Who's better? Prince or Michael Jackson

[ThatGuy]

Personally I'd have to say Prince espescially anything from the 80's. He may not have sold as many records, but his music just stands up better over time. Plus he plays like 25 instruments. At 5'2" he's a little bad ass...

[TAL]

Prince.

[Randetica]

fifty fifty

[laurette]

The one who's still alive!

Well I admire Prince but my souvenirs are for MJ... Mais ils n'ont rien à voir!!

[TAL]

The one who's still alive!

Huh? Did someone die?

[mickill]

Prince is completely untouchable. MJ doesn't have anything on him. What's Mike got? Thriller? Big deal.

[adam_f]

The black one.

[yeahwho]

Prince is completely untouchable. MJ doesn't have anything on him. What's Mike got? Thriller? Big deal.
^ He's correct ya know. Seen Prince live 3 times, each show was fantastic and each show outdid the previous.

Prince is funky as all get out.

Even his halftime Superbowl show was funked.

[ThatGuy]

Prince is completely untouchable. MJ doesn't have anything on him. What's Mike got? Thriller? Big deal.


That and his glitter glove!

[ThatGuy]

Huh? Did someone die?


Only MJ's career.....

[Ally Al]

prince all day every day

mj has off the wall and thriller (discussing them as solo artists, obviously the jackson 5 and the jacksons made some great GREAT songs)

but Prince ? That 13 album run (including two double albums and let's not forget all the bootlegs) from for you to graffiti bridge (not including the time albums, sheila e, the family etc etc), jacko cannot compete

[adam_f]

That song Michael did "Rock My World" completely ruined everything I might have ever liked in the past.

Except for "Billie Jean" That's just timeless.

[Jitters]

When it comes to their overall career it's easily Prince.

[yeahwho]

MJ sucks on guitar and Prince is right there step for step on stage as far as moves.

I like MJ, but it seems like more than half of his career is spent trying to recapture Thriller.

Prince keeps funked.

[NicRN77]

Prince is a musical genius and guitar God. No one can touch that man's talent. The man has enough music in his catalog to put out an album everyday for a year probably. He may be strange, but the man is super talented. Best live show I've ever seen.

I can't believe you could compare MJ with Prince. They are two completely different genres.

[laurette]

They are two completely different genres.

Exactly wha'I was saying... but in french: Ils n'ont rien à voir!!;)

[Planetary]

one is an icon for kids, one is a sex god to women.

nuff said.

[DroppinScience]

You know what? "Thriller" isn't even all that good. Yeah, that's right. I said it. "Thriller" is very overrated. Outside the top singles ("Billie Jean," the title track, "Beat It"), the album overall is pretty pedestrian. "PYT" and that collaboration with Paul McCartney ("The Girl Is Mine"... ugh!) do nothing for me.

And the rest of Michael Jackson's career is spent living in the shadow of a blockbuster album that wasn't all that great to begin with (this is when he actually bothers to do music, which isn't even often).

Prince, on the other hand, has done tons of more consistent albums that run laps around "Thiller." Even when he's not that great (which would be mostly in the '90s), he still manages to be more interesting than Michael Jackson.

Another deciding factor: Prince did the soundtrack for "Batman." MJ did not. Case closed.

[hitmonlee]

prince

he is a fucking genius

[abcdefz]

I'm surprised at this topic. I really don't think it's debatable.

If you were to pick, say, the best three Prince songs vs. the best three Michael Jackson songs, you might maybe possibly arguably could have an argument.

[cookiepuss]

I vote prince.

I'll take excentric androgny over reculsive pedophile any day.

[Rav]

Prince, hands down. I can't stand Jackson except for Thriller, Beat It, and Billie Jean.

[Knuckles]

You know what? "Thriller" isn't even all that good. Yeah, that's right. I said it. "Thriller" is very overrated. Outside the top singles ("Billie Jean," the title track, "Beat It"), the album overall is pretty pedestrian. "PYT" and that collaboration with Paul McCartney ("The Girl Is Mine"... ugh!) do nothing for me.

And the rest of Michael Jackson's career is spent living in the shadow of a blockbuster album that wasn't all that great to begin with (this is when he actually bothers to do music, which isn't even often).

Prince, on the other hand, has done tons of more consistent albums that run laps around "Thiller." Even when he's not that great (which would be mostly in the '90s), he still manages to be more interesting than Michael Jackson.

Another deciding factor: Prince did the soundtrack for "Batman." MJ did not. Case closed.

Dude, you know you dim the lights, pour a couple glasses of champagne and turn on "The Lady In My Life" when the Queen comes over.

[hairdu44]

Prince is one of (if not) the greatest performer live ever! Prince wins ..... hands down.

[Drederick Tatum]

I doubt Michael Jackson can even play one instrument.

[roosta]

Jackson. Jackson. Jackson.

Prince is good, but the way i look at it is this, take both their "greatest hits" or "best of" compilations or whatever, and jackson's is better. Aka, file their careers down to a 15 track compo, and MJ's is like magical rainbows of music flooding out of the speakers, in your ear-holes and illuminates your mind.

I know thats a stupid way to look at it, and is worthy of your scorn, but that's how I look at it.

[na§tee]

prince is responsible for raspberry beret, possibly the best song in the entire world. that's it. that's all i need. purple one all the way.

roosta is only interested in magical rainbows of music because he's irish and he thinks he's gonna get a pot o' jackson charms at the end of it. jesus juice at the very least.

[roosta]

prince is responsible for raspberry beret, possibly the best song in the entire world. that's it. that's all i need. purple one all the way.

roosta is only interested in magical rainbows of music because he's irish and he thinks he's gonna get a pot o' jackson charms at the end of it. jesus juice at the very least.

hey now. Dont mock my culture! Just because Irish people are the only people to have discovered that true happiness awaits you at the end of a rainbow!

I wouldn't mind a pint o jesus juice right now.

[NicRN77]

Jackson. Jackson. Jackson.

Prince is good, but the way i look at it is this, take both their "greatest hits" or "best of" compilations or whatever, and jackson's is better. Aka, file their careers down to a 15 track compo, and MJ's is like magical rainbows of music flooding out of the speakers, in your ear-holes and illuminates your mind.

I know thats a stupid way to look at it, and is worthy of your scorn, but that's how I look at it.


Oh my. Have you even LISTENED to a Prince album???? Talk about an innovator. Purple Rain is the greatest album of the 80s. The man is constantly trying new things. Prince isn't afraid to try something new, even though the public may not like it. Prince has been putting out albums every year although you may not have known it. He dropped off the popular radar for awhile, but never left. He has helped the careers of many and is by far the best song writer there ever was. His live performances deliver. Give me Prince any day of the week.

[Kid Presentable]

Prince never made a 'Billy Jean'.

[mickill]

When Doves Cry>Billie Jean

[Kid Presentable]

Sometimes.

[abcdefz]

Oh my. Have you even LISTENED to a Prince album???? Talk about an innovator. Purple Rain is the greatest album of the 80s.



Uh, I'm pretty sure Sing o' the Times came out in the '80's.


And it's not even the greatest (pop/rock/R&B) album of the '80's, but at least we're within a football field.

[Kid Presentable]

Sign O' The Times i like. but still no billie jean

[roosta]

Oh my. Have you even LISTENED to a Prince album???? .

Yes, yes I have.

[roosta]

Black or White > Everything Ever

[abcdefz]

Sign O' The Times i like. but still no billie jean


...but how many "Billie Jean"s has Jackson actually come up with? Maybe half a dozen, including the Jackson Five? It's not like Michael slams 'em out of the park all the time. Hell -- hardly ever, just half a dozen more than you or me.

[Kid Presentable]

...but how many "Billie Jean"s has Jackson actually come up with? Maybe half a dozen, including the Jackson Five? It's not like Michael slams 'em out of the park all the time. Hell -- hardly ever, just half a dozen more than you or me.

Prince never made a 'Billie Jean'.

[abcdefz]

You have not ears to hear. You don't deserve Prince.

-- and even Michael knows it. You don't catch Prince naming any of his kids "Michael Jackson Rogers Nelson." :D

[Kid Presentable]

You have not ears to hear. You don't deserve Prince.

-- and even Michael knows it. You don't catch Prince naming any of his kids "Michael Jackson Rogers Nelson." :D

And I listen to all the Prince I want. And it's great, but there's still no Billie Jean in his catalogue.

[abcdefz]

No denying that Billie Jean is a terrific song, but if you think Prince has never made a better song, get thee to an otologist.

[abcdefz]

You're thinking of Can't Slow Down.

[abcdefz]

TOTO IV

[Drederick Tatum]

No denying that Billie Jean is a terrific song, but if you think Prince has never made a better song, get thee to an otologist.

or a....musicologist.

omgloletc

[g-mile7]

Simple questions deserve simple answers:

Prince.

[g-mile7]

Dude, you know you dim the lights, pour a couple glasses of champagne and turn on "The Lady In My Life" when the Queen comes over.

HAHAHAHAA(y)

But Kid P has a point...Billie Jean is MJ's peak, both as a writer and producer


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Jean


good article about how MJ made Billie Jean....very Prince like


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Doves_Cry


for when doves cry

[TimDoolan]

Ha. Thats funny. I just did a paper for my Gender in the Humanities class about pop stars that play coy with cultural definitions of sexuality.


Mike>Prince

Heres a rare unreleased Jackson song: For All Time..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL3gDNPRjqk

[ET]

It's almost futile to argue as both of these artists' musical stylings are completely different. But viewing the argument from the angle that both of them are pop starts, you have to consider that Michael Jackson is much better at putting his dick in little kid's asses. MJ wins.

[Kid Presentable]

A video I like. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb8I8-dmAxs)

[hitmonlee]

Jackson. Jackson. Jackson.

Prince is good, but the way i look at it is this, take both their "greatest hits" or "best of" compilations or whatever, and jackson's is better. Aka, file their careers down to a 15 track compo, and MJ's is like magical rainbows of music flooding out of the speakers, in your ear-holes and illuminates your mind.

I know thats a stupid way to look at it, and is worthy of your scorn, but that's how I look at it.

actually i have prince's and mj's "best ofs" and i haven't even listened to the mj one all the way through, but the prince one i have listened to maybe 100 times or so.

[Kid Presentable]

actually i have prince's and mj's "best ofs" and i haven't even listened to the mj one all the way through, but the prince one i have listened to maybe 100 times or so.

In terms of that argument about accessibly funky stuff, MJ never made one of these (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNsYftzpY1w). Although it's still not a Billie Jean.

[Kid Presentable]

I've tried to make it obvious, although many people have comprehension issues; Prince is obviously a genius. Anybody can see that, and even the thread-starter must have expected a lopsided argument. But for all of his countless abilities, great songs and outright brilliance, Prince still never made a 'Billie Jean'.

That said, I love all of the smut that Prince puts into his music and videos. I told Undies once that I would love to shag the voice of the girl on '1999'.

[Ally Al]

Prince never made a 'Billy Jean'.

neither did MJ, he did however make a song called Billie Jean

Little Red Corvette trumps Billie jean, when doves cry trumps Billie Jean, raspberry beret trumps billie jean, kiss trumps billie jean, sign o the times trumps billie jean, alphabet st trumps billie jean etc etc

not that i have a bias or anything

[abcdefz]

In terms of that argument about accessibly funky stuff, MJ never made one of these (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNsYftzpY1w). Although it's still not a Billie Jean.




This waddles into true bullshit territory. Can't we just as easily say "Michael Jackson never made a 'Paisley Park'"? I mean, technically, yeah. Absolutely. And neither ever made a "Dock of the Bay" or "Rip it Up" or "Honey Don't" or "Mama Tried."


....and?

[Kid Presentable]

This waddles into true bullshit territory. Can't we just as easily say "Michael Jackson never made a 'Paisley Park'"? I mean, technically, yeah. Absolutely. And neither ever made a "Dock of the Bay" or "Rip it Up" or "Honey Don't" or "Mama Tried."


....and?

nah. not at all.

take off the music-snob glasses (all of us) and think about what a quintessential pop song should sound like; you'll quickly realise that a tune that needs to be everything to everyone sounds like Billie Jean. Prince did some wondrous things that Mike will never do, but he never got pop (what they were both doing) perfect.

yeah I know how pointless it is trying to convince people of anything in regards to music; my constant replies are illustrating that.

[Kid Presentable]

neither did MJ, he did however make a song called Billie Jean

Little Red Corvette trumps Billie jean, when doves cry trumps Billie Jean, raspberry beret trumps billie jean, kiss trumps billie jean, sign o the times trumps billie jean, alphabet st trumps billie jean etc etc

not that i have a bias or anything

my bad on the typo lol.

when doves cry is seriously the only thing that competes with Billie Jean when trying to compare these two as pop artists. the rest on your list is truly for the fans. all great songs, but for the fans. and like i said earlier, it (doves) can be better than Billie Jean to listen to sometimes, but it's not a better example of the perfect pop song.

[abcdefz]

nah. not at all.

take off the music-snob glasses (all of us) and think about what a quintessential pop song should sound like; you'll quickly realise that a tune that needs to be everything to everyone sounds like Billie Jean. Prince did some wondrous things that Mike will never do, but he never got pop (what they were both doing) perfect.



Your "constant replies" actually clarify things, which makes it easier for me to argue. :)


I don't think Billie Jean is Mike's poppiest song by a far cry. Falls more in the R&B category than pop. I love it when R&B and pop mix -- and Jackson does that well (Prince mixes R&B and rock more than R&B and pop) -- but Billie Jean's an R&B/dance song with a great hook and one of his best productions that could mainly get called a "true pop" song because it was popular, not because it's pop writing.

Your turn.

[Kid Presentable]

Your "constant replies" actually clarify things, which makes it easier for me to argue. :)


I don't think Billie Jean is Mike's poppiest song by a far cry. Falls more in the R&B category than pop. I love it when R&B and pop mix -- and Jackson does that well (Prince mixes R&B and rock more than R&B and pop) -- but Billie Jean's an R&B/dance song with a great hook and one of his best productions that could mainly get called a "true pop" song because it was popular, not because it's pop writing.

Your turn.

pop writing is defined by somewhat disposable lyrics aiding the melodic driving force, with small amounts of synergy between song structure, production, layers, rhythm and out and out danceability.. Billie Jean subverts that on all fronts. it became pop music.

go

[abcdefz]

I'm not sure Mike ever got pop "perfect," actually, because it's when he's trying to be his poppiest that his stuff suffers the most. He smooths things out, his lyrics become more banal, etc. The hooks are often there, but just as often fall flat because they're so strained, trying to please everyone. I think there's an inner R&B man in there that he keeps squelching, maybe because it feels too easy or too marginalized or too urban or something.

But when he's shooting for the fences, pop-wise, we wind up with shit like the ersatz-funk "PYT," treacle like "Say Say Say" or "The Girl is Mine" or "Ben" or bombast like "We Are the World."

Pass.

[abcdefz]

pop writing is defined by somewhat disposable lyrics aiding the melodic driving force, with small amounts of synergy between song structure, production, layers, rhythm and out and out danceability.. Billie Jean subverts that on all fronts. it became pop music.

go



I don't accept your hypothesis.

Pop doesn't have to be danceable.

Pop lyrics don't need to be disposable. (One could even argue that the nonsense of "Tutti Frutti" has indisposable words. Or "Da Do Ron Ron"'s chorus, for that matter.)

A pop song can be a pop song before it even hits the prouction stage, so I don't know what that assertion is about.

I gotta go pee.

[Kid Presentable]

I'm not sure Mike ever got pop "perfect," actually, because it's when he's trying to be his poppiest that his stuff suffers the most. He smooths things out, his lyrics become more banal, etc. The hooks are often there, but just as often fall flat because they're so strained, trying to please everyone. I think there's an inner R&B man in there that he keeps squelching, maybe because it feels too easy or too marginalized or too urban or something.

But when he's shooting for the fences, pop-wise, we wind up with shit like the ersatz-funk "PYT," treacle like "Say Say Say" or "The Girl is Mine" or "Ben" or bombast like "We Are the World."

Pass.
this is the thing; that song is the benchmark. it is defined in its greatness by how far MJ had to reach to try and do it again, and how far he might have missed each time.

Everything you mntion about smoothing and banality holds true about his other stuff, but this song nailed it.

It doesn't make Prince inferior as an artist, but they're only really competing in terms of an incredible catalogue vs one amazing amazing song.

[abcdefz]

I think it's a great song that speaks to you in some singular way that makes it perfect for you. That's cool, but it's tougher to argue than even most subjective stuff.

I'm out.

[Kid Presentable]

blah

[abcdefz]

Nebraska is the greatest punk album, by the way. (y)

[Kid Presentable]

Nebraska is the greatest punk album, by the way. (y)

still man, you gotta hear what i'm saying. nobody has ever worked every element of good songwriting together like michael did with that one song.

it's a career versus one song, and obviously the career wins. but the career never had that one song.

[abcdefz]

You're thinking of "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling."

Still the most-played song on radio to date.

Lyrics, melody, paranoia, performance, production = pure pop.

[Kid Presentable]

You're thinking of "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling."

Still the most-played song on radio to date.

Lyrics, melody, paranoia, performance, production = pure pop.

close. and then along came billie jean. billie jean is so good, people who haven't heard it yet will love it.

[abcdefz]

Especially the ones who haven't heard it. (y)

[abcdefz]

P.S. You're wrong and I'm not playing anymore.

[Kid Presentable]

i'm so right it hurts.

no song fucks with billie jean. it's timeless, classic, impeccable, perfect. it's true.

[abcdefz]

I CAN'T HEEEEEEEAR YOUUUUUUUU

LALALA

LALALALA

LALALA

LALALA

[Kid Presentable]

what i can't believe are all of the 'music fans' on here who don't hear it. it says a bit about you lot.

[abcdefz]

I think you mean "Cry Me a River."

[Kid Presentable]

I think you mean "Cry Me a River."

hahaha i was fully baiting you with that last post.

well played. but not as well played as.... well, you know which song.

[Kid Presentable]

angustozebra, please go and listen to Billie Jean to get it fresh in your mind, and come back and tell me exactly what it is about the song that defies perfection for you. i won't argue, i just want to hear it from you, while the song is in your head.

[abcdefz]

I don't have a copy of it anymore. Not since I ditched the LP.

[Kid Presentable]

I don't have a copy of it anymore. Not since I ditched the LP.

well i can listen to any of those songs you've listed previously, so using this as the cut-off I'd love for you to indulge me. your call. again, not for debate, i just want your thoughts on hearing the song. we can talk about songs all day, you know?

[abcdefz]

Well, I'll tell you this: I heard it in a store the other day, start to finish. It came on, and my ohfuckit'smichaeljackson kicked in on about the third beat, but then, almost immediately, I was listening to it and thinking, "This is a really good song." What follows after that is all the whatthefuckhappened? sort of thoughts, kind of like Rod Stewart times three or four. But I DID make a point to stick around and listen to the whole thing, which happens maybe twice a year if it's a song I know. I really do like it.

The song definitely works, but some of the sound is kind of dated. Not as badly as an awful awful awful lot of music from the '80's, because it's so well arranged, it kind of keeps things tidy. For Mike + Quincey, it's almost sparse, which is a compliment. I wish they'd gone that way more often. I think Mike and Q tended to emphasize each other's worst elements, frankly; in someone else's hands, Jackson might have actually made a classic album or two instead of just some great singles and a shitload of filler. It's no wonder he and Spielberg were so like-minded for a time.

[Kid Presentable]

Well, I'll tell you this: I heard it in a store the other day, start to finish. It came on, and my ohfuckit'smichaeljackson kicked in on about the third beat, but then, almost immediately, I was listening to it and thinking, "This is a really good song." What follows after that is all the whatthefuckhappened? sort of thoughts, kind of like Rod Stewart times three or four. But I DID make a point to stick around and listen to the whole thing, which happens maybe twice a year if it's a song I know. I really do like it.

The song definitely works, but some of the sound is kind of dated. Not as badly as an awful awful awful lot of music from the '80's, because it's so well arranged, it kind of keeps things tidy. For Mike + Quincey, it's almost sparse, which is a compliment. I wish they'd gone that way more often. I think Mike and Q tended to emphasize each other's worst elements, frankly; in someone else's hands, Jackson might have actually made a classic album or two instead of just some great singles and a shitload of filler. It's no wonder he and Spielberg were so like-minded for a time.

Seriously, though. You can't argue something sounds dated when citing 'You've lost that loving feeling'.

[abcdefz]

I said parts of it do. Lovin' Feeling doesn't have a false note in it; Billie Jean has that silly synth-emphasis that's foreverKORG. You can almost see one of Tina Turner's backing models playing that part, smiling, waving.

[Kid Presentable]

I said parts of it do. Lovin' Feeling doesn't have a false note in it; Billie Jean has that silly synth-emphasis that's foreverKORG. You can almost see one of Tina Turner's backing models playing that part, smiling, waving.

You can. Weirdo.

[Ally Al]

my bad on the typo lol.

when doves cry is seriously the only thing that competes with Billie Jean when trying to compare these two as pop artists. the rest on your list is truly for the fans. all great songs, but for the fans. and like i said earlier, it (doves) can be better than Billie Jean to listen to sometimes, but it's not a better example of the perfect pop song.


lol, glad you knew i was only joking on the typo thing

i dig the song mate don't get me wrong, i was big mj fan back in the day, and it is a great song, a defining moment but not the perfect pop song. If anything it was a crossover from R&B to pop

[abcdefz]

i dig the song mate don't get me wrong, i was big mj fan back in the day, and it is a great song, a defining moment but not the perfect pop song. If anything it was a crossover from R&B to pop



See? Scientific proof.

[Kid Presentable]

lol, glad you knew i was only joking on the typo thing

i dig the song mate don't get me wrong, i was big mj fan back in the day, and it is a great song, a defining moment but not the perfect pop song. If anything it was a crossover from R&B to pop

I don't even like Michael Jackson.

Name the perfect pop song.

[Ally Al]

I don't even like Michael Jackson.

Name the perfect pop song.


barbie girl by aqua

mmm bop by hanson

i have no idea really, unchained melody, possibly

something that gets into your head even though you try your hardest not to let it, you find yourself humming it subconsciously

come on eileen by dexy's

i really don't know but billie jean isn't the perfect pop song, you're just a kid who claims that IIIIIT is the one, but, it's not that song my sooooon HOOOOOOOO HEE HEE HEE

[abcdefz]

"I Want You Back" is a better pop song than "Billie Jean."

[Ally Al]

"I Want You Back" is a better pop song than "Billie Jean."



Now the Jackson 5 DID make great pop songs

[Kid Presentable]

you guys have obviously been sniffing glue together.

[mickill]

I believe that Just What I Needed by the Cars is the best Pop song ever.

If pop writing is defined by somewhat disposable lyrics, Billie Jean wouldn't exactly fit that criteria, anyway; those are probably MJ's best song lyrics by a long shot. Better than Smooth Criminal even!

He did come close to recapturing the *MAGIC* of Billie Jean on Dirty Diana IMHO.

[Documad]

I saw Prince perform a couple of weeks ago. He's still at the top of his game in dancing, singing, playing guitar, and as a showman. He was sweet and funny too. And he performed Let's Go, by The Cars.

But when I think of Prince, this is the guy I think of. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb-qoOeOamo)

[Documad]

I used to be madly in love with this guy. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_A3jEgn3f8&mode=related&search=)

Off the Wall and Thriller were good albums, but Michael was always more of a singles guy. I just try to pretend that he died in 1983.

[mickill]

I saw Prince perform a couple of weeks ago. He's still at the top of his game in dancing, singing, playing guitar, and as a showman. He was sweet and funny too. And he performed Let's Go, by The Cars.

But when I think of Prince, this is the guy I think of. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb-qoOeOamo)

I consider seeing Prince live one of the three highpoints of my life, along with my wedding day and the birth of my daughter. He's got to be the best live performer ever. I don't know what James Brown, Elvis Presley or Aretha Franklin could possibly have on him.

I think the best song from Dirthy Mind is When You Were Mine. That's also a better Pop song than Billie Jean IMHO.

[Documad]

I think the best song from Dirthy Mind is When You Were Mine. That's also a better Pop song than Billie Jean IMHO.
I agree. I tried to find a video of Prince doing that song, but all I found was this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtqymYOQeQQ) :rolleyes: It's funny, but I remember the actual music video of Mitch Ryder. Some fool made this instead. Prince must take all his stuff off of youtube.


Nothing Compares 2 U might be my favorite live song that he does, but it did give me the chills to see him emerging from the smoke and lights to do Purple Rain this last time.

[mickill]

it did give me the chills to see him emerging from the smoke and lights to do Purple Rain this last time.

Yeah, that's kind of hard to top.

The acoustic sets during his shows definitely highlight his greatest gifts as an artist. Everybody knows he's a talented songwriter/musician. But when you see him up on stage with just a guitar - the audience eating out of the palm of his hand the entire time - you realize just how accomplished a performer he really is.

MJ's like the Michael Bay of Pop.

[Kid Presentable]

hahaha i know i'm pushing shit uphill here. billie jean, though.

[roosta]

you guys are acting like Billie Jean is MJ's finest hour...its NOT.

I present you with:

Beat It
Thriller
Smooth Criminal
The Way You Make Me Feel
Black or White
Dont Stop Til You Get Enough

AND

MAN IN THE MIRROR.

[abcdefz]

MJ's like the Michael Bay of Pop.



Okay, now THAT'S too far.

Maybe Michael Bay has done something good that I'm not aware of. Beginning-to-end good, I mean.

Oh, wait. I'm answering myself, here. Yeah -- Michael Bay probably has a couple of two-minute singles that are good.

[abcdefz]

you guys are acting like Billie Jean is MJ's finest hour...its NOT.

I present you with:

Beat It
Thriller
Smooth Criminal
The Way You Make Me Feel
Black or White
Dont Stop Til You Get Enough

AND

MAN IN THE MIRROR.




Beat It and Don't Stop etc. are possibilities, maybe. You can't bring up that other shit though.

[yeahwho]

I believe that Just What I Needed by the Cars is the best Pop song ever.

Behind "What I Like About You" by the Romantics.

[ThatGuy]

Best pop song ever?



Erotic City.

[mickill]

you guys are acting like Billie Jean is MJ's finest hour...its NOT.

I present you with:

Beat It
Thriller
Smooth Criminal
The Way You Make Me Feel
Black or White
Dont Stop Til You Get Enough

AND

MAN IN THE MIRROR.

If you're trying to convince us that MJ's recorded some pretty fruity tunes you're doing a superb job.

I think MJ's best (solo) recording is Human Nature. Hands down.

HANDS DOWN.

[Documad]

Beat It and Don't Stop etc. are possibilities, maybe. You can't bring up that other shit though.

(y)

Behind "What I Like About You" by the Romantics.

:( I still can't take that song. It was played too much on early MTV and I still haven't recovered.

[Documad]

I honestly can't set aside Jackson's sick behavior and assess him based on what I think today. So I think Kid P has a point in picking Billie Jean.

When that song was released, it sounded so fresh from the opening notes, that you just froze in your tracks to listen to it. And remember that many of us thought that Jackson might actually have a secret involving a female and sex, so the lyrics had a bit of mystery as well. I loved it before the Motown 25 concert. But I watched that concert when it was broadcast and you just knew that the music industry changed in that moment.

I always hated Thriller, but that's because of that super long video that was played nonstop on MTV. And that confirmed that Jackson was just nutty and not as cool as he had seemed just two videos beforehand.

[Documad]

Sorry to spam up the thread.



The acoustic sets during his shows definitely highlight his greatest gifts as an artist. Everybody knows he's a talented songwriter/musician. But when you see him up on stage with just a guitar - the audience eating out of the palm of his hand the entire time - you realize just how accomplished a performer he really is.
That's all true. When I saw him a couple of weeks ago, I was just a tiny bit disappointed because he brought Wendy back on stage to play with him during the acoustic portion. That was fun for him, but it caused him to dial it down for her. What completely kicked ass was when he brought Sheila E. out near the end of the show. He was emotional about having both of them back with him. I wish Sheila E.'s last song was on a youtube video! Prince must keep his people all over youtube all the time.

[KingOfPop]

All of this nonsense is making Blanket very upset!(n)

[Otis Driftwood]

Best pop song ever?



Erotic City.

Never heard of that. I'm not a popper like you guys, but my vote goes to "Go West" from the Pet Shop Boys...

[g-mile7]

Best pop song ever?



Erotic City.

Good curve ball, and that song was never released as an official single, let alone onan official LP untill the Greatest Hits/B-Sides came out (it was a B-Side during the Purple Rain era)(y)

That is a good pop song....catchy and a dance track at the clubs.

[g-mile7]

I would go so far to say that "Kiss" by Prince is more pop-ish then "When Doves Cry"


That being said I find "Kiss" a more entertaining song then "Billie Jean", but "Billie Jean" is just the essence of a classic.

[adam_f]

Best pop song ever?

That LFO song where they say Chinese food makes them sick.

[g-mile7]

Best pop song ever?

That LFO song where they say Chinese food makes them sick.

hahahhaha

[yeahwho]

The Romantics "What I Like About You"

(y):( I still can't take that song. It was played too much on early MTV and I still haven't recovered.


Actually your right. It is officially grating and tooth numbing due to overplay.

Prince's "I could never take the place of your man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Could_Never_Take_the_Place_of_Your_Man)" is really a fantastic pop song. The shortened radio airplay version is maddening...it has to be the long version from Sign ? of the Times.

Baby don't waste your time
I know what's on your mind
U wouldn't be satisfied (Wouldn't be satisfied)
With a one night stand

And I could never take the place of your man

[g-mile7]

The Romantics "What I Like About You"




Actually your right. It is officially grating and tooth numbing due to overplay.

Prince's "I could never take the place of your man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Could_Never_Take_the_Place_of_Your_Man)" is really a fantastic pop song. The shortened radio airplay version is maddening...it has to be the long version from Sign ? of the Times.

Baby don't waste your time
I know what's on your mind
U wouldn't be satisfied (Wouldn't be satisfied)
With a one night stand

And I could never take the place of your man

Pretty much proves that Prince was an elite level writer compared to MJ.

[roosta]

man in the mirror

[mickill]

Prince's "I could never take the place of your man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Could_Never_Take_the_Place_of_Your_Man)" is really a fantastic pop song. The shortened radio airplay version is maddening...it has to be the long version from Sign ? of the Times.

Baby don't waste your time
I know what's on your mind
U wouldn't be satisfied (Wouldn't be satisfied)
With a one night stand

And I could never take the place of your man

That's just the ultimate song for guys to drive around aimlessly on Saturday nights and start fights to. I've been whupped many an ass to that tune.

[Documad]

Never heard of that. I'm not a popper like you guys, but my vote goes to "Go West" from the Pet Shop Boys...

I saw them a few months ago to humor some friends. The live show was ten times more fun than I expected. Suburbia is my favorite song of theirs.


I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man is hookily perfect.

[yeahwho]

That's just the ultimate song for guys to drive around aimlessly on Saturday nights and start fights to. I've been whupped many an ass to that tune.

If I see you out there listening to that shit I'm gonna whup it up on you, by the time my face hits your fist you'll be wonderin' how to get your foot out of my ass.

you could never take the place of me not taking the place of the guy who takes the place of listening to I can never take the place of your man.


consider that a warning.

[Ally Al]

Good curve ball, and that song was never released as an official single, let alone onan official LP untill the Greatest Hits/B-Sides came out (it was a B-Side during the Purple Rain era)(y)

That is a good pop song....catchy and a dance track at the clubs.

?????????????

it was a b-side on the let's go crazy 12" so therefore was officially released

[Auton]

he never said it wasn't officially released, he just said it wasn't an official single. he even mentioned that it was a b side to one of the purple rain tracks.

[mickill]

If I see you out there listening to that shit I'm gonna whup it up on you, by the time my face hits your fist you'll be wonderin' how to get your foot out of my ass.

you could never take the place of me not taking the place of the guy who takes the place of listening to I can never take the place of your man.


consider that a warning.

You're so dead if I ever see you out there while I'm listening to that song, my friend.

Erotic City was a b-side. Officially. There. That should straighten out all this confusion happening here.

A lot of Prince's best songs weren't even singles. But I don't think he had too many ABSOLUTE killer bee-sides. Erotic City and She's Always In My Hair would be exceptions.

[ThatGuy]

?????????????

it was a b-side on the let's go crazy 12" so therefore was officially released


I bought that when I was about 15...still have it. I got it for Let's Go Crazy but was blown away by Erotic City. Something about the "we can fuck until the dawn" part...

[yeahwho]

So now the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/arts/music/22pare.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin) wants to ape us, they never can take the place . I'm gonna whup up NYT ass asap. Next NYTimes paper dispenser I see is going down to the curb. Drive by style.

[Ally Al]

Erotic City was a b-side. Officially. There. That should straighten out all this confusion happening here.

exactly



A lot of Prince's best songs weren't even singles. But I don't think he had too many ABSOLUTE killer bee-sides. Erotic City and She's Always In My Hair would be exceptions.

you'd have to include 17 days in there and irresistable bitch and shockadelica and love or money and la la la he he hee and alphabet street (this is not music this is a trip), i know this is more or less and extended instrumental version of alphabet street but it's still great, Alexa de paris also

[abcdefz]

Did anyone else prefer the live version of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"? The one from the Sign o' the Times film? I thought the album version was all right, but that live one really took it.

Kind of reminded me of McCartney's album version of "Coming Up" vs. the live one, in that way.

[Ally Al]

Did anyone else prefer the live version of "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"? The one from the Sign o' the Times film? I thought the album version was all right, but that live one really took it.

Kind of reminded me of McCartney's album version of "Coming Up" vs. the live one, in that way.


i like them both to be honest, the guitar solo on the movie version was brilliant

[abcdefz]

It's a very nice solo. (y)

[Documad]

So now the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/arts/music/22pare.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin) wants to ape us, they never can take the place . I'm gonna whup up NYT ass asap. Next NYTimes paper dispenser I see is going down to the curb. Drive by style.
I can't believe that they mentioned the gig at Macy's but not the one at First Avenue (where Purple Rain was filmed). :(

I suppose they wanted to mention the perfume. Prince gave us all little bottles of it. Last time, we got CDs, which was better. Prince, he always gives you a little gift for attending his concerts. :p

[abcdefz]

Prince gave us all little bottles of it.

What's it smell like?

[Ally Al]

What's it smell like?


like purple rain......probably

[abcdefz]

I'm just curious to know what sort of thing he went with.

Perfume or cologne or both?

It's probably unisex.

[Documad]

I'm just curious to know what sort of thing he went with.

Perfume or cologne or both?

It's probably unisex.
It's called a perfume, and it's purple, so I assumed it was meant for women. It smells like a Dior ladies perfume to me. It might be the purple color that's influencing me. I have Poison on the brain (Poison came in a purple bottle). Not as sweet-smelling as that, and with heavier spice.

I wouldn't buy it, but it's not bad. It's just my taste.

It was a nice little bottle that we all got -- not the sample things you get at a department store.

[abcdefz]

It's called a perfume, and it's purple, so I assumed it was meant for women. It smells like a Dior ladies perfume to me. It might be the purple color that's influencing me. I have Poison on the brain (Poison came in a purple bottle). Not as sweet-smelling as that, and with heavier spice.




How funny. I was imagining something like flour de lis with middle Eastern spicy to it. Putting together purple (something floral) with the harem picture on the cover of one album.


Anyway -- it's cool that they had a proper release for it. Good for you! (y)

[yeahwho]

Surreal Synchronicity (http://people.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1333533.php/Michael_Jacksons_Prince_advice)

[Documad]

Speaking of people who Prince helped, The Bangles are actually touring? I can imagine a crowd of middle aged people walking like an egyptian.

[g-mile7]

?????????????

it was a b-side on the let's go crazy 12" so therefore was officially released

You need to read my post a bit better.

Good curve ball, and that song was never released as an official single, let alone onan official LP untill the Greatest Hits/B-Sides came out (it was a B-Side during the Purple Rain era)


"Erotic City ("make love not war Erotic City come alive")" (usually referred to as "Erotic City") is a song by the musician Prince, released as the B-side to the 1984 single "Let's Go Crazy" and to the 12" version of the 1986 single "Girls & Boys". The track introduced Sheila E. to the public and is regarded as a funk classic.[citation needed] It is one of many Prince tracks that is generally recognised by the first note (a guitar string plucked and whammied) before dropping into the drum track.

The experimental number relies on a strong bass line and a simple but enticing keyboard riff. The song features Prince's voice both sped up and slowed down at various times to sound like different singers. Also featured is Sheila E., who would become a close associate with Prince and work with him extensively over the years. Even though the song was a B-side to a #1 hit, it received significant radio play itself and is almost as well-known as the songs on Purple Rain. The song was quite notable for its extreme sexual references and the use of the word "fuck", although people have claimed the word was actually "funk", allowing it to be played on the radio. It has been heard in the films Girl 6 and PCU (covered by George Clinton). The track was re-released on CD on The Hits/The B-Sides in 1993 and later on the Girl 6 soundtrack.

Although "Erotic City" was released in 1984 as a B-side, it is still one of several Prince tracks from his Warner Bros. period that enjoys longevity. DJ's around the world play the song to this day. Some mistakenly regarded it as the first Camille recording.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erotic_City



So Prince/Warner Bros didn't release it as a single, it was just so good that DJ's at the time decided to play it at the request of fans. I know Prince, thats one of my musical icons.

[Ally Al]

I know Prince, thats one of my musical icons.

and you should get your panties out of a knot, i realised i misread so i didn't carry on, for my mistake i apologise


and i know plenty about prince i've been buying his records since 83

[g-mile7]

and you should get your panties out of a knot, i realised i misread so i didn't carry on, for my mistake i apologise


and i know plenty about prince i've been buying his records since 83

WOAH!!!!! No need to get all hyped. I was just posting that info to futher clarify. Chillax dude(y)

And good for you with the buying his records since 83'

[SugarInTheRaw]

So what have we concluded here? Prince or MJ?

[Ally Al]

WOAH!!!!! No need to get all hyped. I was just posting that info to futher clarify. Chillax dude(y)


i'm chilled to the gills son, as unhyped as i could be

And good for you with the buying his records since 83'

thanks

[yeahwho]

So what have we concluded here? Prince or MJ?

Exact tie, the winner is the Fresh Prince of Bel Air by default.

[adam_f]

Kenny Loggins.

THREAD CLOSED

[KingOfPop]

Nothing is over!!! NOTHING!!!

[g-mile7]

Prince makes baby makin' music

MJ makes music for them baby boys :( (at least he does now)

[roosta]

Prince makes baby makin' music

MJ makes music for them baby boys :( (at least he does now)

you are dead to me

[abcdefz]

Even if their music, overall, were equally good (and I don't think it is), Prince is a prolific artist and Michael Jackson comes down from the mountain every blue moon and drops something. Now, if you're slow as hell but you're Edward Hopper and Mr. Speedy is Thomas Kinkade, then Eddie still wins. But I'm afraid, in this case, Mr. Speedy is more the Hopper than the snail that is Kinkade, if you follow my meaning. Jackson is a cloyingly sentimental hack at worst, and I think the worst you could ever say of Prince is from time to time he's out of his tree, but I don't think he's ever false. He might be [i]wrong[/i[ sometimes, but I don't think he's false.

