Happy 54th Birthday, Prince!
All hail the Purple One! Minnesotan musical icon Prince turns 54 today. Can you believe it? This year also marks the 25th anniversary of his experimental album, Sign “☮” the Times, a milestone he will mark this Friday at Minneapolis’ Aloft Hotel WXYZ Bar. Though Prince, a devout Jehovah’s Witness at present, no longer celebrates his birthday, that doesn’t mean we can’t, right, Clutchettes?
Here are a few Prince performances to rock in celebration of the man’s special day:
1. 2007 Super Bowl Halftime Show
This clip doesn’t do real justice to the awesomeness that was the entire Prince halftime show performance. For starters, it ends before showing us how rain fell practically on cue as Prince started crooning “Purple Rain.” But it’s still a fun watch, as he covers Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” to epic effect.
2. “Kiss”
Omg. I’m not what one would call a Prince purist (I’m only familiar with like an fifth of his entire catalog), I ride for this song. I swear. Any time I hear it, I stop what I’m doing and jam out. From the moment he sings that first line, “You don’t have to be beautiful to turn me on…” I’m in it for the long haul with this jam. It’s an anthem for the average chick and those are so rare. Also, is he not giving you everything in this video?!
3. “Starfish and Coffee”
Shout-out to my Twitter friend and Prince adorer whose handle is an homage to this song! This track from Sign “☮” the Times is considered by many to be one of the best songs on the album.
4. “When Doves Cry”
Ah, Emo Prince. There’s nothing like him. This isn’t everyone’s favorite Prince single, but it’s definitely one of mine–too commercial/crossover or not.
5. “I Would Die 4 U”
Also from Purple Rain, the “I Would Die 4 U” performance is pretty epic.
What are your favorite Prince songs, performances, or moments?
I am a huge, I mean HUGE Prince fan (thanks mom); something my friends like to make fun of me for. “Starfish and Coffee” is one of my all time favorite songs of his, but my number 1 is definitely “Nothing Compares 2 U” featuring Rose Gaines. I could listen to that song every day for the rest of my life and never get tired of it.
17 Days is one of my absolute favs among many.
Love the B-Sides, especially Love or Money.
love 17 days
count the days
thieves in the temple…
too many favs to list.
dancing with prince onstage at the garden was my favorite moment in life. period. thee end.
Thank you, thank you for putting this together. Prince is a genius, and his music is timeless. “Beautiful Ones’ off of the Purple Rain soundtrack is one of my favorite songs of all time. And you can’t not get up and dance to “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”
YES! To the Beautiful Ones, my all time Fav–and with The Purple One, there are many faves…
Happy Birthday Indeed!!
I L.O.V.E his music!!! LOVE him!
If I had to absolutely pick one song….It would be Adore.
Raspberry Barret, You Got The Look and I Would Die For You bring back fond memories of dancing around with my sister.
“U Got the Look” and “Raspberry Beret” are favorites of mine, too. :-)
Yay us! lol! Thank you for this post, it had me grinning from ear to ear!