How Prince Wrote 'Sign o' the Times' | Diary of a Song - Summary

Summary

The passage provides insights into Prince's creative process during the making of the song "Sign of the Times." It describes his meticulous approach to music production, his preference for solitude in recording vocals, and his ability to convey powerful messages through his music. The interviewee also reflects on how Prince's work remains relevant in the context of contemporary challenges, emphasizing the importance of carrying forward his musical legacy. Additionally, there's a mention of Prince's enigmatic nature and his choice not to speak during interviews.

Facts

Sure, here are the key facts extracted from the provided text:

1. Prince hired the speaker as his audio technician in 1983.
2. Prince was looking for a Fairlight computer musical instrument.
3. Prince played all the instruments on "Sign of the Times."
4. Prince did his vocals alone and didn't want an engineer present.
5. Prince's sessions were notoriously long, sometimes lasting 24 hours.
6. He had a sweet tooth and occasionally had a lemon cake sent to the studio.
7. The music often conveyed a message or story, even without lyrics.
8. Prince had a knack for understanding how music worked with minimal parts.
9. The song "Sign of the Times" cataloged various world ills.
10. Despite addressing serious issues, the song's message was ultimately about love.
11. Prince wasn't preoccupied with world events for their own sake.
12. The melancholic tone of the song matches the feeling of 2020.
13. The music challenges listeners to think about the future and their role in it.
14. The speaker is conducting interviews but refusing to speak, mimicking Prince's style.