Song: Emancipation
Album: Emancipation
Year: 1996
Emancipation (the song) is the final track from the staggering 3-CD, 3 hour album of the same name. It starts as if it's going to be a slower song but quickly switches to an midtempo dance/funk jam. As the final track, it's a fitting celebration of Prince's newly found freedom from his Warner Bros. contract. Ironically, his glee in being free to chart new musical ground and experiment with new sounds does not play out on this track; it would actually fit well within the oeuvre of his Purple Rain output. Still, it's an enjoyable song that had my toe tapping and my head bobbing.
For what it's worth, this rather dumb poem, also titled Emancipation, was distributed to the audience of his 9/9/95 show at Paisley Park Studios.
- Is it reality or just a dream?
- 2 your spirit
say ♥ U in spite of my slavery - We're both 2 blame 4 this lesson in life
- cuz this is the path we choose
- 'm sure knew U long ago
- Look into your soul – it knows
- And would never claim more righteous
- Dare Napoleon and Hitler see
- It depends on who U ask my friend
- love U, do U love me?
- How will history sing, my brother
- What song will our children teach?
- The Emancipation Proclamation is well within our reach
- Tear down the walls that make us bicker
- 4 many years fought your war
- One stroke of your pen could conquer
- Every sin our actions bore
- implore the goodness that's in all of us
- An example we now must set
- 4 when this life is over
- What U be is what U get
- The Dawn is coming!
- The Dawn is coming!
- Acknowledge and save us all
- Free my people 2 bring the message
- Heed the call! Heed the call!
- And this song from every mountain top
- Every child will surely teach
- The Emancipation Proclamation
- Is well within our reach
- love U, love U – Do U love me?
I'm not convinced that Prince's emancipation from his record label carries the same weight as the Emancipation Proclamation, and if the pictures from this time with the word "slave" emblazoned on Prince's cheek weren't enough to evoke that tie, this poem dispels any doubt.
Verdict: 3.5/5 stars for the song. 1/5 stars for the poem.
Would I sing it at karaoke? Nah . . . vocals are too sparse
Song: Dollar Days
Album: Blackstar
Year: 2016
The Blackstar album is Bowie's final, poignant gift to his fans. He recorded it while he knew he was dying and passed away just days after it's release. The album differs from anything he's done previously due to the inclusion of some jazz musicians; specifically, on this track, saxophonist Donny McCaslin. The track is moody and beautiful. Though Bowie's voice is not at it's strongest, it is still a beautiful and haunting presence in this lament on the futility of the human condition. I can't possibly know what was going through Bowie's head at the time. Though I'm sure he despaired of things left undone and the continued overall shittiness of humanity, I do hope he took satisfaction in the global pleasure of his enduring work.
Verdict: 3.5/5 stars
Winner: Emancipation
Running Score: Bowie 21, Prince 13
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