The band went nameless for almost three years while supporting Prince live and appearing in his music videos. Chapman and Cymone left in the early 1980's and were replaced by Lisa Coleman on keyboards and Brownmark on bass. The first album on which The Revolution performed was the 1982 Prince release, 1999, which has the band's moniker written in reverse on the back cover.
When the 1999 Tour ended in 1983, Dez Dickerson left the band for religious reasons and was replaced by Lisa's childhood friend and soon-to-be lover Wendy Melvoin on guitar. The first album officially released as Prince & The Revolution was Purple Rain in 1984, which sold over 16 million copies in the United States alone.
The band's sound incorporated heavy metal, pop, funk, R&B and hard rock elements. Wendy Melvoin & Lisa Coleman formed a particular creative bond with Prince and greatly influenced the band's output during the rest of their tenure. The band achieved two number-one Billboard 200 albums (Purple Rain & Around The World In A Day), six top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and won three Grammy Awards.
In 1985, members of the soon-to-be-defunct group The Family (which, in turn, included former members of another group, The Time) joined The Revolution, along with people from Sheila E.'s band. This included the addition of three dancers/vocalists/comic foils (known as The Bodyguards).
The last lineup of Prince & the Revolution was informally known as the Counter-Revolution and consisted of:
- Jerome Benton (The Bodyguards)
- Atlanta Bliss (trumpet)
- Greg Brooks (The Bodyguards)
- Lisa Coleman (keyboards, piano and vocals)
- Doctor Fink (keyboards and vocals)
- Eric Leeds (saxophone)
- Brown Mark (bass guitar and vocals)
- Susannah Melvoin (backing vocals)
- Wendy Melvoin (guitar and vocals)
- Prince (lead vocals, guitar, and piano)
- Wally Safford (The Bodyguards)
- Miko Weaver (guitar)
- Bobby Z. (drums)
The Revolution was officially disbanded by Prince in 1986 after the Hit N Run tour, which supported Parade, the soundtrack for the movie Under the Cherry Moon. Melvoin and Coleman went on to a successful career as Wendy & Lisa.
Crystal Ball
Prince & The Revolution Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
U ever had a Crystal Ball?
Expert lover, my baby
U ever had a Crystal Ball?
Ooh, expert lover, my baby
Ever had a Crystal Ball?
Expert lover, my baby
U ever had a Crystal Ball?
As bombs explode around us and hate advances on the right
The only thing that matters, baby, is the love that we make 2night
As little babies in make-up terrorize the western world
The only thing that matters, baby, is love between a boy and girl
Oh, expert lover, my baby
U ever had a Crystal Ball?
Undercover, no maybe
All 4 fun and fun 4 all
I can't remember my baby's voice cuz she ain't talkin' no more
Only the sound of love and prayer echo from the yellow floor,
yellow floor
Huh, she's sayin' – "Dear Jesus, save us from temptation
Dear Jesus, save us from hell
Save us from the madness that threatens us all
Can U hear us? It's hard 2 tell
In your name we pray"
Expert lover, my baby
Ever had a Crystal Ball?
Undercover, no maybe
All 4 fun, fun 4 all
As soldiers draw swords of sorrow
My baby draws pictures of sex (Yes, she does)
All over the walls in graphic detail - sex!
Everybody say it now
Expert lover, huh, my baby
Ever had a Crystal Ball?
Under… undercover, ha, no maybe
All 4 fun and fun 4 all
Rip it, ouch! Uh
Expert lover, my baby
Ever had a Crystal Ball?
Uh, expert lover, my baby (My baby)
Ever had a Crystal Ball?
Crystal Ball
Expert
My baby, my baby, my baby, my baby
Kiss me, lick me, trick me, whoa!
Oh yeah, yeah
Come on, come on, come on, won't U come on?
Expert lover, huh, my baby
Have U ever had a Crystal Ball?
Don't U wanna?
What my drummer wanna say? {x2}
Yeah! Drummer
Tell me what the bass said
Yeah
Oh, ow!
Listen 2 my, uh, listen 2 my bass man play
(Alright) (Expert lover, my baby is alright)
(Alright) (Undercover, my baby is alright)
Listen 2 the guitar play
Hey! Wait a minute now
It's groovy
Ouch! Guitar, guitar
Come on now
Oh yeah!
