Prince Parade: 1999 (1982)
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.
1999 (1982)
‘Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. I only want you to have some fun,’ comes the beginning of a new beginning. This opening voice is arresting, altered, but enticing, recalling & breaking from Maggot Brain’s ‘I knew I had to rise above it all.’ The journey to this moment has been wild & raw, but the now-harnessed, cultivated sound is still brighter and, dare I say, more thrilling than Thriller - which was released one month later in the same year. We only have so much time left on this earth, so let’s party.
Sometimes we dwell in the unwellness of the world, and I invite you to explore every mood that guides or calms these strong, brooding feelings. But when you need a break from facing the unfairness of everything, consider unbuckling & throwing yourself out of the scary floods of your brain. Prince’s 1999 is the friend you need to burst you forth. When you need excitement, when you are excited, when you want to connect, this album overflows with energy and is a gift of collaborative creativity.
Here Prince premiers his flashy new gender-bending group, The Revolution. His brilliance, supported by brilliance, allows him to shine brighter than ever. Perhaps the fun in this album is a bit of an escape; Prince’s emotional core will be displayed more in some of the upcoming albums, but when all of the injustice paralyzes you, give yourself a dance break.
Shake off the oppression. Surround yourself with talented & supportive people that bring out the best in you, so you’re always stronger when you fight back. ‘Never let that lonely monster take control of you.’
The fun doesn’t ignore what’s to come – it has an eye towards the end. Party’s over, oops, out of time! Don’t forget to love, make love, and explore new ideas. 1999 is a celebration of what’s possible before it’s too late. Play it loud, play it often.
Listen to 1999 on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube