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.
Purple Music #1
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Purple music does the same to my brain
And I'm high, so high
Don't need no cymbals, no saxophone
Just need to find me a style of my own
And I'm high, so high
Just bein' inside a church don't make a righteous man
You're high, so high
In time we all die, all music gone
So we better try our best to get along
And get high, so high, no
Ain't got no theory, ain't got no rules
I just let the purple music tell my body what to do
And I'm high, so high
Every subject, any key
Purple music can't be judged, it happens naturally
It's alright, alright, oh
We'll find a serpent to sacrifice
We'll make a wish and then we'll visit purple paradise
We'll get high, yes we will, so high
Don't need no reefer, don't need cocaine
Purple music does the same to my brain
And I'm high, so high
Next page
Don't want reaction, I just want the act
It's easier to give love than it is to give it back
'Cause I'm high, so high
Oh, oh, oh
No reefer, don't need cocaine
Purple music does the same to my brain
And I'm high, oh
Don't need no cymbals, no saxophone
I just need to find me a style of my own
And I'm high, oh
I'd love some
I'm high, so high
Don't need no reefer, don't need cocaine
Purple music does the same to my brain
And I'm high, so high
We'll find a sacrifice
To get some purple paradise
So nice, purple paradise is so nice
Yeah!
Baby, baby, I say, I say, I say
Oh, oh, oh yeah, oh yeah
If you can understand my color
Put your hand in your crotch
No, no, no, no, no, yes!
Don't need no reefer, don't need cocaine
Purple music does the same to my brain
And I'm high, so high
Don't need no cymbals, no saxophone
Just need to find me a style of my own
And I'm high, so high
Some people can't understand
Just bein' inside a church don't make a righteous man
And you're high
You got to be high
In time we all die, all music gone
So we better try to get along
And get high, oh, no, no, no
All get high
I ain't got no theory, I ain't got no rules
I just let the purple music tell my body what to do
And I'm high, so high
Every subject, any key
Purple music can't be judged, it happens naturally
Ain't it all right?
Ain't it all right?
Don't try to fight it
It's time for your morning bath, sir
What would you like to bathe in this morning?
With all due respect sir, I think that it
I think that it might
Oh, oh no
I don't want to play anymore
I don't want to play anymore
Purple music does things to my brain and I'm high
Step on it
That's right
Drive, you idiot
Faster, faster!
Don't need no reefer, don't need cocaine
Purple music does the same to my brain
And I'm high, oh yeah
Don't need no cymbals, no saxophone
I just need to find me a style of my own
And I'm high
Some people can't understand
Just bein' inside a church don't make a righteous man
Oh, oh, no, yeah
The song "Purple Music #2" by Prince is an ode to the transformative power of music. It begins with Prince declaring that he doesn't need drugs or any external stimulation to get high, as the "purple music" - a term he likely uses to describe his own music - does the same to his brain. He emphasizes the importance of finding one's own style and not conforming to any set rules or theories. According to Prince, purple music can make anyone feel high, no matter the subject, key or instrument, and it happens naturally.
Prince also touches on the theme of death, acknowledging that in time, all music will be gone, which is why it's important to get along and enjoy life while we still can. His lyrics suggest that purple music is a way to achieve a state of unity and transcendence, one that can make everyone feel high and get along.
The song's bridge features a playful dialogue between Prince and someone else, where he asks them if they can understand his color - likely referring to the color purple, which was closely associated with Prince throughout his career. The song ends with a frantic call to drive faster, further emphasizing the transformative power of purple music.
Overall, "Purple Music #2" is a celebration of the unifying, transformative power of music, and Prince's unique approach to making it.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't need no reefer, don't need cocaine
Prince is stating that he does not require marijuana or cocaine to achieve an altered state of mind.
Purple music does the same to my brain
Prince's music, identified as “Purple Music” because it was recorded at his studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota, produces the same effect as drugs on his brain. He uses music to tap into alternate states of consciousness.
And I'm high, so high
Prince is describing his heightened state of mind that is caused by his music, or his “purple high”
Don't need no cymbals, no saxophone
Prince states that he does not need traditional musical instruments to create his music.
Just need to find me a style of my own
Prince believes that the most important aspect of his music is that it is unique and original.
Some people can't understand
Prince recognizes that not everyone can comprehend the way that he prefers to express himself through music.
Just bein' inside a church don't make a righteous man
Merely attending a religious institution, according to Prince, does not automatically make someone righteous. He is skeptical of the way that some people conform to religious dogma to achieve righteousness.
You're high, so high
In this line, Prince is speaking directly to his listeners and encouraging them to join him in his music-induced heightened state of mind.
In time we all die, all music gone
Prince reminds us of the impermanence of life and our creations. He believes that it is necessary to enjoy and create while we can since all things come to an end.
So we better try our best to get along
Prince encourages people to make an effort to harmonize in this limited time we have.
And get high, so high, no
Prince repeats the refrain from earlier in the song, further emphasizing his point that making music is akin to being high on a powerful drug.
Ain't got no theory, ain't got no rules
Prince suggests that no rules or theories can be applied to music since it’s unpredictable. He prefers his music to be fluid and allows it to flow out naturally.
I just let the purple music tell my body what to do
Prince submits to the energy of the music and allows it to control him. He is not seeking control or mastery over the music; it becomes a symbiotic relationship.
Every subject, any key
Prince believes his music is unrestricted and can be applied to any topic or any key without limitation.
Purple music can't be judged, it happens naturally
Prince suggests that his creations cannot be judged by the external standards of others since it emerges from a natural, organic process.
It's alright, alright, oh
Prince reassures himself that creating the music is right and natural and reinforces this by repeating the refrain.
We'll find a serpent to sacrifice
The use of the serpent is a biblical allusion. Prince is referring to making a sacrifice in pursuit of a new creation, or perhaps the spiritual journey of wrapping his mind around a new artistic creation.
We'll make a wish and then we'll visit purple paradise
Prince is saying that after making the sacrifice, he will achieve his artistic goals and enter a state of artistic bliss, or “purple paradise”.
We'll get high, yes we will, so high
Prince emphasizes that if he takes the necessary steps, he has the ability to reach his musical goals and achieve a heightened state of being.
Don't want reaction, I just want the act
Prince would rather create music than seek a response. He is focused on creating authentic art, not eliciting a particular reaction from his audience.
It's easier to give love than it is to give it back
Prince finds it easier to create art and express his love than receiving love or affection in return. He takes a less passive approach to love by expressing it vocally and creating tender music for those he loves.
'Cause I'm high, so high
Prince refers back to his 'purple high' which allows him to create, explore, and experience life fully.
No, no, no, no, no, yes!
Appears to be a non-sequitur intended to emphasize the emotional nature of the song.
We'll find a sacrifice
As before, Prince is referring to making a sacrifice in pursuit of a new creation.
To get some purple paradise
Prince repeats the idea of achieving a state of artistic bliss.
So nice, purple paradise is so nice
Prince reiterates the idea of artistic paradise, which he has continually called “purple paradise”
Yeah! Baby, baby, I say, I say, I say
Prince is excitedly asserting his belief on making music and embracing his purple high.
Oh, oh, oh yeah, oh yeah
Prince emphasizes the deep emotional connection that he has with his music and the artist's role in forming art.
If you can understand my color
Prince asks his listener if they can comprehend the nature of his music which is unique, like his color.
Put your hand in your crotch
Prince's performance style was noted for its provocative nature, and this line exemplifies his needling and provocative character.
No, no, no, no, no, yes!
Prince attributes the power of music to achieve sexual tension or arousal.
Don't try to fight it
Prince suggests that when you create music, you should be open to letting it guide you. Attempting to control or regulate the creative process could disrupt it.
It's time for your morning bath, sir
Prince playfully mocks the traditional requirement of societal norms which requires personal hygiene, valuing his desire for artistic expression over social norms.
What would you like to bathe in this morning?
Prince is not interested in responding to mundanity. He is focused on what truly matters to him, which is music.
With all due respect sir, I think that it/I think that it might/Oh, oh no/I don't want to play anymore
Prince is using these abstract lyrics to show the frustration that can come from traditional expectations, and how not everyone is willing or able to create music.
Purple music does things to my brain and I'm high/Step on it/That's right/Drive, you idiot/Faster, faster!
Prince uses metaphorical language and aggressive lyrical delivery to express that his music heightens his physical and emotional senses to the degree of transportation beyond normal existence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gamma Alfa
Purple joy... !
💜
Daniela G.
🎼🎶👏👏👏🎶
Che Boy
💜🐾