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 Name Is Prince
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My name is Prince the one and only
I did not come to funk around
'Till I get your daughter I won't leave this town
In the beginning God made the sea
But on the seventh day he made me
He was tryin' to rest y'all when He heard the sound
Sound like a guitar cold gettin' down
My God was worried 'til he heard me sing
My name is Prince and I am funky
My name is Prince the one and only, hurt me
(Do that, do that, somebody)
(Do that, do that, somebody)
Hurt me (do that, do that, somebody)
(Do that, do that, somebody)
My name is Prince and I am funky
When it come to funk I am a junky
I know from righteous I know from sin
I got to sides and they both friends
Don't try to clock 'em, they're much too fast
If you try to stop 'em they kick that ass
Without a pistol, without a gun
When you hear my music you'll be havin' fun
That's when I got ya that's when you mine
To tell the truth, tell me what's my line?
My name is Prince and I am funky (you can't stop Prince)
My name is Prince the one and only, hurt me (you can't stop Prince)
(Do that, do that, somebody)
(Do that, do that, somebody)
(Do that, do that, somebody)
Funky fresh for the 90's (do that, do that, somebody) (Prince)
My name is Prince, I don't want to be king
Cause I've seen the top and it's just a dream
Big cars and women and fancy clothes
Will save your face but it won't save your soul
I'm here to tell you that there's a better way
Would our Lord be happy if He came to day?
I ain't sayin' I'm better, no better than you
But if you want to play with me, you better learn the rules
My name is Prince and I am funky (you can't stop Prince)
My name is Prince the one and only (you can't stop Prince)
I did not come to funk around (you can't stop Prince)
'Till I get your daughter I won't leave this town
I won't leave this town
I won't leave this town
I won't leave this, leave this, leave this
My name is Prince and I am funky (you can't stop Prince)
My name is Prince the one and only (you can't stop Prince)
Funky fresh for the 90's (do that, do that, somebody)
(Do that, do that, somebody)
(Do that, do that, somebody)
Hurt me (do that, do that, some)
The funkier I be
The funkier I get, oh shit
Lickety split on the lyric
A new jack in the pulpit
Watch it deacon, your track is leakin'
What is this you're seekin'?
The syncopated rhymes are at their peak
When you jumped on my D.I.c.k.
That's the one thing that I don't play
The jock strap was to big for you anyway
You're just a simpleton
I'll bust you like a pimple, son
My star is to bright
Boy, I'll sink you like the ship Poseidon Adventure
You're bumpin' dentures to be cocksure
There must be more coming from
Your mouth than manure
So with a flow and a spray, I say hey
You must become a prince before you're king anyway
(Do that, do that somebody)
(Do that, do that somebody)
It's time I get ig-nig-nig-nig-nig-nig-n-ignorant
Def be the beat that I'm rockin'
Yo so, come get a hit
And put your thinking cap on
You've been forewarned
I call upon the inner forces that I've got brewin'
In my cauldron that means my nugget
Sometimes I'm rugged
The style I posses be havin'
The other brothers buggin' and this is for those who oppose
And propose to overexpose disclose
Pose a threat to my brother
Like any other man makin' a stand
I'll be damned if I let you play this hand
I'm the blackjack dealer and the cards are stacked
What do you expect to win when you're used to playing craps?
(Do that, do that somebody)
Hell yeah, let's get this under the
(Do that, do that somebody)
It's gettin' tricky
I mean it's a sticky situation
To resurrect a groove with feeling
And give it this much affection
Passion flows and who knows
What lurks in the gallows of my mind
I put my foot in the ass of Jim Crow
Tweleve inches of non-stop sole
I'm on a roll with P, and it's time for the show
So do that, do that somebody
Wave your hands in the air
This is a motherfucking party
While you're laying back I'm on the attack paddywhack
Give yourself a bone
This is my house and I'm prone
To layin' some chrome upside some motherfuckers dome
And I'm out
My name is Prince and I am funky
My name is Prince the one and only
My name is Prince
Prince's song "My Name is Prince" is a self-proclamation of his funky and unique identity. The first verse talks about how Prince is funky and one-of-a-kind. He asserts his confidence in his music and reminds everyone that he did not come to "funk around" but to make music that people will enjoy. The next verse says that God made him on the seventh day and was originally trying to rest until He heard Prince's guitar playing. The line "sound like a guitar cold getting down" signifies Prince's dominance in his musicality. The third verse talks about Prince's love for funk and how he has mastered both righteousness and sin, this is followed by his warning not to try and clock him as he is too fast. The lyrics end by addressing the societal issues that come with fame and the idea that material possessions such as big cars and fancy clothes won't ultimately matter. He asks if "our Lord would be happy" with the way people seek fame and material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Prince and I am funky
I am Prince and I am cool and stylish
My name is Prince the one and only
I am Prince and there is no one like me
I did not come to funk around
I did not come to waste time
'Till I get your daughter I won't leave this town
I will not leave until I get the woman I desire
In the beginning God made the sea
God created the ocean
But on the seventh day he made me
On the seventh day, God made me
He was tryin' to rest y'all when He heard the sound
God was trying to rest when he heard music
Sound like a guitar cold gettin' down
The sound was like a cool guitar
I tried to bust a high note, but I bust a string
I tried to sing really high but broke a guitar string
My God was worried 'til he heard me sing
God was worried until he heard me sing
When it come to funk I am a junky
I love funk music
I know from righteous I know from sin
I know what is right and what is wrong
I got to sides and they both friends
I have two sides to me and they are both friendly
Don't try to clock 'em, they're much too fast
Don't try to understand them, they are too complex
If you try to stop 'em they kick that ass
If you try to stop them, they will fight back
Without a pistol, without a gun
I don't need a weapon
When you hear my music you'll be havin' fun
When you listen to my music, you will enjoy yourself
That's when I got ya that's when you mine
That's when I have your attention and you are mine
To tell the truth, tell me what's my line?
Honestly, what is my profession?
My name is Prince and I am funky (you can't stop Prince)
I am Prince and I am cool and stylish, and no one can stop me
My name is Prince the one and only, hurt me (you can't stop Prince)
I am Prince and I am the only one of my kind, and you can't defeat me
Funky fresh for the 90's (do that, do that, somebody) (Prince)
I am Prince, and I am making fresh music for the 90s
My name is Prince, I don't want to be king
I am Prince, and I do not desire to be a king
Cause I've seen the top and it's just a dream
Because I have seen what it is like to be on top, and it's just a fantasy
Big cars and women and fancy clothes
Luxury, women, and fashionable clothing
Will save your face but it won't save your soul
These things may give you a good appearance, but they won't help your spirit
I'm here to tell you that there's a better way
I am here to say there is a better path to take
Would our Lord be happy if He came to day?
If God were to come today, would He be pleased with us?
I ain't sayin' I'm better, no better than you
I am not saying that I am superior to you
But if you want to play with me, you better learn the rules
If you want to be with me, you have to understand my ways
I did not come to funk around (you can't stop Prince)
I did not come here to waste time, and you can't stop me
I won't leave this town
I will not leave this place
Funky fresh for the 90's (do that, do that, somebody)
I am making cool and new music for the 90s
Hurt me (do that, do that, some)
Challenge me and push me to my limits
The funkier I be
The cooler I am
The funkier I get, oh shit
The cooler I become, oh my goodness
Lickety split on the lyric
I am fast and skillful with my lyrics
A new jack in the pulpit
I am a new artist with a powerful message
Watch it deacon, your track is leakin'
Be careful, your music is not good
What is this you're seekin'?
What are you searching for?
The syncopated rhymes are at their peak
My rhyming skills are at their best
When you jumped on my D.I.c.k.
When you followed me and liked my music
That's the one thing that I don't play
I am serious about my music, and I don't mess around
The jock strap was to big for you anyway
You can't handle my style
You're just a simpleton
You are uncomplicated and dull
I'll bust you like a pimple, son
I will defeat you easily
My star is to bright
I am too successful and famous
Boy, I'll sink you like the ship Poseidon Adventure
I will destroy you like the sinking ship in the movie Poseidon Adventure
You're bumpin' dentures to be cocksure
You are overconfident with your old ways
There must be more coming from
You should have more to say
Your mouth than manure
Instead of spewing crap
So with a flow and a spray, I say hey
I rap easily and with enthusiasm
You must become a prince before you're king anyway
You need to learn how to be successful before becoming a leader
It's time I get ig-nig-nig-nig-nig-nig-n-ignorant
It's time for me to be wild and silly
Def be the beat that I'm rockin'
I am killing it with my music
Yo so, come get a hit
Come and listen to my music
And put your thinking cap on
Listen carefully and think
You've been forewarned
I warned you already
I call upon the inner forces that I've got brewin'
I am tapping into my inner skills and talents
In my cauldron that means my nugget
In my mind, which is full of ideas
Sometimes I'm rugged
I can be rough and unpolished
The style I posses be havin'
I have a unique and cool style
The other brothers buggin' and this is for those who oppose
Other people are envious of me, and this song is for my haters
And propose to overexpose disclose
And try to reveal too much about me
Pose a threat to my brother
Threaten my fellow artists
Like any other man makin' a stand
As any other person standing up for themselves
I'll be damned if I let you play this hand
I won't allow you to have control over me
I'm the blackjack dealer and the cards are stacked
I am the one in charge, and I have everything on my side
What do you expect to win when you're used to playing craps?
What do you expect to achieve if you always take chances?
Wave your hands in the air
Put your hands up
This is a motherfucking party
This is a great party
While you're laying back I'm on the attack paddywhack
While you are passive, I am aggressive and effective
Give yourself a bone
Give yourself a reward for being cool
This is my house and I'm prone
This is my domain, and I am used to it
To layin' some chrome upside some motherfuckers dome
To hit someone really hard in the head
And I'm out
And I am done
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson, Anthony Mosley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mylesa.williams6281
Prince is my opinion was the greatest all around musician that ever lived considering he arranged, composed, produced, wrote all of his songs and played multiple instruments and this is coming from a huge MJ fan but to compare those two music greats is absurd and disrespectful. Prince had his style Michael had his. Anyone on here saying Michael Jackson was overrated is a fool. The fact remains MJ is the King Of Pop and to me Prince is the King Musical Prodigy. Both Jackson and Prince have the accomplishments to back it up
@Sarspariila
Exactly how I feel. Worded it perfectly.
@paulavish5482
Omg. These are my words, mate!
@davidkuzur5186
Well stated-apparently several people agree. I just can't help but see 'Pop' as bullshit and Music as music...you are correct though, one was king of Bullshit and one was king of Music...✌️
@leeleethelibra981
@David Kuzur ur pressed like a keypad dummy 😅
@sidneytownsend700
Prince was a musical genius! RIP PURPLE ONE.
@Damishaw
This man will always be a badass! Nobody will ever compare to Prince!
@wendymouse3
Amen!!!
@BIGSEXXY62677
Facts!!! Speak On It 👊🏽👍🏽💯
@mariefloyd6174
You forgot about Michael 👍✌️. Both were unstoppable.