Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Prince - Dirty Mind

Although Prince was a huge success in the 1980s, this is his second time on the blog ("Controversy" was posted on September 23, 2011).  And we believe that this is justified -- both Prince posts are great songs and rare videos.  In fact, we don't believe that "Dirty Mind" was even played much on MTV -- the only time we recall seeing it was on the old USA show Night Flight (and yes, we did watch Night Flight a lot).

(In fact, seeing this video as a young lad in the early 1980s was a memorable experience.  My thought process went something like this ... "hey this is a really good song ... wait, is that dude wearing panties and garters and a trench coat?  Man, he seems odd ... but I really dig the song.")

"Dirty Mind" was the title cut of the 1980 LP that showed the eccentric music genius of Prince.  He had released two solid, if unspectacular albums in the late 1970s.  However, on the Dirty Mind album, he broke all of the rules, fusing rock, pop, new wave and R&B in a way that hadn't been done before.  He also went way over the line of good taste -- it was an insanely raunchy album for the time.  This combination of weirdness, hyper-sexuality and great music in many different styles would lead Prince to superstardom in a few short years.

The song itself  is driven by a keyboard riff by Doctor Fink, one of the few Prince songs that he did not exclusively write.  It also does not have a chorus -- it is a groove driven song (unconventional, and very cool).  While the Dirty Mind album is now regarded as a masterpiece by many critics, it was not a huge commercial success, peaking at #45 on the album charts.  The single did not even chart.  However, Prince was comfortable with the new direction, and it would lead to tremendous commercial and artistic successes just a few years later.

Ladies and gentlemen, for your audio and video pleasure ... His Purpleness.


Cool trivia fact:  Rolling Stone rated Dirty Mind as the 18th best album of the 1980s.  Purple Rain was ranked second (behind The Clash's London Calling), making Prince the only artist to have 2 LPs in the top 20.

Note that "Uptown" was posted on ERV in January, 2015.
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12 comments:

  1. WonderlustingJune 7, 2014 at 2:04 PM

    Thanks for posting this. I saw him in London this week and was just wondering what he was like live in the early days.

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    1. RockdogJune 11, 2014 at 9:28 PM

      Happy to help out and thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  2. ashOctober 20, 2014 at 1:25 PM

    ahhh thank you, i wanted this look for my halloween costume and couldnt find a good enough image of the trench coat. THANK YOU. this album is iconic.

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    1. RockdogOctober 20, 2014 at 9:34 PM

      Ash, that is the wildest comment in some time and you have a ton of guts to dress like this for Halloween. Hope it is a great holiday for you and all of our readers.

      Delete
    2. ashOctober 26, 2014 at 9:12 PM

      Thanks! once i get the dance down i think ill be set!

      https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/l/t31.0-8/10468212_10204815734530488_7639363619630158704_o.jpg

      Delete
  3. Big FanMarch 15, 2016 at 9:18 PM

    I live in Minneapolis so I saw him alot in the early years and he is a family friend. The way he plays a guitar is amazing to watch. Thanks

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    1. RockdogMarch 16, 2016 at 10:59 PM

      The dude is a serious musical talent. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

      Delete
  4. UnknownApril 21, 2016 at 2:10 PM

    RIP Prince of the one-liners like : "In my daddy's car, it is you I really want to drive".

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  5. AnonymousApril 25, 2016 at 1:20 PM

    Thank You for posting this!

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  6. AnonymousMay 2, 2016 at 8:06 AM

    I remember seeing him on late night tv when this first came out.
    Yipes! Such and incredible musician.So gorgeous for women and men -so sexual...nothing holding back.
    Such a terrible loss.He sounded like he was a lovely man and a good friend. It hurts my heart to think he's gone

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  7. AnonymousMay 22, 2016 at 2:22 AM

    I'm so glad I found this. It appears most of the Official Prince Dirty Mind videos have been removed. What next??..will they remove him from the cover of the Dirty Mind Album? It was the 80's and we were drawn to Prince and his wild sexuality. Prince evolved and no one can top his originality. But...Dirty Mind will always be my favorite. Our loss here but Heaven's gain!

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