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.
Leaving For New York
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its paperboy for new york
Its paperboy for new york I'm just running around new york
Its paperboy for new york
Its paperboy for new york
Its paperboy for new york I'm just running around new york
Running round new york yeah I'm taking big steps
Oh you not spreading love you can take big nap
Running round NY like p diddy
I can get real gritty get real gritty
I can get real Pretty get real Pretty
Hopped the train central ave yea lets gets busy
In Bk not burger King
On bed stuy I'm burgeoening
On flushing and we flourishing
These haters food they nourishment
Its paperboy for new york
Its paperboy for new york
Its paperboy for new york I'm just running around new york
Its paperboy for new york
Its paperboy for new york
Its paperboy for new york I'm just running around new york
The lyrics to Prince's "Leaving For New York" seem to depict the artist's excitement and energy as he navigates the streets of New York City. The repetition of the line "It's paperboy for New York" creates a sense of urgency and purpose, as if Prince is on a mission to deliver something important or make an impact in the city.
The lyrics also highlight Prince's confidence and assertiveness. Lines like "Talking crazy out your mouth that's a mishap" and "I can get real gritty, get real pretty" convey a sense of self-assuredness and a willingness to stand up to any challenges or opposition that may come his way. The mention of P. Diddy, a successful entrepreneur and artist known for his connections to New York, further reinforces the theme of ambition and success in the city.
Additionally, the lyrics touch upon Prince's appreciation for the various neighborhoods and cultural diversity of New York. References to places like Bed-Stuy and Flushing suggest that he is embracing and celebrating the different facets of the city, while dismissing the negativity of the "haters" who serve as mere nourishment for his growth and success.
Overall, "Leaving For New York" portrays Prince as a determined and confident individual, ready to conquer the city and leave his mark.
Line by Line Meaning
Its paperboy for new york
I am serving as a messenger for the city of New York
I'm just running around new york
I am constantly moving and exploring the city of New York
Running round new york yeah I'm taking big steps
I am moving confidently and making significant progress in New York
Talking crazy out your mouth that's a mishap
If you speak nonsense, it will result in negative consequences
Oh you not spreading love you can take big nap
If you don't promote love and positivity, you will suffer the consequences
Running round NY like p diddy
I am moving around New York City with the same energy and drive as P Diddy
I can get real gritty get real gritty
I am capable of being tough and resilient
I can get real Pretty get real Pretty
I can also display beauty and elegance
Hopped the train central ave yea lets gets busy
I took the train to Central Avenue and now it's time to get active and productive
In Bk not burger King
I am in Brooklyn, not at the fast-food restaurant Burger King
On bed stuy I'm burgeoening
I am flourishing and thriving in Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood
On flushing and we flourishing
We are thriving and succeeding in Flushing area
These haters food they nourishment
I see the negativity from my haters as fuel to propel me forward
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: David Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nicolas C.
Amazing song ! He was so young and already a genius.
Twan112785
If they ever release a super deluxe edition of For You they should put this song on there
ce hayes
@Brian Inglis-With the technology of today, I’m sure there’s a superb recording engineer could fix this issue 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 !!!
Brian Inglis
Unless they can find pristine copies of these old tapes, I think the sound quality of these demo's aren't good enough to release commercially.
Virgo Smith
It’s about a promising love that stayed behind weeping Sadly while he becomes a 💫
Retro Eileen
His voice is so ugh beautiful 😭😭😍😍😍😍
Gratia Cynthia Maia Porto
So beautiful. His voice sounds very cool. Cristal clear.
Twan112785
Damn he was only 18 he knew was gonna be the biggest thing 💜
c johnson
Peace, I'm amazed at the depth of talent and vision he had at 18 years old. #INCREDIBLE 🌹💜❤️🖤💚👑
Myavids
I’m obsessed 😭😍