Category Archives: Sign o’ the Times

Shockadelica: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 106 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Leslie Ballard joins me to talk about the witchy, raunchy, female empowerment anthem, “Shockadelica,” the B-side to “If I Was Your Girlfriend.” We spend time trying to decipher if Shockadelica is Camille, someone wholly unique, or even human. There’s a lot of pronoun confusion going on in this song, but maybe you just need to lay back and let Shockadelica do her thing.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


La, La, La, He, He, Hee: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 105 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Richard Cole (@RichardCole_NOW) from the Amari Purple Talk Podcast (AmariCommunications.com) joins me to discuss the silly, fun, metaphor filled B-side “La, La, La, He, He, Hee.” Created on a dare, this song, especially the “Highly Explosive” version, has more funk and more in common with “Atomic Dog” than it has any right to.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Adore: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 104 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, fellow Ohio resident Scott Woods joins me to “rap” about “Adore,” the grand finale for the Sign o’ the Times album. Prince mostly (with a couple of notable exceptions) remains sincere and genuine throughout this mature ballad, a throwback to classic soul.

Scott’s writing and where to purchase his book, Prince and Little Weird Black Boy Gods can be found using the link below.

My new Prince book is out! – Scott Woods Makes Lists (wordpress.com)

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 103 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Micah Simpson from the Purple Underground YouTube channel joins me in talking about “It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night,” the funky 9-minute jam performed live on stage during the Parade tour. Was this performance a tryout for The Revolution? What is Sheila E. talking about during the trans-Mississippi rap? We discuss all of this and more.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


The Cross: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 102 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Erica Thompson (APurpleDayInDecember.com) and I dive right into Prince’s most overtly religious album track to date and talk through some of the imagery & nuance that he added to what seems like a pretty straightforward expression of faith. Why did “The Cross” turn into “The Christ” later in his career? We discuss that and more on this standout track from Sign o’ the Times.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 101 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Josh Norman from The Mountains & the Sea podcast (https://www.facebook.com/TMATSPodcast/) and I talk about the crazy night Prince had at the club when he met a beautiful, heartbroken, pregnant woman looking for a rebound on “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” from his Sign o’ the Times album. Does he handle the situation with grace and class, or does he tell her to “get lost?”

If you’re looking for more insight into the song, check out regular podcast guest Zachary Hoskins’ #PrinceTwitterThread on the song.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Strange Relationship: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 100 (!!!) of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, writer Zachary Hoskins (princesongs.org) returns to the show to talk about the toxic mess that is “Strange Relationship” from the Sign O’ the Times album. Prince’s lines cut sharp and deep, but the amount of self-reflection and awareness that comes through in the lyrics shows vulnerability and maybe, just maybe, growth? Listen and decide for yourself.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


If I Was Your Girlfriend: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 99 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Christy Norman from The Mountains & the Sea and Killer Fun podcasts returns to the show to offer her perspective on the at times romantic, but mostly troubling, and brilliant “If I Was Your Girlfriend” off Sign o’ the Times. This BIG IMPORTANT PRINCE SONG deserves all the attention we give it and then some. This song is truly a piece of art.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


U Got the Look: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 98 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Jerry Bonner and I dive into the heck-a-slammin’ hit single from the Sign o’ the Times album, “U Got the Look.” This fun, silly, pop-rock smash featured Sheena Easton on co-vocals, Sheila E’s timbales, and a memorably humorous music video, but what are the lines from this song that everyone seems to recall all these years later? Listen to find out!

I had the honor of creating my own #PrinceTwitterThread for “U Got the Look” last year. I’ve included a link to my thread here.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Forever In My Life: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 97 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Eloy Lasanta joins me to talk about the lyrics to the simple on the surface, but actually complex ballad “Forever In My Life.” Whether you prefer the original Sign o’ the Times album version, the Sign o’ the Times Super Deluxe “Early Vocal Run-Through” version with additional instrumentation, or the compelling, gospel stylings that Prince exhibited on the Sign o’ the Times concert movie, this track is a stand-out no matter what!

Make sure to check out Eloy’s Prince’s Friend YouTube channel to get your Prince fix on that social media platform. Listen to Eloy’s musical endeavor, Strays of the World, anywhere you stream music. Physical copies of the debut album, In My Head, can be purchased directly from the Strays website or on Bandcamp.

