The Toy Box: Prince and the Revolution

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Retro Spins: Prince And The Revolution - Parade

"My dear People, My dear Bagginses and Boffins, and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burrowses, and Hornblowers, and Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots. Also my good Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday: I am eleventy-one today!
I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am. I shall not keep you long. I have called you all together for a Purpose. Indeed, for Three Purposes!
First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits.
I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
Secondly, to celebrate my birthday. I should say: OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo. He comes of age and into his inheritance today. Together we score one hundred and forty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use the expression.
It is also, if I may be allowed to refer to ancient history, the anniversary of my arrival by barrel at Esgaroth on the Long Lake; though the fact that it was my birthday slipped my memory on that occasion. I was only fifty-one then, and birthdays did not seem so important. The banquet was very splendid, however, though I had a bad cold at the time, I remember, and could only say 'thag you very buch'. I now repeat it more correctly: Thank you very much for coming to my little party."
Bilbo Baggins

Yes, today is the day. My birthday. For it, I chose a very special Retro Spin for the day. It's an album I've heard many, many times before, but one I'm sure I'll continue to play until the end of my time.

When I first heard Prince And The Revolution's Parade, it was admittedly system shock. I like many was coming off of his masterpieces, 1999, and Purple Rain, and was expecting something as massive. I'd not yet heard his previous record, Around The World In A Day, and in fact, I couldn't say as a late teenager if I even knew it existed at this point. As such, I wasn't prepared for the sudden shift in musical styles, and it was kind of one of those Queen Hot Space moments. Where your mind is like, "What the heck is this?" As a result, the album got shelved rather quickly and passed over for a couple decades in my mind. However, as I grew older and wiser, I dusted it off, and gave it another shot, finding a hidden gem in the Purple One's catalog that has become one of my favorites.

Parade not only serves as his eighth studio album, but the soundtrack to the film, Under The Cherry Moon, which Prince starred in. It would also be his third and final with The Revolution.

Personally, I never got to see the film as a kid, but I do remember my sister catching it in the theater. My brother and I were there to see a more kid appropriate film, either The Karate Kid II, or Howard The Duck (I think the latter, but I can't remember at this point). However, what I do recall vividly was my sister exiting the cinema after seeing it and professing how terrible it was.

I did, however, catch it as an adult, and even own it on DVD. I think it's absolutely fabulous. Prince was clearly having a good time playing the role. I think what my sister missed was that it wasn't supposed to be a serious film. I got the impression that Prince was going for a comedic approach, but often his humor is so dry that it takes a certain mindset to appreciate it. Personally, I think he was having a laugh at the world, saying, "If you're watching this expecting a serious film, you don't get me, and the jokes on you."

From that same perspective, I think that's where the album itself throws so many people off. People, me included, expected another Purple Rain or 1999, so when we got this sudden change, it was system shock. We wanted Prince to deliver the same thing over and over and over, not caring about his artistic need for expression and experimentation. Again, he was standing there saying, "You don't get me."

Critics panned both the film and album, but this didn't hurt it too badly. The song Kiss would fly up the charts in April of 1986, smashing the number one spot. Ironically, that track wasn't even intended to be included on the album. Initially, he had given it to the band Mazarati, who took his original acoustic version, and turned it into a funky jam. When Prince heard this, he promptly withdrew it from them and laid down his own vocals. This would make the band extremely angry, as they not only didn't get credit for the work they had done, but got stiffed on promised compensation.

Additionally, singles, Mountains, and Anotherloverholenyohead would follow in July and August, respectively. Mountains would peak at twenty-three, while Anotherloverholenyohead would reach sixty-three. The funny thing about all three hits is that the latter is the only one I really like. I've never been a fan of Kiss, and I don't get the fan hype of Mountains. Those two tracks, plus Venus De Milo are actually the only songs I don't like from the album.

One of the things that initially struck me as negative when hearing Parade for the first time was the seemingly connectivity from song to song. Meaning, most pick up immediately where the last left off. It can feel disjointed when playing songs individually, but since I rarely do these days, it's a problem that's worked itself out for me. As a whole, for an album I initially didn't like when first hearing it, it really has become one of my favorites, and I consider it a hidden gem tucked in between his opus, Purple Rain, and shunned masterpiece, Batman.

For now, I'm off to go do birthday stuff, which will hopefully include some form of used CD shop. Regardless of where I end up, stay tuned throughout the day for new posts.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Retro Spins: Prince - 1999

Don't worry. I won't hurt you. I only want you to have some fun.

It's the intro I heard on a cassette tape recorded by my sister when she was living in Virginia, with us clear across the country in Oregon. She had called me one day, and asked, "Do you want Prince's 1999?" Having knowledge mainly of his Purple Rain and Batman albums, I was interested but confused when I got the tape. Admittedly, my young mind thought my sister would be sending an original, and not a recording. Regardless, I played that tape a lot. Tucked on the back of it was an added bonus of Ready For The World's Oh Sheila.

I remember when I first played the tape that I wasn't accustomed to varying differences between album versions and radio edits. As such, when 1999, the song, fired up, I was confused by the talking intro. Candidly, it didn't sit well with me either. It also continued on with a bunch of what I considered weirdness towards the tail end, and even worse, it segued into Little Red Corvette, another song I fancied as a standalone. Truthfully, I don't think I liked it at first, but they eventually grew on me to become the definitive renditions I would frequently go to.

Years later, I got my own copy on CD, only to stupidly sell it to my cousin while at my grandfather's house. To this day, I have no clue why I did that. I guess as a kid still, the money was intriguing to me. Fortunately, I'd rectify that in the late 90's, and much later with many different iterations which include (among others) an original pressing on vinyl, and the original "target" pressing CD. Fun fact, the first pressing on CD omits D.S.M.R. for time constraints.

Point being, I've spent a lot of time with Prince's 1999. I know it front, back, sideways, up, down, left, and right. If there was one thing that surprised me about the album, it's that I haven't yet done a Retro Spin on it. File that one under a giant oops. I suppose when I think about it, my reasoning for doing so was probably driven by it being a throw away. Something to fill in a gap when I needed a break. Let's face it, it's not exactly a record I need to listen to in order to write about it. Full disclaimer, I am actually listening to it as I type this.

1999 would become Prince's first major success, reaching 4X platinum to date. It's sold over 5 million copies, with 4 million alone in the USA. It would reach number five on the Billboard Hot 200. It was also ranked number five in the Billboard Year-End Albums of 1983. The title track would peak at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, followed by Little Red Corvette (peaking at number 6), Delirious (peaking at number 8), and Let's Pretend We're Married (peaking at number 52).

Little Red Corvette was also among the first black music videos played in steady rotation on MTV, along with Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. Sadly, this wasn't until CBS threatened to pull all their music from the channel, claiming it discriminated against black artists. However, all turned out for the best, as soon MTV had a vast diversity of artists who deserved to have their videos seen and heard.

The album has since gone on to be frequently ranked as the best from Prince, as well as among many curated lists of top albums. I suppose at the end of the day, it's all in the eye of the beholder. So, tell me. What do you think about Prince's 1999?

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Retro Spins: Prince - Controversy

While prepping some Retro Spins, I inadvertently skipped a date in the middle of an artist I was intending on working on. Rather than go back and shift everything to realign, I instead pivoted to find an album to fill the gap. That became Prince's Controversy, and album I'm surprised I haven't yet talked about.

I'm not going to lie, it's an album I've listened to may times before. It's not my favorite from Prince, but it's also not abysmal, like some of his later stuff can be. It has its highs, lows, but frankly a lot of the songs are skippable. It's most likely why I haven't gotten around to a Retro Spin.

I like the title track, and I'd say Private Joy, and Let's Work are just okay. As for the rest, they're just not for me. I don't think that Prince really took off as an artist until 1999, peaked with Purple Rain, stayed high, with Sign 'O' The Times, and then slowly came down with Parade, Around The World In A Day, Parade, the Batman soundtrack, Graffiti Bridge, and Diamonds And Pearls. Yeah, sure, he had some hits here and there on other albums, but frankly, most of them were misses as of the mid to late 90's.

Controversy definitely has the potential of things to come, and I suppose in that right it's a necessary stepping stone. I just wish it was better overall. Beyond that, I really don't have much more to say about it.

Short and sweet.

On a separate note, the estate of Prince just recently released a two-disc remastered edition of Around The World In A Day. If that's your thing, it may be worth checking out.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
December 3, 1983

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
December 3, 1988

Retro Spins: André Cymone - A.C.

Picture Minneapolis, Minnesota during the late sixties / early seventies. You've got six siblings living in your home, in addition to your father and mother, and soon you're joined by a seventh member. This time, in the form of a young Prince, who has left his home after continuing troubles with his father. Soon after, you form a band with your sister, and a young Morris Day. You then go on to join a band with one of Prince and one of his former cousins, Pepe Willie. Prince then goes on to release his first solo album, and recruit you as a bassist for his touring band.

While the story could have ended there, Cymone would find himself in constant tensions with Prince, and ultimately leave the band pre Revolution years, in 1981. Rather than focus on joining another band, he would instead opt to work on his own solo albums. This would lead to his 1982 debut, Livin' in the New Wave, and its follow up, 1983's, Survivin' in the 80's. The latter would land at number 185 of the Billboard 200, and additionally, he would have several singles chart on the R&B and Dance Charts.

With their relationship reconciled since his departure, Prince would gift the singer with the track, The Dance Electric, which would become the starting track on his 1985 album, A.C. The song would become his biggest hit, reaching number 8 on the R&B Charts. Additionally, A.C. would reach 121 on the Billboard 200,

Tracking this album down on CD is not an easy feat. While all three of his albums from the 80's have been remastered, and released as extended editions, A.C. is far more scarce than the other two. While I could find his first two albums brand new for under fifteen dollars, I had to track down A.C. through a Switzerland seller, and pay through the nose for it - 38.80 CHF, which equates to $42.45 USD.

Popping it in for today's Retro Spins, I got the track I invested in the CD for right off the bat. What's odd is that with how it starts, music wise, it doesn't really fit as a starting point. It just sounds odd in the spot its in. There's no build up to the album.

The remaining tracks, including Cymone himself, sound very much like Prince from the 80's. While this provides an appealing sound to the ears, in terms of familiarity, there are no other hits here. Instead, this feels more like Prince's B sides, or rejected vault tracks. They're not bad, they're just not exciting.

I ended up also adding the closing song, Neon Pussycat to my shuffle list. However, I'd be lying if I said it was an awesome tune. Herein lies a big problem with my shuffle list. It's inundated with a lot of subpar tracks that are decent at the time, but then I ultimately skip over them when they come along the playlist. That's pretty much what will happen to this one.

Cymone would step to the background shortly thereafter, and instead focus on producing and writing with other acts, such as Jody Watley, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Pebbles, Jermaine Stewart, The Girls, Pretty Poison and Adam Ant. However, by 1987, he stepped away even further to focus on raising his children. Though he would pop up every now and then to collaborate with other artists, it wouldn't be until 2014 that he would release another solo project. Though he would release two more albums following that in 2016, and 2017, he has relatively stayed behind the scenes since.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
April 16, 1983

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
April 16, 1988

Scandalous Honey (Prince)

Prince
Scandalous Honey
1989

Musician. Actor. Bee keeper?

Back in 1988, Prince took on the task of creating the soundtrack for the up and coming Batman film from Tim Burton. To get an understanding of the movie, he would make visits to the set, and it would be here that he would meet actress Kim Basinger.

Prince being Prince, soon began a relationship with the actress, leading to her joining him in the studio for vocals on the song, Scandalous. It was during this session that a story would unfold about the two being left alone for the evening, just as Prince was opening a jar of honey. When the engineer returned the next day, he found honey all over the mixing board. I'm sure your imaginations can fill in the rest. If not, you can find more on that story "HERE".

The alleged encounter led to one of the most bizarre promotional tie-ins. To promote the release of the single, which Prince named The Scandalous Sex Suite, Prince created a jar of honey, which had a simplistic label on it which read, "Prince The Scandalous Sex Suite Featuring Kim Basinger".

While it's not commonly found these days, considering honey doesn't expire if stored properly, it supposedly could be just as fresh today as it was back in 1989. However, you're not usually going to find one cheap. I've only seen two, and while the first sold for $25 in 2010, the one I found in 2025 was priced at $300!

If you're a big Prince fan, and looking for unique, or frankly, weird merchandise from him, this one would definitely fit that bill.

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A Toy Box Custom - Prince's Little Red Corvette Hot Wheels

No, I didn't make the actual toy, just the package.

Why are there no Prince action figures? Looking at you, NECA!

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Retro Spins: Purple Rain

Is it a studio album? Is it a soundtrack? Is it both? I don't know, but it's shear perfection!

Take a richly-human story of survival and triumph, a now soundtrack by some of the hottest bands around and the startling, brooding presence of 24-year old rock superstar Prince - the man who lived the music - and you've got Purple Rain, which according to Rolling Stone, "may be the smartest, most spiritually ambitions rock-'n'-roll movie ever made."

This is the passionate behind-the-scenes stuff that rock-'n'-roll dreams are made of, a pulsating, slice-of-rock semi-autobiographical film starring Prince as "The Kid", a Minneapolis club musician known for his lightning guitar riffs and flash-fire vocals. As alienated as he is talented, The Kid struggles with both a tumultuous home-life and his own smoldering anger while taking refuge in his music and his steamy love for sultry Apollonia Kotero (lead singer of the camisole-chic Apollonia 6).

The turbulent, gutsy film sizzles, seethes and rocks in a way few rock films ever have. Hot-blooded Prince and his band The Revolution give electrifying performances of songs like the exhilarating "Let's Go Crazy", "I Would Die 4 U', the plaintive classic "When Doves Cry" and, of course, "Purple Rain" and other hits from the best-selling Warner Bros. Records soundtrack album of the same name.

Hailed by Newsweek as "the new Prince of Hollywood" PRINCE and PURPLE RAIN will reign over rockdom for some time to come. - Back cover of the original VHS

Well, I guess, based on the above, it's a soundtrack.

Long winded back covers of VHS tapes aside, I have to say, Purple Rain, the album, is spectacular. From start to finish, for me, there's not a bad song among the nine tracks. It's woven together as a true masterpiece of my lifetime, and stands out as one of the very few epics I've ever heard. It's the album that for many, myself included, turned attention towards Prince, serving as a segue into his music and massive discography to come throughout future decades.

I'd list out all of my favorite tracks, but quite frankly I'd just be listing out all nine from the entire album.

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Retro Spins: Prince And The Revolution - Around The World In A Day

Prince and the Revolution
Around the World in A Day
1985

Ask any casual Prince fan if they like the song Raspberry Beret and they would probably say, "Yes." Ask that same casual fan if they like the album, Around the World in A Day, and they would probably ask, "What is that?"

It's amazing for how popular Prince became in 1984 with his (personally speaking) masterpiece album, Purple Rain, that despite this major success not too many casual Prince fans could tell you what the follow up album was to that. Well, obviously I'm talking about 1985's Around the World in A Day.

Admittedly, my opinion of any type of Prince album may be somewhat biased as he is one of the few artists I have actually kept up with and sought out / own all of his (legitimate) studio albums. Is all of his music amazing? No, far from it. However, there are many, many, many songs he has released over the span of his multi decade career which are staples in my iPod / iTunes shuffle list. He's also one of the few artists who's music I will listen to past his 1980's era.

Okay, okay, so I like the artist, but how does Around the World in A Day stand up next to his most notable albums?

Well, I like it, you know, if you didn't see that coming. It starts out with the album's title track which sets a fun tone for the album. It's followed by the track named after his home, Paisley Park and from there slows down for the ballad Condition of the Heart - Not bad, but not one of my favorites. Raspberry Beret comes next and admittedly it feels like you're listening to a whole different album. It's so different, so good and so well know that it almost feels like it was the only song truly completed and polished for release. As if the remainder of the album was built around it just to be able to put out a full record.

Don't get me wrong. I love other tracks on this album, and the following funky, Tamborine (apparently Prince didn't know how to spell tambourine), is one of them. Admittedly this particular track isn't for everyone as I can see it grating on people's nerves if they're not expecting the style of music they're about to get.

America and Pop Life are two stand out tracks which follow Tamborine. Both send a strong messages about the Country as a whole (America) as well as people's desire to have more than they do and be more than they are (Pop Life). At least those are my interpretations of them.

The album rounds out with The Ladder and Temptation. Admittedly, I don't particularly care for these two tracks.

Overall, this is definitely a Prince album worth checking out. While it's not as catchy or even pop oriented as Purple Rain, it shows he was definitely not content as an artist to play it safe and just produce radio friendly songs. Prince had a vision for his albums, and while that vision may not have been what people considered to be the best idea or concept, he stood by his work - When he wasn't just throwing out albums to fulfill his contract with Warner Bros.

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