I discovered Prince in 1984 on MTV when I finally moved into an apartment with cable. When I first saw him, I was instantly taken. I loved his music, looks, an all-woman band, and I bought all his albums the day they came out. I would put on Prince when it was time to clean the house or when I needed to just feel upbeat and I’d play them over and over because his music made me want to dance and when you dance, life is good. Little Red Corvette, Raspberry Beret, 1999, Purple Rain, Kiss, Lets Go Crazy and so many others meant that Pat was going to get dragged onto the dance floor. Back then I would literally jump up and down every time “Let’s Go Crazy” or “1999” was played by a DJ, Pat would take a LONG sip of his drink, smile and of course dance.
Jennifer on the other hand, was raised with so much music in her life that she began bouncing up and down from the time she figured out how to gain leverage in the backpack carrier. By the time she was walking, she was dancing and by the time she was 3 Prince was one of the regulars. I’d put on Prince after I picked her up at daycare while I was cooking dinner, and she and I would dance while she sang her version of the lyrics. When “Kiss” would come on – she’d run up to me and say “Mama!! Kiss!!” and we’d kiss. Every so often, I’d pick her up and she and I would spin around while the dog barked at us wanting to be included. We always had music playing and I wonder when life went from immediately turning on the stereo to turning on the evening news. I know one thing for sure – I was happier listening to Prince. Such an amazing artist and he will be missed.
This video is one of my favorites, and it seems like an appropriate tribute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y
Debbi