Since I big-up Erica Thompson’s #PrinceTwitterThread on “Forever In My Life,” I’ve included a link to her thread here.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Hot Thing: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 96 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I’m joined by Prince scholar, author, and #PrinceTwitterThread co-founder, Edgar Kruize, to discuss Sign o’ the Times’ “Hot Thing.” Edgar and I overanalyze the hell out of what is primarily just a thumping dance track with a slammin’ beat and great Prince screams. 

Check out Edgar’s Sign o’ the Times tour and film #PrinceTwitterThread contributions.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Slow Love: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 95 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Farooq Ansari (@anti_social on Twitter) joins me to discuss the romantic throwback ballad, “Slow Love” from the Sign o’ the Times album. We also explore the song’s fascinating history from its origins as a Carole Davis penned composition and what compelled Prince to include a song co-written by another artist on his project.

Since I mention Matt Thorne’s #PrinceTwitterThread on “Slow Love,” I’ve included a link to his thread here.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/c/PressRewindPrinceLyricsPodcast

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Starfish and Coffee: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 94 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Karen Shedrick and I discuss the real story behind the whimsical, child-like story song, “Starfish and Coffee.” Who is Cynthia Rose anyway, and how was Prince able to take a few stories related to him by his girlfriend at the time and turn them into such a fun and strangely uplifting song?

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyLASnI80eRF7MEY-e8wJMg

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


It: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 93 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I welcome Roy Turner (@TrickyKid2 on Twitter) of Tricky Kid Media (https://www.facebook.com/TrickyKidRadio/) back to the show to talk with me about the thumping, sexually driven “It” from Sign o’ the Times. Is “It” simply about sexual obsession, or is there more to what Prince is laying down?

Check out Roy’s #PrinceTwitterThread on “It” for more context and fun song dissection.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyLASnI80eRF7MEY-e8wJMg

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


The Ballad of Dorothy Parker: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 92 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I welcome a new guest, Angel Monique, to chat about one of the greatest story songs in Prince’s career, “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker,” from Sign O’ the Times. We navigate the dream-like stream of consciousness lyrics, debate whether Prince actually knew who Dorothy Parker was when he wrote the song, and generally have a great time talking about a song we both hold in such high esteem.

Angel’s Perfect Chocolate Chip cookies can be found at Daisy Bee Confections.

Be sure to check out Julian’s project, Storytime with Julian (@StorytimeJulian on Twitter & Instagram), a twice-weekly content series dedicated to sharing and spotlighting Black short fiction. Facebook & YouTube links are below.

https://www.facebook.com/StorytimeWithJulian

https://www.youtube.com/c/StorytimeWithJulian/featured

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyLASnI80eRF7MEY-e8wJMg

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Housequake: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 91 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Julian Long returns to help me answer the primary question of the show. Does anybody know about the quake? Yeah! We do! I mean, really, really? Julian certainly helps guide me towards the Southern Baptist traditions that Prince was leaning heavily on as Camille, the pulpit-pounding funk exhorter in “Housequake.” It’s the brand new groove going ’round, so grab your dancing shoes and make sure to hydrate before the aftershock hits.

Be sure to check out Julian’s project, Storytime with Julian (@StorytimeJulian on Twitter & Instagram), a twice-weekly content series dedicated to sharing and spotlighting Black short fiction. Facebook & YouTube links are below.

https://www.facebook.com/StorytimeWithJulian

https://www.youtube.com/c/StorytimeWithJulian/featured

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

Press Rewind Podcast can be found @PressRewindPod on Twitter & Instagram. Facebook & YouTube links below.

https://www.facebook.com/PressRewindPod

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyLASnI80eRF7MEY-e8wJMg

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Play In the Sunshine: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 90 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Rhonda Nicole returns to talk to me about one of the more fun and funky songs to follow a dark and ominous opener in album tracklisting history. The ying to “Sign O’ the Times'” yang, it’s “Play in the Sunshine!”

Make sure to check out Rhonda’s music on Spotify, Bandcamp, or through her website, rhondanicole.com.

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Sign o’ the Times: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 89 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, the co-authors of The Rise of Prince: 1978-1988, Alex Hahn & Laura Tiebert, join me to talk about “Sign o’ the Times.” This lead single from the double album of the same name used a ripped from the headlines approach to calling out troubling aspects of our society while also ensuring it stayed quirky enough to be a Prince track. Its sparse production is designed to highlight the song’s lyrics, so let’s dig in!

Join Alex and Laura’s Facebook group, Make the House Shake, to stay on top of what projects they’re working on, and don’t forget to visit Laura’s website to read her blog and sign up for her class in living like Prince!

Check out the Press Rewind discord at discord.gg/f8Ueuym and join us in discussing all things Prince.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!