Day 2 — Space Thread!
Check out yesterday’s 🧵 from @ericathompson
B sure to check out the 🧵’s coming up over the next 8 days from:
@CaseyRain
@EdgarKruize
@PrincesFriendYT
@ehphd
@scottwoodssays
@arrthurr
@NightEthereal
@polishedsolid
#PrinceTwitterThread
#Come
Check out yesterday’s 🧵 from @ericathompson
B sure to check out the 🧵’s coming up over the next 8 days from:
@CaseyRain
@EdgarKruize
@PrincesFriendYT
@ehphd
@scottwoodssays
@arrthurr
@NightEthereal
@polishedsolid
#PrinceTwitterThread
#Come
I just want to take this opportunity to thank a few ‘key’ people who were instrumental in giving me the confidence & belief to share my thoughts (not expertise) on Prince in a public arena.
Thanks 4 the encouragement & belief 💜💜💜
@EdgarKruize @NightEthereal @polishedsolid.
Thanks 4 the encouragement & belief 💜💜💜
@EdgarKruize @NightEthereal @polishedsolid.
SPACE
It’s not clear who plays on this track but the credits list the following:
Instruments by @prince with help from:
* Michael B. – drums & Sonny T. – bass
* Tommy Barbarella & Mr. Hayes – keyboards
It is well known that P reworked all the band recordings for Come.
It’s not clear who plays on this track but the credits list the following:
Instruments by @prince with help from:
* Michael B. – drums & Sonny T. – bass
* Tommy Barbarella & Mr. Hayes – keyboards
It is well known that P reworked all the band recordings for Come.
Given Prince’s alleged carefree attitude towards this album, it’s probably the reason why he didn’t bother to clarify the credits.
An unreleased “Rock” version of Space exists & it’s reported that some of the NPG were definitely on that version.
An unreleased “Rock” version of Space exists & it’s reported that some of the NPG were definitely on that version.
In addition to the “Rock” version, a mostly-instrumental version also exists which definitely features Madhouse.
This was recorded by Madhouse & intended for their “24” album.
That album & the instrumental version of Space remain unreleased.
This was recorded by Madhouse & intended for their “24” album.
That album & the instrumental version of Space remain unreleased.
SINGLE
Space was released as the album's second single:
A side - Universal Love Remix
B side - Album version.
A maxi-single was also released on the same day as the single containing multiple remixes all of which contained new input by Prince.
No.71 - US Billboard R&B Chart
Space was released as the album's second single:
A side - Universal Love Remix
B side - Album version.
A maxi-single was also released on the same day as the single containing multiple remixes all of which contained new input by Prince.
No.71 - US Billboard R&B Chart
Prince worked with rapper Ninety-9 during the early 90’s.
Space & its remixes feature repeated vocal samples from Ninety-9's track “40 Ounces” which contained input by Prince.
@PrinceVault
It must be the repeated & sensuous vocal loop that appears throughout the song.
Space & its remixes feature repeated vocal samples from Ninety-9's track “40 Ounces” which contained input by Prince.
@PrinceVault
It must be the repeated & sensuous vocal loop that appears throughout the song.
GLAM SLAM ULYSSES
Space was also included in the 1993 Glam Slam Ulysses stage-show, during the segment titled:
"The Sirens".
This whole project was credited to Symbol as opposed to Prince.
Space was also included in the 1993 Glam Slam Ulysses stage-show, during the segment titled:
"The Sirens".
This whole project was credited to Symbol as opposed to Prince.
In Greek mythology, “Sirens” were sea nymphs, famed & renowned for their haunting & alluring singing & musical proficiency.
They would lure sailors off their course by their music & enchanting voices causing the sailors to crash their ships on rocky shorelines.
More later.
They would lure sailors off their course by their music & enchanting voices causing the sailors to crash their ships on rocky shorelines.
More later.
The Glam Slam Ulysses production was “an interactive musical theatre,” which premiered at Glam Slam in Los Angeles featuring nearly all the tracks from Come.
This show was P’s ‘alternative media’ method to showcase his music after having retired following his name change.
This show was P’s ‘alternative media’ method to showcase his music after having retired following his name change.
Glam Slam Ulysses was loosely based on Homer's Odyssey, featuring a combination of live performances & video.
Carmen Electra was a featured dancer as was Frank Williams. Jamie King provided the choreography.
The show was heavily panned by critics & closed down after 2 Weeks.
Carmen Electra was a featured dancer as was Frank Williams. Jamie King provided the choreography.
The show was heavily panned by critics & closed down after 2 Weeks.
Conceptually P has used Space to create different worlds throughout his career - Uptown, Paisley Park, The Dawn etc & he was always the centre of that Universe.
Thematically references are littered through his discography to represent the worlds he created within his Universe.
Thematically references are littered through his discography to represent the worlds he created within his Universe.
This morning, as an after thought, I put together a P playlist of tracks that in some way or another remind me of being in ‘Space’.
Incomplete of course as PL only includes Released & on Spotify & some key 1’s might be missing as this was super rushed.
open.spotify.com/playlist/33SNt…
Incomplete of course as PL only includes Released & on Spotify & some key 1’s might be missing as this was super rushed.
open.spotify.com/playlist/33SNt…
Space Sound:
It’s a song that strongly identifies with the whole 1999 era, the Girl B side, TGE & the above playlist.
1999
The drum programming & G Funk stylings could quite easily have slotted it in on the 1999 album & its Purple Galaxy - another Prince Space exploration.
It’s a song that strongly identifies with the whole 1999 era, the Girl B side, TGE & the above playlist.
1999
The drum programming & G Funk stylings could quite easily have slotted it in on the 1999 album & its Purple Galaxy - another Prince Space exploration.
1999 is preoccupied w/ space travel & indeed its cover sets the scene as what appears to be a Purple Galaxy - see video of some of my 1999🧵👇
Thematically, “Space” is closest to “Automatic” where Prince is preparing to take- off to journey distant worlds in his spaceship.
Thematically, “Space” is closest to “Automatic” where Prince is preparing to take- off to journey distant worlds in his spaceship.
TGE
Space could have been at home on TGE which was recorded around the same time.
It has a similar mood, style, sound & vibe as tracks like Gold & Dolphin.
Indeed, many of the tracks are interchangeable.
Live - Space performances opened with a Gold Experience like segue.
Space could have been at home on TGE which was recorded around the same time.
It has a similar mood, style, sound & vibe as tracks like Gold & Dolphin.
Indeed, many of the tracks are interchangeable.
Live - Space performances opened with a Gold Experience like segue.
GIRL
Paisley Park Planet.
Space’s breeziness concocts romantic images of cloudsurfing with your love in the same vein as the joyful “Girl” B side - 1 of my ‘all time’ favourite P tracks.
I just 💜 “Girl” (extended v).
They could be companion pieces, siblings, even sisters!
Paisley Park Planet.
Space’s breeziness concocts romantic images of cloudsurfing with your love in the same vein as the joyful “Girl” B side - 1 of my ‘all time’ favourite P tracks.
I just 💜 “Girl” (extended v).
They could be companion pieces, siblings, even sisters!
OTHER ARTISTS
It also draws cues with songs by other artists.
TOM TOM CLUB
“Genius of Love” by Tom Tom Club has a similar beat & pretty synth motif.
It doesn’t sound the same but my point being the ideas are similar & Space reminds me of this.
‘Genius’- club hit in 81’.
It also draws cues with songs by other artists.
TOM TOM CLUB
“Genius of Love” by Tom Tom Club has a similar beat & pretty synth motif.
It doesn’t sound the same but my point being the ideas are similar & Space reminds me of this.
‘Genius’- club hit in 81’.
BILLY IDOL
The descending synth chord at the beginning of Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without A Face” does sound similar to the one at the beginning of Space.
Well, it always reminds of this Billy Idol song which is one of my favourites by the Plastik Punk!
The descending synth chord at the beginning of Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without A Face” does sound similar to the one at the beginning of Space.
Well, it always reminds of this Billy Idol song which is one of my favourites by the Plastik Punk!
Apart from sharing descending synth chords, they also shared an attraction to Vanity!
I mean, who doesn’t! I try to find any excuse I can to post images of Vanity on my threads 🤣
Check the full Idol video which evokes 1999 -purple smoke etc.
Both had a penchant 4 crosses too
I mean, who doesn’t! I try to find any excuse I can to post images of Vanity on my threads 🤣
Check the full Idol video which evokes 1999 -purple smoke etc.
Both had a penchant 4 crosses too
Album Version:
We’ll come on to the Prince remixes later on as a couple are actually some of my favourites but first I want to talk about the album version.
The album version appears on the B side of the single whereas the Universal Love Remix is on side A.
We’ll come on to the Prince remixes later on as a couple are actually some of my favourites but first I want to talk about the album version.
The album version appears on the B side of the single whereas the Universal Love Remix is on side A.
The way that “Come” segues into “Space,” is a major highlight for me.
It rushes in w/ light & airy synths, an obtuse & sophisticated bass line & straggling drums which carry with them a hint of the Caribbean.
FX in the background mirror the sounds of a rocket launch at NASA.
It rushes in w/ light & airy synths, an obtuse & sophisticated bass line & straggling drums which carry with them a hint of the Caribbean.
FX in the background mirror the sounds of a rocket launch at NASA.
The looped sensual moans add a real undercurrent of sex that align with the lyrics.
The synth/key runs, video game & spacey sound samples evoke a floating, ethereal feeling.
It sounds like a sci fi movie soundtrack of a journey to distant galaxies.
The synth/key runs, video game & spacey sound samples evoke a floating, ethereal feeling.
It sounds like a sci fi movie soundtrack of a journey to distant galaxies.
The vocals are impeccable in a lower register-verses & in falsetto-chorus.
Space has a real laid back vibe.
This track above all else highlights P’s genius in the studio as a sound engineer.
The sound design is amazing & I wish he’d done far more of this in his career.
Space has a real laid back vibe.
This track above all else highlights P’s genius in the studio as a sound engineer.
The sound design is amazing & I wish he’d done far more of this in his career.
Is it a love song in which P wishes to take their love to the stratosphere - into outer space.
Space might be a metaphor for the vastness of his emotions for his love interest.
His love for her being too big for this world that it reaches into the upper echelons of Space.
Space might be a metaphor for the vastness of his emotions for his love interest.
His love for her being too big for this world that it reaches into the upper echelons of Space.
Let’s try to decipher its meaning (the lyrics appear below in the images).
Bass in his boom meaning she is echoing his heartbeat — she is the essence of his life!
The impact she has upon him is positive & it takes him to a higher spiritual state of mind.
Bass in his boom meaning she is echoing his heartbeat — she is the essence of his life!
The impact she has upon him is positive & it takes him to a higher spiritual state of mind.
P wants to give her body sexual pleasure but also he wants to give her mind the greatest intellectual stimulation:
Body & Mind aligned will take their love to a higher spiritual plane & to a transcendent place - Space
But where, who, what is that Space?
Body & Mind aligned will take their love to a higher spiritual plane & to a transcendent place - Space
But where, who, what is that Space?
Is it a need for space - Escape.
Is it the space between them.
Is it God or God’s home the highest spiritual plane.
-where the souls go [after death]
-where the tears flow [tears of happiness in the afterworld]
-where the love grows [in heaven]
Is it a spiritual love song?
Is it the space between them.
Is it God or God’s home the highest spiritual plane.
-where the souls go [after death]
-where the tears flow [tears of happiness in the afterworld]
-where the love grows [in heaven]
Is it a spiritual love song?
WAIT.......
PULL UP......
I’ve always been partial to a bit of Popcaan & no Popcaan has nothing to do with Space but 🤣
DJ hit the play button on the video👇
AND THEN
RELOAD .........
PULL UP......
I’ve always been partial to a bit of Popcaan & no Popcaan has nothing to do with Space but 🤣
DJ hit the play button on the video👇
AND THEN
RELOAD .........
Is it a song about masturbation & sexual obsession with a spiritual undertone.
He is fantasising about her & lying in his bed looking at the ceiling & is he masturbating.
The Sky could be her Vagina & the “Space” ‘might’ be .. U know...the heavenly void between her legs!
He is fantasising about her & lying in his bed looking at the ceiling & is he masturbating.
The Sky could be her Vagina & the “Space” ‘might’ be .. U know...the heavenly void between her legs!
P is obsessed & he is feeling damn horny.
P wants to be in her sky & in the space between her heavenly thighs!
Obsession, Hips, Confession, Strip!
Body & Head!
Cuddling on Mars with eyes like rubies & stars — waking up all covered in sex!
Horn dawg take a cold shower!
P wants to be in her sky & in the space between her heavenly thighs!
Obsession, Hips, Confession, Strip!
Body & Head!
Cuddling on Mars with eyes like rubies & stars — waking up all covered in sex!
Horn dawg take a cold shower!
The space where:
-souls go [the sexual ecstasy is so great, it makes one want to die]
-where tears flow [sex ecstasy produces tears of happiness]
-where love grows [where babies are born]
Is the Space — ‘Sex’ or a state of mind or both — which brings them closer to God.
-souls go [the sexual ecstasy is so great, it makes one want to die]
-where tears flow [sex ecstasy produces tears of happiness]
-where love grows [where babies are born]
Is the Space — ‘Sex’ or a state of mind or both — which brings them closer to God.
Is it a wishful longing to escape from this world - ‘let’s run away from it all’.
He doesn’t imagine cuddling her in this world, he imagines it on Mars!
And he is so obsessed with her that he even has wet dreams about her.
He doesn’t imagine cuddling her in this world, he imagines it on Mars!
And he is so obsessed with her that he even has wet dreams about her.
The way he would fulfill her body, he would also fulfill her mind also echoes the start of “Come,” — where he has something for her mind.
“If you're 18 and over, come here
I got something for your mind”.
“If you're 18 and over, come here
I got something for your mind”.
“deep rush” is “deeper than the boom of the bass”
This goes deeper than simply what he feels in his heart.
What is far more powerful than the love he could give to her?
Perhaps turning her mind to loving God which would be far more powerful than the love he could give to her.
This goes deeper than simply what he feels in his heart.
What is far more powerful than the love he could give to her?
Perhaps turning her mind to loving God which would be far more powerful than the love he could give to her.
The ‘Deep Rush’ is it a metaphysical state — a “still” point which is reached with sex, orgasm & spirituality.
That still point when momentarily the world stops.
Where words, sounds, breathing, motion & even existing momentarily ceases.
That still point when momentarily the world stops.
Where words, sounds, breathing, motion & even existing momentarily ceases.
Is that still point after the climax which brings you closer to God — beyond space & time.
The point where you can imagine what silence looks like....
Yeah, we'll, we'll try to imagine what silence looks like....
Yeah, we'll try👇...
The point where you can imagine what silence looks like....
Yeah, we'll, we'll try to imagine what silence looks like....
Yeah, we'll try👇...
“With every other flick of the pink plush, The closer we get to the space”
The combination of Sex, Orgasm & Spirituality brings them closer to the ultimate destination!
For Prince the ultimate destination is always GOD!
The closer they both will be to God - the Space.
The combination of Sex, Orgasm & Spirituality brings them closer to the ultimate destination!
For Prince the ultimate destination is always GOD!
The closer they both will be to God - the Space.
So is it about channelling her state of mind towards a spiritual direction:
“His left hand would be under my head, And his right hand would embrace me.”
Does it go back to Songs of Solomon 8:3 — making love is a conduit to loving God and a pathway to reaching God - The Space.
“His left hand would be under my head, And his right hand would embrace me.”
Does it go back to Songs of Solomon 8:3 — making love is a conduit to loving God and a pathway to reaching God - The Space.
Is the holy Space more powerful than the sexual space or are they equal & co-exist alongside each other?
Does one lead to the other? Do they both lead to God?
Thus, “Space” might stress the notion of a sexual & mental path to personal enlightenment & a pathway to God.
Does one lead to the other? Do they both lead to God?
Thus, “Space” might stress the notion of a sexual & mental path to personal enlightenment & a pathway to God.
So yes, on one hand it’s a spiritual love song and on the other it’s a song about obsession, longing, masturbation & reaching spiritual enlightenment through sex.
But there’s sheer poetic beauty in there too:
“With eyes that fall somewhere between rubies & stars”.
But there’s sheer poetic beauty in there too:
“With eyes that fall somewhere between rubies & stars”.
One final point about the lyrics on the album version is that there’s an apparent contradiction between songs on the album:
Prince mentions his feelings at least twice on the album:
Once on Space album version:
“I never been one to hide my feelings”
Prince mentions his feelings at least twice on the album:
Once on Space album version:
“I never been one to hide my feelings”
Secondly, on “letitgo” 👇
So which one is it?
In matters of the 💜 P is vocal about his feelings to his love interest(s).
He is very vocal about his obsession, sexual fantasies & the deep love he wishes to give & receive.
In matters of the 💜 P is vocal about his feelings to his love interest(s).
He is very vocal about his obsession, sexual fantasies & the deep love he wishes to give & receive.
In relation to the outside world, he is less revealing about his feelings on issues such as religion, politics & business.
But in “letitgo’ he says that’s about to change with the Dawning of this New Spiritual Revolution.
But in “letitgo’ he says that’s about to change with the Dawning of this New Spiritual Revolution.
Preferred version
The Album has brighter production & sounds more fully realised but I actually prefer 2 remixes — Universal Love & Acoustic.
Acoustic Rmx has elements taken out but added acoustic guitar & it just flows better & sounds less over produced than the album version
The Album has brighter production & sounds more fully realised but I actually prefer 2 remixes — Universal Love & Acoustic.
Acoustic Rmx has elements taken out but added acoustic guitar & it just flows better & sounds less over produced than the album version
The Funky Stuff Remix is good too with a killer bass line that echoes Cameo & Prince even starts sounding like the cod piece God himself - Larry Blackmon.
But the highlight for me is the Universal Love Remix.
But the highlight for me is the Universal Love Remix.
Universal Love Remix
This Rmx took cues from the R&B sound of the times — TLC, Timbaland & Pharrell etc.
The tune remains almost the same as the album version but with a different set of lyrics, a new (TLC) vocal & the beats are delivered with a far more illuminating urgency.
This Rmx took cues from the R&B sound of the times — TLC, Timbaland & Pharrell etc.
The tune remains almost the same as the album version but with a different set of lyrics, a new (TLC) vocal & the beats are delivered with a far more illuminating urgency.
Lyrically, there are parallels with a classic Prince song from 10 years earlier.
Both mention the world as a place so cold:
“All the pain that a human has 2 go through, in a planet that's so bitter and cold”
Can you guess the classic Prince song: 👇
Clue 🕊 🕊 😭
Both mention the world as a place so cold:
“All the pain that a human has 2 go through, in a planet that's so bitter and cold”
Can you guess the classic Prince song: 👇
Clue 🕊 🕊 😭
Yes, it’s “When Doves Cry”.
WDC came out during Purple Rain - his first spiritual rejuvenation in 84’.
10 years later in 94’, he is now undergoing his third spiritual rejuvenation but the same feelings & words are being echoed about this world being a cold & bitter place.
WDC came out during Purple Rain - his first spiritual rejuvenation in 84’.
10 years later in 94’, he is now undergoing his third spiritual rejuvenation but the same feelings & words are being echoed about this world being a cold & bitter place.
On the single release the Universal Love Remix adorned the A side whilst the album version was relegated to the B side.
Was this a shady move by P to further rile WB by leaving the best versions (including the Acoustic version) off the main album release to spite them.
Was this a shady move by P to further rile WB by leaving the best versions (including the Acoustic version) off the main album release to spite them.
Was it done to deprive them of the best versions as a means of frustrating them & maybe trying to frustrate the WB contract too.
The lyrics to the Universal Love Rmx actually echo this as they are about his dispute with WB.
The lyrics to the Universal Love Rmx actually echo this as they are about his dispute with WB.
The lyrics are pointing to what is going on in his career at that point in time, the press are in uproar about his battle with WB, his name change & painting “Slave” on his face.
He is fighting against the negative Press & Record Industry portrayal of him in public.
He is fighting against the negative Press & Record Industry portrayal of him in public.
The remix is all about wishing to escape with his love interest from the set of circumstances he now finds himself in. It’s about running away.
He is trying to shield her from what is being said about him by painting a wall around her.
He is trying to shield her from what is being said about him by painting a wall around her.
Then there’s a reference to “crooked letter”.
Is the ‘crooked letter’ his contract with WB.
Hence why he didn’t release the best versions of Space on the Come album & instead gave WB a more sex fuelled version to mirror what would be expected from the now deceased Prince.
Is the ‘crooked letter’ his contract with WB.
Hence why he didn’t release the best versions of Space on the Come album & instead gave WB a more sex fuelled version to mirror what would be expected from the now deceased Prince.
The lyrics on the Rmx also contain sexual references mirroring the now deceased Prince.
Do the lyrics allude to the Space being that heavenly void between her thighs.
Is the narrative essentially of love & escape from the WB dispute & press backlash.
Do the lyrics allude to the Space being that heavenly void between her thighs.
Is the narrative essentially of love & escape from the WB dispute & press backlash.
But also there’s romance —
“where in the world did U learn 2 put your arms around me”
Clearly he is feeling the first throes of a deep crush — butterflies in the stomach moment!
So the bitterness of the cold world is being juxtaposed to the warm & fuzzy feelings in his 💜
“where in the world did U learn 2 put your arms around me”
Clearly he is feeling the first throes of a deep crush — butterflies in the stomach moment!
So the bitterness of the cold world is being juxtaposed to the warm & fuzzy feelings in his 💜
So Space could be a combination of different things.
It could be a metaphor for God or Sex or Escape or a combination of all three co-existing at the same time.
One thing is clear, there’s a clear longing for escape.
Another thing that is clear — it’s such an underrated song.
It could be a metaphor for God or Sex or Escape or a combination of all three co-existing at the same time.
One thing is clear, there’s a clear longing for escape.
Another thing that is clear — it’s such an underrated song.
Here’s audio of a rare Live version at Glam Slam 94 featuring the TGE like segue:
“Welcome to the Space Experience”.
It contains a brief but cool keyboard solo by Barberella & also a great P guitar solo which might come from the unreleased Rock version
“Welcome to the Space Experience”.
It contains a brief but cool keyboard solo by Barberella & also a great P guitar solo which might come from the unreleased Rock version
And here’s video footage of the song in the Glam Slam Ulysses show with the dancers.
Judging from the dress rehearsal from this video footage, it’s not surprising the show only lasted for 2 weeks — it doesn’t look that interesting.
Judging from the dress rehearsal from this video footage, it’s not surprising the show only lasted for 2 weeks — it doesn’t look that interesting.
The Sirens costumes contain skulls over their breasts & vaginal area which might be a reference to the skull like appearance of the Passion facade at the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral - which I referred to in my “foreplay” thread (intro thread on day 1 of this instalment).
Apart from featuring in the Space part of the Glam Slam Ulysses show, other connections can be found between the Sirens & Prince & the Come album:
Prince:
Prince loved the Harp & 1 of the main instruments the Sirens played to lure men to their deaths was the Harp.
Prince:
Prince loved the Harp & 1 of the main instruments the Sirens played to lure men to their deaths was the Harp.
One of Prince’s favourite artists throughout the 80’s & 90’s was master Harpist Andreas Vollenweider. Previously I did a thread on him here:
Death - Come album:
Sirens bring about death. They know both the past and the future:
"Their song takes effect at midday, in a windless calm. The end of that song is death."
The Come album was P’s 1st posthumous release = P declares himself dead on its release.
Sirens bring about death. They know both the past and the future:
"Their song takes effect at midday, in a windless calm. The end of that song is death."
The Come album was P’s 1st posthumous release = P declares himself dead on its release.
Water segues on the Come album:
The Sirens were also thought in some cultures to have prostituted themselves to strangers & made them forget their pursuits while drowned in unlawful pleasures.
The Sirens were also thought in some cultures to have prostituted themselves to strangers & made them forget their pursuits while drowned in unlawful pleasures.
Could the rushes of water throughout Come be a metaphor for P drowning in unlawful pleasures on the Come album which is filled with sexual exploration.
Purification - Come album:
I covered the “Dawning of a New Spiritual Revolution” on my “foreplay” thread which touched upon the point of Prince going through a process of purification throughout this album.
I covered the “Dawning of a New Spiritual Revolution” on my “foreplay” thread which touched upon the point of Prince going through a process of purification throughout this album.
Well, according to Plato, there were 3 kinds of Siren, one of whom was “Purificatory” who was under the Government of “Hades” - God of the Dead.
So the Sirens relate to Purification which underpins the whole Come album which is governed by death (Hades) - death of Prince!
So the Sirens relate to Purification which underpins the whole Come album which is governed by death (Hades) - death of Prince!
B4 Come was release, the Interactive game was a Symbol release in June 1994 & it featured Space.
Interactive was a game released on CD-ROM & for its time it was at the cutting edge of tech.
Marrying computer tech with music & releasing it like this was an exciting new media.
Interactive was a game released on CD-ROM & for its time it was at the cutting edge of tech.
Marrying computer tech with music & releasing it like this was an exciting new media.
The whole basis for Prince’s name change to Symbol was also about finding & exploring new & alternative outlets for his music and this is one idea that actually materialised.
He considered it might be a way to release new music & bypass his WB contract.
He considered it might be a way to release new music & bypass his WB contract.
In the game you have to find the studio room where there are a series of monitors.
When the ICU of one of the monitors is clicked, the intro to “Space” is heard.
I managed to find a short clip of it online:
When the ICU of one of the monitors is clicked, the intro to “Space” is heard.
I managed to find a short clip of it online:
You can watch @anildash navigate through the whole game in this fantastic 2 hour video he put together of the game shortly after P’s passing (Thank U Anil):
Where did P’s inspiration come from to do a song about Space apart from the obvious - God!
It was known that Prince was a sci fi movie buff.
In the early 80’s he was influenced by Blade Runner which informed his stage show & look during the 1999 era including the inner sleeve.
It was known that Prince was a sci fi movie buff.
In the early 80’s he was influenced by Blade Runner which informed his stage show & look during the 1999 era including the inner sleeve.
The 1999 song itself & the doomsday scenario it depicts was influenced by an Orson Welles documentary about Nostradamus.
“The Man who saw Tomorrow” predicted events that have come true & that might come true in the future.
The documentary ends with an apocalyptic montage.
“The Man who saw Tomorrow” predicted events that have come true & that might come true in the future.
The documentary ends with an apocalyptic montage.
In the song “Private Joy” P makes reference to the “Orgasmatron” — a fictional orgasm-inducing device.
This was featured in the 70’s Woody Allen Sci- Fi comedy “Sleepers”.
This was featured in the 70’s Woody Allen Sci- Fi comedy “Sleepers”.
It was also known that at Paisley Park P used to have “Barbarella”, starring Jane Fonda, running on a loop as he loved the movie so much.
The same movie is notable for naming my Birmingham homies band “Duran Duran” some members of whom use to live nearby.
The same movie is notable for naming my Birmingham homies band “Duran Duran” some members of whom use to live nearby.
Prince even renamed his keyboardist Tommy “Barbarella” after the film.
He also made a visual reference to it the 3 Chains O'Gold video in a scene where he is watching the movie in his private cinema.
He also made a visual reference to it the 3 Chains O'Gold video in a scene where he is watching the movie in his private cinema.
P’s Symbol or glyph might represent a variety of different things. I covered some of them in my “foreplay” thread — Globus Cruciger & The Who Logo.
P said the design for the Symbol came to him during meditation.
It’s origins also come from the Planets in outer space.
P said the design for the Symbol came to him during meditation.
It’s origins also come from the Planets in outer space.
It has been said P wanted the glyph to fuse the astrologically inspired Mars-male and Venus-female symbols creating a new, sexual, gender fluid one.
The Symbol evokes a cross harmonisation of ideas often in conflict — Man vs. Woman, Sex vs. Religion.
The Symbol evokes a cross harmonisation of ideas often in conflict — Man vs. Woman, Sex vs. Religion.
So the Symbol also relates to Space & the Planets in Space - Mars & Venus - see 👇
He was thinking of the Symbol around the same time period as the Space song & although the Symbol came before, perhaps it was also behind the inspiration for the creation of the song - “Space’.
He was thinking of the Symbol around the same time period as the Space song & although the Symbol came before, perhaps it was also behind the inspiration for the creation of the song - “Space’.
And of course the La Sagrada Familia in Space!!!! (aka Vagina Familia 🤣) also formed part of his stage set during The Ultimate Live Experience Tour in March 1995 in Europe.
I’m sure other contributors to this thread series in the coming days will link you to clips.
I’m sure other contributors to this thread series in the coming days will link you to clips.
Some say that thoughts about Space might indicate a feeling of running away from this world as it is a symbol of curiosity, restriction & adventure.
That barriers & restrictions make people so frustrated that they wish to get out of this world and explore the outer space.
That barriers & restrictions make people so frustrated that they wish to get out of this world and explore the outer space.
Did “Space” represent Prince’s frustration with the restrictions imposed by WB & the barriers they had erected to stifle his creativity.
We know:
He wanted OUT!
He wanted an ESCAPE from it all!
This is evident from the lyrical content on the Universal Love Remix.
We know:
He wanted OUT!
He wanted an ESCAPE from it all!
This is evident from the lyrical content on the Universal Love Remix.
Ironically Space exploration itself paid a tribute to Prince.
On 21st April 2016 — NASA paid its respect to Prince with a gorgeous Purple space image.
NASA tweeted:
"A purple nebula, in honor of Prince, who passed away today”.
On 21st April 2016 — NASA paid its respect to Prince with a gorgeous Purple space image.
NASA tweeted:
"A purple nebula, in honor of Prince, who passed away today”.
The Purple Nebula is a supernova remnant — a structure shaped by the explosive death of a massive star.
Such stars burn incredibly brightly and die young — Prince was just 57 when he died.
Such stars burn incredibly brightly and die young — Prince was just 57 when he died.
And just today I read a newspaper headline about Mars👇
Man, the world needs to chill, that green glow was just me visiting the planet for the purposes of my research for this thread!
Man, the world needs to chill, that green glow was just me visiting the planet for the purposes of my research for this thread!
Space & The Remixes
Album version
Album version
Universal Love Remix
Acoustic Remix
Funky Stuff Remix
I hope this has inspired you to revisit “Space” & the magnificent & superior Remixes.
Maybe you’ll look at it afresh or draw your own conclusions.
Hopefully, you’re also inspired to revisit the Come album.
Maybe you’ll look at it afresh or draw your own conclusions.
Hopefully, you’re also inspired to revisit the Come album.
If you enjoyed this thread & would like more, you can check out my other Prince mega threads via the link below — No need to hit that bell or to subscribe 🤣
Just — check in from time to time — when you are feeling lonely:
Just — check in from time to time — when you are feeling lonely:
Just want to point out that this is Space & this is a Prince Clone 🤣
