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.
Stare
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First things first, we'd like you to stare
We used to go on stage in our underwear
We changed up, we got a brand-new beat
Now we got the summers poppin' in the street
They all stare, can I help you?
Everybody jam 'cause this party's goin' ham
Ain't nobody stoppin' 'cause we got this party poppin' now
Second things first, we know you got thirst
But we like it when you're fiening for the funk until it hurts
Jump, air, can you blame me?
Every time you whip it to the beat, it make a brother just stare
Sister, freak me
Nobody got a chance
You need to back up, let me show you how to dance
Stare, can I get a kiss?
I pull out a tune
Curvy ma', tell me what you wanna do
Do you wanna?
Uh-uh-uh-uh-ahh-ahh
Uh-uh-uh-uh-ahh-ahh
Do you wanna?
Uh-uh-uh-uh-ahh-ahh
Sexy dance now
Uh-uh-uh-uh-ahh-ahh
Sexy dance now
Do you wanna?
Uh-uh-uh-uh-ahh-ahh
Uh-uh-uh-uh-ahh-ahh
Do you wanna?
You don't wanna sneak it
'Cause you know we couldn't take it
But we like it when you shake it
Baby, careful not to break it
Don't break it now
Do you wanna?
Uh-uh-uh-uh-ahh-ahh
Uh-uh-uh-uh-ahh-ahh
Last things last
I need your number fast
I'd rather let the music talk
While you and me walk into the past
Into the past
Into the
Stare
Stare
Stare
Stare
Stare
The lyrics of "Stare" by Prince can be interpreted as an invitation to dance and have a good time while catching the attention of others. The song highlights the power of music to bring people together, create a sense of community and share a moment of pleasure. The chorus "Stare, can I help you?" suggests that the band and the listeners are equally invested in enjoying the moment and vibing with each other. The first verse also hints at the band's history of provocative performances, but they have since changed their style to appeal to a wider audience. The second verse describes the physicality of dancing and how it can be a sensual experience that both men and women can enjoy. The last verse introduces a potential romantic interest and suggests that the shared experience of dancing can bring people closer. The lyrics of "Stare" ultimately celebrate the joy of dancing and the unspoken communication that happens between people on the dance floor.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, baby
Introducing the song.
First things first, we'd like you to stare
Encouraging the listener to focus on them.
We used to go on stage in our underwear
Explaining an old performance style.
We changed up, we got a brand-new beat
Announcing a change in their style.
Now we got the summers poppin' in the street
The new beat is popular.
They all stare, can I help you?
People are enamored by their new style.
Everybody jam 'cause this party's goin' ham
The party is lively and enjoyable.
Just stare, can I help you?
Asking if someone is enjoying the show.
Ain't nobody stoppin' 'cause we got this party poppin' now
The energy is high, and nobody is stopping the party.
Second things first, we know you got thirst
Acknowledging the audience's desire to have fun.
But we like it when you're fiening for the funk until it hurts
Suggesting they appreciate enthusiasm.
Jump, air, can you blame me?
Asking if the listener can blame them for enjoying the energy.
Every time you whip it to the beat, it make a brother just stare
Expressing how the audience's dancing mesmerizes them.
Sister, freak me
Requesting to be impressed.
Nobody got a chance
Implying they're the best entertainment.
You need to back up, let me show you how to dance
Offering to teach.
Stare, can I get a kiss?
Asking for a kiss due to the mutual enjoyment.
I pull out a tune
Preparing to play a song.
Curvy ma', tell me what you wanna do
Asking a woman if she wants to engage in physical activity.
Do you wanna?
Asking if she's interested.
Sexy dance now
Encouraging her to dance sensually.
You don't wanna sneak it
Dissuading from covert behavior.
'Cause you know we couldn't take it
Suggesting they wouldn't like sneaky behavior.
But we like it when you shake it
Encouraging rhythmic movement.
Baby, careful not to break it
Advising to take care of their body.
Don't break it now
Warning again to take care of their body.
Last things last
Starting the last section of the song.
I need your number fast
Asking for a phone number.
I'd rather let the music talk While you and me walk into the past
Suggesting to reminisce while enjoying music.
Into the past Into the past Into the
Repeating the last line while setting the tone.
Stare Stare Stare Stare Stare
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the song's name.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind