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Rating:
For a novice wanting to review any of Prince's works, opting for "Emancipation" can prove to be a poor choice, or worse, an unnecessary form of presumption.
However, since a review of this triple CD was missing, I have taken it upon myself, even if only because, as a new adept, this was the first work of the genius to land in my player (naturally, the others followed, which have been extensively written about and commented on).
It should be noted that the flight of the triple spacecraft was directed toward my room by diligent retailers who providentially put it on special price awaiting someone to seize the opportunity. A very tentative purchase indeed. Besides this, I must say that the first approach was not the most enthusiastic, 36 songs with 3 different souls have been written: the first CD for feet, the second for the heart, the third for the mind. Read also 1=funk, 2=ballads; 3=computer. Too much material indeed for my virgin ears. But perhaps this musical virginity was a good thing, as Prince's universally uncontested fame led to continuous listening, which allowed me to become particularly attached to this triple even after listening to and loving later Prince masterpieces.
Even today, nothing deters me from the belief that I adore Prince simply because he is Prince; my funk/soul musical culture remains slim, drastically reducing the precision of analysis "on the piece."
What I can say is that within the box set are at least a dozen masterpieces: Jam Of The Year, Betcha By Golly Wow, Soul Sanctuary, New World, to name a few. Just as there are relatively harmless pieces and, I dare say, others rather unattractive: Courtin' Time, Mr Happy. Surely, the most successful album is the second, homogeneous and emotional (Curious Child and One Kiss at a Time above all). Ultimately, the product itself deserves three stars, and I believe few fans will object. For the fourth star, a parenthesis and perhaps a debate need to be opened.
I read that Prince's prolificity is often criticized in favor of a more extended timeline and, hopefully, guarantor of more "penetrating" works. I don’t know... I mean are we convinced that a work that is neglectable to some is also so for others? When I look at the list of preferences, fans of Mr. Nelson distinguish themselves among those who adore the "Revolution" phase, those who stop at "SOTT" and frown upon "LOVESEXY" (which personally far surpasses purple rain), and those who throw away everything "3121" and "Planet Earth."
It is very difficult to tell Prince to stop and I certainly won't be the one wishing for that. Perhaps, unknowingly, Prince knows that his works captivate ANYWAY, regardless of comparisons to his Musts of the '80s, and that there will always be someone who will have rejoiced at the publication even of the most blatantly neglected album.
Indeed, I am sure he knows... wasn't it he who sang "Joy" in "repetition"?
Tracklist and Lyrics
03 Somebody's Somebody (04:43)
Somebody's somebody Somewhere, someone It's 2 o'clock in the morning and I just can't sleep Outside the rain is pourin', I'm lonely as can be Maybe 2night'll be different than the nights before I need 2 feel someone beside me, I can't be alone no more CHORUS: 2night I wanna be somebody's somebody 2night I wanna belong 2 someone (Someone) 2night I wanna be somebody's somebody 2night I want somebody that'll do it 'til the job gets done (Oh yeah) This big ol' world can be so empty livin' in it all alone I realize, in its best disguise, a pretty house don't make a home There's a hunger deep inside of me, how the fire burns I wanna give good love 2 someone and get good love in return, oh (CHORUS) Somebody's somebody Someone I wanna be somebody's body Oh yes, oh yeah Someone 2 hold me in that hour midnight Someone 2 console me when things ain't goin' 2 right Someone 2 bring me dinner sometime, yeah (Mine, all mine) Somebody I can call all mine It's 2:05 in the morning and I got no one 2 call I'm longin' 2 hear another voice inside these lonely walls (Lonely walls) Maybe 2night'll be different (different) than the nights before (Maybe not) I need 2 feel someone beside me, I cannot be alone no more (No more, no more!) (CHORUS) {x2} Somebody's somebody I don't wanna be alone, no no! I don't wanna wait another day, no! I'll do it over and over and over and over, yeah! Ooh, I don't wanna wait, no! Can I belong 2 U, baby? Oh yeah! (I wanna belong 2 someone) Ooh, slow, deep and long Do me over and over and over and over (2night I wanna be somebody's somebody) Oh yeah If U're out there, come on, baby I'll keep it hot 4 U (2night I wanna be somebody's somebody) Come on, baby (2night I want somebody that'll do it 'til the job gets done, oh yeah) Done Somebody's somebody
04 Get Yo Groove On (06:31)
Get your groove on
I got some money cuz I just got paid
It's time 2 get my groove on
Been workin' hard, now it's time 2 play
I gots 2 get my groove on
Can't wait 2 see your face again
U keep me happy, yeah, U're my best friend
In The Park around a half past 9
Meet me, we'll have a real good time
CHORUS:
Come on, everybody get your groove on
Come on, we gonna party all night long
Get your groove on
I got some honey and some peppermint tea
That's all I need 2 get my drink on
Don't want this night 2 end if U're with me
We gonna party all night long
Bring the player, I'll bring the CDs
But don't U put nothing slow on
That new D'Angelo, some N.P.G.
And we'll make a bet 2 see who keep their clothes on
CHORUS
I'm usually workin' both night and day
No time 4 fun
But 2night I'm gonna get my groove on
I'm sayin' 'til I see the sun
Till I see the sun, ooh, I wanna play
Come on!
