Song: I Wonder U
Album: Parade
Year: 1986
Clocking in at 1:39, this track probably shines brightest when the album tracks are experienced sequentially. It works well as a segue between the more up tempo New Position and the slower Under the Cherry Moon. Taken on it's own it's interesting but too short. This is an album I'm very familiar with and as many times as I've listened to this track I've only just noticed that there seems to be a very slight, almost imperceptible, tempo increase as the track progresses. The lyrics are vague, though they may make more sense in the context of the movie (Under the Cherry Moon), which I've never seen.
As a side note, the lead vocals on this track are sung by Wendy Melvoin and mark the first time Prince did not provide the lead vocals on a Prince album track.
Verdict: 4/5 stars
Would I sing it at karaoke? No. Too short and too few words
Song: Let Me Sleep Beside You
Album: David Bowie
Year: 1967
Nothing I can write here will better describe this song than Chris O'Leary's Pushing Ahead of the Dame blog:
“Let Me Sleep Beside You” is a rake’s come-on in the well-worn style of Andrew Marvell and Robert Herrick—the singer frames his seduction as being empowering, the rake merely serving as a means of liberation. He appeals to youth’s vanity; he flatters his conquest with the promise of her alleged maturity: “Brush the dust of youth from off your shoulder/because the years of threading daisies lie behind you now,” Bowie murmurs, keeping a straight face. “Lock away your childhood…child, you’re a woman now/your heart and soul are free.”
Of Bowie's earliest works, this is not a track of which I was familiar. Having now had a few listens, I can confidently say that it's OK. The lyrics are more accessible than some of his other early works, though it's definitely missing the odd subject matter of tracks such as Silly Boy Blue or Please Mr. Gravedigger.
Verdict: 3/5 stars
Would I sing it at karaoke? Doubtful
Winner: I Wonder U
Running Score: Bowie 22, Prince 16
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