Today Prince turned 50. FIFTY!! Isn’t that absolutely insane? Oh, and he looks exactly the same. So in celebration of a half century of purple majesty, here’s this week’s Prince-themed Jukebox. And since picking just 10 Prince songs is like eating just one Lay’s potato chip, it’s an extended edition (there are 70 Prince tracks on my iPod, so I did good by narrowing the list down to 27):
Private Joy. Possibly my favorite Prince song of all time (but how can you pick just one?) It’s absolutely impossible for me to listen to this song without dancing.
I Wanna Be Your Lover. Another great track off the same album. Most of my favorite Prince tracks are from early in his career. This was back when Prince was being subtle and creative with his nastiness. “I wanna be the only one who makes you come…running!” Ha!
Darling Nikki. Yeah, by Purple Rain all the subtlety was gone. I wasn’t allowed to listen to this album when I was a kid - my mom forbade me. So my sister loaned it to me on the sneak and I listened to it with my headphones on at night after I went to bed. Such brilliance.
Automatic. 1999 is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. If the only songs you know are the title track and “Little Red Corvette,” stop and go download the whole album right now, because you’re missing the best parts. It’s $7.99 on iTunes. Bargain brilliance. This track is like nothing I’ve even heard before or since.
Lady Cab Driver. See previous comment. One of the greatest funk tracks ever recorded.
D.M.S.R. Ditto. One of the greatest dance tracks ever recorded.
Take Me With U. This song is so awesome, Apollonia couldn’t even wreck it with her non-singing self. A few years back my boyfriend and I saw Prince perform at Madison Square Garden in New York. I knew with all of the hits he had, the chances of me seeing this track live was slim and none. But he busted it out and I was sooo awesome! My favorite part of the show.
Sign O’ The Times. If this was the only song Prince ever recorded, I would still think he was brilliant.
Slow Love. The best booty-getting song of all time - and it is not nasty or explicit at all (go figure!). It’s actually quite romantic and sweet.
When Doves Cry. One of my favorite lyrics ever written: “Animals strike curious poses; they feel the heat, the heat between me and you.” Who could write that but Prince?
Kiss. No Prince playlist is complete without this.
Free. Did you download 1999 yet? What are you waiting for? This is my favorite track.
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man. I love the happy, poppy beat of this one.
The Beautiful Ones. Ok, maybe this one’s my favorite. The same sister who snuck me the album took me to see Purple Rain. People in the movie theatre were standing and cheering by the end of this song. “Do you want him?! . . . Or do you want me?! . . . Cuz I want you!!” So amazing.
Erotic City (feat. Sheila E.) Awesome funky little naughty song.
Anotherloverholenyohead. I saw Under the Cherry Moon in the movie theatre. Twice. Loved, loved, loved it! Jerome Benton as ‘Tricky’ was theatrical brilliance, in my opinion. But of course, the best thing about the film was its soundtrack, and this one’s a gem.
Thieves in the Temple. Ok, I was not a fan of Graffiti Bridge, but the film did give us this track, so it wasn’t all bad.
It’s Gonna Be Lonely. Prince’s second album is one of my favorites. And this track is awesome old-school style soul. Love it.
Little Red Corvette. Ok, maybe this is my favorite song. I’ll have more than one favorite. Because it’s Saturday night, I guess that makes it alright.
Alphabet Street. I love this song because it sounds so different from his other tracks. Perfect for walking down the street on a summer day.
Dirty Mind. I know he’s all religious nowadays, and no loner sings the naughtier tunes. This one isn’t even that naughty. But I’ll always love the dirty tracks.
Gett Off. Like this one. That he won’t perform this one makes me sad.
Arms of Orion. (feat. Sheena Easton) I bought the soundtrack to Batman for this song. I like Partyman too - if only because it reminded me of the little dance Jack Nicholson did as the Joker. But this song is really, really lovely.
Controversy. Brilliant take on life in the spotlight.
7. Gosh, I almost forgot about this one. So good.
Purple Rain. This is the song I replayed the most those nights of sneakily listening to the forbidden album. Everything about it seemed then - and still seems now - so amazing: the music, lyrics, guitar solo, vocals. It still gives me goose bumps.
Raspberry Beret. Who can pull off a suit in a blue-sky-and-clouds print - with heels! - and not have his sexuality questioned? Only Prince, ladies and gentlemen. Only Prince.
