Breakdown

Album: Art Official Age (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Prince opens this orchestral, stately ballad by stating: "This could be the saddest story ever been told." The Jehovah Witness star then proceeds to sing of regret as he decries his former partying self:

    I used to throw the party at New Year's Eve
    First one intoxicated, last one to leave
    Waking up in places that you would never believe
    Give me back the time, you can keep the memories.
  • Prince released the song for streaming on April 18, 2014 immediately after announcing a new partnership with Warner Bros. Eighteen years after the Purple One left the label when he famously wrote "slave" on his face to protest at his contract and changed his name to a symbol, it appears he is on good terms with them again.
  • Prince first performed this song at Minneapolis' Dakota Jazz Club in early 2013. He later referenced it during a March 2014 interview with Arsenio Hall when he said this is his current favorite song to play: "One of the things that we try to do, though, is wait until we have other songs that go together with our favorites," Prince said. "That's why it takes a long time to come out with albums these days."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.