People and Their Stupid Lists . . .

EW compiled a list of 'heartbreaking songs' (linked by Althouse), and they have Purple Rain #9.

First of all, Purple Rain isn't particularly heartbreaking, and second of all, I can think of at least eight Prince songs I'd put ahead of that track (including two from that album).

And thinking is blogging sometimes, so here's a roughly chronological (by date released, the two b-sides on the list are out of order) list of Prince songs more heartbreaking than Purple Rain:

When You Were Mine, from Dirty Mind:
"And U were so strange/U didn't even have the decency to change the sheets"
(tell me that's not heartbreaking, also, the Lauper version is better)

Nothing Compares 2 U, (The Hits/The B-Sides)
"It's been 7 hours and 13 days, since U took your love away"
(Has there ever been a more heartbreaking line? The Sinead version is amazing, the video is simple, yet incredible, as well, her eyes . . .)

How Come U Don't U Call Me Anymore, (The Hits/The B-Sides)
"I still keep your picture by my bed/I still remember every word U said"
(another song that was made more famous by someone else, this time Alicia Keys brings the sexiness and the sadness)

Another Lonely Christmas, (The Hits/The B-Sides)
My momma used 2 say
Always trust your lover
Now I guess that only applies 2 her
Cuz baby u promised me
Baby u promised me u'd never leave
Then u died on the 25th day of December
Oh baby

Last night I spent another lonely, lonely Christmas
Darling, baby, u, u should've been there
Cuz all the 1s I dream about
U are the 1 that makes my love shout
U see, u are the only 1 I care 4
Yeah
(Yes, it's schmaltzy, but he really sells it)

When Doves Cry, from Purple Rain:
"Don't make me chase u/Even doves have pride"
"How can you leave me standing/Alone in a world so cold"
(This song is at least 1.5 times sadder than Purple Rain, which is more or less power ballad/anthem while this song is pure wistfulness)

The Beautiful Ones, from Purple Rain:
"U make me so confused/The beautiful ones/U always seem 2 lose"
(the tone of this song is much sadder, with a touch of obsessive stalker thrown in for good measure, when compared to Purple Rain, and his vocal performance is both way over the top, and kind of awesome)

Sometimes it Snows in April, form Parade
Tracy died soon after a long fought civil war,
just after I'd wiped away his last tear
I guess he's better off than he was before,
A whole lot better off than the fools he left here
I used 2 cry 4 Tracy because he was my only friend
Those kind of cars don't pass u every day
I used 2 cry 4 Tracy because I wanted to see him again,
But sometimes sometimes life ain't always the way...

Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish life was never ending,
and all good things, they say, never last

Springtime was always my favorite time of year,
A time 4 lovers holding hands in the rain
Now springtime only reminds me of Tracy's tears
Always cry 4 love, never cry 4 pain
He used 2 say so strong unafraid to die
Unafraid of the death that left me hypnotized
No, staring at his picture I realized
No one could cry the way my Tracy cried

Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad
Sometimes, sometimes I wish that life was never ending,
And all good things, they say, never last

I often dream of heaven and I know that Tracy's there
I know that he has found another friend
Maybe he's found the answer 2 all the April snow
Maybe one day I'll see my Tracy again

Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish that life was never ending,
But all good things, they say, never last

All good things that say, never last
And love, it isn't love until it's past

(that one deserves the entirety of the lyrics, a brilliant, and brilliantly heartbreaking song)

Somebody's Somebody, from Emancipation
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
(This is a really solid song, gets lost amidst the 3 cds worth of songs he unleashed with that collection, though)

And as far as the latest collection, I find all three albums have something to offer, they aren't great, but each has moments, definitely worth 12 bucks, and a trip to Target.

You Don't Have to Watch Dynasty, To Have an Attitude . . .

. . . but if you want your lenghty screed regarding beachwear published (both on men and women), it sure does help to have been ON Dynasty.

In the Mail, Joan Collins on changing beach fashions.

Next week, Linda Evans writes about the benefits of using free weights instead of more complicated work out equipment . . .

Things I Learned From News of the World . . .

. . . attracted to News of the World by this Drudge headline, PURPLE PAIN: PRINCE TO HAVE HIP REPLACEMENT..., I don't think this is something that will be that unusual for people in their late 40s, early 50s, or especially their 60s.

Used to be you'd have to suck it up, live with the pain, and slow down your lifestyle. But the replacement joints are getting better, and once the healing is done, the new joint is better than the old one, but as mentioned in the article, is more susceptible to displacement with certain kinds of movement. Given that Boomers are going to be needing these hips in large amounts over the next decade, I bet they'll come up with a hip that not only eliminates the pain, as is the case now, but let's you return to all sorts of vigorous activity after recovery, as well.

Also in News of the World, two stories that happened just down the street from me. The Independent Spirit Awards were held in a marquee on the beach in Santa Monica, as they put it in their article. First time I ever came across the word "marquee" used in that way. Here I was calling the big white thing they set up for that event a tent all these years, when I could have been calling it a marquee. So much more sophisticated to call it a marquee, I won't make the mistake of calling it a tent again. Looks like it was a good day for Juno, probably doesn't mean Juno will do well at the Oscars tomorrow night, though.

The other event that happened this morning in Santa Monica was the handing out of the Razzies. They're not held in a marquee, but instead they are held at MAGICOPOLIS!!! (I added in the !!!, it's just Magicopolis, normally, but it sounds more impressive if you call it MAGICOLOPLIS!!!, why the Razzies are held there in particular is something I don't have the answer for). Lindsay Lohan tied (with herself) for Worst Actress, while Eddie Murphy garnered 'honors' for Worst Actor, Worst Supporting Actor, as well as Worst Supporting Actress. I doubt anyone else will ever be so 'honored' for a single film again, Norbit was a true achievement in the annals of bad acting.

Prince, Great Performer, Even Greater Capitalist, Part II

Why would giving your music away make you a 'great capitalist'?

For one thing, the record companies have traditionally kept a big chunk of the album sales take, while artists reap more of the profits from concert performances.

By giving the album away, Prince reaches audiences that he may have trouble reaching otherwise. It builds buzz, it gets him positive press coverage.

Prince is shaking things up, the music industry is broken, and fans are disconnected from the artists, this might help repair the disconnect some.

The fanatics (like me) will buy the album when it comes out, even if there'll be a bunch of illegal mp3s floating around. Prince's concerts have been more profitable than any other time in his career, other than his absolute zenith.

He has remained much more relavent than a lot of his peers, and the music he puts out is still pretty awesome. Looking forward to Planet Earth when it hits stores July 24th. Lucky ducks in the UK who pick up their Sunday Daily Mail will get a head start, but that's OK, they can enjoy it, and spread the love.

The labels are pissed at this move, but screw them, not like Prince needs a lot of help from the labels to get people to notice what he's up to.

Prince, Great Performer, Even Greater Capitalist

Prince is about to begin his 7 night (non-consecutive) engagement at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

Ticket prices are $312.10 for SRO, and $3121 for dinner, table and the show.

It's good to be the Prince.

He's worth every purple penny, way out of my price range, but don't go hating on him just cause he's good enough to earn that kind of dough.

His album "Planet Earth" will be out soon, 24th of July in the US, a week earlier in the UK. According to the wiki for that album, it will include contributions from Wendy and Lisa. That can't possibly be a bad thing. Wendy and Lisa are still pretty great, bought every one of their albums, and saw them in concert around when Girl Bros. came out, and they were great. Mentioned before how much I like the work they do scoring the TV show Heroes, they get maximum effect out of a minimalist score.

Verizon customers can downlaod the track Guitar from the album, just visit his site 3121 and you'll get hit with all sorts of info on all this stuff.

What He Said

I'm in full agreement with Scott Adams on this one

"If Prince did his penis shadow puppet intentionally – and I believe he did – it ranks as one of the all-time great pranks of modern civilization. It also sets the bar much higher for whoever does the next show. My money is on Aerosmith and autoerotic asphyxiation."

Also, this suggests a sequel to that show, Puppetry of the Penis (link most likely NSFW). . .




(fill in the obvious punchline yourself)

A Very Truncated Superbowl Commercials and Half Time Show Post

He's just playing his guitar folks, sometimes grinding away with your hips at a long thin object . . ., is just a cigar
So good it hurts
Me watching Rex Grossman in the second half (I got my nails done for the game, can you tell?)
The love that dare not speak its name?