Uptown (song)
Encyclopedia
"Uptown" was the lead single in the U.S.
to Prince
's third album, Dirty Mind
. Beginning with a lone drum intro, the track explodes into the keyboards
of the chorus
. The verses feature a more prominent funk
guitar
. The song breaks down to a more instrumental section toward the end that is mainly guitar, bass and drums with an occasional keyboard riff. The minimalist
style of the song is representative of most of the Dirty Mind album. The song addresses the Uptown
neighborhood of Minneapolis that is the city's hang-out spot for artists.
Prince uses the concept of Uptown to address racism and hatred in the song. Prince sings in the first person, and the song opens with him describing a chance meeting with an attractive woman who then asks him in an offensive way if he is gay. Prince then addresses the reasons for racism and sings about a place, Uptown, where racism and hatred do not exist. The song is one of Prince's earliest efforts to blend political statements into his art.
Uptown is described as an area where one can be free to express oneself, and Prince was very fond of the concept. The song opened the Controversy Tour
and made a few live appearances after that, notably in Prince's 2001 Hit + Run Tour
. The single was backed with "Crazy You", from his debut album, For You
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's third album, Dirty Mind
Dirty Mind
Dirty Mind is the third studio album by American musician Prince, released October 8, 1980 on Warner Bros. Records. Produced, arranged and composed primarily by Prince, it contains prominently sexual lyrics and incorporates musical elements of funk, dance and rock music. The album debuted at number...
. Beginning with a lone drum intro, the track explodes into the keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
of the chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
. The verses feature a more prominent funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. The song breaks down to a more instrumental section toward the end that is mainly guitar, bass and drums with an occasional keyboard riff. The minimalist
Minimalism
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is set out to expose the essence, essentials or identity of a subject through eliminating all non-essential forms, features or concepts...
style of the song is representative of most of the Dirty Mind album. The song addresses the Uptown
Uptown, Minneapolis
Uptown is a popular commercial district in southwestern Minneapolis, Minnesota, centered at the Uptown Theater at the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue. It has traditionally spanned the corners of four neighborhoods, Lowry Hill East, ECCO, CARAG and East Isles neighborhoods, within...
neighborhood of Minneapolis that is the city's hang-out spot for artists.
Prince uses the concept of Uptown to address racism and hatred in the song. Prince sings in the first person, and the song opens with him describing a chance meeting with an attractive woman who then asks him in an offensive way if he is gay. Prince then addresses the reasons for racism and sings about a place, Uptown, where racism and hatred do not exist. The song is one of Prince's earliest efforts to blend political statements into his art.
Uptown is described as an area where one can be free to express oneself, and Prince was very fond of the concept. The song opened the Controversy Tour
Controversy Tour
The Controversy Tour was the third concert tour by Prince, in support of his fourth studio album Controversy. Also the tour included The Time as an opening act.-History:...
and made a few live appearances after that, notably in Prince's 2001 Hit + Run Tour
Hit + Run Tour
Hit + Run Tour was a tour done by Prince. It is the first tour to be done by Prince after reverting back to his birth name. Backed by a totally different form of the New Power Generation.-The Band:* Prince: Guitar and Lead Vocals* Mike Scott: Rhythm Guitar...
. The single was backed with "Crazy You", from his debut album, For You
For You (Prince album)
-Music:The album opens with the title track, an a cappella recording that states: "All of this and more is for you. With love, sincerity, and deepest care, my life with you I share." This would foreshadow Prince's career of speaking mostly through his music, rather than conventional interviews...
.