Prince, Musicology | Bangerz N Bopz 🔥

In the 50^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2024), we highlight “Musicology” by late musician extraordinaire, Prince.

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 50th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2024), we break down “Musicology” performed by Prince.

“Heard about the party now / Just east of Harlem / Doug E’s going to be there / But you got to call him.” Woo! According to the American Musicological Society, “the word musicology literally means ‘the study of music,’ encompassing all aspects of music in all cultures and all historical periods.” Notably, a music major can earn degrees, including a PhD, in musicology. In “Musicology,” the opener from the 2004 Prince LP (also titled Musicology), The Purple One takes us on a funky musical trip. His voice sounds awesome – reenergized for one of his best songs and one of his best albums of his later career. “Musicology” reflects on music with that “it” factor from the past – the stuff that sticks with us.

The second verse is a prime example of reminiscing:

“Wish I had a dollar

For every time they say

Don’t you miss the feeling music gave you

Back in the day?

Let’s Groove, ‘September’

Earth, Wind and Fire

‘Hot Pants’ by James

Sly is gonna take you higher.”

Prince not only wows with his distinct and expressive voice, but he also commands with a big personality.  You buy what he’s selling about “Kick the old school joint / For the true funk soldiers” as well as the memorable interlude: “Get back! Move, get back! Don’t you touch my stereo, these are my records!” Quirky, “Musicology” is perfectly suited to Prince, an adventurous and fearless musician.  The ending, with a breakdown section and outro is EVERYTHING.

Prince // Musicology // NPG / Legacy Recordings // 2004

Prince, Musicology: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 50 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; NPG / Legacy Recordings; cottonbro studio, Harry Shelton, Kool Shooters, Lucas Pazeta, Mavluda Tashbaeva, Teddy Yang, Wesley Souza from Pexels]