DAWNATION - The Purple Songbook

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Latest update: 07/19/2005

 Prince - Soundtrack contributions

NOTE:
Apart from all other activities Prince contribute songs 2 a couple of soundtracks and films... but not all see the light of day! So here U can find the most interesting stuff! We did NOT include movies with a Prince/O(+> song "just playing in the background" or something like that... btw Julia Roberts was singing "Kiss" in the bathing scene of "Pretty Woman" and it is still NOT confirmed that O(+> did a cameo appereance in the movie "Fargo" (1996) - take a look at the end credits - is it really a "O(+>"? No! ;-)

INDEX

01. OST Blankman

 07. OST Bright lights, big City

02. OST Friday

 08. OST Pret-a-porter
03. OST Iīll do anything 09. OST Poetic justic
04. OST From dust ītill dawn 10. The Jeffrey Balletīs Billboards
05. OST Showgirls 11. OST Girl 6
06. OST Striptease 12. OST Coneheads
 

01. OST Blankman (1994)




"Superhero" (MaxCD)

Taken from the Soundtrack "Blankman" feat. The Steeles on background vox. This time he NPG is performing the Prince-written track "Superhero"! The song was also recorded and released by Earth, Wind & Fire (on "Millennium", 1993). Please also check out the sections Discography 4 a NPGOGRAPHY and ALBUMS + PROJECTS 4 withdrawn NPG albums!
 

INDEX

02. OST Friday (1995)


OST Friday

In 1995 there was a rumour going round that Prince will contribute some songs for the movie "Friday" feat. Ice Cube. Other arists should be Bootsy Collins, George Clinton and Ice cube. The soundtrack for this comedy was released - without - input from Prince.
 

INDEX


03. OST Iīll do anything (1992/94)


OST I'll do anything

I'll Do Anything (1994)

Category: Comedy
Director: James L. Brooks
Written by James L. Brooks
Produced by James L. Brooks and Polly Platt
Cast: Nick Nolte, Albert Brooks, Julie Kavner, Joely Richardson, Tracey Ullman, Whittni Wright
Summary: Alternately touching and wildly comic, this film follows the tribulations of
a struggling actor who is suddenly forced to care for his precocious 6 year old daughter, while
at the same time trying to move his career forward and have a romance on the side. As an accurate
and scathingly funny portrayal of the film industry, see "The Player" for a comparison.

Read a critic: Review by Tom Keogh (1997)

"This is the James Brooks film everyone talked about but no one saw. At one time a musical (featuring songs written by Prince and Sinead O'Connor), this comedy about a struggling actor simultaneously dealing with a troubled career and fatherhood lost its tunes just before release and got a bad rap as an aborted project foisted on the public. But it's not true: The film almost stands up in its altered form, missing only a sense that, for all its heart, the actors don't get to cut loose and belt out exactly what their characters want to say. Virtually every scene is so wonderfully written (by Brooks), however, and stars Nick Nolte, Joely Richardson, Julie Kavner, and Albert Brooks are so good - and the script is so graceful - that the film becomes something special."

The story

Originally intended to be released in November of 1993 - James L. Brooks newest project (starring Nick Nolte and Tracy Ullmann) should be a highly unconventional musical about the life in Hollywood.
A musical feat. new songs by artists like Sinead OīConnor, Carole King and Prince - who contributed 8 (!) songs. Prince first got involved in this filmproject in March of 1992. The original idea was that each character would have a song penned by a different composer. There was a choice of nearly 40 (!) songwriters - from Melissa Etheridge to Jackson Browne - until Prince become involved.
After the first test screenings with very bad results the film turned out to be a disaster - the concept of the musical comedy didnīt work. Brooks reshot, edited and screened the movie seven times and finally found that the music has to be taken out of the film. All singing scenes were cut away. The film was finally released in 1994 - without any music by Prince.
The original score - written by the famous Hans Zimmer - was also released in 1994. None of the previous songs were included! Princeīs original Iīll do anything Demos are meanwhile available on bootleg. The tape contains the following 8 songs:

 (Demonstration CD)

EARLY VERSION:
01. The rest of my life
02. Make believe
03. Iīll do anything
04. Donīt talk to strangers
05. My little pill
06. Empty room
07. There is lonely
08. Be my mirror
 We call it early version because the songs "The rest of my life" and "Empty room" were NOT part of the planned soundtrack album and likley replaced by Prince or the director with the tracks
(09.) I canīt love U anymore
(10.) Wow
"I canīt love U anymore" is meanwhile also circulationg on bootleg. "Wow" is not circulating -
but portions can be heard in the track

"Iīll do anything" (Medley - sung by the actors)

The Prince-written songs (more workout blueprints or demos) are still unreleased - except for the song "Donīt talk 2 strangers" (released on Princeīs "Girl 6" (Soundtrack) in 1996 and also rerecorded and released by Chaka Khan on her album "Come 2 my house", 1998.
Finally "The rest of my life", "My little pill" and "There is lonely" find a home on the Prince album "The Vault... Old friends 4 sale" from 1999. "Iīll do anything" has nothing to do with the song "Do anything" by Natural Selection - but the songs is in fact feat. Ingrid Chavez!

INDEX


04. OST From dust till dawn (1996)


OST From dust till dawn
In 1995 there are some rumours that O(+> recorded some songs for the Quentin Tarantino / Robert
 Rodriquez movie From dust ītill dawn. Two songs should be recorded together with Madonna (!).

"Alone in the dark"

"Mad" (feat. Madonna)

"The funk of a thousand years" (feat. Madonna)

"Alone in the dark" could possibly be the released song "Dark" (from "Come", 1994) and the remix of this songs called "So dark" - earlier titled by bootleggers "In the dark" - (from "Crystal Ball", 1998).
"Mad" is in fact a Prince composition - this song was recorded with O(+> on lead vocals and during the NPG sessions with Sonny T. on lead. "Mad" is also an outtake from an early configuration of "New Power soul" (1994). Both versions are circulating on bootleg, but are not official released!
 

INDEX


05. OST Showgirls (1995)


"Ripopgodazippa"

"319"

This Prince-written tunes would have been a perfect add to the soundtrack to Paul Verhoevenīs scandalous movie "Showgirls" feat. Elizabeth Berkley and Kyle "Twin Peaks" MacLachlan. "319" was also used in a trailer - "Ripopgodazippa" (originally from 1994 - first time bootleged from the secret rehearsal in Paris at The Canal+ Studios on May 6, 1994) can be heard in a longer "dance" scene within the movie. The end credits tell us that both songs are Written, performed, produced and arranged by O(+>. "Ripopgodazippa" is an outtake from the early configuration of "The Gold Experience"; was later used in the movie - but unfortunatly NOT (!) included on the soundtrack Showgirls (1995) and finally released - the full version - on "Crystal Ball" (1998).

In the lyrics to "Ripopgodazippa" you find the words When U R always with me, U never have 2 call me... - a phrase O(+> and Mayte once used - after his name changed from Prince to the unpronounceable symbol - in return to the question how he should be called. Meanwhile "319" was officially released in 1995 on "The Gold Experience". Itīs a little strange that Warner Bros. only give licence to use the songs for the movie (remember the "masters" problem between O(+> and his record company!) but not agreed to a release on the WARNER soundtrack! According to the director Paul Verhoeven (also director of Basic Instinc) O(+> was going to write all of the music but then the problems with WB escalated. Viva Las Vegas!
 

INDEX


06. OST Striptease (1996)


Soundtrack Striptease

"If I was your girlfriend"

Rock.com Review:
Following the usual formula for major Hollywood releases of the mid-'90s, this mixes golden oldies (by Spencer Davis, the Soul Survivors, Booker T. & the MG's, and the Miracles) with material of more recent vintage by Eurythmics, Blondie, Billy Idol, Prince, Joan Jett, and Billy Ocean, throwing in a non-rock pop ballad by Dean Martin for variety. ~ Richie Unterberger, All-Music Guide.

This movie - starring Demi Moore - is NOT including a new recording of "If I was your girlfriend"
(originally released in 1987 (!) on "Sign oīthe times").
 

INDEX


07. OST Bright lights, big City (1988)




"Good love"

This film from 1988 is starring Michael J. Fox, Kiefer Sutherland and Phoebe Cates.

The soundtrack version is 5:12 min. long. The version - released on "Crystal Ball" (1998) is an edit of the song (4:33 + segue = 4:56 min.). "Good love" was also intend for the withdrawn "Camille" album (from 1986).

From the liner notes of Crystal Ball:

"Good love - this track was recorded during an intense period of musical change 4 Prince - he had disbanded the Revolution and moved 2 L.A., booking Sunset Sound Studios - sometimes 4 months at a time. Shockadelica, Feel U up, and parts of the "Black Album" were also recorded during this period. Prince was happy during this time and very optimistic about his musical possibilities with a new line-up of musicians, which included Sheila E."
 

INDEX


08. OST Pret-a-porter (1994)


"Get Wild" (by The NPG)

From the liner notes:

"I was in Paris with my wife, Kathryn, and I said, "What do you want to do?" And she said sheīd  love to see a fashion show; sheīd never been to one. It happened to be during Pret-a-Porter - I didnīt even know what that meant - and so we went, I had no interest in going; in fact, I tried hard to get out of it. It was raining, and I had a dreadful hangover. Iīd had very little sleep.
The minute that the show started, the music hit, I just thought, Wow! This is the circus! This is great. It even brought tears to my eyes. I thought, Iīve got to make a film about this."

- Robert Altman

This is the early version of "Get wild" performed by The NPG feat. spanish vocals by Mayte! A different "Get wild" was released on The NPGīs "Exodus" in 1995. Also released in this year two MaxCD of "Get wild" - titled "The Single" and "The Maxi Single" with a couple of remixes.
 

INDEX


09. OST Poetic Justice (1993)




"Get it up" (covered by TLC)

This film - written and directed by noone else then John Singleton - is starring Janet Jackson and Tupac. This is John Singletonīs statement (taken from the booklet of the soundtrack):

"The music we listen to is an extension of who and where we are as a people. Sistas listen to songs that take them away from their problems, the burdens of school, boyfriends, work, babies, etc. Brothers bump sound that vent out their frustrations of being African and male in American. As the weather gets hotter, I hope yīall dance, chill, make love, drive, all to the rhythm of this phat soundtrack. Peace, John Singleton."

The Prince-written song "Get it up" - this time recorded and performed by girlgroup TLC (produced by Dallas Austin/Tim & Bob for DARP Inc.) is a coverversion of the track - originally released by The Time (on their first and selftitled album "The Time", 1981). TLC recorded and released another Prince-cover "If I was your girlfriend" (originally released in 1987 on "Sign oīthe times") on their million seller CrazySexyCool in 1994.


The MaxCD of "Get it up" contains:
01. Get it up (Radio Edit) [4:00]
02. Get it up (12" Remix) [6:36]
03. Get it up (12" Hip-Hop Remix) [5:49]
04. Get it up (Quiet Storm Mix) [4:20]
05. Get it up (Hip-Hop Radio Mix) [4:00]

 

INDEX


10. The Jeffrey Balletīs Billboards (1992/93)



The video, 1993

Director: Derek Bailey
Genre: Arts, Music
Runtime: 75 minutes
Story: Four dance pieces set to music written by rock artist Prince specifically for the Joffrey Ballet.
 

Included tracks and fragments from:

"Sometimtes in snows in April"
"Trust"
"Baby, Iīm a star"
"Thunder"
"Purple rain"
"Computer blue"
"The beautiful ones"
"Release it"
"Willing and able"
"For you"
"It"
"Gett off"

A ballet that involes four off-beat choreographers and music by Prince is bound to attract attention. The Joffrey Balletīs Billboards premiered January 27, 1992 at the University of Iowaīs Hancher Auditorium, in Ames. The ballet features 12 previously released Prince songs.

The premiere audience of about 2,500 were reportedly very enthusiastic. Thereīs a special and extended version of "Thunder" - nearly 11 minutes long. The original track was released on "Diamonds and Pearls", 1991.
This wonderful mix - the orchestral-like parts reminds of the later released "Kamasutra" album (from 1997/98) - is meanwhile circulating on bootleg.
 

INDEX


11. OST Girl 6 (1996)




TRACKLIST:

1. She spoke 2 me (Prince)
2. Pink cashmere (Prince)
3. Count the days (The NPG)
4. Girls & boys (Prince & The Revolution)
5. The screams of passion (The Family)
6. Nasty girl (Vanity 6)
7. Erotic City (Prince & The Revolution)
8. Hot thing (Prince)
9. Adore (Prince)
10. The cross (Prince)
11. How come U donīt call me anymore (Prince)
12. Donīt talk 2 strangers (Prince)
13. Girl 6 (The NPG feat. O{+> & Nona Gaye)

 Produced and directed by Spike Lee.
Feat. Theresa Randle, Spike Lee
Songs by Prince.

"Girl 6 is the story of an aspiring actress down on her luck, who takes a job in a phone sex business in order to finance her trip to Hollywood, to rejuvenate her career, but finds herself becoming attracted to its world of uninhibited role playing."

This soundtrack includes some "new" Prince songs (more or less outtakes like "She spoke 2 me" (from the album "O(+>", 1992), "Pink Cashmere" (from the album "Lovesexy", 1988) and "Donīt talk 2 strangers" (from the movie/project "Iīll do anything") plus the newly written titletrack "Girl 6" feat. The NPG and co-lead vocals by Nona Gaye (daughter of Marvin Gaye!).

The rest of the fine compilation are already released Prince-written songs for other artists like The Family, Vanity 6 and The NPG and Prince classics like "Girls and boys", "Hot thing", "Adore" and "The cross". Remarkable is "How come U donīt call me anymore" (US and UK B-side of "1999" in 1982/83) and "Erotic City" (Non-album track/US and UK B-Side of "Letīs go crazy" in 1984). The song "Count the days" was already released on The NPG's "Exodus".

Some songs of the 23 (!) tracks used in the film - like "Sometimes it snows in April" (from "Parade", 1986), "Take me with U", "Darling Nikki" (both from "Purple Rain", 1984) - didnīt make it on the soundtrack. Other īrareī songs like "4 the tears in your eyes", "Power fantastic", "Nothing compares 2 U" (Live) and The NPGīs "Oilcan" and "Deuce and a quarter". The version of "Girl 6" playing during the end credits of the movie is a longer version (4:32 min. - sometimes titled "ext. version") - the "original version" is 4:04 min. - the songīs count-in is similar to the intro of "Raspberry beret" (from the album "Around the world in a day", 1985).

Some line notes of the booklet:

Special thanks from The New Power Generation:

2 Spike Lee,

In a world where something as sacred as music is controlled by the media in most cases, your
inclusion of "The cross", "Sometimes it snows in April", "Donīt talk 2 strangers" and "Count
the days" was immensely appreciated. Sex sells but truth remains.
Much love, The New Power Generation.

Special thanks from Spike Lee:

Many thanks 2 The Artist Formerly Known As Prince. U mad a great sacrifice to make this happen.
I love U and U will see the dawn.
 

INDEX

 

12. OST Coneheads (1993)




 "No cones allowed" (unreleased!)

Plot Summary for Coneheads (taken from The Internet Movie Database):

 "An alien couple with cone-shaped heads (Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin) from the planet "Remulak" is mistakingly ditched on earth. While waiting to be recalled to their mother planet, they start a family and have a little daughter. They try to adapt to earth customs by living in middle-class suburbia. Meanwhile, their daughter grows up to be a teenager (Michelle Burke) who has difficulties fitting in with her peers or accepting the fact that at some point, she has to return to "Remulak" with the rest of the family."


Prince recorded in early 1993 a song called "No cones allowed" - intended for the movie "Coneheads". However this tune wasn't used inthe film or on the soundtrack and is still unreleased.
 

INDEX

This compilation created by DAWNATION © 1999 - 2005