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.
Something In The Water
Prince & The Revolution Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't figure out why u make me beg
Does not compute (does not compute)
Don't not compute (don't not compute)
U think you're special, well so do i
Why do special women make me cry?
Does not compute (does not compute)
It don't not compute (don't not compute)
Must be something in the water they drink
It's been the same with every girl I've had
Must be something in the water they drink
'cuz why else would a woman wanna treat a man so bad?
Some people think I'm kinda cute
But that don't compute when it comes 2 y-o-u
It don't compute (don't not compute)
Somethin' mama don't compute (don't not compute)
What's the hangup? what's the scam?
Guess u think I'm just another 1...1 of your fans
It don't compute (don't not compute)
Somethin' honey don't compute (don't not compute)
Must be something in the water they drink
It's been the same with every girl I've had
Must be something in the water u drink
'cuz why else would a woman wanna treat a man so bad?
I've got 2 get 2 u, baby
Some people think I'm kinda smart
Why must a fella stop with u before he starts?
It don't compute, mama (does not compute)
Somethin' don't compute (don't not compute)
I'd buy u clothing, buy u fancy cars
But u gotta talk 2 me, baby, tell me who u really r
Must be something in the water they drink
It's been the same with every girl I've had
Must be something in the water u drink
Why else would a woman wanna treat a man so bad?
(must be something in the water u drink)
(does not compute)
(don't not compute)
(don't not compute)
(must be something in the water u drink)
Bitch -- u think you're special? (must be something in the water u drink)
So do i
(second coming) (must be something in the water u drink)
Why in god's name
Do u wanna make me cry?
Why? why? (must be something in the water u drink)
I'd do anything 4 u, anything (must be something in the water u drink)
Why don't u talk 2 me? (must be something in the water u drink)
Tell me who u r (must be something in the water u drink)
Don't do this 2 me (must be something in the water u drink)
Please don't do this (must be something in the water u drink)
Why? why?
I do love u. I do.
Or else I wouldn't go through all the things I do
The lyrics to Prince & The Revolution's "Something In The Water" explore the confusion and frustration that the singer feels regarding his romantic relationships with women. The singer seems to have trouble connecting with women and understanding their actions, which often leave him feeling hurt and rejected. Though some people find him attractive or intelligent, the singer still struggles to understand why he can't seem to get through to the woman he's interested in.
The repeated refrain of "must be something in the water they drink" suggests that the singer believes there is something external causing the problems in his relationships. He cannot understand why so many women seem to treat him poorly, and he laments that he would do anything for the woman he loves if only she would open up and talk to him. Ultimately, the song portrays a sense of emotional exhaustion and helplessness in the face of romantic rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people tell me I got great legs
People compliment my physical appearance
Can't figure out why u make me beg
I don't understand why you're making it difficult for me to be with you
Does not compute (does not compute)
I can't make sense of this situation
Don't not compute (don't not compute)
I am having difficulty processing what's going on
U think you're special, well so do i
You believe you're unique and so do I
Why do special women make me cry?
I don't understand why women who I perceive as being special make me emotional
Does not compute (does not compute)
I am struggling to comprehend this
It don't not compute (don't not compute)
I cannot process what's happening
Must be something in the water they drink
There must be a reason that all these women are treating me in a similar way
It's been the same with every girl I've had
This is a pattern I've experienced with every woman I've been with
'cuz why else would a woman wanna treat a man so bad?
I can't think of any other reason why a woman would treat me poorly
Some people think I'm kinda cute
Some people find me attractive
But that don't compute when it comes 2 y-o-u
But you don't seem to share that opinion of me
Somethin' mama don't compute (don't not compute)
I'm struggling to understand why you're treating me in this way
What's the hangup? what's the scam?
What's the issue? What's going on?
Guess u think I'm just another 1...1 of your fans
I feel like you don't see me as anything more than a fan
Somethin' honey don't compute (don't not compute)
I am having trouble understanding where you're coming from
I've got 2 get 2 u, baby
I need to be with you
Some people think I'm kinda smart
Some people view me as intelligent
Why must a fella stop with u before he starts?
Why is it so difficult to pursue a relationship with you?
I'd buy u clothing, buy u fancy cars
I would do anything to make you happy
But u gotta talk 2 me, baby, tell me who u really r
I need you to open up to me and show me who you truly are
Bitch -- u think you're special? (must be something in the water u drink)
I resent your attitude and the way you are treating me
Second coming (must be something in the water u drink)
This feels like a spiritual experience
Why in god's name
Why on earth
Do u wanna make me cry?
Why are you causing me so much pain?
I do love u. I do.
I truly love you despite everything
Or else I wouldn't go through all the things I do
I am committed to making this relationship work despite the hardships
Contributed by Logan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.