Prince Parade: Dirty Mind (1980)
Prince Parade is UNHNGD's weekly column on the great Purple One: Highlighting key albums to initiate the newcomer and re-energize the existing fan to Prince's vast and mighty catalog, providing brief reviews and advice on how to complement your listening experience.
DIRTY MIND (1980)
Dirty Mind is a solid album to play when you have a group over. Great for amping yourself up, dancing with friends, and keeping yourself awake. A few hits, a few bangers, and it closes out with a protest song! Easily a top 5 Prince album (out of 40+) for me.
But I also offer it for those moments in your life when things take a turn for the worst. Sometimes you fuck up and need to admit that you were wrong, and you probably need to apologize…and like, really, just say you’re sorry and don’t make excuses. Or maybe you find yourself getting angry about something you have no control over, and you’re worried you might say or do something you regret and maybe take it out on the wrong person. Perhaps you should just take a minute. This is an ideal time to pop on Prince’s ecstatic third album.
Prince was given a contract to record his first three albums and spent most of his money on the first album with barely anything left for the second…and nothing by 1980 when this third one was due. But, hey, you’re not washed up (Prince wasn’t either), and whatever it is that’s making you angry, it’s likely not so urgent that you can’t take yourself out for a nice run. Or go to the gym. Or put on a workout video.
Put Dirty Mind on and work up a sweat. Maybe a night run, that sounds nice. Has it been a while? This album will put some pep in your step and remind you that it’s never too late to try a new approach. So get your feelings out, get some fresh air in your lungs, and sweat out the toxins.
Prince is perhaps at his most shocking in this album, flailing around, heartbroken, horny, remorseful, incestuous, and eager (yes, I said incestuous) but never dropping the energy. Let it carry you while you push yourself to be better (even when it feels like you’re a failure).
I hope this album gives you the courage to step back and collect yourself when you need to do the right thing later. Prince was at the end of a line but was close to pushing himself into the next stage of albums. Prince’s (and your) next phase will be better than the last – not to say your last was terrible – but you’re always growing.
Listen to Dirty Mind on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube