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.
Shoo-Bed-Ooh
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brother pushin' that game on ya as if you want to play
Askin' you every other sentence if them titties are real
One tramp even had the nerve to touch 'em as if you wanted a feel
[Chorus:]
Shoo-bed-ooh, shoo-bed-ooh, ooh!
Shoo-bed-ooh, shoo-bed-ooh, ooh!
The money that you make ain't payin' the rent, so you sleep in cars
You wonder aloud if you're happy - you say, "Yea," as if you really are
This car you drive with no gas won't take you very far
You look up in the sky and wish upon a star (Upon a star)
[Chorus]
The answer to the question of life is a gray-haired bitch at least
Suckin' on the ebony dancer in between these dirty sheets
Spittin' out the aftertaste of a boy who might not call again
If this is the game you stood in line for, how are you gonna win?
(How are you gonna win?)
Shoo-bed-ooh, shoo-bed-ooh, ooh!
So you thought he just might come every time you phone
As if you've never been lonely as if you've never been alone
(As if you've never been alone)
How you ever gonna win if you let 'em all see your hand?
Playin' the queen don't work on your knees as if you understand
[Chorus x2]
The answer to the question of life is a gray-haired bitch at least
Suckin' on the ebony dancer in between these dirty sheets
Spittin' out the aftertaste of a boy who might not call again
If this is the game you stood in line for, how are you gonna win?
How you gonna win?
[Chorus x2]
So you thought you just might lose your mind today
In Prince's song Shoo-Bed-Ooh, the lyrics describe the struggle of a woman who is being objectified, both physically and emotionally. The first verse talks about a man who is trying to push a woman into a game that she doesn't want to play, and constantly asking intrusive questions about her body. The chorus, "Shoo-bed-ooh," can be interpreted as a dismissive response to the man's advances, as if to say "Get away from me." The second verse talks about the woman's financial struggles, as she is unable to pay her rent and has to frequently sleep in her car. Despite her hardships, she tries to convince herself that she is happy, but ultimately realizes that she is not. The bridge again references the struggle of being objectified and used, this time sexually. The woman is with a man who doesn't respect her, and she knows that he will likely never call again. The lyrics ultimately question whether it is possible for the woman to "win" in this situation, as she has been dealt a losing hand in life.
One interpretation of the song is that it is a commentary on the objectification and dehumanization of women in modern society. The woman in the song is repeatedly reduced to nothing more than her body, both by the men who objectify her and by her own financial struggles. The lyrics suggest that society is set up in a way that makes it almost impossible for women to succeed or be respected, as they are constantly being judged and objectified based on their physical appearance.
Another interesting aspect of the song is the use of the "shoo-bed-ooh" refrain. This phrase has been used in various songs throughout history, but it is difficult to pin down its exact origins or meaning. In the context of Shoo-Bed-Ooh, it can be interpreted as a dismissive response to the male advances towards the woman. It also adds a catchy and memorable element to the song, helping to reinforce the message of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
So you thought you just might lose your mind today
You feel overwhelmed by the pressures and advances from men who push themselves on you.
Brother pushin' that game on ya as if you want to play
You are constantly harassed by men who insist on approaching you in a sexual way, ignoring your boundaries.
Askin' you every other sentence if them titties are real
Men are constantly objectifying you and making you feel uncomfortable by asking intimate questions, with a particular focus on your breasts.
One tramp even had the nerve to touch 'em as if you wanted a feel
Even strangers have felt entitled to disrespect you and invade your personal space, despite your clear discomfort.
The money that you make ain't payin' the rent, so you sleep in cars
You are struggling financially, which has forced you to live in your car because you cannot afford rent.
You wonder aloud if you're happy - you say, "Yea," as if you really are
You often question whether you are truly happy, but feel the need to reassure yourself and others that you are.
This car you drive with no gas won't take you very far
Your car, which you live in, is not reliable enough to travel far, adding to the struggles of your situation.
You look up in the sky and wish upon a star (Upon a star)
You still hold onto hope and wish for a better future, even in the midst of your current hardships.
The answer to the question of life is a gray-haired bitch at least
Prince believes that life is cruel and unsympathetic, and that the only answer is to accept it.
Suckin' on the ebony dancer in between these dirty sheets
The idea that people have to submit to others in order to survive in the world, no matter how degrading or unpleasant it may be.
Spittin' out the aftertaste of a boy who might not call again
The relationships that are formed through this kind of submission are frail and fleeting, prompting feelings of emptiness and loss.
If this is the game you stood in line for, how are you gonna win?
If life is just a series of battles and struggles that you have to endure, how can you truly achieve victory or success?
So you thought he just might come every time you phone
You cling to the hope that men will come to rescue you from your situation, believing that they will always answer your call.
As if you've never been lonely as if you've never been alone (As if you've never been alone)
You deceive yourself into believing that you've never experienced loneliness or solitude, preferring to rely on the idea of men providing validation and companionship.
How you ever gonna win if you let 'em all see your hand?
If you're always revealing your cards and letting men take advantage of you, how can you hope to achieve positive outcomes or experiences in life?
Playin' the queen don't work on your knees as if you understand
The idea that women who sacrifice their dignity and self-respect for the sake of men will not earn respect or power in return.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Campbell
Newpower Soul is such an underrated album. There's several gems on there that not many people have heard.
Steve858
It has its moments but at this point Prince was burnt out and had too many yes men around him. He was trying to sound modern and it didn't work. He said in an interview he was disappointed The One wasn't a hit and said it was just as good as The Beautiful Ones
synth hero
100% agree also Emancipation never gets the recognition it deserves
faythensigma
This song and album is my favorite!!! I miss Prince. His so special!
KING JAMU
Incredible piece of art...Prince never disappoints
Sally Kinley
Love this album 💜 really funky. It’s worth it just for this track and Come On! Also the album version of The One is sublime…the outro with the strings and harp is exquisite 💜