Prince, and a Housekeeping Note
Monday, February 5, 2007
There was a bit of pre-game chatter (some by me) about Prince’s appropriateness for an appearance of this level, and rightfully so. He’s long since past his pop-ubiquity stage; that ended in 1991/2 with the very good Diamonds and Pearls and the VMA booty-pants shock. But at halftime of the Super Bowl last night, he put on the absolute best show he could, in the pouring rain, in front of a crowd that probably couldn’t even see him, but still talking to them nonetheless. It didn’t matter what songs he played (fun fact: no “Darling Nikki”), it mattered that he played impeccably, like he’s been doing for the past 25 years. Over the last 3 or 4, though, Prince has been working his way back from a post-mid career slide, and has two solid comeback records (Musicology and 3121) to show for it. But last night, in front of like 2 billion people, he showed us why there’s no doubt about his legacy. James Brown died a little over a month ago, and while Prince has no direct claim to the massive throne left behind, he’s the most fitting heir imaginable—no one else even comes close. Don’t tell me you didn’t get goosebumps when he started into “Purple Rain,” and there were actual raindrops all over the camera lens, and the glowing, Tron-ish marching band marching in sync, and the lights went out except for the purple ones circling the stadium, because it means you’re lying. Almost forty years after Elvis’ ‘68 Comeback Special, when the average television has 700 channels and television shows premiere on YouTube or whatever, Prince reaffirming his legacy (what a lot of us knew he’d do the whole time) during halftime of the Super Bowl is the closest chance there is for unified, (inter)national recognition of an iconic live performer while he’s still around to enjoy it. He was on a stage in front of billions of people, he’s two years shy of 50, and he just fucking killed it. I really hope media outlets much, much larger than myself (read: all of them) realize it.
Okay, enough drooling. Thing number two has to do with the Shins—specifically, the James Mercer post I did a while back. Although I’m fine with the content, I was never happy with my tone throughout it, because it resulted from lazy writing and lazier editing. I’ve made some changes, but the original post has been archived and is still available. Details at the bottom of the original post.
I totally agree with you on the Prince halftime show, he was the ultimate performer even in the pouring rain. And at whatever age he may be he still looks and sounds great, but I wish he had sang Purple Rain, my favorite and yes I got the goosebumps!
ummm… yeah.
Prince put any doubters to shame at the super bowl party i attended. conversation quickly veered from his height and (admittedly) ridiculous persona, to just what an amazing fucking performer he is.
are we all agreed that Prince should do every halftime show for the rest of forever?
You know, the people I watched the game with were mostly scratching their heads, some even surprised that Prince was still alive. But I agree with you. “Purple Rain” in the purple-neon infused Florida rain was fantastic. (Not to mention the symbol guitar’s awesome suggestive silhouette on the backlit sheet.)
And am I wrong or did he play a Foo Fighters song?
Anyway, I think Prince really brought the halftime show back from the over-the-top, as-many-faces-as-we-can-afford-to-get, 30-second-clip-medlies and ridiculous stage antics that it has suffered from in recent years. He just played a fucking great set of songs. Sure, there was flash. But it’s fucking Prince. It all felt right.
my co-workers are talking smack about it, but I thought he was great. but of course I did. he’s prince.
Taylor, you need a new job. Or else sabotage your co-workers. Prince commands it.
I hate Prince and I’ve always felt bad about it. Sure, I know that I’m supposed to think he’s great, but every time I hear one of his songs (maybe Purple Rain excluded) I think, “what is this horsesh*t?”
But then last night, I thought, “hot damn! I like him!” Sure, I still don’t want to hear any of his songs come on the radio (Because I will vomit in my mouth if I ever hear “Ladies and gentlmen we are gathered here together…blah blah”), but he sure was awesome and far more inspiring than the lukewarm oatmeal Rolling Stones.
it was actually the FAMU marching band and they exist in our dimension. and i didn’t get goosebumps, i got goosepimples.
actually i would like to amend my last statement. prince was good but it also was the super bowl. i am watching ‘pretty woman’ right now, its awesome!