#SongOfTheDay 16th February (Valentine Week Conclusion)

What do Manic Monday by The Bangles, I Feel For You by Chaka Khan and Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor have in common? They were all written by the same guy, This guy in fact

Ironically enough the song I've chosen by him to end my Valentine Week themed list of favourite love songs is actually a cover and not one that he wrote himself. Strangest thing is though when you hear it you could be forgiven to thinking otherwise. The original was by a wonderful soul vocal group called The Stylistics (probably their most famous song being 'You Make Me Feel Brand New' whereas this is arguably there next best known song). As impressive as their harmonies and vocal range are, personally I think Prince pips them to the post with how well they connect to this song. All five of them too. Just goes to show that strength in numbers is nonsense because this is the most Prince sounding song that Prince has never written.

I think the issue with The Stylistics version is that even though it has a very classic sound and the lyrics are full of overly soulful, cheesy, schmaltz they all seem far too earnest in their performance for this talk mystical talk of conjuring candy land with magical genies, comes off as a wee bit silly. The only way this song can truly work is when the singer either knows how blatantly ridiculous these words are and uses that to fire his performance, or the performer is insanely pretentious and bat-shit crazy enough to try to make every bonkers word as grounded and honest as asking if one would like milk in your tea.

I'll let you decide which.

A rare example in my opinion of a cover trumping the original. Other notable efforts include Metallica's Whiskey In The Jar and Pet Shop Boys Always On My Mind

       The real name of The Artist Formally Known As Prince, formally known as Symbol, formally known as Prince; is actually 'Prince'. Prince Rogers Nelson to be exact. He really must have hated his first name at some point it for him to change it twice

 

Nothing Compares 2 You was written by Prince about his addiction to smoking. No wonder Sinead got all emotional in the video. Or maybe that was Prince just blowing smoke in her eye

 

That's the last of my Valentine Week song choices. Hope you enjoyed them.

 

Bye for now