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.
Something Funky
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, we breakin' backs, no doubt
Get with it, fellas
CHORUS:
Boom, yeah!
Keep rocking like that, yeah
Boom, yeah!
Boom, yeah!
Keep rocking like that, yeah
Boom, yeah!
Something this house funky comes
Get up and step 2 this rhyme
It's about time, get in line, U find
Never will U undermine this, yeah
Shooting from the hip, it's a gift
A funky beat with a verbal twist
CHORUS
(Keep rocking like that, y'all, yeah)
Yeah, this is funky {x2}
Something this house funky comes
A bet with the one, sure shot with the gat
We sprayin' the funk
There is no doubt your daughter learned something
Next up: the introductions
This is an all star squad
U'd better bring more gangk than a lynch mob
U started think U're. think U're gonna rob
Yeah, cousin', don't quit your day job
Right now I'm gonna ask
The man with the fingers and the sonic blast
And the boom 4 the brother who'll please ya
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up 4 my brother
Levi Seacer
The T the O the M the M the Y
Like a widow, riff, then make'em cry
Come on Rosie (Yeah)
With the vocals so warm and cozy (Uh huh)
When U sing, U make the brothers say, "hold me"
Ladies and gentlemen, Rosie Gaines
Something funky this house come {x4}
(Yeah, who dared said that we can't jam?)
Next up, on drums and percussion
End of discussion
These boys are bum rushing the show
At anytime of given day
Michael B. and Kirky J.
Go, go
Something this... {x4}
Boom, yeah! (Yeah!)
Boom, yeah!
Who dared said that we can't jam?
Boom, ha ha
Boom, yeah! {x2}
Something this house funky comes
Let me ask U get steppin'
And when they do there'll be nothing left when
U open the door
They'll be burning the floor
Making party people scream 4 more
It's on U fellas
Make money, make money, make money
Make money, make money, yeah!
Give a brother a rope
Wanna be a cowboy
Ride 'em, fellas
(Yeah, this is funky)
Something this house funky comes (Yeah, this is funky)
Boom, yeah!
Yeah {x2}
I'm slippery
Ooh, do U think they'll forgive me?
Cuz ain't no way around it, boy
U see that I am getting peed up
What's up?
2day I mackin' paid 4 giving a fuck
Hell no, we said it, U print it, they read it
Give it up
Yo, this question of color, my answer: black
Ask how I'm living?
I said I'm going 4 mine
If it's a crime
I'll do the time, never mind
A system that's been keeping a black ass in line
I'll take it down
Cuz I'm about 2 clown
Make sure it's gonna, boy
Undeniable sound
I take on the task
When things are moving fast
Here's the blast since U like 2 typecast
CHORUS
(Yeah, this is funky) {repeat in background}
Yeah, end of discussion
Prince's song "Something Funky" is an upbeat, energetic tune that showcases the New Power Generation's musical talents. The lyrics are a call to action, inviting everyone to join in the fun and dance along. The song opens with the NPG in max attack, ready to break backs and keep the rhythm going.
The chorus of the song repeats the invitation to keep rocking like that and challenges anyone who would dare to say that they can't jam. The verses feature playful lyrics about shooting from the hip and the gift of a funky beat with a verbal twist. The bridge section introduces each member of the band, highlighting their individual contributions to the sound, and features a spoken-word passage about going for yours.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, NPG in max attack y'all
Prince's band, New Power Generation, is here and ready to give it their all
Yeah, we breakin' backs, no doubt
They are giving it their all, causing a raucous feeling in the air
Get with it, fellas
Join in the fun and party atmosphere
Boom, yeah!
A sudden explosive sound to emphasize the high-energy party atmosphere
Keep rocking like that, yeah
Keep up the high energy and vibrant excitement
Who dared said that we can't jam?
