Abstract
Prince Rogers Nelson (born: June 7, 1958) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and actor. He was a musical innovator and known for his eclectic work, flamboyant stage presence, extravagant dress and makeup, and wide vocal range. When he passed unexpectedly on April 21, 2016, he had built an immensely successful career that spanned over 30 years. Although Prince is widely known for his highly sexual behavior, we know less about his spiritual beliefs as well as how these beliefs influenced his public persona and private life. Through the lens of social identity theory, this manuscript will examine how Prince demonstrated his belief in God, his values, and the changes that he made in his life after he became a devout Jehovah’s Witness. In particular, this manuscript will provide song lyrics and excerpts from televised and print interviews to qualitatively respond to the following three questions: (1) How did Prince demonstrate his belief in God in his music? (2) What were Prince’s values? (3) What changes did Prince make in his public performances after he became a Jehovah’s Witness?
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Notes
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy nameThy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heavenGive us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespassesAs we forgive those who trespass against usLead us not into temptation but deliver us from evilFor thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever
According to Schwartz (2012), “Values are used to characterize cultural groups, societies, and individuals, to trace change over time, and to explain the motivational bases of attitudes and behavior.” (p. 3).
Put away from yourselves every kind of malicious bitterness, anger, wrath, screaming, and abusive speech, as well as everything injurious (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures 2013).
According to JW.org, the Bible clearly states that “God will judge fornicators.” (Hebrews 13:4). The Greek word for “fornication,” por·nei′a, includes premarital sex (https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/should-we-live-together/#?insight[search_id] = 4e9f1573-55d5-4568-8229-462f111acaa6&insight[search_result_index] = 1).
(1) Judas Priest, “Eat Me Alive”; (2) Mötley Crüe, “Bastard”; (3) Prince, “Darling Nikki”; (4) Sheena Easton, “Sugar Walls”; (5) W.A.S.P., “Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)”; (6) Mercyful Fate, “Into the Coven”; (7) Vanity, “Strap On ‘Robbie Baby’”; (8) Def Leppard, “High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night)”; (9) Twisted Sister, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”; (10) Madonna, “Dress You Up”; (11) Cyndi Lauper, “She Bop”; (12) AC/DC, “Let Me Put My Love Into You”; (13) Black Sabbath, “Trashed”; (14) Mary Jane Girls, “In My House”; and (15) Venom, “Possessed.”
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction film written and directed by The Wachowskis, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. It depicts a dystopian future in which reality as perceived by most humans is actually a simulated reality called “the Matrix,” created by sentient machines to subdue the human population, while their bodies’ heat and electrical activity are used as an energy source. Computer programmer “Neo” learns this truth and is drawn into a rebellion against the machines, which involves other people who have been freed from the “dream world” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix).
On the list dated May 14—reflecting activity in the week ending April 28, the first full tracking week following Prince’s death on April 21—the artist is found at Nos. 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 with The Very Best of Prince, Purple Rain, The Hits/The B-Sides, Ultimate, and 1999, respectively. In total, Prince has a record 19 albums on the 200-position list.
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Chaney, C. Prince Rogers Nelson: from “Dirty Mind” to Devout Jehovah’s Witness. J Afr Am St 21, 425–442 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-017-9380-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-017-9380-6