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.
Violet the Organ Grinder
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I'll die, but I won't go away
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
I was on my way to another room
when an image of you sweetly
appeared in the mirror
perhaps you recall
you and I were neatly
in the middle of a Crystal Ball
that now serves as a reminder
on the wall of you and I the organ grinder
in the greatest concert of them all
I am Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
did you know that I still have your stockings?
I keep 'em in a drawer next to your brazier
come hither, my sweet, lend me your attention,
come hither lend my your ear
I do believe that my piano was stolen
I do believe that you want me near
Well I can deal with a sucker
if he's in your mouth,
but I can't deal with insincere
I'm the one that lives in your heart
you love me, no matter what you say
swear you don't miss the organ grinder
grinding on you every day
I am Violet the Organ Grinder (I am Violet the Organ Grinder)
and I grind all the live long day (and I grind all the live long day)
(check this out)
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
I took all the pictures you gave me,
and I placed them right under my bed
and I pumped and I pumped
'til the 'gasm much as jumped
from my feet to the top of my head, oh boy!
I'm Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I will not go away
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
Like a puppy, I licked your devotion
from your neck from your eyes from your ears
when you cry, I became your emotion,
and if you ever cry like that again
I'll be here
'cause I'm Violet the Organ Grinder {chorus in the background}
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I'm grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
not even...
[peace to the mutha]
(who turned the mother out)
[peace to the mutha]
(who turned the mother out)
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
and I grind all the live long day
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I'll die, but I won't go away
The lyrics to Prince and the New Power Generation's "Violet the Organ Grinder" speaks about a character named Violet who grinds the organ all day long and is passionate about her work. The chorus repeats her name and her dedication to her craft while acknowledging that although she will die, her legacy of grinding the organ will live on.
The verses include references to a Crystal Ball, which was a Prince album released in 1998, and a mention of stockings and a brazier. The latter could allude to a former lover or muse of the song's subject. Violet also declares her love for the person and that she will always be there for them, even in moments of sadness.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be telling the story of a passionate artist who believes in their work and is dedicated to it. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes this point, and the references to Prince's own work and personal relationships add layers to the song's meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
I identify as Violet, the musician who plays the organ
and I grind all the live long day
I spend my days playing the organ non-stop
I live for the organ, that I am grinding
I derive my entire life purpose from playing the organ
I'll die, but I won't go away
Even after I pass away, the memory of me as the organ player will live on
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
Listen up, what I'm about to say is important
I was on my way to another room
I was walking when something caught my eye
when an image of you sweetly
I saw a pleasant image of you
appeared in the mirror
It was a reflection in the mirror
perhaps you recall
Maybe you remember
you and I were neatly
You and I were comfortably
in the middle of a Crystal Ball
We were in the center of a Crystal Ball
that now serves as a reminder
That Crystal Ball now serves as a reminder of our time together
on the wall of you and I the organ grinder
It hangs on the wall in the home where we played the organ together
in the greatest concert of them all
It was the greatest performance of all time
did you know that I still have your stockings?
Did you know that I still have your stockings in my possession?
I keep 'em in a drawer next to your brazier
I keep them in a drawer close to your brassiere
come hither, my sweet, lend me your attention,
Come closer to me and give me your full attention
come hither lend my your ear
Listen to what I have to say
I do believe that my piano was stolen
I think someone stole my piano
I do believe that you want me near
I believe you want me to be close to you
Well I can deal with a sucker
I can handle someone who is being foolish
if he's in your mouth,
If that person is talking foolishly
but I can't deal with insincere
But I can't handle insincerity
I'm the one that lives in your heart
I'm the one you love deeply
you love me, no matter what you say
You love me despite what you may say
swear you don't miss the organ grinder
Promise me you won't miss me as the organ grinder
grinding on you every day
Playing the organ for you every day
I took all the pictures you gave me,
I kept all the pictures you gave me
and I placed them right under my bed
I put them under my bed
and I pumped and I pumped
I was so excited and aroused
til the 'gasm much as jumped
Until I reached climax
from my feet to the top of my head, oh boy!
I felt the sensations throughout my entire body
Like a puppy, I licked your devotion
Like a loyal puppy, I appreciated your affection
from your neck from your eyes from your ears
I felt it from every part of you
when you cry, I became your emotion,
Whenever you cried, I was moved emotionally
and if you ever cry like that again
If you feel that way again
I'll be here
I'll be by your side
not even...
Not even worth considering
[peace to the mutha]
Sending greetings to mothers everywhere
(who turned the mother out)
Giving a shoutout to great mothers
I am Violet the Organ Grinder
Identifying again as Violet, the organ grinder
and I grind all the live long day
Spending every waking moment playing the organ
(check this out)
Listen to this
Ooh, wait a minute, I think you better trip on this
Pay close attention to what I'm about to say
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paranormalshadowssociety7402
I'll die, but I won't go away
True words were never spoken.
@kayrobbie5840
What makes Prince so interesting to watch is his unique ability to hold you captive in what he is singing and what he is wearing. His lyrics are so brilliant they can be interpreted in different ways. This makes him fascinating to watch and listen to. Sorry but no other entertainer has that unique ability in my opinion.
@Randallhorton468
😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅 lay off the glue 😴
@sophiesnikkenburg365
I agree! Prince is the best 💜
@ayo-joe3665
i agre 100% K
@LisaG208
I❤himstill
@TheJellymonty
You pretty much described perfection! Long Live Purple King! 💜💜💜💜💜
@tonika7543
He was the kind of man who was not too shy to show off his freaky side. Prince was the sex appeal in so many ways, his music and style was everything.
@briannaburch6737
Yes 👍
@HDPersonal777
A he or a she?