Why nothing compares 2 Prince

Prince Roger Nelson

In a world where everyone’s trying to stand out, and in an industry where the next trend comes fully packaged with batteries and all, it feels comforting to know that the artists I loved growing up - those who have such innate sense of entertainment and talent you can not ever, ever, ever deny - are still true to themselves and what they believe in. Like Prince.

My heart broke I heard of Prince’s passing. I grew up listening to Prince. I grew up loving the colour purple because of Prince. I enjoyed guitar music because of Prince. And I’ve learned to appreciate all things different because of Prince.

So this is, I guess, what it sounds like when doves cry. #tears

To celebrate his life and music, here are some of my favourite tracks and videos.

KISS. This song never fails to bring back good memories of when I was an only child. My mother and my father would dance to this track and I remember being all happy when they did. My dad would then sing to me and pick me up and get me into the dancing circle. Those days make me happy, and when I look back I’ve learnt to appreciate how loved they made me feel.

The most iconic breakup song of all time. Written by Prince, made famous by Sinead O’Connor, covered by thousands of artists, and sung by lots of broken hearts all around, Nothing Compares 2 U is so timeless and so relevant.

The MTV Unplugged Art of Musicology session. He was very intimate with his audience. Whether it be a stadium tour with ridiculous outfits and lascivious dancing or a smaller venue gig with an acoustic guitar, he always seem to connect to everyone in the room. I used to think it was because his songs are just so relatable, but in truth, he really was a natural born entertainer and performer.

That Super Bowl performance in 2007, when he sang a medley of covers in heavy downpour. I particularly loved his version of Jimi Hendrix’s All Along The Watchtower, which flowed into the Foo Fighter’s Best of You, and ended in Purple Rain. It definitely changed the game of Super Bowl halftime shows. He was such a class act, even in tough conditions.

The Arsenio Hall episode with 3rdEyeGirl. Arsenio Hall’s a massive Prince fan and when he appeared on a special on his show with his backing band, it became one of the most watched episodes ever. I loved how Prince answered questions from the Purple Army and played agony aunt for a bit - even breaking up for someone live on TV!

Last but not the least, my super favourite Prince video of all time:

His EPIC guitar solo at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction in 2004. We all know of his amazing vocal range, but man Prince was a monster with the guitar. Even Eric Clapton agrees - when asked about how it felt to be the world’s best guitar player, he said “I don’t know. Ask Prince.”

This is definitely one of my favourite live performances of all time. Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison play tribute to George Harrison. This video is possibly one of my favourite live performances of all time. Skip to the 3:26 mark to watch Prince nail a weeping guitar solo. I still get goosies watching this, and I seriously think he’s a legend.

Seriously. It’s sad to think we’ll never get the chance to watch him play or hear new songs from him anymore, but it’s undeniable that the man was a genius. What he did for the music industry and what he did for people who are a lil bit different, will always have a profound effect on everyone aspiring to be uniquely themselves. I’ll end this with how Alicia Keys introduced him at his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction: “here are many kings, but there can only be one Prince.”