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.
What It Feels Like
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You use to treat me like David, but now I feel like Saul
Been making it rain all around the world
What difference does it make when the boy ain't got his girl?
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like
(This is what it feels like, babe)
(This is what it feels like)
This is what it feels like
(This is what it feels like, babe)
Your name's not David and it sure ain't Saul
Maybe you have no business writing on my wall
Springtime on the Philistines before the middle of the fall (Middle of the fall)
Silly rabbit needs to stop doin' tricks if you wanna get my call
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like
(Oh oh) This is what it feels like, babe
This is what it feels like, babe
Oh this is what it feels like
Oh this is what it feels like, babe
This is what it feels like, babe
Everybody goes up and down in a lifetime love affair
Makin' up, just breakin' up and pullin' each other's hair
What I wouldn't give to have you right here next to me
Show you want I really feel about you, well listen and you will see
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like, babe
This is what it feels like, babe
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like yeah, yeah
This is what it feels like, babe
This is what it feels like, babe
The art of seduction, you and me is the right equation
And all you need to reach my lovin' is why I stared down a muffin
I can't wait to be your baby, baby, here I am just take me
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like, baby
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like, babe
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like, babe
This is what it feels like
This is what it feels like, babe
This is what it feels like, babe (this is what it feels like, babe)
The lyrics to Prince's song What It Feels Like seem to be about a person longing for someone who they used to be close with, but has since distanced themselves. The first lines indicate that it has been a while since they last spoke. The singer then compares their previous relationship to that of David and Saul, which was a tumultuous one as Saul was jealous of David's success. This comparison could highlight the singer's feelings of jealousy and betrayal.
The following lines seem to suggest that the other person has been traveling and spending their money frivolously. The singer questions what difference it makes if they can't be with the one they love. In the second verse, the singer dismisses the idea that they are writing on their wall, possibly indicating that they are not interested in the other person's public displays of affection. They also mention the Philistines, which is a biblical reference to a group that fought against the Israelites. This could be a metaphor for their own strife with the other person.
Later in the song, the singer talks about the ups and downs of relationships and how they wish they could be with the other person. They mention the art of seduction and suggest that they could have a passionate relationship if they were to be together again. The repeated line "this is what it feels like" could show the singer reminiscing about what it was like to be with the other person and yearning for the feeling again.
Overall, the song seems to be about the pain of wanting someone who is no longer available and the nostalgia for what once was.
Line by Line Meaning
Been a couple hundred hours since he got your call
It's been a while since you last contacted him
You use to treat me like David, but now I feel like Saul
You used to praise him like a king, but now he feels ashamed and rejected
Been making it rain all around the world
He's been traveling the world and enjoying life, but it doesn't mean much without you by his side
What difference does it make when the boy ain't got his girl?
Without you, nothing else matters
Your name's not David and it sure ain't Saul
He doesn't care who you are, but he knows you're not treating him right
Maybe you have no business writing on my wall
You shouldn't be trying to get his attention in that way
Springtime on the Philistines before the middle of the fall (Middle of the fall)
He's tired of games and wants something real before it's too late
Silly rabbit needs to stop doin' tricks if you wanna get my call
If you want him to call back, stop playing games and be honest with him
Everybody goes up and down in a lifetime love affair
Relationships have their ups and downs
Makin' up, just breakin' up and pullin' each other's hair
Couples fight, but they also make up and have passionate moments
What I wouldn't give to have you right here next to me
He wishes you were next to him right now
Show you want I really feel about you, well listen and you will see
He wants to express his true feelings to you through his music
The art of seduction, you and me is the right equation
He sees your relationship as a game of seduction
And all you need to reach my lovin' is why I stared down a muffin
He's willing to do whatever it takes to win you over, even if it means staring down a muffin
I can't wait to be your baby, baby, here I am just take me
He's ready to be yours and wants you to accept him
This is what it feels like
This is how he feels without you
This is what it feels like, babe
He wants you to understand his emotions
Oh oh) This is what it feels like, babe
He's emphasizing the intensity of his emotions
This is what it feels like, babe
He wants you to know that he's sincere
This is what it feels like yeah, yeah
He's affirming the truth of his emotions
This is what it feels like, baby
He wants you to feel the same way he does
This is what it feels like
He can't stress it enough
This is what it feels like, babe
He wants you to believe him
This is what it feels like
He wants to make sure you understand his emotions
This is what it feels like, babe (this is what it feels like, babe)
His emotions are real and persistent
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind