Prince: Who Is He Now?

by Country Girl 2 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Country Girl

  http://prince.org/msg/7/283629/Interview-Prince-shows-off-a-different-side-for-21-Nights

  Just read this article on Prince. I am not sure of the date, but the article says updated 6 days ago. He is, still, apparently spouting the JW party line. Which KH does he go to? Anybody there have any thoughts on attendance, field service, etc. Anyone go to a recent concert and see a difference?

  I have followed Prince since I was 18 years old. I won't venture to say how old I am now, but I am a couple of years younger than he is. I've always loved his music, his vision, his eccentricity, all of it.

  Just wondering how the R&F feel about it. My JW relative still says that he is *not* a JW, and couldn't possibly represent the JWs without getting disfellowshipped. Is he baptized? This is the same JW relative that came to my house when I was 20, saw a Prince poster on the wall of him in the shower with a cross, and said that she couldn't stay in my house until I took the poster down. heh.

  What I *can* say is more power to him!

  CG
• 

  Gopher

  As the article says, he remains a JW.

  He learned the organization's doctrine from Larry Graham, and attended a Kingdom Hall near his recording studio (Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota). He was baptized around 1999, attended meetings and even conventions in Minnesota.

  Currently "Brother" Nelson splits time between Toronto and L.A. When performing his older songs, he removes lyrics that he deems offensive to his JW sensibility.

  It seems to me like he has one foot in the Borg and one foot in the music scene.
• 

  easyreader1970

  The few Witnesses that I have spoken to about it don't have an opinion either way. His lyrics have toned down greatly and are no longer edgy. Further, he includes many more spiritual lyrics in some of his songs. Here is one example from the song "The Word".

  What is this new exaltation
  That I just can’t explain?
  What are these new inspirations
  That I can’t get out my brain?
  How am I gonna sleep with this feeling
  Rushing all through my veins?
  Get up, come on let’s do something
  Don’t you wanna go get saved?
  
  The night is calling you to act
  Act upon every urge
  You can’t get no satisfaction
  If you ain’t got the courage
  I don’t know what you’re afraid of
  I don’t know what you’ve heard
  Get up, come on let’s do something
  Don’t you wanna know the word?
  
  Who’s gonna save us when them spiders get next to you?
  Spinning their sticky webs around what you do
  We gotta safeguard against forked tongue and the treachery of the wicked one
  Get up, come on let’s do something
  
  Don’t matter how far you have to
  The truth has got to be told
  Don’t matter how shiny your lips
  They’ll never be streets of gold
  They might try to get us crazy
  Cuz they don’t know what I’ve heard
  We got this new exaltation
  I’m talking about the word
  
  Who’s gonna save us when them spiders get next to you?
  Spinning their sticky webs around what you do
  We gotta safeguard against forked tongue and the treachery of the wicked one
  Get up, come on let’s do something

  In addition, see the lyrics from "Get On the Boat":

  Look outside Ur window
  Tell me now what U c
  Coming up the mountain
  4 a new philosophy
  Every single color
  Every race and ever creed
  Lookin' 4 the truth ya'll
  That's gonna set somebody free
  
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  
  All across the nation
  People doing what they can
  2 avoid the tribulation
  That will b great throughout the land
  Everything in darkness
  Must come out in2 the light
  When we love each other
  That's the only way that's gonna be right
  
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  Good god!
  Say it again
  
  Bridge!
  We were meant 2 live 2gether
  Underneath the sun
  Eye can't think of nothing better
  Don't U wanna come?
  Get on the boat
  
  Nevermind what time it is
  The party's just begun
  No te alejes de este momento de inspiracion
  U can let Ur hair down
  Let the music move Ur feet
  Panamama bring the drama
  Dancin' 2 the beat
  Maceo!
  
  What's the harm in listening 2 the hopeful words we say
  If it moves Ur heart U know U better get in without delay
  
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  
  Dance to the beat... Ray, Ray, Ray
  Leadline- horns, hit me now
  
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  
  We were meant 2 live 2gether
  Underneath the sun
  Eye can't think of nothing better
  Don't U wanna come?
  Get on the boat
  
  Ooh Yea
  
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  
  Every color, every creed
  C'mon c'mon
  Come with me
  Hallellujiah!
  
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  Get on the boat
  Get on the boat, people
  Get on the boat now
  We got room 4 a hundred more
  
  Good lord
  Lead line, lead line
  
  Can't stand it
  Keep it going, keep it going

  As you can see, these are clearly based on WBTS doctrine, though the non-JW just might think he's just being spiritual. You can see how he may have alienated most of his fan base with these tame, spiritual lyrics. The exciting Prince who would perform on stage with his butt cheeks hanging out is gone.

  er