About this episode
You don't have to be beautiful, rich, OR cool to appreciate Prince - you just need a little extra time, a pair of ears, and a pulse. It's finally time to talk about the Purple One on Strong Songs, specifically his 1986 chart-topper "Kiss." How did a song that was originally written for a standard band become so stripped-down and distinct? Why do those vocal and guitar parts work so well? And who was responsible for some of the sounds and styles Prince was channeling when he recorded it? All that and more, on this episode. Artist: Prince Album: Parade (1986) Written by: Prince Listen/Buy via Album.Link ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED: "Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag" by James Brown, 1965 "I Got the Feelin'" by James Brown, 1968 "Say Man" by Bo Diddley, 1959 "Manic Monday" by Prince (!) performed by The Bangles on Different Light , 1986 “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer from Riptide , 1985 “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco from Falco 3 , 1985 “West End Girls” by the Pet Shop Boys from Please , 1984 “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, 1958 “St. Louis Blues” by W.C. Handy performed by Bessie Smith, 1929 “Make Me Feel” by Janelle Monae from Dirty Computer , 2018 A 2013 Sound on Sound interview with "Kiss" producer David Z: https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/prince-kiss Update 6/24: A couple listeners pointed out that Prince actually *wrote* The Bangles' "Manic Monday," which is too fun of a fun-fact not to mention on the episode. OUTRO SOLOIST: Sam Howard This episode's outro soloist is bassist Sam Howard. Sam lives in Nashville, TN, where he performs and tours with all kinds of artists. Sam played all the way through the Strong Songs outro, so keep an ear out for his playing mixed under the horns on the way out. You can find out what Sam's up to at his website, https://samhowardmusic.com . -------------------- June 2020 Whole-Note Patrons AccessViolation - Aidan Coughlan - Andre Bremer - Anne Britt - Bill Rosinger - Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Christer Lindqvist - Craig J. Covell - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - David Zahm - Doug Paton - Erin - Glenn - Jeanneret - Manning Family Four - Kyle Starr - Mark Schechter - Matt Butler - Merlin Mann - Mickey Clark - Narelle Horn - Nathaniel Bauernfeind - R Watson - Robert Paul - Ryan Torvik - Simon Cramp - Viki Dun June 2020 Half-Note Patrons Adam Conway - AJ Schuster - Albukitty - Alexander Geddes - Alexander Polson - Amanda Furlotti - Andrew Baker - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Bill Fuller - Bill Thornton - Brant Brantphillip - Brendon Oliver-Ewen - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Briony Leo - Brooke Wilford - Caro Field - Chas Lednicky - Chris Brown - Clare Holberton - Cyrus N. White - Darryl Stewart - Dave King - David Stroud - David Zucker - Dhu Wik - Diane Turner - Duncan - Earl Lozada - Eero Wahlstedt - Elliot Jay O’Neill - Emily Williams - Forrest Chang - Gavin Doig - Geoff Golden - Georgia Livesay - Gerry Nelson - Jaehoon Jeong - Jake Tinsley - James Johnson - Jarrod Schindler - Jeffrey Olson - Jenifer Carr - Jennifer Bush - Jeremy Dawson - Joe C - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O’Keefe - Jonathan Daniels - Juan Carlos Montemayor Elosua - Judith Stansfield - Judy Chapple - Jules Bailey - Justin Liew - Justin McElroy - Kate Albury - Kendra Reid - Kevin Morrell - Kevin Pennyfeather - Latifah Makuyi - Leigh Sales - Malory - Mark Haberlen - Mark Perry - Mark Steen - Markus Koester - Matt Betzel - Matt Gaskell - Melanie Stivers - MH - Michael Blackwell - Michael Bochner - Michael Flaherty - Miriam Juskowicz - Mueller - Nate from Kalamazoo - Nicholas Schechter - Pascal Rueger - Randy Souza - Richard Toller - Robbie Ferrero - Robyn Fraser - Sam Fenn - Shane DeLeon - Sheilah - SP - Stephen - Steven Maron - Stuart Terry - Suellen Moore - Tanner Morton - Tom Clewer - Tom Coleman - Tom Lauer - Toni Isaacson - Wayne Marsh - Zoe Little ----LINKS----- 💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! Patreon | One-Time Donation 🏠 HOMEPAGE 👚 MERCH 💬 DISCORD SERVER 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER 🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram | Bluesky 🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music 🎨 SHOW ART: Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics