U've got a wonderful ass
U don't understand my quirky ways
Girl, U've got a wonderful ass
U do not understand my quirky ways
My crazy logic leaves U in a daze
U think my neurosis is just a phase
Girl, U've got a wonderful ass
According to Prince, all is forgiven if you have a wonderful ass. But, will Prince fans ever forgive him for not releasing possibly one of his finest gems from his high-period in the 1980s? With its upbeat melody, catchy hook, clever lyrics and funky Linn drum, Wonderful Ass has the infectious pop playfulness of Raspberry Beret and is as danceable as of Baby, I Am a Star, 1999, Housequake, and Kiss.
It has everything his hits have except that it has never been played on the radio or appeared on an album as an official release. The master remains hidden in the performer’s infamous vault while versions with murky sound quality have been floating around as bootlegs for more than 20 years; hardcore Prince fans and collectors consistently list it is as one his best songs in his enormous and still growing oeuvre.
Wonderful Ass could have easily been among Prince’s biggest hits and still could be if it were released to pop radio stations without attaching Prince’s name to it—similar to the way Donny Osmond’s Soldier of Love was released a decade ago. Yes, Prince’s voice is distinctive, and this song has a quintessential 80s sound, but young people would not recognize it as Prince, and the nostalgic sound would resonate with the Purple Rain generation even for listeners who have long forgotten him.
Fans can fantasize, but this not likely to happen. So, what will happen to Wonderful Ass and his other unreleased songs? Absolutely nothing. Prince has moved far beyond his outtakes from the past as he claims that he never tries to repeat himself, and he is only interested in making new music. This is typically true until he gets in a contractual or financial jam and has no problem pulling out a few songs to hock to fans who buy everything he releases regardless of quality or effort by the artist, as in the case of Crystal Ball released during his personal economic crisis in the mid-90s. (Rumor has it that under the pressure of numerous law suits, tax issues, and monetary problems that plague him currently that perhaps Crystal Ball II is on its way).
But, do we really want Prince touching the old material in the vault? Conservative, highly regarded Prince of the 2000s is determined to destroy the irreverent, fearless freak of nature from the 1980s (who is responsible for the Prince of today being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). This is evident by his obliteration of the 1985 highly regarded, unreleased classic Old Friends 4 Sale and the beloved fan favorite from 1984, In a Large Room with No Light. The new versions just make us cringe and long for the days when Prince was raw and fearless. Fans do not want new Prince re-working old Prince, we just our favorite unreleased tracks released in flawless quality. So, what should we do? Continue to upload bootlegs. Share them, celebrate them, and enjoy them. (A word of caution: Never pay for unauthorized recordings, and by all means, never sell them.)
However, I warn that the pursuit Prince bootlegs is an addictive and time-consuming hobby. I am like the college student locked in the study room at the library determined to surpass her classmates until I realize I am not studying but instead looking for songs about shagging. What would have happened if I actually applied myself that hard in college? There was one particular day when I found some rare concert videos from the Dirty Mind/ Controversy era that I am not sure that I acknowledge my children’s existence. It is a good thing they didn’t cook hot dogs that they day, or they would become the collective Jeannette Walls of their generation and I would have been the negligent dirty song lovin’ mommy dearest. Fortunately, there have been no Prince-related mishaps in my home just screaming children who flee room on the first beat of Erotic City; however, I have experienced a few Prince-induced viruses, regrettably all computer-based.
As I continue my quest for purple nirvana. I encourage you embark upon your own journey for Wonderful Ass.
