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.
Joy in Repetition
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pimps and things like to hang outside and cuss for kicks
Talking to no one in particular, they say "the baddest I am tonight"
Four letter words are seldom heard with such dignity and bite.
All the poets and the part time singers always hang inside
Live music from a band plays a song called "Soul Psychodelicide".
The song's a year long and had been playing for months when he
No one seemed to care, an introverted this-is-it look on most of their faces.
Up on the mic repeating two words, over and over again
Was this woman he had never noticed before he lost himself in the
Articulated manner in which she said them.
These two words, a little bit behind the beat.
I mean just enough o-turn you on.
For every time she said the words another one of his doubts were gone.
Should he try to rap with her? Should he stand and stare?
No one else was watching her, she didn't seem to care.
So over and over, she said the words til he could take no more, (no more)
He dragged her from the stage and together they ran through the back door
In the alley over by the curb he said tell me what's your name
She only said the words again and it started to rain (rain, rain, rain)
Two words falling between the drops and the moans of his condition
Holding someone is truly believing there's joy in repetition.
There's joy in repetition. [Repeat: x4]
She said love me, love me, what she say?
She say love me, love me.
Joy, why don't you love me baby, joy, why can't you love me baby
Joy, come on and love me baby, joy in repetition
Alright, joy in repetition, [Repeat: x3]
Alright, joy, all my wishes add up to one
Love me, joy, Love me, joy, Love me, joy
Love me, Love me, joy, joy, joy in repetition
Joy, joy in repetition,
Joy, joy (love me) in repetition,
Love me, love, joy, joy, joy in repetition
Joy, and I'm gonna say it again, joy, joy, and I'm gonna say it again,
Joy, I'd like to go way up high and say, Love me, joy
I'll say Love me, joy
Joy, joy in repetition, joy in repetition
There's joy in repetition
The song "Joy in Repetition" by Prince tells a tale of a man who frequents a club and discovers a woman on stage repeating two words over and over again. The man is drawn to her and becomes enraptured by her words, which seem to have a hypnotic effect on him. The repetition of the words becomes a catalyst for the man to shed his doubts and embrace the joy of being with this woman.
The lyrics suggest that the man is hesitant at first, wondering if he should approach the woman or simply watch her from afar. However, he is ultimately compelled to act and drags her off the stage and out into the rain. As they stand together in the downpour, the woman continues to repeat her two words, which become a mantra for the man. He realizes that the act of holding someone, of being with them and experiencing their love, is a powerful force that brings joy through repetition.
The message of the song is about the transformative power of love and how repetition can help to solidify that connection. Through the repetition of her words, the woman is able to create a space where the man can let go of his doubts and fully immerse himself in their shared experience. Ultimately, the repetition becomes a reminder to the man of the simple joy that can come from being with someone who loves him.
Line by Line Meaning
He like to frequent this club down up on 36th
He enjoys visiting this club on 36th street regularly.
Pimps and things like to hang outside and cuss for kicks
Pimps and other people loiter outside, swearing to entertain themselves.
Talking to no one in particular, they say 'the baddest I am tonight'
Talking without directing their speech towards anyone specific, they boast about their abilities tonight.
Four letter words are seldom heard with such dignity and bite.
They express themselves with powerful and intense vulgar language.
All the poets and the part time singers always hang inside
Inside, the club attracts poets and amateur singers.
Live music from a band plays a song called 'Soul Psychodelicide'.
The band plays a long song called 'Soul Psychodelicide'.
The song's a year long and had been playing for months when he
The lengthy song has been playing for several months when he arrives.
Walked into the place.
He enters the club.
No one seemed to care, an introverted this-is-it look on most of their faces.
The crowd is indifferent, looking dazed and apathetic.
Up on the mic repeating two words, over and over again
A woman repeats two words again and again into the microphone.
Was this woman he had never noticed before he lost himself in the
He had never noticed the woman before but now is enamored by her performance.
Articulated manner in which she said them.
He is captivated by how she says the words clearly and expressively.
These two words, a little bit behind the beat.
The two words are slightly out of sync with the music's rhythm.
I mean just enough o-turn you on.
The out-of-sync timing is alluring and stimulating.
For every time she said the words another one of his doubts were gone.
Every time she repeats the words his hesitations diminish.
Should he try to rap with her? Should he stand and stare?
Should he join her in singing or simply admire her from a distance?
No one else was watching her, she didn't seem to care.
She is not performing for anyone's attention and is unaware of her surroundings.
So over and over, she said the words til he could take no more, (no more)
She repeats the words until he can no longer resist the urge to be with her.
He dragged her from the stage and together they ran through the back door
He takes her offstage and they flee through the rear exit together.
In the alley over by the curb he said tell me what's your name
In the alley by the road, he asks for her name.
She only said the words again and it started to rain (rain, rain, rain)
She repeats the words instead of answering him and it starts to rain heavily.
Two words falling between the drops and the moans of his condition
The two words reverberate amidst the sound of rain and his intense emotions.
Holding someone is truly believing there's joy in repetition.
Being with someone repeatedly is satisfying and rewarding.
She said love me, love me, what she say?
She says 'love me, love me', he questions what she means.
Joy, why don't you love me baby, joy, why can't you love me baby
He expresses his desire for her love.
Joy, come on and love me baby, joy in repetition
He requests her love joyfully and repeatedly.
Alright, joy in repetition, [Repeat: x3]
He celebrates the pleasure of being with someone repeatedly.
Alright, joy, all my wishes add up to one
He links his desires together to form a single wish - to be with her.
Love me, joy, Love me, joy, Love me, joy
He wants her to love him with happiness and pleasure.
Love me, Love me, joy, joy, joy in repetition
He desires her love and joy repetitively.
Joy, joy in repetition,
He desires the pleasure of being with her repeatedly.
Joy, joy (love me) in repetition,
He repeats his desire for happiness and joy repetitively.
Love me, love, joy, joy, joy in repetition
He desires her love and happiness repeatedly.
Joy, and I'm gonna say it again, joy, joy, and I'm gonna say it again,
He repeats his desire to be with her joyfully.
Joy, I'd like to go way up high and say, Love me, joy
He wishes to shout aloud for her love and happiness.
I'll say Love me, joy
He declares his love and wishes for her happiness.
Joy, joy in repetition, joy in repetition
He finds pleasure in being with her repeatedly, repeating the phrase.
There's joy in repetition
The theme of the song is that there is pleasure in repeating certain things.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind