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.
The Rapture
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Marvelous
Scandalous
Marvelous
Where am I?
Right here, right here
CHORUS
Scandalous
Marvelous
Scandalous
The lyrics to Prince's song "The Rapture" are quite simple but also quite poetic and mysterious. There is a definite sense of sensuality and urgency, as well as a hint of danger or risk. The words "scandalous" and "marvelous" repeat several times, suggesting that there is something illicit or taboo happening, but at the same time it is an incredible experience that the singer cannot resist.
The question "Where am I?" is answered with "Where do U wanna be?" which is a very intriguing response. It implies that the singer is in a state of limbo, and that the destination is entirely up to the listener. The repetition of "right here" reinforces the idea that this is a moment of intense passion or desire, and that the singer is entirely focused on the present moment.
Overall, the lyrics to "The Rapture" suggest the power of sexuality and the allure of the forbidden. There is a sense that the singer is willing to take risks and live in the moment, no matter what happens.
Line by Line Meaning
Scandalous
An event or situation that is shocking and disgraceful
Marvelous
Something that is extremely impressive or wonderful
Scandalous
Repeating the first line to emphasize the shock and disgrace in the situation
Marvelous
Repeating the second line to emphasize the impressive and wonderful nature of something
Where am I?
Expressing confusion and a lack of understanding about one's location or situation
Where do U wanna be?
Posing the question of where someone desires to be in life, physically or emotionally
Right here, right here
Answering the previous question with the statement that being in the present moment is the most important place to be
CHORUS
The repeating section of the song that sums up the two opposing emotions of scandal and marvel repeatedly expressed throughout the song
Contributed by Sophie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dana d.
I am so blessed god led me to ur sermons. I finally am no longer walking in the depth on I had been. it's amazing I've been Christian for 15 years and until watching ur videos last night for the first time learned that I wasn't being punished for my sins. my life is not difficult because God is punishing me for the wrong I do. jesus paid my debt. wow. why didn't any one tell me this before and explain it as thorough as u. ur so wise and I'm grateful for u sharing ur knowledge with us
Connie Lopez Sanchez
Lord God thank for Pastor Prince please bless him his ministry and his family give him long happy healthy prosperous life amen
Amy Always
hi Pastor Prince, wow! i love your enthusiasm about the Lord Jesus, it's contagious! hahaa so fun. i am totally looking forward to my new body when the time comes. i love imagining sitting on the beach with Jesus while fish is cooking over the open campfire, i would love to be the one who snuggles with Jesus, resting my head on His chest. that's my "happy place' so to speak. thank you for sharing this message with us, Singapore Cowboy. you're a cool dude. my husband and i have learned so much from you; we appreciate you immensely! God bless you and your beautiful family, xo
Candace Briley
Yes that is it completely! Kind of mix up in my head of Ruth and Boaz. And really beholding Him eye to eye.
katia
Glory be to God! Thank you so much Pastor Prince for addressing this issue. I am so richly blessed every time I listen to your messages.
AnotherDayToday
Im ready. I've accepted christ into my life.
C L
I needed this word today..
He is faithful! Amen!
P Killa
Let us all be patient a little bit more, HE's gathering the remnant. Then We will all go home together.
<3 GLORY TO GOD <3
The General
A fresh perspective and it is the goodness of the LORD that causes us not to want to sin
Elizabeth Frei
I can't wait for Jesus to come back!