In memory of Prince

"If I thought I could bring Prince to this school, I would," my eighth grade chorus teacher told the class in 1984.

It would have been a coup if Mr. B. had been able to pull that off at any point during Prince's career.   It would have been especially impressive then, at the height of his "Purple Rain" fame.

Alas, yet another hugely successful, unique musician has passed away in 2016.  I was caught off guard to learn of Prince's death at age 57 today.  When I think of Prince's music, these seven songs stand out most to me:

• I Wanna Be Your Lover (His first hit, and still one of his most appealing tunes, vocally and instrumentally.  To get the full effect of Prince's prowess on multiple instruments, listen to the album version, which has one of the best and most sustained instrumental fade-outs of any pop tune.)
• I Would Die 4 U (A "Purple Rain" highlight, with a chorus and instrumental backing that click perfectly, taking the edge off of a serious sentiment.  Prince made a serious sentiment all the more palatable by fusing it on the album, and in concert, with "Baby I'm A Star."  In less capable hands, two such songs would clash.  In Prince's case, however, they segue smoothly.)
• Money Don't Matter 2 Night (One of Prince's subtler, more contemplative uptempo tunes. Bigger hits of the time overshadowed it on the radio, unfortunately, but it holds up as one of his best written and sung tracks.)
• 1999 (The tune sports one of Prince's most enduring hooks; Prince shares vocals with his band members on the track, and the first time you hear it, you wonder where it's going.  It's one of his most tightly and effectively constructed dance tunes.)
• Party Up (As I wrote previously, this is one of Prince's most infectious grooves. For a guitarist or keyboardist wanting to work off steam, it has to be a satisfying tune to play.  It was also one of the musical highlights of "Saturday Night Live"'s 1980-81 season.)
• 17 Days (This is one of Prince's most overlooked gems.  It was the flip side of the "When Doves Cry" 45, and its universal sentiments, combined with its ear-catching instrumental hook, should have made it a hit.  Who can't relate to a relationship ending and feeling lonely while wanting to just stare at the rain?)
• Take Me With U (Another vocal and instrumental standout from "Purple Rain."  Prince and Apollonia's vocals are well-matched and well-mixed.) 

Not every musician can sing, play, and write in equally appealing measure.  Prince could--and did, however, and his legacy is an impressive catalog of hits and album tracks.