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blooeyedtroll · 3 years

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Home on the Range

Rated PG-13ish Lolz. For occasional cussing and maybe innuendos(?). Lolz. This can also be read on Ao3. Feel free to read it there if you prefer.

More art scattered though out this fic, hope you like it!

Hello friend! Welcome!

This is a One shot fic that takes place in mine & @messybitch802 ‘s :

Efflorescence AU.

This is the beginning of our tale, I hope you enjoy.

This is in Hickory’s POV. I thought this would be a fun way to introduce Bloo and Messy. It also seemed fitting since Hickory will play a larger part as our tale unfolds.

However, I’d like to think this could be enjoyed as a fun one-shot Hickory & Dickory fic as well. This fandom needs more Yodel Brothers content!

Big thanks to @jade-green-butterfly and her random ask that kicked my butt in gear, giving me the inspiration to finally start writing:

Anyway, let’s get to it. Enjoy!:

HOME ON THE RANGE

"Rock Trolls... no doubt about that.”

The rugged, orange haired Troll put down his hammer and stepped away from the task at hand. Fence work could wait. This needed his immediate attention. Around this time of day he'd expect to see, at most, a tumbleweed passing by the entrance to the Ranch. Maybe. Nobody ever came out this way. Not since he'd been here anyway. At a good clip, it was about an hour trek away from Lonesome Flats. Which suited his needs perfectly.

The perfect place to lay low and still blend in.

"Bist du sicher?" whispered a muffled voice behind him.

"Of course I am. Now hush, I'm gonna check it out. Stay in character. An’ be ready, just in case."

The orange haired Troll patted the front of his jeans, freeing them of a satisfying amount of dust from the day’s hard work and checked his reflection in a nearby trough. Grinning as he placed a straw of wheat that was kept in the brim of his hat; between his teeth.

Perfection.

Who would guess otherwise, that the reflection in that water, was anything but a genuine Country Troll?

It took a lot of work shopping, trial and error, but he did it.

Well, they did it. The four legged, rugged, handsome, Country Troll was in actuality...two Trolls.

Two brothers to be precise.

Yodel Trolls by the names of Hickory and Dickory.

The last Yodel Trolls by their accounts, and they happened to be the best damn team of Bounty Hunters and Mercenaries in all of Trolldom.

For good reason.

The best tool to their disposal was their ability to blend in. So much so, it was only until it was “too late” for their marks, by the time their true colors were revealed. And this disguise has been their best yet.

Hickory, though the youngest brother, was the much taller of the two. So he was the face to this particular get-up. Making Dickory to be left with the tail end. Literally. Understandably, this was not ideal for him.

And he definitely made it well known on many occasions how he felt about having to play a literal “horse’s ass”.

But by gum, was he the best ass you could ask for.

At this point, Dickory had mastered the art of synchronizing with Hickory's movements, in such a way, it was now practically impossible to spot anything amiss. It was as if they shared one mind while under the guise of this centaur-esk being.

And while Dickory was fairly sour about the whole situation, Hickory found himself more and more, fond of living day to day as a Country Troll. Very much so to his brother’s shagrin. The look, the music, the lifestyle...everything.

It had been two months now since the brothers found themselves here, in Country Music territory. However, last anyone on the outside had heard about them, was that they had "yodelled so hard, an avalanche fell on them"...or something? Which was just what they wanted. For the time being anyway.

The brothers had struck a deal with their last mark.

For his freedom, he was to spread said rumor, so the Yodelers could lay low for a while.

Queen Barb, of the Hard Rock Trolls, was no stranger to the two brothers. As a matter of fact, she was one of their most frequent clients for the past few years. Which suited them just fine. Well, almost. The last few jobs they did for the young Queen, left a bitter taste in Hickory's mouth. Not so much for the tasks she asked of them, but because of something she said and what he saw on their last few visits to Volcano Rock City. Maps. Marked up. Plans of some sort. Hanging everywhere. The young ruler, looking the most tired he'd ever seen her, yet looking as if ready to burst from being too tightly wound, at any moment.

"Hopefully next time I see you dudes, one way or another, we'll all be singing to a different tune. It's gonna be so Rad."

Whatever was going on, both Yodelers agreed that it was definitely not worth getting caught up in. They could just feel it. Deep down. They were hired to track Trolls down and do what needed to do, to get by.

Both of them could be shady characters at times, but they had decent moral compasses to live by. So they told themselves.

That's why the presence of Rock Trolls at this moment made Hickory's blood run cold. Could it be possible somehow, some way, they had been found out? That whatever Queen Barb was up to, she was looking for them? What is it that she’d need them for anyway?

No. Their plan worked perfectly. Blend in as a Country Troll, lay low for a while, only do the occasional "job" when the opportunity presented itself, just until the Queen of Rock cooled her head or went through with... whatever she is planning.

Not a soul knew about Hickory and Dickory being here.

Well.

Unless you counted, July.

Miss July, the owner of the Ranch. A rather interesting Troll.

A Pop-Country Troll. The only mixed genre Troll around these parts. Unlike her four legged, centaur, Country loving neighbors; she walked on two legs... well, hooves. Her appearance could be compared to a more "Satyr" like build, with a perfect blend of both genres in her appearance. The bright colors of a Pop Troll, but the sturdy build of that of a Country Troll.

A Tough, stern older lady-Troll, with a heart of gold.

Running this place all on her own, while tending to her extremely elderly parents.

That's one of the reasons he never expected any visitors here. Nobody in town wanted anything to do with Miss July or her family. Didn't much like associating with “their kind” if they could help it. Though you'd never hear them say it in polite conversation. But that suited Miss July just fine. That's how she liked it. Ever since Miss July and her folks suffered a terrible loss to their family, decades ago, she rarely went into town if she could help it.

Which on one such occasion, is when she stumbled upon the Yodelers, in their first attempts at putting together their “Country Persona”.

They had been camping not too far from her Ranch and the Town, when she found them both, struggling to even walk in time together, in a pair of poorly made four legged pants.

July took their word as Gospel. That they were just fulfilling a lifelong dream of wanting to, in some way, be a Country Troll. So she offered them a place to stay and to show them the ropes on what it meant to be a Country Troll. If they agreed to work for her at her family’s Ranch.

"Until you feel you can stand on yer own four hooves!' She teased.

It could be easily wagered that July being an outcast in her own community, could be a factor of sympathy she felt towards them, making her wanting to help any way she could, and possibly what made her not judgmental in the least. That, and as tough as she put herself on as, she was sweet as apple pie, through and through.

Which did make Hickory especially, feel guilty about not being more upfront with her. As much as he could be anyhow.

Especially so, when the occasional “job opportunity" presented itself around Lonesome Flats during the Yodelers free time. Turns out, there were plenty of Trolls who had a bone to pick with others, or needed matters settled around these parts. Not to mention, crooks-a-plenty to turn in.

But both brothers always repented. By being very diligent working for Miss July on the Ranch. Anything she needed done, got done. It was the least they could do for what she had done for them for these last two months. So the last thing needed was for anything to get ugly around here.

As Hickory approached closer and closer, he could feel his brother tensing up.

"Easy.” He whispered under his breath, smirking, patting behind him in attempts to calm his hotheaded companion. While still maintaining a nonchalant and calm demeanor.

Having spent a fair amount of time in Volcano Rock City for past jobs, and even on several occasions for other clients; needing to spend time incognito as Rock Trolls, it was fairly easy to recognize them from afar.

Upon closer inspection, it did come across as rather curious to see them wearing Country attire. They couldn't be trying to blend in, could they?

No. Not by the way these two held themselves.

One Troll in various shades of blue in appearance, the other in peculiar shades of green from toe to tip. Both faces, still covered by wide brimmed hats. The blue Troll's demeanor was nervous right from the jump. Their green companion, holding them by the hand, grounding them. As if to keep them from sprinting away at a moment's notice. Both looking tired from the trek they must have taken from town to get to the Ranch property and from the sun's unforgiving afternoon rays.

Nothing but what seemed to be electric guitars and simple backpacks on their backs. However, these were definitely the most impressive guitars Hickory had seen in all his life.

The blue Troll’s, from what he could make out, was sage in color and looked as if it was made of some large critter's battered wing. Almost bat or reptilian in nature. The green Troll’s guitar, an imposing, venomous violet, crafted by what could only could be guessed as being once the claw and stinger of some scorpion-type critter. One he certainly wouldn't want to tango with.

Lackeys of Queen Barb’s? No... couldn't be.

"Nobody knows we're here"

"We've been so careful."

He repeated over and over to himself. Almost mantra-like. He really had no reason to be this paranoid he kept reminding himself.

“Who are the most feared Bounty Hunters and Mercenaries in all Trolldom?”

“The Yodel brothers. That's who.” He smirked at that last thought. Puffing his broad chest a bit more, in response to his inner pep-talk.

And no Troll, no matter now--

"H--Howdy!" The blue Troll, clearing their voice, shakily called out.

"Right fine day, isn't it?"

The traveler seemed to ease into the drawl like putting on an old pair of comfy shoes, and with each word, their confidence seemed to boost. Stepping forward from their green companion, they removed their wide brim hat and gandered up at Hickory, with a small smile that damn near made his heart leap through his throat. In a good way?

That was...unexpected.

His usual quick witted mind and tongue, on the spot turned into a train that just left the station.

Those eyes. Absolutely pierced him right through. Large, inquisitive, pale, cerulean eyes. Staring right at him under dark lashes, and surrounded by a cascade of cobalt freckles.

The closest shade of color he could compare those eyes to were a color he hadn't thought of in ages. Snow. Snow that as a Trolling he played in. Usually when you found yourself making forts or laying in heeps that came up so high, you would look, and you'd catch the glimmering sunlight, shining through it. A shade of blue that just melted you to the core and drew out a smile, without you being the wiser.

"Right fine.” he responded. Recovering from his wandering mind.

No time to be side tracked by an adorable, freckled, blue-eyed Troll. With sweet, curvy features, who has solid looking muscles that look they could easily crush--

"How can I help you? You folks seem a bit far away from home. Don't get a lot of Rock Trolls around these parts.”

Thank goodness his voice seemed to be the one on track; at the task at hand.

“Oi! What’s that supposed to mean?”

The green Troll stepped forward, hotly, removing their own hat, as to glare directly at him. Sizing him up. Only a tad taller, but much more lithe in figure to their companion. Definitely much more fierce. Not just in attitude, but in appearance. Their eyes, deep as sapphires. Teeth, the bottom row protruding two large tusk-like lower canines. Ears, pointed back and just as sharp as their claws, which he found himself one the other end of, being pointed at. Just as he felt his hair prickle, preparing himself for what was bound to happen next, the tension was immediately neutralized.

"It's okay Mess” The blue Troll cooed, calming the green one.

"Sorry to just come on over uninvited, but uh, does a Troll named July still live here?"

"You mean Miss July? Sure does. Why, if You don't mind my askin’?"

"Well you see, she's my... can--can I please talk to her? If she's around here today?”

A good long pause washed over the three.

Hickory could feel the trepidation radiating from Dickory behind him as he swished "their tail' in annoyance. Normally, if this was any other situation, it'd be too bad for these two. He'd send them right on their way, or worse if it came to it. They seemed capable. They had guitars, they were Rock Trolls. Random Rock Trolls, showing up, asking for not himself or his brother, but Miss July. Out of all the Country Trolls in Lonesome Flats.

But the waves of anxiety radiating from this freckled Troll were massive; and when their friend wasn't staring daggers at his direction, they were gazing so tenderly and sympathetically at them. These weren't agents of Queen Barbs. These seemed like folks on a sad mission of delivering news, or something of the like. They looked as though this was the last place they would ever want to be.

Dickory always insisted that Hickory was too quick to let his heart think first before his head when it came to their line of work. He didn't see it that way though. Hickory thought himself a good judge of character. Hell, that's why they found themselves in this situation now. Tipping his hat in a friendly manner, he smiled at the two.

"Well, why dontcha follow me then. I'm sure Miss July is making lunch right about now. You folks are just in time. Name's Hickory"

"Messy." replied the green.

The blue Troll remained silent.

"Adorabull got yer tongue cutie?" he teased

Those freckled cheeks lit up in seconds, a flushed lavender. Too cute.

"Somethin' like that' They smiled sheepishly.

All the while, as Hickory walked with the two up to the main building on the property, they stuck to idle chit-chat. About the weather or the nearby town. They passed by many of the fences that housed just some of Miss July's critters. As well as a few stables, paddocks, a decent sized workshed, and the small house the Yodelers had been staying in since they arrived here. It was once they passed that particular building, the blue Rocker stopped in their tracks momentarily. Just staring. Almost trance-like. They only moved again once Messy had firmly grabbed their hand and they followed.

Finally, they reached the main building's porch. The family home. Without any prompting, the two travelers waited at the bottom steps of the porch. Hickory nodded, thinking that might be best. He walked up to the open door. The wafting aroma of today's lunch filling his nostrils. Chili with sweet rolls? If he wasn't mistaken, he could smell fresh squeezed lemonade too. Knowing better to barge in while she was in the Kitchen...

"Pardon me, Miss July?" he called out.

"Dammit Hic, I told ya once, I'll tell ya again. Lunch is on when I ring the damn bell, that's when it’s good and ready!"

Hickory couldn't help but chuckle. That July was a firecracker.

"It's got nothin' to do with that Miss. You see, You've got yourself some visitors."

"For the last time Hic, just call me Jul--"

July emerged from the doorway, holding in each hand a glass of lemonade with mint garnish. No doubt as something to appease the Yodelers until lunch was done. As soon as her eyes met the two travelers, she stopped dead in her tracks. Glaring at them something fierce.

"These two are the visitors I was talkin' about."

"Rock Trolls, huh? Here? Whaddya want?"

The blue traveler, clearing their throat, voice cracking; they smiled, eyes glazed and sparkling with unshed tears. Staring at July as if a secret wish had been granted.

"Aunty Ju-Ju? It's m-me. It's Bloo. I'm home."