Speak
Hey girl, let's hang 2night
Alrighty
Around a half past 9?
I got some money cuz I just got paid
It's time 2 get my groove on
Been workin' hard, now it's time 2 play
I gots 2 get my groove on
Come on, everybody get your groove on (Hey baby)
Come on!
Get your groove on
Get your groove on
{Repeat CHORUS in BG}
Hey, nice joint, huh?
It's alright
U see anything U like in here, U know what I'm sayin'?
I think I see little somethin', somethin' over there
But there's 2 much smoke in here, ehh
Wait, wait, wait
What's your name, lil'? Come here
Eeewww!
Get it on, get on
Get your groove on
Baby, get your groove on
Oh yeah
Get it on
(Get your groove on) {repeat in BG}
Getcha, getcha, get your groove on
Getcha, getcha
Getcha, getcha, get your groove on
Getcha, get your groove on
Oh baby
Get your groove on
Oh baby, oh yeah
Get your groove on {x2}
Girl, U believe that brother that came over here?
I'm tellin' U, with a tooth missin' and everything
Hey Rhonda, girl, how U doin'?
Hey, how U doin' Montalbo?
Is Juice in there?
Don't U mean...
U know, Big Julius
The sleazy one?
Yo, I know Big Juice is in there, girl
Gettin' that groove on (Get your groove on)
(Getcha, getcha, get your groove on)
Oh, get it on
Girl, I think we better leave
Cuz if we don't, I think I might have 2 have another one
Then I might change my name
2... ?
What's my name? Margarita
Y'all help me find Juice, I'm tryin', I can't find him
Are U still lookin' 4 him?
Yeah, he's just... U know
He's up in here somewhere, I can't find him though
(No no, definitely not seen him)
Girl, let's go, I smell like an ashtray
(It's time 2 go)
We ain't goin' nowhere
Sir, I'm sorry
This club has a very strict dress code
We do not accept bluejeans
What U mean?
It don't take Stevie Wonder 2 see I got on the right clothes in here
I need 2 get up in this club
Hell, I could buy every one of ya
Fuck yourself!
06 Betcha by Golly Wow! (03:31)
There's a spark of magic in your eyes
Candyland appears each time U smile
Never thought that fairy tales came true
But they come true when I'm near U
U're a genie in disguise
Full of wonder and surprise and...
CHORUS:
Betcha by golly wow! (wow!) (wow!)
U're the one that I've been waiting 4 4ever
And ever will my love 4 U keep growing strong
Keep growing strong
If I could, I'd catch a falling star
2 shine on U so I know where U are
Paint a rainbow in your favorite shade
2 show I love U, thinking of U
Write your name across the sky
Anything U ask, I'll try cuz...
(CHORUS)
Betcha by golly!
U're the one, yes U are! (Don't U let 'em tell U otherwise)
And ever will my love 4 U keep growing strong!
Baby, sometime
A man can't find words 2 express all the things he feels inside
But every just so often
The words of another who's truly in love seem 2 work out fine
2 say I love U (I love U)
2 say I'm thinking of U!
(CHORUS)
U're the one I'm thinking of, thinkin' of
Ever will my...
And ever will my love 4 U keep growing strong
Keep growing strong
I love U, baby
08 White Mansion (04:47)
Big white mansion
Top of the road
Latest fashion
Happy, don't U know?
Here I am in New York, yeah
See the girl bold and fair ("Yo, Anita!") {Martin sample}
What's in your backpack 2day?
Will it take my blues away?
That's OK, "U gotta run..."
Huh, check it, I don't need U 2 have some fun
Comin' from the land of snow
I guess I'm kinda used 2 cold
But one day I'll have a big white mansion
At the top of the road
I'm gonna wear the latest fashion
I'm gonna be happy, don't U know?
I could use a new guitar
Sing a tune at Chazz' bar
Maybe meet a debutante
Be a toy, do what she want (Tell me what U wanna do?)
9 o'clock, see John K.
"But U don't rock, come another day" (When?)
Come another day
Spirit so low reachin' up 4 ground (Reachin' up 4 ground)
One day I'm gonna make it in this lonely town
Then I'll live in a big white mansion
At the top of the road
I'm gonna wear the latest fashion
Then I'll be happy, don't U know?
Hey there, what's your name? (What's your name, cutie?)
And can U tell me how 2 play the game? ("I am a winner") (Listen 2 this)
Do I really have 2 cut my hair? (No)
Now, that's a cross I could never bear (How 'bout them publishing rights?)
Sell my publishing? What a laugh! (Ha ha)
I don't know Bo, but I do know math (I do know math)
Back 2 Minneapolis, there U go
U can't find your house underneath the snow
Cuz U're livin' in a big white mansion (Oh yes)
At the top of the road
U're wearin' the latest fashion
Tryin' 2 be happy, don't U know? (Tryin' 2 be happy, happy)
Big white, big white mansion (Big white mansion)
At the top of the road
U and me wearin' Versace, Gucci (Latest fashion)
Hoochies, they all wanna do me (Happy, don't U know?)
But am I really happy?
Big white mansion
Yeah, maybe one day
("Yo, Anita!") {Martin sample}
("Yo, check out that ass!")
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