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.
Lion Of Judah
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling like the color blue
Thinking about the words that I can use
To get this through to you
A million mistakes and then some
I've made with the one's before
I probably passed my expiration date
Adore you
Looking for the energy to take you there
The place's that you wanna go
Knowing if I do, your fully aware
The press will turn it in to a show (A show)
Everyone expects this outcome
But still they jump for all the crew
I guess should be happy but I'm still not
Sure that you really love me
Love me...Love me...Love me...You love me...
[Chorus:]
Like the Lion of Judah (Judah)
I strike my enemies down
As my God is living
Surely the trumpet will sound
There was one who would stand by my side
Through the good and the bad
Let that one stand with pride
The best that I ever had
Like the lion of Judah
Driving away with a smile on my face
Wind blowing through my hair
Wondering how you'll feel when you find out
How much I really care (I care)
Hoping that the tears roll down your face (Down your face)
Your body grasp who we are (Who are we?)
Two gypsy beggars who only by Vegas
Came to be a star
(A super star)
A star
That's what we are
[Chorus]
Lion...Judah...Judah...
In "Lion of Judah" by Prince, he talks about his deep adoration for someone despite making a million mistakes in his previous relationships. Prince narrates his hope to find the energy to take her where she wants to go, but not without fear of the press turning it into a show. Despite the expectations, he questions whether she truly loves him or not.
Prince's use of "Lion of Judah" is a biblical reference to one of the tribes of Israel, which was found in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. He speaks about his God, which is a reference to Yahweh, commonly worshipped by Jews, Christians, and Muslims around the world. The song uses the symbolism of a lion to show that he can defeat his enemies and achieve his goals through his strength and power.
The overall theme of the song is that of a love story, but it also discusses the ups and downs of love and how it progresses. Prince talked about how he and his lover were two gypsy beggars who came to Las Vegas and became stars, which is a metaphor for how they found success despite their harsh past experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting on the floor of an all white room
Feeling alone and isolated with the color white representing emptiness and nothingness.
Feeling like the color blue
Feeling depressed, hopeless and sad.
Thinking about the words that I can use
Trying to find the right words to express oneself and communicate effectively.
To get this through to you
To make you understand and comprehend what is being said.
A million mistakes and then some
Having experienced a lot of failures, errors and mistakes throughout life.
I've made with the one's before
Referring to past relationships and mistakes made in them.
I probably passed my expiration date
Feeling like one's time has passed or that they are no longer useful or relevant.
But still I adore you
Despite the mistakes and feeling obsolete, still holding strong feelings of affection and admiration towards someone.
Looking for the energy to take you there
Trying to muster up the willpower and motivation to help someone achieve their goals and aspirations.
The place's that you wanna go
The destinations, experiences or achievements that someone desires and aims to obtain.
Knowing if I do, your fully aware
Being aware that by one's support and encouragement, someone is cognizant that they are capable of success.
The press will turn it in to a show (A show)
The media and public will make a spectacle of one's achievements or accomplishments.
Everyone expects this outcome
Anticipating that one will be successful or accomplish their goals due to their potential and ability.
But still they jump for all the crew
Others around someone eagerly anticipate their success and jump at the opportunity to promote and support them.
I guess should be happy but I'm still not
Feeling conflicted and unsure about how to feel despite the potential for success and support.
Sure that you really love me
Uncertain and doubtful of someone's feelings and affection towards oneself.
[Chorus:] Like the Lion of Judah (Judah) I strike my enemies down
Comparing oneself to the Biblical symbol for strength and power, who strikes down their enemies and obstacles.
As my God is living Surely the trumpet will sound
Expressing faith in God and the belief that their power and glory will be revealed at some point in time.
There was one who would stand by my side
Referring to the person whom they love and with whom they share a connection with.
Through the good and the bad
Through thick and thin, no matter what happens.
Let that one stand with pride
Urging that the person they love stand confidently and proudly with who they are and what they mean to the artist.
The best that I ever had
Believing that the person they love is the best thing that ever happened to them.
Driving away with a smile on my face
Leaving a place or situation with happiness and contentment.
Wind blowing through my hair
Describing the surroundings or environment in which they are leaving from, with wind being symbolic of change and movement.
Wondering how you'll feel when you find out
Thinking about how someone will react or respond to news or information shared with them.
How much I really care (I care)
Expressing to someone how deeply they care and have feelings towards them.
Hoping that the tears roll down your face (Down your face)
Desiring an emotional, heartfelt and vulnerable reaction from someone upon receiving news or information.
Your body grasp who we are (Who are we?)
Wanting someone to physically and emotionally understand and connect with the artist and their relationship.
Two gypsy beggars who only by Vegas
Describing two individuals who are unconventional, free-spirited and trying to make it on their own terms.
Came to be a star (A super star)
Aspiring for greatness and fame despite unconventional beginnings.
A star That's what we are
Believing that with perseverance and hard work, one can achieve their goals and become who they want to be.
[Chorus] Lion...Judah...Judah...
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the strength and power of the Biblical image and symbol of the Lion of Judah.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind