I still remember hearing this song on the radio . It didn’t sound like anything else . When everyone was trying to copy his sound he went in a different direction . What a blessing to be able to grow up in real time when he was dominating
There is a hint of melancholy to this song, not just the lyrics. The synthesiser in the background, that is. It’s a beautiful arrangement. I can’t believe this is not as popular as it ought to be.
GREATEST Prince song of all time. I remember WHERE I was, what I was thinking WHAT I was doing and how this song shifted my thinking forever !! Oh yeah it also came on VIDEO MUSIC BOX ; the conduit for Black Culture since the 80’s !!
Pop life has got to be one of the best written songs i've ever heard because nobody's ever on top. Everyone can relate some way some how. That's the true beauty of pop life.
If they ever made a Around The World In a Day Deluxe they have to include unreleased and extended versions of songs especially this one. All REMASTERED
i'm getting in line, Right NOW! i NEED these versions! why yall PLAYIN'??!? ive never heard this version, but i MUST HAVE THIS ALBUM! what i gotta do? name your price, demon. not even kidding, At ALL.
My five year old twin grand babies had their heads in an I pad when I played this song. They listened..then got up and started dancing! Prince transcends generations!
Let me say this..."the "GENIUS[PRINCE]" had a song 4 "EVERYBODY!!!"..from a "new born" 2 a "113 year old person"...yes,I admit,I like some songs better than others..but hey,im a die hard "prince supporter"...I "guarantee" the songs that I mite didn't listen 2 as much or like,somebody else did!!!..u "can't go wrong with "the GENIUS""...he has a "song 4 everyday life"..from "relationship problems" 2 "just plain ole fun(play n the sunshine)..2 "funk"(erotic city")etc,etc,etc...I luv it.."she's always n my hair"..(the/a classic)
@Carter Bostic True, but according to the credits for Pop Life, it listed Sheila E on drums. Prince most likely arranged it but it says Sheila E. played drums on it.
@Jason Stewart its not, its the woman from the second verse of paisley park, "There is a woman who sits All alone by the pier Her husband was naughty And caused his wife so many tears He died without knowing forgiveness And now she is sad, so sad Maybe she'll come to the park And forgive him And life won't be so bad In Paisley Park"
This extended version was already released in ‘85...but in different countries outside USA.USA’s version got Sheila E’s ‘remix’ while everybody else got the entire 9 minute uncut version. The reason for it was that Warner Bros. in The States wanted Prince to delete the additional lyrics about crack/cocaine in which at that time was a serious issue. Instead, he ‘covered’ it with the sound of...umm...let’s just say...’Chaos & Disorder’. ‘Cause that’s how he Felt about the record company when they turned their noses up on the ATWIAD album. Pop life - Everybody needs satisfaction Pop life - Want a chemical reaction Pop life - Everybody wants 2 get high But U don't see no one standing in line 2 say, "bye-bye"
Its still unreal at times knowing Prince has joined the angels. Remember when this track hit, many couldn't deal they where expecting more Purple Rain. Only those like myself knew then a musical genius is forever evolving. This mans' music will live forever!!
I was in college when this dropped and I loved it better than Purple Rain. I knew what he was trying to do and the feel he was going for. I loved this album.
Man i was 13, i could not compete with such a genius back then. It took me monthes to get to understand the brilliance of when doves cry and the whole purple rain soundtrack and just when i thought i got it, the guy drops around the world in a day and i was back to confusion again for a few more monthes. Parade was easier to digest. It s only when Sign o the times that i was in synch to his creative flow. The guy has been my music teacher. I owe him sooo much. Rest in Power my sweet Prince.,
You know, for Prince, the "song" was usually, originally the "long" version recorded as a jam or improvisation later edited down to the "single" mix. Take the song America from same album Around the World in a Day. The 12 inch single version is 20+ minute jam. The version on the album and 7 inch single is just excerpts pieced together. This extended Pop Life has extra lyrics and piano and other performances that album and single "short" versions leave out. The b-side songs She's Always In My Hair and Hello were also "short" and "extended" versions with extra verses etc. It was Prince's way of working a song. Check out interviews with Susan Rogers at Sunset Sound recording studios for more insight too. Facinating.
With this Album he extended all the tracks then cut the endings down for the album, listen to America extended and album version they are both the same the album version just fades
This was playing at coffee shop i stopped in yesterday. I don't think I have heard it in 20 plus years. It's such a perfect song and I am glad we can all appreciate Prince's brilliance.
Probably...... one of favorite Prince songs. Lyrics, flow, backup vocals, bass guitar & most of all a tempo coupled precision guitar chords. (Which I acted learned on RU-vid! Just a few bar chords & plucking both E strings / B string altered).
This is about Morris Day. It's actually a diss song. He was known to emotionally go kind of "Wolverine" on people close to him, if he felt they'd betrayed him in some type of way.
This is one of the songs where they said the chords just came to him on the spot, and he went over to the piano and said "press record"! Lol No practice, no figuring out what he was going to play! They say he couldn't turn off the musical ideas that continuously came to him...asleep, awake...didn't matter...they never stopped coming :-) Just the music, though. The lyrics were always meticulously crafted to be witty, thought-provoking, suggestive or globally relatable.
Never will never ever be anyone more TALENTED more BRILLIANT more UNIQUE more AMAZING then this man. HE WAS A GENIUS. Prince was one of a kind. Miss him forever💜
Yeah it's pretty good. I remember hearing this extended version back in 1985 or 1986. Prince and the Revolution and the Minneapolis sound was on fire in those days....
Some countries (including the US) had the 'Fresh Dance Mix' of this track on their 12" single. Other countries (including the UK) had this version instead.
The flip side of the US 12 single of Pop Life is the extended version of Hello...which is good and interesting..."Come now isn't life a little better with a pair of good shoes?" Around the World in a Day had some awesome extended versions...the extended version of "America" is 21 minutes 45 seconds long...
anybody feel a river of sadness flow into your heart when you listen to this song sometime... its seemingly uplifting but hit hard when you hear during you hard time...
Because it's not an uplifting song. It has an uplifting/catchy beat...but the lyrics of the song are about struggle, depression, and trials of real life. And about people doing anything they can(drugs-selling themselves out), to try to be with the 'in-crowd'. So your "sadness flow" is the proper reaction to this great song.
I do. I think many of us have that lump in our throat. Met him once at his house before Paisley Park. Really nice guy and such a gentleman. Served cookies and tea. Prince, ya’ll!!☹️
Prince progressed so much with each new album, but to me, this was something of an homage to the music he created for Controversy. And to that point, I wore out two cassette copies of Controversy, because it is one of the best albums ever recorded!! R.I.P., you funky mofo!
The first time you truly hear how open and connected he was with Wendy and Lisa - Wendy and Lisa truly blend both their voices into a blend that creates an entire unique sound than what they individually
NAS 1, I had to slap a MF in the mouth for comparing Bruno Mars to this Genius! He said Bruno is the modern day Prince, I had to do it! Afterwards told him NEVER use those names in the same sentence!!
Prince indeed was one of the greats!! Along with Maurice White(EW&F) George Duke,Herbie Hancock,Satch (T.O.P),Larry Blackmon(Cameo),Stevie Womder,Ray Charles, The Funk Brothers (Motown) George Clinton,Donald Byrd,Patrice Rushen,Robert "KOOL" Bell (KOOL & The Gang)Miles Davis..man oh man so many more! Anyone who can put together an entire musical selection incorporating strings,horns,synthesizers, piano and percussion in their heads write and direct it into being are genius!
I remember hearing this on the radio as a kid and I was amazed and I went to my album wondering why was the version not the same I learned then about 12 inches and went on a collecting binge at 12 years old
My first time hearing the 12 inch version.all I can say is prince did this one on point.his way his style.thats what set him as an artist from other artists.still saddened by his passing till this very good day.i didn't think he was leave us this soon.so very sad
Prince music was beyond human.... completely on a different playing field. Dig deep into his entire music catalog and study it...😊 You'll be happy you did.