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Over the course of his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career, Prince drew from many musical inspirations, even when the mainstream didn’t always recognize the hits that he did. For an artist to become as great as he was, learning from other superstars is one of the best things they can do. Even some of music’s current top artists, such as Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne, and Ariana Grande, draw from the greats of both the past and the present. This is where true understanding of the craft comes into play.
For Prince, beginning his career in 1975 meant he had many legends who had come before him and others who were present. As he would become known for, Prince never confined himself to one genre. Instead, he took a little something from everything he listened to. This made him the eccentric artist that the world would come to love. By following his heart, he proved that it doesn’t matter what anyone else believes is good; it’s all about what truly inspires an artist to create their own works.
Prince Was A Massive Joni Mitchell Fan & Loved The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
Considered one of the greatest songwriters ever, Joni Mitchell’s career beginnings date back to the 1960s. She spent year after year releasing records, reaching her seventh studio album only a decade into her career. This, of course, was The Hissing of Summer Lawns. The album was well-received overall, reaching as high as number four on the Billboard 200. However, none of the songs achieved major success, with only “In France They Kiss on Main Street” charting on the Hot 100 at the 66th position.
Considered one of the greatest songwriters ever, Joni Mitchell’s career beginnings date back to the 1960s.
At the same time this album was released, Prince was beginning his professional career. Mitchell’s music has been known to provide a release, as it was calm and easy to listen to. For a perfectionist like Prince, this seemed exactly what he needed, as he would spend countless hours in the studio trying to create the best music he could think of. While Mitchell’s music is something he leaned on during his time as an artist, his admiration for her dates back even further, before he was signed.
During an interview with New York Magazine, Mitchell recalled seeing Prince at one of her concerts when he was only a teenager: “He watched the whole show with his collar up, looking side to side. You couldn’t miss him—he was a little Prince-ling.“ Prince appreciated her so much, she even recalled receiving fan mail from him.
His admiration continued to the point where he told Rolling Stone, “The last album I loved all the way through was The Hissing of Summer Lawns.” Prince admitted that he respected people’s successes, but didn’t like what was popular; he preferred what he heard when he was little.
Prince No Doubt Had A High Bar To Reach In Terms Of Music Taste
Talent Recognizes True Artists
Although her jazz-rock influence can be heavily felt, as reflected in his music, Joni Mitchell isn’t the only artist that Prince was inspired by. Two names that have emerged over the years include Stevie Nicks and Sly Stone. Nicks is not only well-known for her solo career but also as one of the main voices of Fleetwood Mac. She began performing with them in 1975, around the same time that Prince was starting his career. They became leaders of soft rock and folk rock, incorporating elements of pop as well.
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As for Sly Stone, he was pivotal in the development of funk throughout the ’60s and ’70s. Alongside his band, Sly & the Family Stone, they dominated the airwaves while also contributing to genres such as R&B, soul, rock, and psychedelic music. When you see the wide variety of genres these artists influenced, it is no wonder that Prince appreciated this. As he would come to be known for, these were musicians who saw no boundaries and instead focused on crafting work that sounded great.
A prime example of how Prince followed their lead is with his debut studio album, For You, in 1978. Immediately, Prince proved he wouldn’t stay in one lane. The record incorporates elements of disco, rock, pop, funk, and R&B. The risks he took paid off, as the album landed on multiple Billboard charts, signaling his arrival.
Then, on only his second album, he already achieved his first major hit, titled “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” which reached the 11th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The influenced became the influencer, as Prince inspired others to create what was perfect, not what was easy.
How Does The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Compare With Prince’s Own Work?
Authenticity Comes From Within
When it comes to artistry in the music industry, Joni Mitchell has never been shy to share her opinion. During an interview with Mojo, she once said, “I think men write very dishonestly about breakups.” She emphasized that she wrote to take fault as well as to highlight the situation as authentically as possible. This is clearly something Prince did as well. His songs are known for being emotional and a true exploration of the heart.
Additionally, Prince was all about individualism, much like Mitchell. The messages she was trying to pass down are exactly the ones that Prince took and passed down as well. To further pay tribute to Mitchell and her messages, Prince even covered her song, “A Case of U,” for his 2002 album, One Nite Alone…, which helped bring a thirty-year-old message back to the forefront. This became more than a cover song; it was a tune that truly comforted Prince. Much like Mitchell would push back against the industry, he was willing to do the same.
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The case of Prince and Joni Mitchell showcases the power of music, and how it can connect people throughout the course of their lives. It is a key example of how stories and ideas are passed down from one generation to the next. As a true student of the game, Prince took his inspirations and used them to craft his own unique career. Prince will forever be a legend whose legacy now serves to inspire others, helping continue to push forward messages learned many years ago with albums like The Hissing of Summer Lawns.
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