Dirty Mind

Prince | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1980
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002KLP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,824 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #27 in Music > Pop > By Decade > 1980s

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On this 1980 tour de force, Prince produced the template for most of his '80s albums: a mixture of lust and longing, synth pop combined with gut bucket rock and roll. Although this was his third CD, Dirty Mind was the one that truly established "When You Were Mine," which still ranks as one of his best songs, ever. The gender- and race-bending Dirty Mind was nasty and freaky--and you could dance to it. Still can. --Amy Linden

Product Description

8 tracks. Small drill hole into title spine does not touch art.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The LP that defines the Artist is indeed a classic. December 30, 1999

By namepeace

Format:Audio CD

"Dirty Mind" sets the tone for the rest of Prince's unparalleled career. In fact, most people think it's his first album. It might as well have been because, despite his impressive first 2 LP's (For You and Prince), he really got recognized for the image he crafted through his music. But it's the great music that makes this album endure, for it created the "Prince sound."

The minimalist approach to this LP is its hallmark. Stripped of all pretensions and indulgences,and centered around funk guitar and synths, it is one of the tightest -- and raunchiest -- Prince LP's. What really makes this LP are 4 all-time classic Prince songs: the title track, the outstanding "When You Were Mine," "Do It All Night," and "Uptown." They are the heart and soul of a great LP. Unfortunately, radio wasn't as liberal as it is now, but I'd like to think this LP contributed to more adventurous music in all genres. If not for this album, would Madonna, 2 Live Crew, Nine Inch Nails, etc. even gotten radio play? Maybe not.

This is an essential 80's record, an essential Prince record, and an undisputed classic. Buy it.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece November 29, 2005

By Sean Zimmerman

Format:Audio CD

Let's face it... Prince's albums up through Sign 'O the Times are brilliant. Dirty Mind in particular ranks as one of his very best (some would say his very best). Unlike many pop albums this is not merely a collection of songs, i.e. some radio hits and a bunch of filler. This album works organically as a whole, i.e. each track is integral to the album. Every track is excellent and the production and sound is very stripped back and "raw". This is pure pop/funk genius. Probably my favorite Prince album after Purple Rain and just above Controversy. Essential= Get it!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Without this, Prince would've been nothing! March 26, 2002

By Daniel J. Hamlow HALL OF FAME

Format:Audio CD

1999, Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day, Sign 'O' The Times, and Diamonds And Pearls are among the essential albums of Prince's career, but none of that would have come to be if it hadn't been for his top-notch third album, Dirty Mind. If he hadn't made this album, he would've gone on as a second-rate Stevie Wonder or Rick James and that would mean no Purple Rain movie, no psychedelic pop genre album of Around The World In A Day, no Batman soundtrack, etc.

The title track sets the pace with its funky pulsing beat and synthesizer. The pace picks up with "When You Were Mine" a post-relationship evaluation. Prince was an easygoing guy in this relationship and as a result, the one who got the shaft. He does criticize her in that she "didn't have the decency to change the sheets" and even invited the guy she was fooling around with, who was "sleeping inbetween the two of us." At the end, he spends his time "following him whenever he's with you." The poor guy! Cyndi Lauper covered this on She's So Unusual, and I have to favour the original version.

"Gotta Broken Heart Again" is a sad number about a guy who's not only lost his girl but has no money because he spent it on "the longest phone call" trying to get her back. Vintage Prince heartbreak song.

Things get funky again with the danceable "Uptown" where he turns down a pass from a girl who accuses him of being gay. He quickly turns the tables by saying, "No, are you?" and lists her as a "mixed up victim of society." Uptown is a place where one can set one's mind free by getting down.

"Head" and "Sister" would make Tipper Gore's hair stand on end. The first is about oral sex, with Lisa Coleman sharing vocal duties. Never mind that the girl in the song is a virgin on her way to the altar. Morning, noon, and night, huh? Okay. It's still maintains its funk beat.

The second is an adrenalized burst of a song about (gasp!) incest. It lasts less than a minute but it tells how the protagonist got sexually initiated. And Prince waited till his next album to call it Controversy? THIS is where the controversy started.

The anti-war rant "Partyup" makes this one of my favourites. Given a choice between a party or a war, even an introverted shrinking violet like me would choose the party. The final chant goes "You're gonna hafta fight your own d--n war/'Cause we don't wanna fight no more!" Prince and company, you tell those boys at the Pentagon!

This was one of the first albums to carry a warning label given the subject matter. The trouble was, that scared potential buyers. And what about the picture of him reclining on a sofa, wearing long coat, bikini briefs, and leg-warmers, with the painted song titles on the wall behind him? It went gold upon its initial release. It's probably gone multi-platinum by now

Dirty Mind also introduced Prince fans to keyboardist Lisa Coleman, who came out in Purple Rain and later teamed up with guitarist Wendy Melvoin for three albums. This was also the last album with Andre Cymone, Prince's childhood friend, whose influence was being lessened as Prince concentrated power around himself.

This is the most crucial and pivotal album in Prince's career and although it only has eight songs, is essential for students of the Purple One.