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.
Glass Cutter
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There never was before, and there'll never be another,
Heck-a motor scooter… so fine U wanna shoot her,
Dressed like butter, hold a Cup-a Glass Cutter
Glass Cutter
Ohhh… yeah!
This is a jam about a purple fantasy
Every man knows this how it's supposed to be
So sharp, make a brother heart go flutter
Dress holding on to a Cup-a Glass Cutter
Mmm…Glass Cutter
Oww
Oww
It's about as hard as Arabian math
Water drops dripping when you taking a bath
the towel unravel and it looks like gravel
all a brother can do is just laugh… (ugh!)
But under his breath, he gonna mutter,
But under his breath, he gonna mutter,
But under his breath, he gonna mutter…
Baby, got a Cup-a Glass Cutter.
(Clapping)
This about a mother got a brother sprung,
I looked up the word heaven… saw a picture of her tongue,
If she was a song, she'd be sung.
Sit around and I'll be a singer, so I can bring her -
parmesan, cheddar, cheese... please.
U better believe she gets what she wants,
'cause I want just what she got.
I'm a new car, and she's a lot… a whole lot o' woman!
(clapping)
Girl got a case of 2 Fine
She got it bad… and that's good.
I'm gonna tell her 2 her face… (gonna tell her 2 her face)
'cause another brother would…
when a mother make a brother heart go flutter.
Dressed like butter,
Cup-a Glass cutter
Dressed like butter,
Cup-a Glass cutter
U make my heart go flutter,
Cup-a Glass Cutter
U make my heart go flutter...
Glass Cutter.
The song "Glass Cutter" by Prince is about a unique and alluring woman who commands attention whenever she enters a room. Prince paints a picture of a woman unlike any other, with a style so fine that it leaves everyone stunned. Throughout the song, Prince references a "Cup-a Glass Cutter," which seems to be a metaphor for the woman's undeniable grace and charm, a power that cuts through the hearts of those around her like glass. The chorus of the song is an ode to this woman's significance, as she makes the hearts of every man she encounters "go flutter."
The lyrics of "Glass Cutter" are rich with metaphors and imagery that elevate the alluring nature of the woman depicted in the song. For instance, the line "If she was a song, she'd be sung" creates an image of a woman whose beauty is as timeless and impactful as any melody. Similarly, the reference to a "Cup-a Glass Cutter" suggests that the woman is sharp and cutting, yet fragile and delicate at the same time. Ultimately, the song is a tribute to a woman whose presence cannot be ignored, one who leaves an indelible mark on everyone she meets.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a story about a One and Only mother,
Prince is singing about an exceptional woman who is unique and one-of-a-kind.
There never was before, and there'll never be another,
He emphasizes that this woman is truly unparalleled and incomparable.
Heck-a motor scooter⦠so fine U wanna shoot her,
Prince compares this woman to a fine motorcycle that's so attractive that you'd want to shoot a picture of her.
Dressed like butter, hold a Cup-a Glass Cutter
The woman is beautifully dressed and is holding a Cup-a Glass Cutter.
Glass Cutter
The repetition of 'Glass Cutter' emphasizes its significance.
Ohhh⦠yeah!
Prince expresses the extent of his appreciation for this woman and how he feels about her.
This is a jam about a purple fantasy
Prince expresses that this song is about a purple fantasy.
Every man knows this how it's supposed to be
Prince indicates that every man should know what a purple fantasy is all about.
So sharp, make a brother heart go flutter
This purple fantasy is so attractive that it can make a brother's heart skip a beat.
Dress holding on to a Cup-a Glass Cutter
The woman is holding onto a Cup-a Glass Cutter while she's dressed impeccably.
Mmmâ¦Glass Cutter
Prince repeats 'Glass Cutter' to remind us of its significance.
Oww
Prince expresses his appreciation for the song.
Oww
Prince expresses his appreciation for the song again.
It's about as hard as Arabian math
This next part is about something that's as challenging as Arabian math.
Water drops dripping when you taking a bath
In this scenario, water drops are dripping while you're taking a bath.
the towel unravel and it looks like gravel
The towel starts to unravel, and it appears to be rough like gravel.
all a brother can do is just laugh⦠(ugh!)
Despite this absurd situation, all he can do is laugh, even though it's frustrating.
But under his breath, he gonna mutter,
Although he's laughing, there's a part of him that's going to respond silently.
But under his breath, he gonna mutter,
Although he's still laughing, there's a part of him that's going to respond silently.
But under his breath, he gonna mutterâ¦
Although he's still laughing, there's a part of him that's going to respond silently.
Baby, got a Cup-a Glass Cutter.
He's silently speaking to himself about the woman he admires, and he remembers that she has a Cup-a Glass Cutter.
(Clapping)
There is applause to signify the end of one section of the song.
This about a mother got a brother sprung,
This part of the song is about a woman who's got a brother hooked.
I looked up the word heaven⦠saw a picture of her tongue,
This woman is depicted as being heavenly, and when he imagines heaven, he sees a picture of her tongue.
If she was a song, she'd be sung.
The woman is so amazing that if she were a song, she would be sung.
Sit around and I'll be a singer, so I can bring her -
He wants to be the one who sings for this amazing woman.
parmesan, cheddar, cheese... please.
He lists all of his favorite types of cheese and says 'please' because he wants them all.
U better believe she gets what she wants,
She's a woman who can get whatever she wants.
'cause I want just what she got.
He wants what this amazing woman has.
I'm a new car, and she's a lot⦠a whole lot o' woman!
Prince uses a car as a metaphor to compare himself to a brand-new car and the woman he admires to being a whole lot of woman.
(clapping)
There is applause to signify the end of this part of the song.
Girl got a case of 2 Fine
This final section of the song is about a woman who's got a case of '2 Fine'.
She got it bad⦠and that's good.
She's got it bad in a good way.
I'm gonna tell her 2 her face⦠(gonna tell her 2 her face)
Prince plans to tell her directly what he thinks about her.
'cause another brother wouldâ¦
If he doesn't tell her directly, then another brother might.
when a mother make a brother heart go flutter.
When a woman has this effect on a man, it makes his heart flutter.
Dressed like butter,
The woman is looking amazing and dressed such that it's evocative of butter.
Cup-a Glass cutter
She is holding onto her Cup-a Glass Cutter.
Dressed like butter,
The woman is looking amazing and dressed such that it's evocative of butter.
Cup-a Glass cutter
She is holding onto her Cup-a Glass Cutter.
U make my heart go flutter,
Prince admits that this woman makes him feel excited and nervous.
Cup-a Glass Cutter
The song ends with one final mention of Cup-a Glass Cutter.
Contributed by Jasmine W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@betweenthegrooves1203
Prince is just a never ending well of songs and music to discover. It's an amazing body of work, and you're forever finding new songs you've never heard heard before. I love it.
@darkbluebossa
One of his best moments as an “one man band”
@n.oneimportant5
One of my favorite performances of Prince on drums. Of course he played everything on this, but anytime people slag off Prince's drumming skills, this is one of the songs I direct them to. Thanks for posting! 💜
@suzeesix
I love his drumming, especially on the song, Crystal Ball.
I like his lighter touch and staccato rhythm on drums. He loved that high hat.
@n.oneimportant5
@suZee Six yes indeed! He's definitely got his own flair and touch. Some like it, some don't, but that's what makes the world go 'round. :)
His drumming on the Madhouse records still fascinates me as well. Eric Leeds once said that the song "Sixteen" is his favorite performance by Prince on drums. Listening now, I can definitely hear why feels that way. ✌🏽💜🎵
@danielag.6959
1st time hearing this....oooo I like it!!!❤❤❤
Many thanks.
@bd5933
I have listened to all of the Adhios relating to the NPG Music Club during the last couple of years Daniela.
Some of the content is outstanding - if you can get past some of the segues!
Just checked and this is a track that Prince played all the instruments on.
Hoping that you are keeping good,
Best wishes, take care and and stay safe.
@bd5933
Have always enjoyed the tracks on the Adhios.
There are a fair range of tracks by Prince and other artists to enjoy.
Thanks for the upload - your uploads have kept me going during the pandemic.
Best wishes and take care.
@PrinceRN
I miss his music club. That was fun.
@foxeebrowne
Love this!