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.
Round And Round
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Round and round and round
Round, round
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh, yeah
Can you tell me where we're going to?
Can you tell me what it is we really want to find?
For all we know it's been there all the time
I say, nothing comes from dreamers but dreams
I say, sitting idle in our boat while everyone else is down the stream
Nothing comes from talkers but sound, yeah
We can talk all we want to, but the world still goes around and round
Round and round
Ooh, we go round and round and round
And what we're looking for still isn't found
Can you tell me when we gonna get to it?
I'm tired of fooling around
I said, "I want to do it" (go for it, get to it)
Ooh, I learned my lesson young
I said, "If you want to have fun" (go for it)
And when you win say, "I knew it" (go for it, get to it)
Nothing comes from dreamers but dreams
I say, sitting idle in our boat while everyone else is down the stream
Nothing comes from talkers but sound
Ooh, we can talk all we want to, but the world still goes around and round
Round, round, round, round
Round and round (get get get get to it, go for it, get to it)
We go round and round and round
And what we're looking for still isn't found
One day I'll make it in the big city
And I'll be looking for a girl who's pretty
One day I'll make a play and she will say, "Okay"
'Cause I plan to be a cool kitty
Round and round (oh yeah-yeah, oh yeah-yeah)
I say, nothing comes from dreamers but dreams
Ooh, I say, sitting idle in our boat while everyone else is down the stream
Nothing comes from talkers but sound
Ooh, we can talk all we want to, but the world still goes around and round
Round and round
Ooh-hoo, we go round and round and round
And what we're looking for still isn't found
Round and round we go
Round and round we go
Round and round and round and round and round and round we go
Round and round, round and round (oh, yeah)
Round and round we go, round and round we go (oh, yeah)
(Oh, yeah)
Round and round
Prince's song "Round and Round" focuses on the search for truth and meaning in life. The song explores the idea that people often struggle to identify what they truly want or need, and that everything they want may be right in front of them all along. The lyrics suggest that we can spend our time dreaming about what life could be like, but until we take action and actually go after what we want, we're not going to find satisfaction in life. In essence, the song is a call to action, challenging listeners to stop talking and start doing, to stop dreaming and start chasing their dreams.
The repetition of the mantra "round and round" throughout the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, and the fact that we often find ourselves going in circles. The line "nothing comes from dreamers but dreams" speaks to the idea that while dreaming is important, it is ultimately action that brings about change. Similarly, the line "nothing comes from talkers but sound" suggests that talking about making changes is not enough; we need to take real, tangible steps in order to create the lives we want.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm about something that is happening, or is about to happen.
Round and round and round
Reiterating that the world and life move in cyclical patterns and that we often find ourselves repeating the same patterns.
Round, round
A shortened version of 'round and round,' emphasizing that the cyclical patterns continue.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
An enthusiastic and affirmative response to something that is being said or happening.
Ooh, yeah
An expression of pleasure, excitement or satisfaction.
Can you tell me where we're going to?
Asking about the destination or direction of life and what we hope to achieve or find.
Can you tell me what it is we really want to find?
Questioning the true motivations of our ambitions and whether they will ultimately bring us the satisfaction we seek.
Is the truth really there? Or is it right under our hair?
Questioning whether what we are searching for is something hidden and difficult to find or if it is already within us.
For all we know it's been there all the time
Suggesting that what we are searching for may have been with us all along and that we need to look within ourselves to find it.
I say, nothing comes from dreamers but dreams
Stating that mere dreaming or fantasy will not bring us the results we desire without taking some action to make them a reality.
I say, sitting idle in our boat while everyone else is down the stream
Metaphorically suggesting that remaining stagnant and not taking risks or action will not lead us to achieve our goals when others are actively pursuing theirs.
Nothing comes from talkers but sound, yeah
Stating that mere words and talk without action will not bring us any closer to achieving our goals.
We can talk all we want to, but the world still goes around and round
Emphasizing that action is crucial and that the world will continue its cyclical patterns regardless of our talk and intentions.
Ooh, we go round and round and round
Reiterating the cyclical nature of life and the world, and the ways in which we repeat the same patterns.
And what we're looking for still isn't found
Acknowledging that despite our searching and efforts, we have not yet found what we are seeking.
Can you tell me when we gonna get to it?
Expressing impatience and a strong desire to achieve our goals and find what we are seeking in life.
I'm tired of fooling around
Expressing frustration and weariness with the lack of progress or results in our pursuit of our goals.
I said, 'I want to do it' (go for it, get to it)
Affirming a strong desire to take action and pursue our goals.
Ooh, I learned my lesson young
Suggesting that the singer has gained wisdom and learned from past mistakes or experiences.
I said, 'If you want to have fun' (go for it)
Encouraging taking risks and pursuing our goals as a way of having a fulfilling and enjoyable life.
And when you win say, 'I knew it' (go for it, get to it)
Encouraging self-confidence and belief in oneself in order to achieve success.
One day I'll make it in the big city
Expressing hope and ambition to achieve success and make a name for oneself.
And I'll be looking for a girl who's pretty
Expressing a desire for romantic love and companionship.
One day I'll make a play and she will say, 'Okay'
Expressing a desire for romantic success and imagining a scenario in which one's romantic interest reciprocates feelings.
'Cause I plan to be a cool kitty
Claiming that one intends to be cool, confident and successful.
Round and round
Reiterating that life and the world continue to move in cyclical patterns.
Ooh-hoo, we go round and round and round
Emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and how easy it is to get stuck in repetitive patterns.
Round and round we go
Reiterating that life moves in cyclical patterns and that it is easy to get stuck in repetitive cycles.
Round and round and round and round and round and round we go
Emphasizing the repetitive and cyclical nature of life and how easy it is to get stuck in repetitive cycles.
Oh yeah-yeah, oh yeah-yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement.
Round and round we go, round and round we go (oh, yeah)
Reiterating the cyclical nature of life and the repetition of patterns.
(Oh, yeah)
An exclamation of excitement or enthusiasm.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind