Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016), more commonly known m… Read Full Bio ↴Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016), more commonly known mononymously as Prince, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. The recipient of numerous awards and nominations, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. He was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona; his wide vocal range, which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams; and his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings. Prince produced his albums himself, pioneering the Minneapolis sound. His music incorporated a wide variety of styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, pop, jazz, and hip hop.

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.

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Prince Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't play me
I'm over 30 & I don't smoke weed
I put my ass away & music I've played
Aint the type of stereo u're tryin to feed
Don't play me
Don't play me
I use proper English & I'm straight
I'm in the news again for paying dues my friend

And not the type of ganda u prop in my way
Don't play me

I've been to the mountain top & it ai'nt what u say
Don't play me

Don't play me
I'm the wrong color & I play guitar
My only competition is well in the past
Time & time if time existed movin ever so fast
Don't play me

U couldn't play enough of me now
2 make me feel like a star
Don't play me I already do in my car
Don't play me

Don't be mad at me
The curtain puller in the game
Maybe how u call us niggers aint the same
It's all good when u know the only fame
Is the light that comes from God & the joy u get to say his name
Don't play me

Don't play me
I've seen to the mountain top & it ain't what u say
Don't play me

Already got laid

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Prince's song "Don't Play Me" are a commentary on the music industry and the way it tries to pigeonhole artists into specific categories based on their age, race, and style of music. Prince, who was over 30 and didn't smoke weed, was resisting being put in a box and playing into stereotypes. He was an accomplished musician who had paid his dues and didn't want to be limited by the type of music that record executives were trying to promote.

Prince was stating that he uses proper English and wasn't trying to fit into any particular demographic. He was being recognized in the news for the work he had done and wasn't interested in the kind of propaganda that was being thrown his way. He had been to the mountain top, and he knew that the music industry could be limiting, but he refused to let that determine his success.

Prince was also noting his race, and how that had affected his career. He was the "wrong color" and played guitar, which put him in a different category than many other artists. His only competition was in the past, and he was moving forward at great speed. He knew that the music industry could only take him so far, and that his real success would come from God.

In conclusion, "Don't Play Me" is a song that speaks to Prince's individuality and his resistance to being categorized by the music industry. He was an artist who refused to be boxed in and was determined to make music on his own terms, regardless of age, race, or style.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't play me
Don't underestimate or manipulate me

I'm over 30 & I don't smoke weed
My age and lifestyle choices don't define my worth or creativity

I put my ass away & music I've played
I've earned my success through hard work and dedication to my craft

Aint the type of stereo u're tryin to feed
My music isn't an industry product or trend to be exploited for profit

I use proper English & I'm straight
My identity and language are authentic to who I am and not a performance or stereotype

I'm in the news again for paying dues my friend
My accomplishments and struggles are newsworthy, not just my personal life or scandals

And not the type of ganda u prop in my way
The biases and obstacles I face are unjust and don't reflect my talent or character

I've been to the mountain top & it ai'nt what u say
I've experienced and transcended the struggles and limitations imposed on me

I'm the wrong color & I play guitar
My race and instrument choice challenge societal norms and stereotypes

My only competition is well in the past
My creative vision and legacy surpass any criticism or rivalry in the present

Time & time if time existed movin ever so fast
The music industry and society evolve rapidly, but my artistry endures and shapes its direction

U couldn't play enough of me now
Even overexposure or exploitation couldn't diminish or control my music and persona

2 make me feel like a star
My fame and self-worth aren't defined or validated by external validation or fame

I already do in my car
My love and appreciation for my music is enough, even in private and personal moments

Don't be mad at me
Don't resent or judge my success or identity, it's not your place or right

The curtain puller in the game
I understand and challenge the power dynamics and corruption in the music industry

Maybe how u call us niggers aint the same
Our racial identity and experiences are diverse and complex, not a monolithic or derogatory category

It's all good when u know the only fame
True success and fulfillment come from a higher purpose and spiritual connection

Is the light that comes from God & the joy u get to say his name
The ultimate reward and happiness come from acknowledging and expressing my faith and gratitude

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Yvette Sanchez

2y↑1

This is definitely a fun & cool song!! It's pure magic!! The music is so original & is just right for this song!! Our forever beloved, sweet Prince sang this so cool & so magnificently with his always incredible voice!! I especially love when Prince made that excited, get down sound with his mouth!! This song sounds absolutely fabulous!! I love it so much!!
Our forever beloved, sweet Prince always gave us total ultimacy in everything that he did for us!! That's one of the many reasons that Prince always has been & will always remain our one & only true Master of Music!!
We will always love & always remain devoted to our forever beloved, sweet Prince!!
ONLY PRINCE!!
PRINCE REIGNS FOREVER!!
PRINCE IS ETERNAL!! PURPLE POWER!! PEACE ALWAYS!!