Prince’s inaugural album, For You, took longer to finalize than initially anticipated, but it’s finally here! Revisiting this album was a fascinating journey for me. Like many who discovered Prince through his iconic 80s music, I hadn’t delved deeply into his debut work before. While For You may not be my ultimate Prince album, this in-depth exploration has cultivated a newfound appreciation for it. It stands as an ambitious and exquisitely crafted record, offering intriguing glimpses into Prince’s future musical trajectory – foreshadowing the sounds he would later master and the stylistic paths he would ultimately diverge from. If you consider yourself a dedicated Prince aficionado, and if you’re reading this, I assume you are, then For You deserves your undivided attention.
Therefore, I present to you my comprehensive analysis of all nine tracks from the album, ranked in ascending order of my personal preference.
9. “So Blue”
As I mentioned in my initial review, “So Blue” feels somewhat like filler in the context of For You. However, even as a lesser track, it’s brimming with captivating sonic nuances that make it a genuinely enjoyable listen. Most artists could only dream of creating filler material as compelling as Prince’s.
8. “My Love is Forever”
Perhaps the most sonically dated track on the album, “My Love is Forever” still holds a certain charm. I particularly adore that distinctive guitar tone; it’s a standout element that elevates the song.
7. “Just as Long as We’re Together”
“Just as Long as We’re Together” showcases virtuosity on almost every musical front. Yet, it comes across as slightly too precious for my personal taste. Nevertheless, there’s no denying Prince’s immense talent shining through, and the “Jelly Jam” coda is undeniably fantastic.
6. “Baby”
“Baby” is the most conventional late-70s R&B offering on the album. However, Prince’s vocal performance, reaching stratospheric falsetto levels, coupled with surprisingly mature lyrical themes, reveals a depth and complexity far beyond typical genre conventions.
5. “Crazy You”
“Crazy You” is a true hidden gem. Initially, it ranked among my least favorite tracks on For You, but it has since climbed into my top five. While understated and arguably not fully developed, the overall vibe is simply irresistible. Had Prince released this track in 2016 instead of 1978, it’s likely hipsters would have already invented an entire microgenre around it, something like beachwave or space calypso, or some equally quirky label.
4. “For You”
“For You,” the title track, used to be one of only two songs on the album, alongside “Soft and Wet,” that truly resonated with me. While my broader appreciation for the album has grown, “For You” remains a standout. Prince’s vocal performance is breathtaking, and the sheer audacity of choosing this ethereal, a cappella piece as the opening track of his debut album is truly admirable.
3. “In Love”
I once dismissed “In Love” as “too disco,” but now I appreciate its funhouse-mirror take on the burgeoning Minneapolis Sound. And, let’s be honest, who could resist letting a 19-year-old Prince “play in their river?” The song’s energy is infectious and hints at the Dance Sex appeal that would become more explicit in his later work.
2. “Soft and Wet”
“Soft and Wet” is undeniably the most quintessential “Prince”-sounding track on For You. Unsurprisingly, it’s also the song most frequently included in Prince anthologies. And I’m not complaining; it’s an absolutely brilliant track that embodies a playful, sensual energy, hinting at the themes of dance and sex that would become central to Prince’s artistic persona.
1. “I’m Yours”
“I’m Yours” is the album’s ultimate grower. The guitar pyrotechnics are, of course, phenomenal. But what truly captivates me is the stark contrast between Prince’s heavy, almost aggressive riffage and his overtly delicate vocals. This juxtaposition creates something truly unique in rock music. As I noted in my individual track review, “I’m Yours,” more than any other song on For You, foreshadowed Prince’s musical direction for the ensuing years, and it was undoubtedly the right path to take. This track embodies a raw, almost primal energy, which, when combined with the sensual vocals, could even be interpreted as an early, nascent exploration of what some might call “dance sex” in music.
As mentioned previously, we will dedicate one more week to fully wrap up our exploration of For You, with a unique post format I’m experimenting with for sheer enjoyment. Following that, we will delve into Prince’s 1978 home recordings. In the meantime, be sure to check back on Saturday for the final installment of my Prince (Protégé) Summer guest posts on Andresmusictalk. You can also explore the continuously expanding companion playlists on Spotify and TIDAL, if that’s your preference. And, once again, thank you immensely for your readership!
