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.
My Computer
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Computer) {sample repeats in BG}
It was Sunday night, instead of doing what I usually do I..
CHORUS:
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Somebody 2 talk 2, funny and bright
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Nothing on TV I ain't seen before
Another murder on the news, I can't take no more
Evil Incorporated, blowing up bombs and thangs
I have a child, huh, I have a lot 2 explain
I could write a letter, but who would I send it 2?
It was Sunday night, instead of doing what I usually do I..
CHORUS
I called an old friend of mine just the other day
No congratulations, no respect paid
All she did was wonder if the rumors were true
I said - "No, I ain't dead yet, but uh.. what about you?"
I can count my friends with a peace sign: 1, 2
It was Sunday night, instead of doing what I usually do I..
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Somebody 2 talk 2, funny and bright (Oh)
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Make believe it's a better world, a better life (A better life)
I got no mail, my computer
I told them I don't want to see a doctor unless he's lonely 2
Every Sunday night, instead of doing what I usually do I..
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Somebody 2 talk 2, funny and bright
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Make believe it's a better world (Make believe it's a better world)
A better life {x52}
"Goodbye" {AOL sample}
In Prince's song "My Computer," he reflects on the state of the world around him and seeks an escape through his computer. The song begins with an AOL sample, "Welcome, you've got mail," and a repeated sample of the word "computer" in the background. The lyrics suggest that on this particular Sunday night, Prince was looking for something more than what he usually does. He turns to his computer, scanning for a site to find someone to talk to - someone funny and bright.
The chorus of the song repeats the sentiment of Prince's search for a better world, a better life through his computer screen. He finds himself disenchanted with the world around him, with nothing on TV that interests him, and news of violence and destruction everywhere. He acknowledges the difficulty of explaining these things to his child. Rather than write a letter, Prince seeks human connection through his computer.
Later in the song, he laments the lack of connection with his friends and family, stating that he can count his friends with a peace sign. He continues to use his computer as an escape from reality every Sunday night. Prince recognizes that his computer may not be a substitute for true social connection but continues to seek refuge in it nonetheless.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome, you've got mail
Acknowledging the sample sound from AOL to signal the receipt of an email
(Computer)
Repeating the sample sound from AOL to emphasize the computer's role in receiving the email
It was Sunday night, instead of doing what I usually do I..
Explaining that the singer deviated from their regular routine by spending time on their computer
CHORUS:
Introducing the chorus
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Describing the singer's actions of searching for an online forum or website
Somebody 2 talk 2, funny and bright
Specifying the singer's desire to find a chat partner who is humorous and intelligent
Make believe it's a better world, a better life
Indicating the singer's wish to escape reality by immersing themselves in an online community for a, perhaps, more fulfilling experience
Nothing on TV I ain't seen before
Commenting on the lackluster programming on television
Another murder on the news, I can't take no more
Expressing the singer's fatigue with the continuous coverage of violent news stories
Evil Incorporated, blowing up bombs and thangs
Referencing the dominant theme of violence and evil in the media highlighted by the singer's earlier comments
I have a child, huh, I have a lot 2 explain
Implying the potential negative effects of exposing children to the prevalent violence and negativity portrayed by the media
I could write a letter, but who would I send it 2?
Suggesting the singer's lack of social connections or support system and thus, their tendency to turn to the internet to fulfill their needs
I called an old friend of mine just the other day
Sharing the singer's recent efforts to reconnect with their old friends
No congratulations, no respect paid
Highlighting the receiver's lack of enthusiasm or positive reaction during the call
All she did was wonder if the rumors were true
Showing the friend's gossipy nature and insensitivity to the singer's attempt at rebuilding their friendship
I said - "No, I ain't dead yet, but uh.. what about you?"
Reflecting the singer's humor or sarcasm in response to their friend's question
I can count my friends with a peace sign: 1, 2
Revealing the singer's lack of close, meaningful relationships
I got no mail, my computer
Stating the absence of received emails or messages on the computer
I told them I don't want to see a doctor unless he's lonely 2
Sharing the singer's preference for a doctor he can relate to or talk to, given the previous emphasis on online communication and connection-insinuating possible loneliness
CHORUS
Repeating the chorus
Make believe it's a better world (Make believe it's a better world)
Emphasizing the singer's unfulfilled wish for a better world through immersion in an online community or forum
A better life
Repeating and emphasizing the song's main theme -wish for a better life- for the concluding time as signified by the x52 tag.
"Goodbye"
Ending the song with the sample sound of AOL notifying the user of their final goodbye
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind