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Thread started 02/07/07 3:00pm

jus711

Prince smarter and more brilliant than I thought (Superbowl anti-war message)

There is broad speculation around the internet that the All Along the Watchtower/Best of You cover is a not-so-subtle anti-war protest.

The Largest Minority blog writes:

Prince’s Subtle Anti-War Statement During Halftime
Posted by: Manila Ryce
Posted Monday, February 5th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Filed under: US Politics, Videos, Society & Culture, World Issues, Entertainment, Personal Posts, War, Civil Unrest, Music, Political, Asia

The clip below is only half of the halftime show (making it a quartertime show?). While I only took Prince’s performance of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You” to have an anti-war message, I left the end of his performance in as well. Why? Well, because there’s an extremely suggestive silhouette of Prince behind a giant sheet showing us exactly how excited he was to be performing at the Superbowl. Intentional or not, I had to include it for hilarity sake.


At about the midpoint of Prince’s halftime performance, the artist performed a mixed cover of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You”. Prince starts “All Along the Watchtower” at its proper beginning, with the two riders (the joker and the thief) approaching. Dylan, who wrote the lyrics in ’68, placed the middle of the story at the beginning of the song to throw the listener into a conversation which had already begun.

“All Along the Watchtower” is generally considered to be a statement about social reform in the 60’s, with the watchtower representing an established power structure guarding itself from those who have a true, yet unaccepted view of human worth. The story is largely uneventful, and the only confrontation taking place is between value systems. Biblical references are also plentiful, leading some to believe that the Joker and the Thief are Jesus and the crucified man next to him, respectively. Without analyzing every line, the song originally described the growing resistance to the Vietnam War and the establishment which made it possible. Why would Prince play this song at the Superbowl? In my opinion, he was making an anti-war statement about the current resistance to the Iraq War.

After the one verse, Prince transitions into “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters. I believe this song is originally about a failed relationship between a man and a woman, but coupled with “All Along the Watchtower” it takes on a different meaning. In this case, we might think of the administration as the one getting the best of us as we fight its restraints on our freedom. Again, Prince does not start at the beginning of the song, but transitions in at “Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head, without your noose.” This may have been a convenient place to open the song, as the lyric could refer to Saddam’s execution, and the persecution anyone might face for opposing the establishment. After confirming the pain we feel as a society, Prince asks over and over again, “Is someone getting the best of you?” At the end he defiantly states, “I ain’t no fool”.

Perhaps I drank too much during the game, and am simply reading into this. Then again, they do seem like odd song choices for Prince to cover without having a specific reason. Your thoughts and interpretations are appreciated.

Lyrics to the performance:

All along the watchtower,
Princes kept the view,
While all the women came and went —
Barefoot servants too.
Outside in the cold distance,
A wildcat did growl.
Two riders were approaching, and
The wind began to howl.

Are you gone and onto someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn’t have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose
My heart is under arrest again
But I break loose
My head is giving me life or death
I will choose
I swear I’ll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
You must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh…

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

I’ve got another confession my friend
I ain’t no fool

It makes perfect sense to me.
[Edited 2/7/07 15:03pm]
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Reply #1 posted 02/07/07 6:39pm

BananaCologne

I thought there was definately something more to it, mainly because of the sheer fact he was doing something left-field like that on a world stage, it was a bit of a risk, but I adored it. He was in strong voice and sang it with passion and conviction.

Oooh listen to me, I'm coming over all 'fammy'. Quick, someone twat me one.
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Reply #2 posted 02/07/07 6:49pm

pennylover

avatar

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Reply #3 posted 02/07/07 6:49pm

pennylover

avatar

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Reply #4 posted 02/07/07 8:24pm

CinisterCee

omg
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Reply #5 posted 02/07/07 8:25pm

DanceWme

CinisterCee said:

omg

falloff
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Reply #6 posted 02/07/07 9:04pm

purplecam

avatar

eek I think this is another case of trying to find something that isn't there. What a week we are having in the purple world! lol
I'm not a fan of "old Prince". I'm not a fan of "new Prince". I'm just a fan of Prince. Simple as that
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Reply #7 posted 02/08/07 1:22am

meow85

avatar

hmmm Interesting theory, but I think this is just another case of reading too much into Prince's actions.





Besides, any fan worth their salt could tell you that when the Purple One is trying to make a point, he's more likely to hit you over the head with it in some absurdist fashion than slip it subtly into the mix.
"A Watcher scoffs at gravity!"
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Reply #8 posted 02/08/07 1:33am

kpowers

avatar

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar (and this is just a cigar)
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Reply #9 posted 02/08/07 2:11am

MarcelJ

avatar

meow85 said:

any fan worth their salt could tell you that when the Purple One is trying to make a point, he's more likely to hit you over the head with it in some absurdist fashion than slip it subtly into the mix.


Can I get an AMEN on that one!
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Reply #10 posted 02/08/07 2:23am

Nikster

What I wanna know is...

How come Prince gets all pissy when someone covers one of his songs, but he can cover other people's songs and it's ok??

That's just something I've often wondered when he performs covers.
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Reply #11 posted 02/08/07 2:33am

meow85

avatar

Nikster said:

What I wanna know is...

How come Prince gets all pissy when someone covers one of his songs, but he can cover other people's songs and it's ok??

That's just something I've often wondered when he performs covers.


Because the dude's a hypocrite.


Welcome to Prince. razz
"A Watcher scoffs at gravity!"
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Reply #12 posted 02/08/07 2:41am

Nikster

meow85 said:

Nikster said:

What I wanna know is...

How come Prince gets all pissy when someone covers one of his songs, but he can cover other people's songs and it's ok??

That's just something I've often wondered when he performs covers.


Because the dude's a hypocrite.


Welcome to Prince. razz


Hehe....yeah lol
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Reply #13 posted 02/08/07 2:46am

meow85

avatar

Nikster said:

meow85 said:



Because the dude's a hypocrite.


Welcome to Prince. razz


Hehe....yeah lol

All part of his charm, I guess.

smile
"A Watcher scoffs at gravity!"
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Reply #14 posted 02/08/07 3:29am

sexyAuntyFuka

avatar

Yeah, and the song sister is about a nun lol
Wake up children, dance the dance electric... there isn't much time.... who farted? whofarted ...was it u? disbelief
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Reply #15 posted 02/08/07 3:33am

meow85

avatar

sexyAuntyFuka said:

Yeah, and the song sister is about a nun lol


NSFW


http://www.thebirdman.org...ce-Nun.jpg
"A Watcher scoffs at gravity!"
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Reply #16 posted 02/08/07 8:27am

alexadeparison
e

avatar

I agree with the OP that this was a subtle anti-war message. Since he is on the "world stage" so to speak, with the Super Bowl performance, it makes sense that he would choose that venue to do it. However, from a $$$ perspective, any artist would want to keep his/her protest subtle if they were going to make one. Otherwise, they would run the risk of going the way of the Dixie Chicks and Kanye West, who were too outspoken and were derided for months in the press and by opinionated blowhards. Had they gone about it a little more subtly, they probably would not have faced the subsequent criticism they did (which was ridiculous by the way). Their wallets also presumably suffered due to lost sales. So, I could see why Prince did it this way rather than singing "War, what is it good for" or something overt like that.
"Are you my Caucasian?" - L.D.
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Reply #17 posted 02/08/07 8:32am

SureThing

Can someone decipher this meassage?

Your car got mags that be dippy dippy dope


eek
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Reply #18 posted 02/08/07 8:35am

DanceWme

SureThing said:

Can someone decipher this meassage?

Your car got mags that be dippy dippy dope


eek

But the whole damn nation got the same
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Reply #19 posted 02/08/07 5:34pm

kpowers

avatar

jus711 said:

There is broad speculation around the internet that the All Along the Watchtower/Best of You cover is a not-so-subtle anti-war protest.

The Largest Minority blog writes:

Prince’s Subtle Anti-War Statement During Halftime
Posted by: Manila Ryce
Posted Monday, February 5th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Filed under: US Politics, Videos, Society & Culture, World Issues, Entertainment, Personal Posts, War, Civil Unrest, Music, Political, Asia

The clip below is only half of the halftime show (making it a quartertime show?). While I only took Prince’s performance of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You” to have an anti-war message, I left the end of his performance in as well. Why? Well, because there’s an extremely suggestive silhouette of Prince behind a giant sheet showing us exactly how excited he was to be performing at the Superbowl. Intentional or not, I had to include it for hilarity sake.


At about the midpoint of Prince’s halftime performance, the artist performed a mixed cover of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You”. Prince starts “All Along the Watchtower” at its proper beginning, with the two riders (the joker and the thief) approaching. Dylan, who wrote the lyrics in ’68, placed the middle of the story at the beginning of the song to throw the listener into a conversation which had already begun.

“All Along the Watchtower” is generally considered to be a statement about social reform in the 60’s, with the watchtower representing an established power structure guarding itself from those who have a true, yet unaccepted view of human worth. The story is largely uneventful, and the only confrontation taking place is between value systems. Biblical references are also plentiful, leading some to believe that the Joker and the Thief are Jesus and the crucified man next to him, respectively. Without analyzing every line, the song originally described the growing resistance to the Vietnam War and the establishment which made it possible. Why would Prince play this song at the Superbowl? In my opinion, he was making an anti-war statement about the current resistance to the Iraq War.

After the one verse, Prince transitions into “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters. I believe this song is originally about a failed relationship between a man and a woman, but coupled with “All Along the Watchtower” it takes on a different meaning. In this case, we might think of the administration as the one getting the best of us as we fight its restraints on our freedom. Again, Prince does not start at the beginning of the song, but transitions in at “Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head, without your noose.” This may have been a convenient place to open the song, as the lyric could refer to Saddam’s execution, and the persecution anyone might face for opposing the establishment. After confirming the pain we feel as a society, Prince asks over and over again, “Is someone getting the best of you?” At the end he defiantly states, “I ain’t no fool”.

Perhaps I drank too much during the game, and am simply reading into this. Then again, they do seem like odd song choices for Prince to cover without having a specific reason. Your thoughts and interpretations are appreciated.

Lyrics to the performance:

All along the watchtower,
Princes kept the view,
While all the women came and went —
Barefoot servants too.
Outside in the cold distance,
A wildcat did growl.
Two riders were approaching, and
The wind began to howl.

Are you gone and onto someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn’t have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose
My heart is under arrest again
But I break loose
My head is giving me life or death
I will choose
I swear I’ll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
You must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh…

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

I’ve got another confession my friend
I ain’t no fool

It makes perfect sense to me.
[Edited 2/7/07 15:03pm]





YEAH, and when he song "proud mary" it was clearly a shot at the Democrats
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Reply #20 posted 02/08/07 9:43pm

Milty

avatar

and in one, two, three....



no.
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Reply #21 posted 02/08/07 9:59pm

oldpurple

avatar

all this as well as getting it to rain!!!
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Reply #22 posted 02/08/07 11:31pm

padawan

And that he wore Miami Dolphin colors teal and orange was a reference to his 1996 cut "Dolphin," and also that Prince is, in fact, a dolphin incarnated in human flesh, summoned from the astral dimension K-Pax to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons and bring balance to the Force.

It may sound far-fetched, but subtle minds know. They know.
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Reply #23 posted 02/09/07 6:29am

jus711

Don't be so quick to disregard this as over-analysis.

Why cover these two songs together otherwise? They seemingly have no musical or lyrical connection.

Yes, I understand Prince digs Jimi, and I understand that the "Best of You" cover could be a slight dig at the Foo Fighters for the Darling Nikki incident, but this allows him do that and make poignant social commentary at a globally televised event.

We know Prince has a social conscience (Ronnie Talk to Russia, SOTT, Money Don't Matter 2nite, Cinnamon Girl, etc), and this is a hugely topical and unpopular war.

The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that this theory is spot-on.

Look at the expression on his face after he sings the final line "I ain't no fool," it's almost as if he's saying "Did you get that?"
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Reply #24 posted 02/09/07 6:33am

Handclapsfinga
snapz

kpowers said:

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar (and this is just a cigar)

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Reply #25 posted 02/09/07 7:03am

SexyBeautifulO
ne

oldpurple said:

all this as well as getting it to rain!!!



The man's got mad skills! giggle
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Reply #26 posted 02/09/07 7:10am

unkemptpueblo

Best of You


I’ve got another confession to make
I’m your fool
Everyone’s got their chains to break
Holdin’ you

Were you born to resist or be abused?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Are you gone AND onto someone new?

I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn’t have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose
My heart is under arrest again
But I break loose
My head is giving me life or death
But I can’t choose
I swear I’ll never give in
No, I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
Your trust, you must
Confess

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh...

Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh

Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
The life, the love
You'd die to heal
The hope that starts
The broken hearts
Your trust, you must
Confess

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

I’ve got another confession my friend
I’m no full
I’m getting tired starting again
Somewhere new

Were you born to resist or be abused?
I swear I’ll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
Your trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh...
[Edited 2/9/07 7:14am]
A happy face, A Thumpin Bass, For A Lovin' Race. PEACE.
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Reply #27 posted 02/09/07 7:17am

unkemptpueblo

All Along the Watchtower

"There must be some kind of way out of here,"
said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion,
I can't get no relief.
Businessmen they drink my wine,
plowmen dig my earth
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth"

"No reason to get excited,"
the thief, he kindly spoke
"There are many here among us
who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I, we've been through that
and this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late"

All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too

Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl
A happy face, A Thumpin Bass, For A Lovin' Race. PEACE.
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Reply #28 posted 02/09/07 7:23am

unkemptpueblo

jus711 said:

There is broad speculation around the internet that the All Along the Watchtower/Best of You cover is a not-so-subtle anti-war protest.

The Largest Minority blog writes:

Prince’s Subtle Anti-War Statement During Halftime
Posted by: Manila Ryce
Posted Monday, February 5th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Filed under: US Politics, Videos, Society & Culture, World Issues, Entertainment, Personal Posts, War, Civil Unrest, Music, Political, Asia

The clip below is only half of the halftime show (making it a quartertime show?). While I only took Prince’s performance of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You” to have an anti-war message, I left the end of his performance in as well. Why? Well, because there’s an extremely suggestive silhouette of Prince behind a giant sheet showing us exactly how excited he was to be performing at the Superbowl. Intentional or not, I had to include it for hilarity sake.


At about the midpoint of Prince’s halftime performance, the artist performed a mixed cover of “All Along the Watchtower” and “Best of You”. Prince starts “All Along the Watchtower” at its proper beginning, with the two riders (the joker and the thief) approaching. Dylan, who wrote the lyrics in ’68, placed the middle of the story at the beginning of the song to throw the listener into a conversation which had already begun.

“All Along the Watchtower” is generally considered to be a statement about social reform in the 60’s, with the watchtower representing an established power structure guarding itself from those who have a true, yet unaccepted view of human worth. The story is largely uneventful, and the only confrontation taking place is between value systems. Biblical references are also plentiful, leading some to believe that the Joker and the Thief are Jesus and the crucified man next to him, respectively. Without analyzing every line, the song originally described the growing resistance to the Vietnam War and the establishment which made it possible. Why would Prince play this song at the Superbowl? In my opinion, he was making an anti-war statement about the current resistance to the Iraq War.

After the one verse, Prince transitions into “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters. I believe this song is originally about a failed relationship between a man and a woman, but coupled with “All Along the Watchtower” it takes on a different meaning. In this case, we might think of the administration as the one getting the best of us as we fight its restraints on our freedom. Again, Prince does not start at the beginning of the song, but transitions in at “Are you gone and onto someone new? I needed somewhere to hang my head, without your noose.” This may have been a convenient place to open the song, as the lyric could refer to Saddam’s execution, and the persecution anyone might face for opposing the establishment. After confirming the pain we feel as a society, Prince asks over and over again, “Is someone getting the best of you?” At the end he defiantly states, “I ain’t no fool”.

Perhaps I drank too much during the game, and am simply reading into this. Then again, they do seem like odd song choices for Prince to cover without having a specific reason. Your thoughts and interpretations are appreciated.

Lyrics to the performance:

All along the watchtower,
Princes kept the view,
While all the women came and went —
Barefoot servants too.
Outside in the cold distance,
A wildcat did growl.
Two riders were approaching, and
The wind began to howl.

Are you gone and onto someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn’t have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose
My heart is under arrest again
But I break loose
My head is giving me life or death
I will choose
I swear I’ll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
You must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh…

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

I’ve got another confession my friend
I ain’t no fool

It makes perfect sense to me.
[Edited 2/7/07 15:03pm]



I didnt fully read your post before I reposted the lyrics.boxed

But I totally agree with you. Thats what I was thinking during the show. This medley is my fave part of the broadcast.
[Edited 2/9/07 7:24am]
A happy face, A Thumpin Bass, For A Lovin' Race. PEACE.
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Reply #29 posted 02/09/07 7:33am

Graycap23

Jus711.....I applaud U. wink
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