The MYTH of Prince's COUNTRY

You know, I really was trying to avoid doing this but it's gotten to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. What's going on in the Jessica Simpson forums has pushed me to my breaking point.

Not telling anyone else how to think. Like all things Prince-related, everyone has an opinion. Like the one I keep hearing lately about how The NPG wasn't "country." Or was so much less "country" than later incarnations of his band. Or when I hear another artist being put down for not being as "country" as Prince.

Well here's the deal I'd like to discuss now.

Prince isn't that "country". Not in the purest definition of the genre. Sure he likes to throw the word "y'all" around, but in the PUREST sense of the genre he's not even taken that seriously.

Short of playing a white-washed tune like "Willing & Able" at the Super Bowl several years ago, no one in Nashville takes Prince seriously from a "country" standpoint. To be blunt, he's a joke in the real "country" camp. He's LAUGHED AT. He's respected as a musician, and for having a lengthy career, but Prince is so fucking far from the "standard bearer" for country that's it's not even funny. I'm not pulling this opinion out of my ass (although I know I'm going to get accused of doing just that). I'm in New York and know and have talked to quite a few heavy hitters over the years who are main-stays in the country community and Prince isn't taken seriously with these guys AT ALL.

I mean short of borrowing some boots from Willie Nelson, as well as some guitar inflections from ZZ Top, in the TRUEST sense of the genre, how is Prince really that "country?"

So explain to me how to some of you, Prince became the "keeper of the country"?

Prince Is Funky

viewaskew said:

I am still here.

Thank GOD Prince isn't country, because if he was, I wouldn't listen to him. Purple Rain (the song which topped the country charts back in the 80's)is the only exception, as this is a great song, even though it has country overtones.

kenlacam said:

Thank you viewaskew for making me laugh and bringing some levity to the discussion.

Prince doing country would be like Pacino wearing a hockey mask and chasing a teenage guidance councillor in a friday the 13th film... Be just another midget runnin around making a fool of himself....
They're both better than that...

viewaskew said:

viewaskew said:

Country music is a style. Prince has the ability to play a country song, and sing with a country accent. Add some violins...and wear a cowboy hat...and end the record with yee-ha...

Why? When we love Charlie Daniels...and The list goes on...I don't even wanna start going down the list of country greats...That's that style of music expressing itself the best that it can through those people.

Does the 'gator' sketch in the Muppet Show count? Sorry I dont have the clip?

viewaskew said:

Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret and Pink Cashmere are all country diddies and they are all splendid.
[Edited 8/27/08 7:55am]

I can tell you for a fact that Prince is not country because you cannot identifiably whistle a country tune. And yet, most of Prince's songs are eminently whistleable. Ergo, Prince is not country.

vjh said:

Does the 'gator' sketch in the Muppet Show count? Sorry I dont have the clip?

I am still here.

pynkcashmere said:

Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret and Pink Cashmere are all country diddies and they are all splendid.

kenlacam said:

ImAKawak said:

viewaskew said:

WASNT THIS TOPIC POSTED BEFORE? ONLY INSTEAD OF COUNTRY,IT WAS FUNK

I MEAN EVERYTHING IN YOUR POST IS EXACTLY THE SAME EXCEPT A FEW CHANGES IN SONG REFERENCES

ARE WE GOING TO GO DOWN THE LIST OF ALL THE GENRES PRINCE HAS EXPLORED?
IF SO,WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE A WHILE

i don't know what's funnier, the fact that thread was so tongue in cheek or the people taking it seriously

L4OATheOriginal said:

i don't know what's funnier, the fact that thread was so tongue in cheek or the people taking it seriously

I am still here.

Genesia said:

pynkcashmere said:

Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret and Pink Cashmere are all country diddies and they are all splendid.

You should hear the bluegrass version of When Doves Cry!

ok... but you're all mean bastards for making fun of country.. grrrr

robinesque said:

ok... but you're all mean bastards for making fun of country.. grrrr

You ain't country at all!! You're just a little old prude!!

viewaskew said:

What the hell is this thread about?? Somebody from the country must have started this.

vjh said:

Does the 'gator' sketch in the Muppet Show count? Sorry I dont have the clip?

~ THE PRINCE SONGS AS ANAGRAMS THREAD IS THE BEST! PRINCEY: point me in the right direction 2 make my connection 2 your purple perfection & get my musical infection!"

Flowers2 said:

Genesia said:

You should hear the bluegrass version of When Doves Cry!