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.
Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause nothin' was created in disagreement, see
And if I didn't try to school you, I'd be remiss
You know what?
Why should I do that when I can do this?
(Do this)
(Boom shakalakala boom)
(Do this)
You were just conceived on a Friday night
I was on stage wasting brothers in a real fight
Everytime they copped my space down I worked it harder
Stripped down to my underwear and spanked them like they father
Never before had people seen a vision so bizarre
Play a hand that's equal to mine
Uh, look at my cards I heard your little groove and I raised you another
On a Sunday morning would you play that smack for your mother?
Huh, I believe you would think otherwise
A few CDs from now when the software that you're banging's not alive
In a real battle those loops y'all got suffer TKO's
Until you're playing in front of 70,000 you'll never know, nigga
This a grown folks job
All the young dogs need to recognize
If the world was God, the people need to use it with a third eye
Who? What? Why? Uh, lookout
And if I didn't try to school you, I would be remissed
Why should I do that when I can do this?
(If a nigga never stylin', who would I diss?)
Why should I do that when I can do this?
(Boom shakalakala boom)
This drummer wicked
Why should I do that when I can do this?
This drummer wicked
Why should I do that when I can do this?
Everytime I turn around there's another boot
Talking about what another boot can't do
Quiet as it's kept, everyone of you boots need to try to walk a mile in my shoes
I've had devils (out) try to take me out but I stand for the truth
So my words makes mo' dollars than sense on your hellavision or your radio
With this flow it just grows
Yo, ask Chuck D. - he know
He's been fightin' the "so called power" since the days of old
So tell me now what should be sold?
Sleepy Jack hazards y'all need a couple of No-doze (Ooh)
Ask Mary J. about Chaka
Mary, is Chaka on the radio? (No)
Huh, see you gotta save your own
In the end it ain't about the dollars but the seeds you've sewn
In a mind state full of Dutch ELM that's where the ghetto's grown (Ohh)
Watch out y'all can't block me out tonight
If I didn't try to school you I'd be remissed
Why should I do that when I can do this? (Hey yeah)
(Do this)
(If a nigga never stylin', who would I diss?)
Why should I do that when I can do this
(Boom shakalakala boom)
This drummer wicked
Why should I do that when I can do this?
Uh, a drummer in a cold sweat, backin' up my rhyme
I'd make you take your shortie outta here (Everytime)
Calling me fine
I got a big stick, one for each hand
Everybody know I keep a tight band, come on
Uh
My brothers in Manhattan say, "Got to shut these haters down G."
He say, "Dog I got yo' back but you gotta, you gotta make a sound" (Make a sound)
Like we used to, "Well you might be pissed"
"'Cause why would I do that when I can do this?"
To most I'm known as a lover, to others I'm just a pain (Say what?)
The latter's opinion usually form when mediocrity reigns
And if I didn't school ya, you know what? (What?)
I would be remissed
Yo, why would I do that y'all, (haha) Londell, when I can do this?
(Why should I do that when I can do this?)
Why would I do that y'all, Ananda, when I can do this? (Backup)
(Why should I do that when I can do this)
Why would I do that y'all, Doug E., when I can do this?
Why would I do that y'all, Spike, when I could do this?
(Why should I do that when I can do this?)
Why would I do that y'all, NPG? We can do this, we can do this
Boom!
The lyrics to Prince's "Y Should Eye Do That When Eye Can Do This?" are about the importance of avoiding disagreements and instead focusing on one's own abilities and creations. The song starts with the suggestion to play a game called "you agree," emphasizing the unity that comes with avoiding opposition. Prince then goes on to allude to his own abilities as an artist and performer, specifically noting his success in a difficult battle where he stripped down and spanked his opponents like a father. He suggests that those who try to copy his style will ultimately fail and that he is only focused on his own path.
Prince then touches on the importance of staying true to oneself and standing for the truth, even in the face of those who try to take him down. He believes that his words make more money than sense on the radio and that in the end, it's not about the money but the seeds you sow. The song ends with Prince naming various people he would not diss, but instead focus on doing what he does best.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and avoiding arguments and opposition in order to fully embrace one's own creative abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's play a game called "you agree"
Let's agree on something and prevent disagreement, which doesn't create anything productive
'Cause nothin' was created in disagreement, see
Disagreements prevent the creation of something significant
And if I didn't try to school you, I'd be remiss
If I don't try to teach you something, I wouldn't be fulfilling my responsibility
Why should I do that when I can do this?
Why should I waste my time teaching you when I have other things to do?
This drummer wicked
The drummer is really good
You were just conceived on a Friday night
You are inexperienced and not as skilled as me
I was on stage wasting brothers in a real fight
I was performing on stage and impressing everyone with my skills
Everytime they copped my space down I worked it harder
Whenever someone tried to bring me down, I worked even harder to prove them wrong
Stripped down to my underwear and spanked them like they father
I humiliated my opponents on stage and proved to be dominant
Never before had people seen a vision so bizarre
My unique vision and approach was something that people had never seen before
Play a hand that's equal to mine
Play at my level, with my skillset
Uh, look at my cards
See how talented and skilled I am
I heard your little groove and I raised you another
I heard your attempt at something and showed you how it should be done
On a Sunday morning would you play that smack for your mother?
Would you play such meaningless and explicit music for your own mother?
Huh, I believe you would think otherwise
I doubt you would do such a thing
A few CDs from now when the software that you're banging's not alive
Your music won't be relevant in the future
In a real battle those loops y'all got suffer TKO's
In a real competition, your music would be defeated
Until you're playing in front of 70,000 you'll never know, nigga
Unless you perform in front of a large crowd, you won't truly understand the impact of your music
This a grown folks job
This is a job for experienced and skilled professionals
All the young dogs need to recognize
Young and inexperienced people need to understand their place and level of skill
If the world was God, the people need to use it with a third eye
People need to understand the world with a deeper understanding and insight
Who? What? Why? Uh, lookout
Be aware and watchful of your surroundings and your actions
If a nigga never stylin', who would I diss?
If no one is challenging me, who can I compete against?
This drummer wicked
The drummer is really good
Everytime I turn around there's another boot
Every time I look, there's someone else who is unskilled and inexperienced
Talking about what another boot can't do
Critiquing other unskilled people and what they are unable to do
Quiet as it's kept, everyone of you boots need to try to walk a mile in my shoes
Those criticizing me need to understand my perspective and my level of skills
I've had devils (out) try to take me out but I stand for the truth
I have faced many challenges and obstacles, but I always stand for the truth
So my words makes mo' dollars than sense on your hellavision or your radio
My words and music bring in more money than they do actual meaning and value on TV or radio
With this flow it just grows
My music and style continues to grow and become more popular
Yo, ask Chuck D. - he know
Ask Chuck D, who understands the struggle and the power of music
He's been fightin' the "so called power" since the days of old
He has been fighting the corrupt power structures for a long time
So tell me now what should be sold?
What should be valued and sold in the music industry?
Sleepy Jack hazards y'all need a couple of No-doze (Ooh)
Those who are not staying alert and focused need some caffeine to keep them going
Ask Mary J. about Chaka
Ask Mary J. Blige about Chaka Khan and her music
Mary, is Chaka on the radio? (No)
Chaka Khan's music is not as popular on the radio
Huh, see you gotta save your own
You have to save yourself and find your own way to succeed
In the end it ain't about the dollars but the seeds you've sewn
Success is not just about making money, but about what you contribute to the world
In a mind state full of Dutch ELM that's where the ghetto's grown (Ohh)
In a state of poverty and despair, where people have given up hope and created a self-perpetuating cycle
Watch out y'all can't block me out tonight
Be prepared, because I cannot be stopped and will continue to succeed
Uh, a drummer in a cold sweat, backin' up my rhyme
The drummer is working hard and supporting my performance
I'd make you take your shortie outta here (Everytime)
My performance is so good that it would make you leave the room with your date
Calling me fine
People recognize and admire my talent
I got a big stick, one for each hand
I am confident and skilled, with a lot of talent to show
Everybody know I keep a tight band, come on
Everyone recognizes that my band is really good
My brothers in Manhattan say, "Got to shut these haters down G."
Those who support and work with me understand the haters and detractors that I face
He say, "Dog I got yo' back but you gotta, you gotta make a sound" (Make a sound)
My supporters say that they will stand behind me, but I need to make a statement and be heard
Like we used to, "Well you might be pissed"
I may cause controversy and anger with what I say or do
"'Cause why would I do that when I can do this?"
Why bother with doing something that is unimportant or mediocre when I can do something better?
To most I'm known as a lover, to others I'm just a pain (Say what?)
To some people I am admired and loved, but to others I am seen as a nuisance or bother
The latter's opinion usually form when mediocrity reigns
Those who dislike me often have low standards and don't appreciate quality
Yo, why would I do that y'all, (haha) Londell, when I can do this?
Why bother with something less important when I can do something better?
Why would I do that y'all, Ananda, when I can do this? (Backup)
Why waste time with something less important when I have a better option?
Why would I do that y'all, Doug E., when I can do this?
Why bother with something less important when I can do something better?
Why would I do that y'all, Spike, when I could do this?
Why bother with something less important when I can do something better?
Why would I do that when I can do this?
Why do something mediocre when I can do something better?
This drummer wicked
The drummer is really good
Writer(s): Prince Rogers Nelson
Contributed by Liliana N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.