She Spoke 2 Me vs. The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell - Stigmata Film Only Version

Song:  She Spoke 2 Me
Album:  The Vault . . . Old Friends 4 Sale
Year:  1999

When Prince told us back in 1982 that he was going to party like it was 1999, he was being far funkier then his actual partying IN 1999.  This track, composed as part of the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Girl 6, is Prince in full-on smooth jazz persona.  Having now dipped my toes into Prince's jazz forays I am going to boldly pronounce that this is an area he needn't have explored.  It's not that he does it poorly; it's technically fine and not unpleasant to listen to.  He does tend to rely on the very treble-heavy horn section, minimal lower end tenor sax blurts and somewhat repetitive solos.  The playing is tight, competent though a bit over-produced.  I'd be interested to see Prince jam along with some true jazz musicians just to see what he could do.  I'm fairly sure he's done this . . . I just never had the opportunity to witness it.  I'd bet it was better than this.

Verdict:  2/5 stars

Would I sing it at karaoke?  My smooth jazz stylings start and end with Smooth Operator

Song:  The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell - Stigmata Film Only Version
Album:  Hours
Year:  1999

If Prince was smooth-jazzing in 1999, Bowie was going a much more aggressive route with this entry in his Trent Reznor inspired pseudo-industrial phase.  This is a song that demands to be played loud.  Screaching guitar and driving drums propel the music above Bowie's less-than-menacing vocals.  The track was written for the 1999 film Stigmata and, per Wikipedia, inspired by The Stooge's "Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell" from their Raw Power album (produced by, surprise surprise, David Bowie).  If you want something loud and raw, go to the Stooge's track.  If you want an artist experimenting with a heavier sound, then this will do.  An enjoyable track, but doesn't really pack the punch of the heavy hitters that inspired it.

Verdict:  3/5 stars

Would I sing it at karaoke?  If I were to go industrial I'd have to select Stigmata by Ministry.

Winner:  The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell - Stigmata Film Only Version

Running Score:  Bowie 10, Prince 6