My baby licked me fast
Her mama watch her gas
Come on, baby, do me fast
Come on, come on
Your mathematical gas
Uh
Ooh wee!
Darlin, darlin, U know U want a Cry…Crystal Ball
Crystal Ball
I don't know, I have 2 ask my mommy first
As bombs explode around U and hate advances on your right
The only thing U can be sure of is the love we make 2night
Expert lover, my baby
Ever had a Crystal Ball?
Take off your clothes, baby
Come on, get the Crystal Ball
Oh, expert lover, my baby
U ever had a Crystal Ball?
Come on, take off your clothes, baby
Come on, get the Crystal Ball
Come on!
Expert lover, my baby
Ever had a Crystal Ball?
Oh, my baby, my baby, my baby
Come on, get the, get the, get the Crystal Ball
Oh, U ever had a Crystal Ball?
The song "Crystal Ball" by Prince & The Revolution is a sensual and futuristic love song that uses a crystal ball as a metaphor for sexual intimacy and emotional connection. The song starts off with Prince asking his lover if they have ever had a crystal ball, suggesting that he wants to explore their deepest desires and secrets. As the song progresses, Prince discusses the chaos and violence in the world, highlighting the importance of love and the need to find solace and comfort in each other.
The lyrics suggest that despite the turmoil outside, Prince and his lover can find refuge in their passion and spiritual connection. In the second verse, Prince describes his lover drawing pictures of sex all over the walls, celebrating the free expression of desire and sensuality. Throughout the song, Prince's voice is passionate and soulful, reflecting his longing for love and his desire to encourage his lover to let go of their inhibitions and embrace their fantasies.
Overall, "Crystal Ball" is a playful yet powerful song that uses Prince's signature blend of funk, rock, and soul to create a unique and memorable sonic experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Expert lover, my baby
Prince addresses his lover as an expert lover
U ever had a Crystal Ball?
Prince asks his lover if she has ever had a mystical experience
As bombs explode around us and hate advances on the right
Amid chaos and hatred all around, Prince highlights the importance of love
The only thing that matters, baby, is the love that we make 2night
Prince emphasizes the significance of love and intimacy in such troubled times
As little babies in make-up terrorize the western world
Prince mentions the disturbing reality of child terrorism
The only thing that matters, baby, is love between a boy and girl
Prince reiterates that genuine love is the only thing that truly matters
Undercover, no maybe
Prince claims that his lover is discreet and secretive
All 4 fun and fun 4 all
Prince suggests that his lover is all about pleasure and enjoyment
I can't remember my baby's voice cuz she ain't talkin' no more
Prince's lover is silent, and he can only hear the sound of love and prayer
Only the sound of love and prayer echo from the yellow floor, yellow floor
Prince hears the echo of love and prayer, symbolizing their transcendence over negative realities
Dear Jesus, save us from temptation, Dear Jesus, save us from hell
Prince's lover is praying for salvation from evil and temptation
As soldiers draw swords of sorrow, My baby draws pictures of sex
Despite the conflict around them, Prince's lover is focused on sexuality
Everybody say it now, Expert lover, huh, my baby
Prince invites others to acknowledge his lover's sexual expertise
Don't U wanna? What my drummer wanna say? {x2} Yeah! Drummer Tell me what the bass said
Prince engages with his band members, seeking their musical input
My baby licked me fast, Her mama watch her gas
Prince's lover engages in sexual acts while being watched by her mother
Come on, baby, do me fast, Come on, come on, Your mathematical gas
Prince's lover is eager to engage in sexual activity
The only thing U can be sure of is the love we make 2night
Prince reassures his lover that their love is all that truly matters
Take off your clothes, baby, Come on, get the Crystal Ball
Prince invites his lover to disrobe and engage in sensual exploration
Oh, my baby, my baby, my baby, Come on, get the, get the, get the Crystal Ball
Prince urges his lover to embrace mystical experiences and explore their relationship
Oh, U ever had a Crystal Ball?
Prince ends the song by once again questioning the listener's potential for mystical experiences
Contributed by Chloe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.