A challenge to those who believe jazz and funk music can't be danced to
Something this house funky comes
A sense of anticipation towards an expected experience of funky music indoors
Get up and step 2 this rhyme
An invitation given to everyone to dance
It's about time, get in line, U find
The time has come to enjoy the music, so get in line and let yourself be part of the groove
Never will U undermine this, yeah
Don't say you can't dance because the music is too funky
Shooting from the hip, it's a gift
Playing music that is sharp, quick, and funky is quite a talent and skill
A funky beat with a verbal twist
The music has both funk and poetic elements to it
Yeah, this is funky {x2}
Just in case anyone missed it earlier, this is definitely funky music
Something this house funky comes
A stronger sense of heightened anticipation as funky music rapidly approaches
A bet with the one, sure shot with the gat
There is no doubt that the music will be good
We sprayin' the funk
The music has a strong and powerful impact upon everyone present there
There is no doubt your daughter learned something
Even children can learn and appreciate something from the powerful rhythm of music
Next up: the introductions
The next thing to come up is the introduction of the band's performers
This is an all star squad
A group of talented and well-known performers are up on stage
U'd better bring more gangk than a lynch mob
If anyone wants to dance to this music with them, they must bring as much energy and enthusiasm
U started think U're. think U're gonna rob
Don't even think about stealing the spotlight by trying to be cooler than they are
Yeah, cousin', don't quit your day job
A comedic phrase indicating that someone is not good at what they're doing
Right now I'm gonna ask
A moment of meaningful interaction with the audience
The man with the fingers and the sonic blast
The guitarist who can play long, bluesy licks and fast technical riffs
And the boom 4 the brother who'll please ya
Putting the spotlight on the drummer
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up 4 my brother Levi Seacer
Introducing one of the band's talented performers
The T the O the M the M the Y
Spelling out someone's name alphabetically
Come on Rosie (Yeah)
A singer's name has been called upon request and the audience is encouraged to get excited about it
With the vocals so warm and cozy (Uh huh)
This singer's voice is soft and soothing
When U sing, U make the brothers say, 'hold me'
The singer's voice has a strong emotional impact upon the audience
Ladies and gentlemen, Rosie Gaines
Introducing yet another talented performer
Next up, on drums and percussion
This is an instrumental solo
End of discussion
There is no need to talk anymore because the instrumentals speak for themselves
These boys are bum rushing the show
The music has taken on an aggressive, powerful quality
At anytime of given day
People can come to listen to music and dance to it at any time of the day
Michael B. and Kirky J.
The names of the drum and percussion soloists respectively
Go, go
The music has become fast-paced and lively
Let me ask U get steppin'
Encouraging the audience to dance and step up to the music
And when they do there'll be nothing left when
Once the audience starts dancing, it's going to get crazy and wild
U open the door
As the door opens to the dancehall, there will be lots of loud music
They'll be burning the floor
People will be dancing ferociously
Making party people scream 4 more
Once people start dancing, they won't stop, and the party will be even more intense
It's on U fellas
Now it's up to everyone to party hard and have fun
Make money, make money, make money
The band is encouraging people to have a good time and make money while they're at it
Give a brother a rope
Encouraging a cowboy-like, carefree attitude
Wanna be a cowboy
Being a cowboy is the popular image of being carefree and having fun
Ride 'em, fellas
Keep the party spirit going and ride it out to the end
I'm slippery
Appearance of being carefree and wild like a cowboy
Ooh, do U think they'll forgive me?
Asks if people will forgive them for going too far with the wild cowboy impression
Cuz ain't no way around it, boy
Being wild and carefree is an undeniable part of the cowboy persona
If it's a crime
Being wild isn't necessarily a bad thing
I'll do the time, never mind
They'll take the consequences of being wild and carefree
A system that's been keeping a black ass in line
A phrase that touches on the social issues black people have faced and are still facing
I'll take it down
Being wild and free can break down the walls and the limitations society places on us
Cuz I'm about 2 clown
Because they're all about having fun and clowning around
Make sure it's gonna, boy
Ensure that the music is at a high level of quality
Undeniable sound
An excellent quality of music that can't be denied
I take on the task
A determination to be assigned the important task of performing music well
When things are moving fast
They know how to play well and quickly when the tempo of the music picks up
Here's the blast since U like 2 typecast
This a burst of wild, carefree music since people like to label and categorize things
I said I'm going 4 mine
They're going to go for it and do their best with music performance
Ask how I'm living?
A rhetorical question asking how lively and carefree their performance is going to be
If you're asking me
I said I'm going 4 mine
They're going to go for it and do their best with music performance. That's how lively and carefree he's going to be
Yo, this question of color, my answer: black
This is a statement acknowledging racial inequality and challenges
CHORUS
Repeats the chorus again
Yeah, end of discussion
The music has reached its peak and must now come to an end
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.