Still looking for the purple banana
The tortured artist known as Prince turns 50 years old today ... in human years. On his home planet, he's a spritely 23.
I still remember the first time I saw him on MTV. The first thought running through my head? "Man, I really love Lisa and Wendy." (Setting myself up for a lifetime of disappointment with women I develop crushes on.)
Most 80s fans will never forget or forgive him -- depending on your taste in movies -- for 1984's "Purple Rain," in which he starred with his band, Morris Day and Apollonia Kotero . (I'm unabashed in my love for this flick, thanks mainly to some tongue hockey going on with the girl who went with me. Click here to hear our very old Purple Rain podcast.)
Speaking of his band, I really miss the Revolution -- his backing band for the early years. I burn a candle every night in hopes that he'll reunite with the original lineup just in time for a Vegas gig in early August, thereby completing the 80s trifecta experience for our Stuck in the 80s convention.
In the meantime, Prince is being social again, playing the Coachella Music Festival in late April and popping up at the Montreux Jazz Festival last year. And when it's not feuding with his fans and his music peers over the downloading of his music and images, I'm sure he's a nice guy.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Come on man. It's Wendy and Lisa, not Lisa and Wendy. Your penalty should be a December dip in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.
Posted by: | June 09, 2008 at 12:20 PM
It is strangely comforting to know that as I turn the big 50 next month, Prince and Madonna are right there with me.
Posted by: GlennS | June 09, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Spears isn't alone in his dislike of "Kiss". Supposedly, Prince himself has never been completely happy with the song's arrangement and that's why it sounds different every time he performs it live.
Posted by: Clark | June 08, 2008 at 04:12 PM
There are a couple more Prince tunes that I would add to the playlist. Although some merge into the 90s. Batdance, Partyman, Gett Off, 1999, Thieves in the Temple, Alphabet Street, Erotic City, and Thunder.
Posted by: 80sfan | June 08, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Happy B-Day Prince! You're even hotter than ever at 50!
Posted by: Luannie | June 08, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Great list of Prince songs, I enjoyed Prince back in the 80s but my cousin was a HUGE Prince fan. Went to every concert of his that she could and played him non-stop for years!
The man is a brilliant song writer (Nothing Compares to U just to name one, where would Sinead be without this song?).
Posted by: specialk | June 08, 2008 at 08:21 AM
I never liked Prince much in the 80's but I love him now. I wish "Automatic" made the list though, the only 9 minute plus song that's in my opinion not long enough. And "Erotic City", that's a dirty, dirty song.
Posted by: call-sign viper | June 07, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Ahhh, Prince... Pure Genius. A little off sometimes? YOU betcha! But a great musician and I love the tunes!
I'd like to have seen "Sign O' The Time" on your list... (87). But I realize that some might have paid much attention to him in the late 80's.
I was hoping the new podcast would be up before I head to the airport. Guess I'll catch it when I get back!
Posted by: Carla | June 07, 2008 at 01:53 PM
How about Prince's "I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man"? Excellent tune-age!
Posted by: Al | June 07, 2008 at 01:50 PM
i wasnt the biggest fan of his in the day, but i liked some of his tunage. i really perked up after hearing lets go crazy. hes a great guitar player. i recently picked up the soundtrack of purple rain, and his 3 disc hits and b-sides cds, both great discs. not every song is awesome, but overall its a very good collection. its all the prince i need to go on the ipod. what is very interesting though, is his versions of songs made famous by other people. i had never heard, i feel for you, or nothing compares 2 u.
Posted by: CHAD | June 07, 2008 at 10:57 AM
On Big Tex. You have found the ultimate omission. I'll be fixing that ASAP.
Posted by: Spears | June 07, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I don't care for the Prince version of Kiss, but love anything by the Art of Noise, including their cover of same.
I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't care for Little Red Corvette or When Doves Cry, either. I'm surprised Computer Blue didn't make your list, Steve, given your feelings for Wendy and Lisa. "Is the water warm enough?"
Posted by: Big Tex | June 07, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Maybe it's a chick thing -- j'adore both Prince's version of "Kiss" and the fab Sir Tom Jones/Art of Noise cover.
"Women not girls rule my world
I said they rule my world
Act your age, mama (not your shoe size)
Not your shoe size
Maybe we could do the twirl..."
Posted by: jane | June 07, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Am I the only person who finds "Kiss" very annoying? I seriously could live the rest of my life and never hear it again.
I do love "U Got The Look," and it should have made my list. Great lyrics.
Posted by: Spears | June 07, 2008 at 09:23 AM
I'm no dude lover but I've always admired his body. Why you ask? He has a small frame like myself for which I'd kill to have that running body.
Purple Rain...what a movie....so many stories....so little time.
Posted by: Mike in Austin | June 07, 2008 at 09:16 AM
*as Spearsy puffs out his chest and declares* Me man! My list manly ::grunt:: Where woman? Where club?
teehee Love ya Spearsy.
Posted by: Marissa | June 07, 2008 at 09:08 AM
I LOVE Prince -- don't get me wrong -- but I'm laughing at how a lot of his stuff looks just like text messages. (ex: "Nothing Compares 2 U") How futuristic of him!
Posted by: jane | June 07, 2008 at 09:07 AM
I'm glad to see Dirty Mind make your list, Steve. It's one of my favorites. What we're missing is U Got the Look:
"If love is good, let's get 2 rammin"
Purple Rain (the movie) is a masterpiece compared to Under the Cherry Moon. Purple Rain (the soundtrack) is one of the top 10 albums of the 80s
Posted by: Big Tex | June 07, 2008 at 09:02 AM
I'm sorry, "Kiss" is a chick song, for lack of a better word. I just can't have it on my list.
Posted by: Spears | June 07, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Now that I have registered in on that one, I have to say that it's totally groovin' list and tribute to the latest member of the '80s nation to get his AARP card.
This makes the news of his hip replacement back in the spring a little easier to take.
Posted by: jane | June 07, 2008 at 08:51 AM
What? No "Kiss?" Say it ain't so, Mr. Spears!
Posted by: jane | June 07, 2008 at 08:49 AM
After listening to the clips on the playlist I recall why I was thin back in the 80s. I danced non-stop.
Posted by: Marissa | June 07, 2008 at 08:46 AM
I put aside his eccentricities and delight in his music.
I went to see "Purple Rain" with a group of friends. Two of them got up and walked out before Morris Day took the stage. Sure, the acting is horrific, but the music, baby! It's always about the music.
"That's not Lake Minnetonka"
Posted by: Marissa | June 07, 2008 at 08:44 AM