Follow author Erica Thompson as she completes her book on Prince's spiritual journey on "a purple day in December." She provides updates on her writing and research, interviewing, networking and progress on securing a book publisher. And there are extra interviews, essays and pieces just for the fun of it! Cheer Erica on as she follows her dreams and the life of an extraordinary musician.
Each month I will share some brief, personal thoughts on one of my favorite Prince songs.
"Music is healing," Prince said in his memoir, The Beautiful Ones. Who wouldn't agree? I even think Prince's guitar solos are healing, and the one on "Pink Cashmere" always makes me feel better. I used to make playlists for my mother, and I put this song on one of them because, although she was a Prince fan, it was new to her. She told me, "I can tell it's a Prince song by the guitar solo." Besides the healing properties, I think this is one of his best ballads, from the orchestration to the lyrics to the vocal arrangements and ad libs. This is the kind of slow jam I prefer (sorry to "Do Me, Baby"). The best thing about discovering Prince is that, once you get past all the major hits, which are amazing enough, you find the lesser-known gems, and you can't believe this guy is even better than you thought! At least that's what happened to me. I was floored when I first heard this track, and played it repeatedly. It brings back memories of my first year or so of college, when I was still exploring his discography.
Which Prince guitar solos are healing to you? Subscribe to my newsletter for updates on my book on Prince's spiritual journey. Click here.
In the past, I used to do more “process”-oriented blog posts about my book. For example, I’d talk about requesting interviews, organizing my research or securing publishers. I thought I’d try to get back to doing some of that, but I really hope to be done with the book soon.
Personally, I’m struggling with some obstacles in my everyday life. It’s difficult to write when you are in a low place emotionally and/or overwhelmed with life decisions. There are moments when I think about quitting. I know other writers can relate. Sometimes you just want to run away.
With that said, I think it’s important to ask yourself a few questions: 1) Why are you doing what you’re doing? 2) Is it worthwhile? 3) Are you working smart and not too hard?
Here goes…
1) Why am I blogging?
Since 2010, my goal has been to build an audience that would eventually buy my book. Ten years later, that is still the goal, but it has expanded. I think this blog has helped position me as a Prince scholar, especially regarding religious studies/spirituality. Additionally, I’ve been able to provide news and expand aspects of Prince’s history/legacy at times, especially given some interviews I’ve been able to get that aren’t related to my book.
2) Is it worthwhile?
Yes. This blog allows me to keep track of my audience. I’m happy with my views, but I can be much better about analyzing my stats. Back in 2010, Blogger was still poppin’, but now I realize the site’s analytics are lacking. I’m setting a goal to install Google Analytics so I can see how I’m doing in greater detail year over year.
The best thing that I’ve done so far is start a newsletter via Mailchimp for my blog. Each month, I send out an email with my recent blog posts and bonus content. In 2019, I set a goal to acquire 500 subscribers, and by the end of the year I had 566! Running giveaways through ShortStack has been helpful, albeit expensive. This year, I hope to increase my subscribers to 1,000 (you can help me out by subscribing here). Toward that end, I set another goal to run Facebook ads.
3) Am I working smart and not too hard?
One thing I admire about my earlier approach to blogging is that I worked more on my book than my blog. Last year, that was not the case. Though my blog posts have gotten better (and prettier), I spend too much time on them. That is a personality flaw; I can’t do anything halfway. I will spend hours or days on a blog until it is perfect.
My goal is to work smarter so that I’m creating strong content in less time. I think I can achieve that by designating just one day (maybe Thursday evening) to blogging. I’ll have to work up to limiting my hours on that day. I also think I can make my blog posts shorter and have some recurring posts. For example, I used to do a photo-based series that helped cut down my workload.
Beginning next week, I’m going to start a “Song of the Month” series that will be a short, personal post about one of my favorite Prince songs.
4) Bonus: What other types of content can my audience expect?
I’m still sitting on new interviews with Mike Scott, Rashida Robinson, Jesse Hayes and Dave Hampton. I would like to get around to transcribing, following up with those folks and creating snapshots of those discussions. I also have a list of new people I’d like to interview this year.
I’m thinking about doing a series about my family and Prince. Maybe I can pull that off beginning Feb. 28. Also, I’d like to hire more guest writers to contribute to the blog.
Additionally, I’m going to a couple Prince conferences this year, so I will cover those events like I have in the past.
Is there anything else you’d like to see on the blog?
"I could be singing a song any style, any way/Ain't nothing but a trick to me."
Last month, YouTube personality Prince's Friend put together a fun video. He condensed Prince's 1998 three-disc album, Crystal Ball, into one CD. His approach was very methodical; he kept the album under 60 minutes, eliminated remixes and honored the original combination of '80s and '90s music.
The only rule I adhered to was the number of tracks. Prince's Friend included 10 tracks, plus a bonus (thank you for that!). Beyond that, I was purely subjective. Crystal Ball is one of my least favorite Prince albums (Though bundled with the set, The Truth is its own masterpiece) and I skip around a lot. However, this challenge was more difficult than I imagined.
I was very tempted to jettison all the '80s music. In my opinion, the newer content is much stronger. But because the title track--a standout song--was recorded in the '80s, I decided to keep two others from that period ("Movie Star" and "Cloreen Bacon Skin"), especially since they show off Prince's humor. Additionally, I felt like I had to keep in the nasty bass tracks ("What's My Name" and "Days of Wild"), as well as the blues workout "The Ride."
A couple years ago, I would have ignored "Acknowledge Me," but podcaster and purple enthusiast Darling Nisi made me see the light. We agree the song could have been a radio hit!
GIF by Darling Nisi
While Prince's Friend did an amazing job sequencing the album to tell a story, my project is more eclectic. I think it shows myriad sides of Prince's artistry. I'd give this playlist to someone who only knew Prince's hits from the '80s.
1. "Crystal Ball"
2. "What's My Name"
3. "Movie Star"
4. "Ripopgodazippa"
5. "Calhoun Square"
6. "Da Bang"
7. "Days of Wild"
8. "2morrow"
9. "The Ride"
10. "Acknowledge Me"
11. "Cloreen Bacon Skin"
Total run time: Approx. 70 minutes
P.S. "Crucial" isn't as good as y'all think it is.
I didn't experience Prince's 1995 album, The Gold Experience, as a whole--in real time. God bless my mother; she was great about buying a lot of the latest music for the household throughout the '90s, but she'd gotten away from listening to entire Prince albums. Still, I have memories of a couple songs that were out.
Most of my engagement with The Gold Experience happened when I was an adult. I immediately connected with a couple songs, but it took me several years before I fully appreciated the album. Today, I believe it's one of Prince's strongest projects during the '90s. (In my opinion, "Shy" is one of the best songs he's ever written.)
I've been listening to the album lately and figured I'd share some personal reflections.
"Shhh"
Like a lot of folks my age, I first heard Tevin Campbell sing this song on his 1993 album, I'm Ready. I was not aware that it was a Prince song at the time. All I knew was the sexy tune made me uncomfortable. I was used to "Little Tevin Campbell" and I was still little myself.
Moving forward, my family and I only listened to the Campbell songs written by Babyface ("Can We Talk," "I'm Ready" and "Always in My Heart"). Only recently did I discover Prince wrote three other songs on Campbell's album: "Uncle Sam," "The Halls of Desire" and "Paris 1798430." The latter is my jam!
I heard Prince's version of "Shhh" as an adult. Honestly, it's not my favorite. I love Michael Bland's drumming, but I don't play it often. I'm a bit of an outlier; I'm not in love with a lot of Prince's classic, sexy songs ("Do Me, Baby," "Scandalous," "Insatiable," etc.). Don't get me wrong, they're great, but I have a stronger connection to other songs in his discography.
Like 700,000 people at the time, my mother bought "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" and played it over and over and over. It makes sense; it's a soulful throwback to the music she loved growing up. She also marveled at his wide vocal range on the song. However, the most tender memory I have is of her telling my sister and me that we were the most beautiful girls in the world. It's even more special because she got what Prince was trying to do--draw attention to the beauty within all women. (Be back later, crying.)
"Billy Jack Bitch"
It's no secret that Prince wrote this song about former Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist C.J., who nicknamed him "Symbolina." C.J. was one of my first interviews; I spoke with her back in 2012. She talked to me about the time they met in person. According to C.J., he said he didn't recognize her, and when she introduced herself, he replied, "Billy!"
"He said that he thought I was one of his old girlfriends, and that the reason I wrote negative things about him is because he had broken my heart," C.J. told me. "I said to him, 'I don’t look like anybody you have ever dated.' I looked good at that time, but I don’t look like Mayte. I don’t look like Manuela. I know his type and it is not me."
The first person I told about the interview was Laila, one of my best friends. We could not stop laughing. From then on, we'd randomly text each other, "BILLY JACK BITCH!" or "Billy!" In fact, let me text her now...
For years I just dismissed "Billy Jack Bitch" as a silly song, but now I have a new appreciation for the music. It's incredibly funky, and I've sat in my car no less than 100 times rewinding the horn part at the end. If I'm ever able to interview arranger and musician Michael B. Nelson, I'm asking him about that section! "Gold"
Before The Gold Experience came out, there were rumors going around that Prince had written a song as epic as "Purple Rain." When I played "Gold" for the first time, I was blown away. I had to talk to someone about it, and I made my boyfriend at the time listen to it with me. (He wasn't that impressed.)
Sure, you may not rank "Gold" as high as "Purple Rain," especially given your nostalgia or the fact that the earlier tune happened at the peak of Prince's popularity. But "Gold" is a beautiful song, and the vocal arrangement at the end still makes me tear up. Please stop sleeping on Prince's '90s output.
And please listen to this song again.
Subscribe to my newsletter for updates on my book on Prince's spiritual journey. Click here.
Nearly two years ago, I was asked to contribute to Diffuser.fm's series, "365 Prince Songs in a Year." That partnership led to an opportunity to write for UltimatePrince.com, a website dedicated to the artist's life and career.
I'm keeping a running list of all my articles below.
(Some of my Prince-related work for Ultimate Prince's sister sites is included as well.)
This post is brought to you by Darling Nisi, A Purple Day in December's first-ever guest writer. It's impossible to study Prince's spirituality without also studying his sexuality. - Erica
“We don’t care about what you know, but what you’re willing to learn. You must surrender your expectations …” – Prince, Hamburg, Germany (2002)
What comes to mind when you think of BDSM? Something taboo? Something shameful? Something naughty?
It’s a term that brings out a lot of thoughts and a lifestyle that is misunderstood by many.
BDSM is an acronym that refers to a specific type of erotic behavior or play, that may involve any of the following: bondage and discipline (B&D), dominance and submission (D&S), and sadism and masochism (S&M).
But what does that really mean and how does all of this work?
Being intimate is always a vulnerable space to exist in, even more so when you’re operating outside of “common” rules. Those who seriously dabble in the kink lifestyle place high regard in trust, communication and enthusiastic consent when exploring emotional and physical boundaries with their partners. Despite what most think about BDSM, it’s much more than whips and chains! There are specific, agreed upon rules for the safety and comfort of participants, and the play is as much of a mental dance as it is a physical one. Sometimes, it isn’t physical at all! In a way, it can be a method for people to work through their anxieties in a safe space and to grow in confidence and in the expression of their authentic selves.
Imagine feeling free of judgement of your most closely held desires and fears. Imagine being totally open to experience all the sensations and emotions life has to offer. Imagine exploring the breadth of those human emotions, expressions and sensations within boundaries you’ve set with someone you trust with your body and mind.
We don’t have to imagine too much; this exploration is peppered throughout Prince’s discography. Over the years he has dabbled in BDSM ideas, maturing in the depiction of its concepts as he aged.
Below are some examples.
(Note: The year listed is when the song appears on an official album or release.)
“We’re going to do things a little different tonight. You don’t like it the same, do you? You want surprises, right? You want surprises in your love life. ... I love you. Do you love me?” – Prince, Louisville, Kentucky (2002)
Sadism: the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering or humiliation on others.
Soft and Wet (1978) Hey, lover, I got a sugarcane That I want to lose in you Baby, can you stand the pain?
Automatic (1982) Yes, I’m addicted to your pleasure Yes, I’m addicted to your pain
Strange Relationship (1987) I guess you know me well, I don’t like winter But I seem to get a kick out of doing you cold
Elixer (2009) You can fight in vain I'm gonna have my way all night and all day Seven tears fall like rain in between the joy and pain Oowie, baby
Pheromone (1994) *This whole song is a fully thought out BDSM scene
I can feel the tension through the crack in the door He begs for love, while she's disgusted more And I'm on fire, 'cause I've never seen her nude before I wanna save her I want to watch All my vital signs go up a couple of notches When he unties her and she runs for the open door He trips and grinds her Right there all on the floor She's so close I can touch her
Sensation play: pushing sensory limits, thus exploring texture and sensory deprivation through whips, flagellation and edgeplay (a more extreme form of BDSM).
Sister (1980) I was only 16 and only half a man My sister didn’t give a goddamn She only wanted to turn me out She took a whip to me until I shout Oh, motherfuckers just a motherfucker, can’t you understand?
Automatic (1982)
Ripopgodazippa (1998) Instead of walking inside I just knock on the door I take a look around until she beggin’ me more, more, more When I finally come inside I’m standin’ perfectly still "I can’t take no more" Pump you then I will
Breathe (2002) Passionate fashion of tongue that keeps lashing On skin like a whip, ooh breathe in, breathe out Slowly, slowly, ooh
Bondage: The practice of tying, binding or restraining a partner for erotic, aesthetic or somatosensory stimulation--with consent.
Superfunkycalifragisexy (1988)
If you do too much, your skin will be sensitive to touch The first person to touch you, you want to fuck You take them to your crib and you tie them to a chair And you make funny faces ‘til they get real scared Then you turn on the neon, then you play with yourself ‘Til you turn them on
Sexy MF (1992) We need to talk about things, tell me what ya do Tell me what ya eat, I might cook for you See it really don’t matter ‘cause it’s all about me and you Ain’t no one else around I’m even with the blindfold, gagged and bound I don’t mind, see this ain’t about sex It’s all about love being in charge of this life and the next
Eye Hate U (1995) I’d like to have the defendant place her hands behind her back So I can tie her up tight and get into the act The act of showing her how good it used to be I want it to be so good, she falls back in love with me
1000 X’s and O’s (2015) I wanna hold you, tie you up in lace I wanna kiss you, kiss you all over your face I wanna love you all up and down Give you love like you never had Blindfold, gagged and bound
Dominance and Submission: a set of behaviors, customs and rituals involving the submission of one person to another in an erotic episode or lifestyle.
The Continental (1992)
Shall I write the alphabet? Or shall I just write my name? Why? You tell me, you're the ruler in this telephone game I could be a slave when it comes down to you I'll do any and everything you want me to do U know why? 'Cause I want you to have fun So how you wanna be done?
Sexmesexmenot (2004) Black pepper, grind you please Make a brother happy Where? On your knees Ho ho ho ho Sex me Hold me tight, choke the bird Sex me Choke it
Kept Woman – Bria Valente, written by Prince (2009)
Was it his cologne or the style of his hair They told me I should stay away and not go there Sometimes I'm all alone and don't see him I wish it was different but I don't care I'm a kept woman He don't see nobody but me We got a pretty little house And only me and him got the key A kept woman Sometimes I don't know why A kept woman Sometimes I cry He likes it when I dance for no reason He likes it when I dance But he doesn't like it when I raise my voice to him I try to stop but I can't … He's the hotness in my fire I give him anything he desires It may sound crazy but it suits me fine 'Cause ain't nobody ever take away what’s mine 'Cause I'm a kept woman 'Cause he's every single thing I need Spiritual, physical Kept woman Chemical, emotional And everything in between Don't you know that I’m a kept woman Ooh, loves me like no other A love you never seen I'm a kept woman And I'm his queen
Gun Play: the act of using either a loaded or unloaded firearm during BDSM and sexual play.
Pheromone (1994) I can see the curtain wrestled from the wall I can see her hands tied, I can see it all He pulls a gat This is how they play the game And I'll 'round the back 'Cause curiosity, it knows no shame
Her eyes are closed but there's no penetration He just makes her point the pistol to his nose while he masturbates And now I see a tear heading down towards her smile What happens next, it all depends upon your style
Honorable mentions:
S&M Groove (2004) Sadomasochistic groove Freaks gonna bob 2 this
Here Eye Come – Bria Valente, written by Prince (2009) Don't ever stop what you're doin' Oh, I feel like that dirty blonde girl in "9½ Weeks"*
*9½ Weeks is a 1986 film starring Kim Basinger that depicts a sadomasochistc affair
“Feel ashamed and ordained …”– Prince, "When Eye Lay My Hands on U" (2004)
Prince once noted that his most erotic material was in his vault, but we see that he shared quite a few special moments over the course of his career. There is sometimes an assumption that sexuality presented in these taboo ways is shameful or not becoming of what Prince represented. However, looking past BDSM stereotypes, one can see that this lifestyle is very much about the freedom to explore the limits of human expression without judgement. It’s an opportunity for people to be their whole selves with people they trust, and that can be a spiritually ecstatic and deeply intimate experience no matter how sexuality is expressed.
These BDSM themes and other erotic and fetishistic explorations quite literally span from Prince’s very first album, 1978's For You, to his last, 2015's HitnRun Phase Two. They even still show up during his spiritual walk in the Jehovah's Witness faith. Check the last bit of "Mellow" from The Rainbow Children for his offer of musical accompaniment for your “personal time;" or the bridge of "Incense and Candles" from 3121 for what he wants to smother you with; or what’s buried in the mix in the bridge of "This Could Be Us" from Art Official Age for what he would like to clean, how he would do it and what you can look for in your gratitude for said cleaning; or "Xtraloveable" from HitnRun Phase Two for how he'd like you to dress while dancing. Perhaps it is worth considering that even his most “taboo” songs are not out of character for his creative expression at all. Instead, they are examples of how Prince’s work documents the full range of human intimacy.
March 1987 issue of Signs of the Times magazine.
Photo courtesy of Pacific Press Publishing Association.
Rule #1: Never assume Prince read something.
Rule #2: Never assume Prince didn't read something.
Rule #3: Never assume what Prince read had an impact on his music.
Rule #4: Never assume what Prince read didn't have an impact on his music.
All of that is to say this post is all in good fun. The above is a screenshot of the March 1987 issue of Signs of the Times, a monthly Seventh-day Adventist magazine. The publication has been around in different formats since 1874.
Prince grew up attending Seventh-day Adventist church services, and he released his Sign O' the Times album in March 1987.
I thought it would be fun to take a look at the issue of Signs of the Times that came out at that time to see if there was any coincidental overlap in subject matter. After examining the titles of the feature articles--"How would the Founding Fathers feel about the trend of religious and political leaders switching roles today?"; "Solving the Problem of Heartache;" The Menace of Midtown Memphis"--I didn't find any common ground. But then again, I don't know anything about the actual content of the pieces.
Of course, I know Prince completed the album before this magazine issue came out, and I wouldn't guess he was reading the publication at the height of his superstardom in the 1980s.
But I think it's reasonable to speculate that Prince was exposed to Signs of the Times as a child. I might reach out to the church he attended to see if they were passed around in the '60s. I know the "signs" of end times is a subject found in the Bible and the phrase "sign of the times" is common in American language, so I'm not implying Prince got his album title from a niche publication.
But you have to admit, it's an interesting little ripple in the deep well of Prince's spiritual world.
Now, the Jehovah's Witnesses' Watchtower magazines have had an obvious impact on Prince. We'll get to those before long.
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