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.
Movie Star
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Incense, check
Environmental records, double check!
I'ma get some serious drawers tonight, think I ain't?
Let's see, if I tell Gilbert and 'Rome to meet me eleven then I creep at 10
That'll give me an hour of free reign
Mo' drawers (Mo' drawers)
I had a couple sips of wine
Boo! - I swear to God
My suit was hangin' fine
Everybody at the club freaked
When I stepped from the limousine
They said - "Ooh, it's good to see ya"
I said - "Oh, it's good to be seen you know what I mean?"
Tell you what's good
It's a good thing we live close 'cause I almost suffocated in that car
Next time I won't wear so much Paco Rabinni or whatever that stuff...
I wonder if they got potato chips up in this...
Man, this ain't like them house parties we used to go to
That's alright, I'm clean
Tonight, hey, I'm a movie star
I see myself on a silver screen, huh
Tonight, it don't matter who you are
I'm the only star on the scene
You know what I mean?
Man, I hate makin' movies
But I like that money, think I don't? Hmph
Check me out
I just walk in, don't even find a seat
Just threw my coat right on the floor
Grab somebody for a quick dance
Boy or girl - it don't matter no more, I'm hot!
Ha, ha, ha ¨C shit
Mix was right
Bold, Lord
Ouch! Ha, ha
Baby, do you want to, do you want to get off?
Tonight, I'm a movie star
I see myself up on the silver screen
Tonight, it don't matter
I'm the star on the scene
Ouch!
Mix was right
On the one, the kick drum hit the triple beat
Baby, I was poppin'
Did one spin, did a second, did the splits
Came up, looked around, the joint was hoppin'
Hoppin'! The joint was hoppin'!
Somebody say "Movie Star!"
So check it out, you want to dance?
Are you wearing that Paco Rabbit or whatever you call it?
Oh wow, that's dog
What? Speak up, I can't hear over that suit
Maybe you can hear this?
Am I supposed to be impressed?
That's right, Rolls Royce
Check it out, baby
You want to dance now?
Maybe next song
Yeah right, dance floor is not big enough, fat cow
Ooh, the mix, it's about the mix
Ooh baby, I like that, but the kid gonna show you a few tricks
Can I play with you?
Baby, let's creep, I had enough of this action
Bartender, on the house
Give everybody in here somethin'
Man, I don't care
I got money to spare, you're cute and your music's thumpin'
Yo baby, get the check
"Yo baby" my behind, I need my money
Say Brother Carothers, can I get some credit?
No? Much money I done spent in this nasty joint?
You need to be slapped!
Darlin', shall we leave now?
Go to Hades, boy!
So you like my crib?
It's not mine, it's rented
Say, how much did you have to drink?
What's the biggest lake you've ever been in?
So, do you like environmental records?
Crickets chirpin', water rushin'
Supposed to make you horny
It just make me want to go to the bathroom
Actually this one's not bad, check it out
So like, what's your name?
Oh wow, that's dog!
The song "Movie Star" by Prince appears to be about a night out as a celebrity or someone who feels like they are a movie star, and the perks or challenges that come with it. In the beginning of the song, the singer prepares for the night by applying body oil, lighting incense, and making sure his environmental records are in tow. He then plans to meet up with some friends at the club at 11 PM, but decides to arrive an hour earlier to have some time to himself. Throughout the night, the singer describes his experience of being treated like a star, regardless of who he is or whether or not he enjoys it. He dances and enjoys the music while observing others, such as a woman in a Paco Rabinni outfit, and he eventually decides to leave with someone to go to his rented crib.
The lyrics of "Movie Star" suggest that the singer is someone who is used to getting preferential treatment, but also has a detached attitude towards it. He is aware of his own fame or perceived stardom, but seems to be somewhat ambivalent towards it. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of celebrity and the superficiality that often accompanies it. Additionally, the repeated phrase "Mo' drawers" suggests that the singer is fixated on hooking up with someone at the club, perhaps emphasizing a certain loneliness or desperation that can come with fame and being treated like a commodity.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's see, body oil, check
Checking off items on a list for a sexual encounter
Incense, check
Continuing to check things off the list for a sexual encounter
Environmental records, double check!
Paying attention to creating a mood for the sexual encounter
I'ma get some serious drawers tonight, think I ain't?
Expecting to have sex tonight
Let's see, if I tell Gilbert and 'Rome to meet me eleven then I creep at 10
Planning to arrive at the sexual encounter location before other people
That'll give me an hour of free reign
Expecting to have an hour alone at the sexual encounter location
Mo' drawers (Mo' drawers)
More sexual partners
9:30 - gettin' dressed
Getting ready for the sexual encounter
I had a couple sips of wine
Having something to drink before the sexual encounter
Boo! - I swear to God
Expressing surprise
My suit was hangin' fine
Happy with appearance
Everybody at the club freaked
Attracting attention
When I stepped from the limousine
Arriving in style
They said - "Ooh, it's good to see ya"
Receiving compliments
I said - "Oh, it's good to be seen you know what I mean?"
Responding to compliments
It's a good thing we live close 'cause I almost suffocated in that car
Not enjoying the transportation to the sexual encounter location
Next time I won't wear so much Paco Rabinni or whatever that stuff...
Regretting wearing too much cologne
I wonder if they got potato chips up in this...
Wondering about snack availability
Man, this ain't like them house parties we used to go to
Comparing the sexual encounter location to house parties from the past
That's alright, I'm clean
Stating that he is disease-free
Tonight, hey, I'm a movie star
Feeling like the center of attention
I see myself on a silver screen, huh
Comparing himself to a movie star
It don't matter who you are
Focusing solely on himself and his own experience
I'm the only star on the scene
Believing that he is the most important person present
Man, I hate makin' movies
Disliking the process of making movies
But I like that money, think I don't? Hmph
Continuing to do movie work because of the money involved
Baby, do you want to, do you want to get off?
Asking if someone would like to have sex
On the one, the kick drum hit the triple beat
Noticing the beat of the music
Did one spin, did a second, did the splits
Dancing and showing off moves
Came up, looked around, the joint was hoppin'
Observing the party atmosphere
The mix, it's about the mix
Paying attention to the music
Can I play with you?
Asking to dance with someone
Bartender, on the house
Treating everyone to drinks
Man, I don't care
Not feeling concerned about expenses
Yo baby, get the check
Asking for the bill
Say Brother Carothers, can I get some credit?
Asking if credit is available
No? Much money I done spent in this nasty joint?
Feeling upset about not receiving credit
Darlin', shall we leave now?
Suggesting to leave the location
So you like my crib?
Asking if someone likes the rented location
How much did you have to drink?
Asking about someone's level of intoxication
What's the biggest lake you've ever been in?
Asking a personal question
Crickets chirpin', water rushin'
Describing the environmental record
Supposed to make you horny
Explaining the reason for using the record
Actually this one's not bad, check it out
Approving of the selected environmental record
Oh wow, that's dog!
Responding to something that is impressive or cool
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind