and passionately
As for the night how about right now for the night
Seizing the current moment and living in the present
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL ORABIYI RILEY, JAZON KAWU-EUGENIO, MICHAEL MCKAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind