It was included as the ninth track on the 25 September, 1988 configuration of the Graffiti Bridge album. Michael B. recorded drum overdubs on the track in late 1989, during his first session working with Prince, and this later version was included as the twelfth track on a late 1989 configuration of the album, but the song was replaced by Still Would Stand All Time as the album and movie underwent further changes (perhaps because the movie is quite spiritual in nature, and some of the lyrics of The Grand Progression question God's existence).
The song remains unreleased, although Prince has referred to the desire to find "the grand progression" in interviews. We Got The Power contains the lyric "is the progression grand?", and F.U.N.K. features the spoken vocals "well, it may not be the grand progression, but it sure is funky".
The Grand Progression
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've lived a year or 2 inside our minds?
Now I want 2 whisper in your ear
That U're OK
If love were gold then I would be fixed 4 life
If I was a star, then baby, U would be the night
And I want 2 live my whole life through
CHORUS:
Darling it seems I have found the grand progression
Whenever I'm in your arms
From July until June, every sun and every moon
Melting inside of your charms
If there really is a God up above
2 him I owe my life 4 U my love
Now ... darling, if I died yesterday
It's OK
CHORUS {x2}
Can it be in this seemingly short space of time
We've lived a year or 2 inside our minds?
Now I want 2 spend my whole life through
Inside of U
Prince's song "The Grand Progression" seems to be about an intense and all-consuming love that the singer shares with their partner. The lyrics suggest that despite the brevity of time, the singer feels they have lived a year or two inside their minds together. The singer wants to assure their partner that they are okay and then proceeds to use metaphors of love as gold and of their partner as the night to emphasize the depth and beauty of their connection. The chorus then speaks of how the singer has found the grand progression in their partner's arms - a sort of profound and transformative experience of love. The final verse speaks of how if there is a God above, the singer owes their life to their love and that they want to spend their whole life inside of them.
The song seems to be celebrating how love can be all-consuming and transformative, even in short periods of time. The metaphors of love as gold and of the partner as the night emphasize how precious and beautiful the experience of love is. Additionally, the line "If there really is a God up above, to him I owe my life for you my love" suggests that the singer feels a sense of gratitude for their partner's existence in their life. The grand progression felt in the partner's arms is quite significant, and the singer is willing to spend their whole life inside of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Can it be in this seemingly short space of time
Is it possible that we have experienced so much within a limited time?
We've lived a year or 2 inside our minds?
Have we emotionally lived through more than just the present moment in our minds?
Now I want 2 whisper in your ear
I want to privately convey something to you.
That U're OK
That everything is alright with you.
If love were gold then I would be fixed 4 life
If love had a monetary value, I would be financially secure for the rest of my life.
If I was a star, then baby, U would be the night
If I were significant, you would be the essential component in my life.
And I want 2 live my whole life through
I want to experience my entire life inside of something or someone.
Inside of U
Inside of you.
Darling it seems I have found the grand progression
It appears that I have discovered an essential piece of the puzzle of life.
Whenever I'm in your arms
Being in your embrace is an experience of its own.
From July until June, every sun and every moon
Throughout the year, in all seasons, days and nights – perpetually.
Melting inside of your charms
Becoming infatuated with your endearing qualities.
If there really is a God up above
If there is a divine force governing our existence.
2 him I owe my life 4 U my love
I consider my love and devotion to you as my ultimate purpose in life and therefore beneath a divine force.
Now ... darling, if I died yesterday
If I passed away recently.
It's OK
It is alright regardless of the situation.
We've lived a year or 2 inside our minds?
Have we emotionally lived through more than just the present moment in our minds?
Now I want 2 spend my whole life through
I desire to invest my entire life in one purpose.
Inside of U
Within you.
Contributed by Scarlett D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yvettesanchez5750
What an absolutely gorgeous song!! It really touches the heart!! & Prince sang it like a dream come true!! Prince played the piano so romantically!! You can tell that our sweet, beloved Master, Prince, put his full heart iin to singing this!! This song is a masterpiece!! Prince excelled at everything!! & He gave us so much to treasure forever!! Prince cared so much that you can bet that he's still very much with us in spirit watching over us & loving us!! Thank-you for sharing this work of art to cherish forever!!
@joybullen5319
Wow it touched my heart u will always be in our hearts our Precious Purple one 💜💜💜
@Wscate
This is easily one of my favorite songs that has come out since his death. When i found this song, my mother had just passed , i made a cd of some of his found songs and this song went through me as i drove to my mothers funeral. That was the hardest day of my life, i will never experience a harder day, but this song seemed to really hold me. For that, this song makes me tear up every time i hear it; this is now my mothers song.
@shawnaramazzotti1008
I'm so very sorry for your greatest loss of your mother.
@lesmariestewart1162
Blessings and comfort to you and I'm glad you have a song especially for your mommy..
@yuiyoung382
William Cate Such a beautiful story of your mom and Prince song. I miss my mom too she passed away also. This is a great song...Peace
@ingorichter649
William Cate comparable situation in my life - I took the main melody of "Free" to chant a laudatio to my mother at funeral. His music is so helpful ...
@BriterFuture
The Around the world in a day album for me when my grand mother passed. Miss him and his music
@hollybizzle813
We need prince now! The world needs his healing music 💜🕊️
@lesmariestewart1162
Thank you beloved for your gifts of music, creativity, concern for the human condition, and for sharing your world with us thru your songs! When you were happy you shared it with us...when you were in love, we heard it...when your heart was broke, we cried about it... when you were horny we bumped and grinded with you....when you had to speak your mind about the world's condition, we listened...your songs are the soundtracks of many of our lives...You sanged and spoke boldly of God and Jesus, and we know you are with them....awaiting to perform for us all.....the grandest of all concerts, for the grandest of all progressions....the coming home of the people of God!