[g-mile7]

you are dead to me

It's all good, I'll be reincarnated soon enough ;)

[ThatGuy]

Has anyone heard The Black Album? I know I'm about twenty years late but I recently got one and it is a really tight album! I read reviews on it that said it wasn't that great but that's bullshit! It is some seriously funky (and sexual) shit!! I was very surprised! Definetly worth cheching out!!

[roosta]

Phil Collins beats both of them to death

[Ally Al]

Has anyone heard The Black Album? I know I'm about twenty years late but I recently got one and it is a really tight album! I read reviews on it that said it wasn't that great but that's bullshit! It is some seriously funky (and sexual) shit!! I was very surprised! Definetly worth cheching out!!

i LOVE the black album, well except for dead on it, thats a real stinker imho, everything else is top notch. Bought a bootleg for £20 in 87/88 i had to beg borrow and steal to get that at the time (and some mo fo taxed it!!), and bought the official release in 1994

[Ally Al]

So, why was JayZ's album also called the black album? Is this becuse prince's one was originally withdrawn or something?

p's wasn't "officially" called the black album, it just had that name because it had an all black cover (same as the beatles white album.....but black)and no other title. There is some peach writing down the spine but thats just WB address and it's stock code

[abcdefz]

Has anyone heard The Black Album? I know I'm about twenty years late but I recently got one and it is a really tight album! I read reviews on it that said it wasn't that great but that's bullshit! It is some seriously funky (and sexual) shit!! I was very surprised! Definetly worth cheching out!!



I liked "Bob George" and "2 Nigs United 4 West Compton" an awful awful lot. (y)

[Ally Al]

I liked "Bob George" and "2 Nigs United 4 West Compton" an awful awful lot. (y)

yup yup

if i had to pick favourites it would be le grind and rock hard in a funky place, 2 of p's funkiest moments imho

"new coat huh?, thats nice, did you buy it ? yeah right! you seein' that rich motherfukka again....."

[abcdefz]

"...that skinny MF with the hiiiigh voice"

[ThatGuy]

I liked "Bob George" and "2 Nigs United 4 West Compton" an awful awful lot. (y)


Bob George is a bad ass song! It's so different from anything I've heard from Prince.

[ThatGuy]

i LOVE the black album, well except for dead on it, thats a real stinker imho, everything else is top notch. Bought a bootleg for £20 in 87/88 i had to beg borrow and steal to get that at the time (and some mo fo taxed it!!), and bought the official release in 1994


Yeah, "dead on it" is really the lowest point of the album, it's the only song I skip...

[KingOfPop]

Yeah, "dead on it" is really the lowest point of the album, it's the only song I skip...


Perfect, skip anything made by Prince and buy some of my shit
































Like Thriller for example!!!

[Randetica]

i just watched:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq-du2xrRf4

that (i wonder why the link says eww..)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWG9kEWWgG4

and that

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNl2Pm9-7Vk


just to squirt oil into the faded out fire

[abcdefz]

Bob George is a bad ass song! It's so different from anything I've heard from Prince.



...I think Prince had been listening to some of Randy Newman's fetishistic stuff ("You Can Leave Your Hat On," "Pants," etc.) and then just cranked it up.

[jennyb]

*moonwalks through thread*

[kleptomaniac]

the south park episode (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iZpSjMIo18) with michael jackson rules. :cool:

and that part in scary movie 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWpZDHhjXms). haha :D


edit: oh yeah, and robot chicken!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4owMoo_Zdk) :p

[mickill]

Excellent point.

[Freebasser]

Can I stick rusty syringes in my ears instead of listening to either?

I can?

Hooray! :D

[mate_spawn_die]

controversy, 1999 and purple rain gang rape thriller

[Kid Presentable]

Sign o the Times is the shit. (y)

[DroppinScience]

You know what? "Thriller" isn't even all that good. Yeah, that's right. I said it. "Thriller" is very overrated. Outside the top singles ("Billie Jean," the title track, "Beat It"), the album overall is pretty pedestrian. "PYT" and that collaboration with Paul McCartney ("The Girl Is Mine"... ugh!) do nothing for me.

And the rest of Michael Jackson's career is spent living in the shadow of a blockbuster album that wasn't all that great to begin with (this is when he actually bothers to do music, which isn't even often).

Prince, on the other hand, has done tons of more consistent albums that run laps around "Thiller." Even when he's not that great (which would be mostly in the '90s), he still manages to be more interesting than Michael Jackson.

Another deciding factor: Prince did the soundtrack for "Batman." MJ did not. Case closed.

Okay, it's two years later and I'm re-listening to "Thriller" and I'm forced to re-evaluate my opinion here. I realize I was being a bit too harsh here. While "Thriller" to me is STILL overrated, the album holds up better than I remembered. "Wanna Be Startin' Something" is pretty awesome, but for the #1 selling album of all-time, it still does feel like there's songs that are more filler material. And Prince is still better. Hopefully he'll have a lot more years left in him than poor Michael did...

[yeahwho]

I admittedly have never seen Michael Jackson live nor have I wanted to. The 5 songs he's had in his solo career that actually sound good enough to listen to from start to finish are good songs. The rest of them are filler.

Having seen Prince live 3 times (and actually wanting to after being dragged to the first show) I can say safely that Prince puts on one of the sickest funkiest ass shakin' bottom breakin' XXX rated live shows I've ever attended in my life.

This question is for the 12 and younger set. It makes no sense to anyone 13 and older.

Michael Jackson barely approached the level of songs such as "Take Me with U" which is the least played song on Purple Rain.

[blaker23]

Better at what?

As in, who is the better singer? writer? performer? dancer?

Jackson has the better voice.

Jackson is the better performer (live or video).

Prince is a better writer. (Who knows how much Jackson actually wrote of the material he's credited with having written?)

[playergrant]

MJ! nobody can move like him!:p