Bloo? That Bloo? Could it really be? Hickory didn't need to dwell on that too long though. July suddenly yelped out loud, in such a way that it startled absolutely everyone. Including herself apparently because those glasses in her hands dropped and shattered to bits.

"You couldn't be-- w-what kind of game are ya playin’ at?!"

July at a loss for words. This was serious. There she stood, knees buckling, lip quivering, tail thrashing. Unable to look away from the Troll in front of them at the end of her porch. A look of torment across their face.

Slowly, the freckled Troll smiled sadly, and reached behind their back for their instrument. Hickory acted quickly, putting himself between the two. Staring intently at the Rocker. They stared back, as they slowly brought the instrument forward.

"Please. Let me play?"

Hickory's nostrils flared, biting down hard on the straw in his mouth. How was he so stupid? Well, he wouldn't be fooled this time.

*~strum~*

Though the guitar was imposing and electric, with a stroke of their hand, it played a long, twangy, unmistakable, Country cord.

Silence.

Laying a hand on Hickory's shower, July gently moved him aside, her attention almost trance-like on the player. Waiting.

As if they understood, they shifted and picked up their guitar in earnest. Strumming again, but to a much more upbeat melody. Much more upbeat than most Country music Hickory had heard around town that he grew to enjoy. This sounded more... Pop? Much more like something he'd hear July singing on a day she was in a particularly good mood. Or something July’s elderly mother, the Pop Troll of the family might hum.

That's when they began to sing along, starting off slowly and gaining strength with each note. A large smile on their face as tears cascaded down their round cheeks. As if putting on the show of their lives. It was raw, and beautiful.

"She loves rock ‘n’ roll,

they said it's demons’ tongue,

She thinks they're too old.

They think she's too young,

And the battle lines are clearly drawn.”

“She's a wild one,

with an angel's face,

She's a lovely Troll in a state of grace,

When she was three years old on her daddy's knee,

He said you can be anythin’ you wanna be.

She's a wild one.

Runnin' free."

“She has future plans,

and dreams at night,

they tell her life is hard,

she smiles, sayin’ “that’s alright”, yeah!”

“She’s a wild one,

With an angel’s face,

She’s a lovely Troll in a state of grace,

When she was three years old on her daddy’s knee,

He said you can be anythin’ you wanna be.

She’s a wild one.

Runnin’ free.”

"She's a wild one”~~

"~~Runnin' free.” July finished and sobbed the last line.

"That was the song I wrote for your Mama... all them years ago..My Bloo. My little ‘Bloo-Jay’ came home!"

Hickory stood fully aside now, allowing the two to embrace, for what he now had realized had been the first time in more than two decades. An embrace that both warmed and broke your heart, all at the same time. This was July's pride and joy. Her niece. Bloo, the only child of July's older sister June.

June and July were extremely close sisters. Best friends even.

June was a very free spirited Troll who fancied herself a part-time singer at one of the local bars in town. On one of these trips to town, she met a traveling Rock Troll by the name of Ziggy. Busking for food and drink. Let's just say, it didn't take long at all until wedding bells were ringing and Ziggy was part of the happy family here on the Ranch. The couple waited a while before having a Trolling. The two were busy enjoying married life, Ziggy took June traveling, fulfilling her dreams of seeing life outside Lonesome Flats. And wherever they went, they were singing up a storm. When they returned home to settle down, at any bar or club, or bingo hall that would have them, they continued singing their hearts out. Occasionally even dragging July along. The three of them became inseparable. Especially after Bloo was born. The townsfolk even seemed to warm up to the entire, oddball family. It was all turning up roses for the family finally, after what felt like ages of trying to live in harmony. But it all came to a crushing end.

Shortly after Bloo turned five years old, a serious, contagious illness spread throughout Lonesome Flats. Most folks who caught it, eventually recovered, but there were eight fatalities in the end. June was one of them. The family was torn to pieces by June’s passing. Ziggy just wasn't the same Troll after. A year passed and just as they thought things might slowly start looking up, Ziggy and Bloo were gone.

Apparently he had packed himself and Bloo up one night, and just left without a word. July knew he had family back home in Volcano Rock City, and figured that is where he would take Bloo to raise them. But July dared not go there. For good reason. A Pop-Country Troll, travel to Volcano Rock City? Demand her niece back from a heartbroken father? While leaving her extremely elderly parents to fend for themselves? No. July would be turned away or torn to pieces. King Thrash at the time was feared for good reason in those days and most Trolls feared Rock Trolls the most out of all the other Tribes.

July and her folks basically moved on by learning to mourn the loss of June, Bloo, and Ziggy. They never expected to ever see Bloo or Ziggy again. Yet here Bloo was. Embracing their aunt, while Hickory and Messy looked on fondly. His smile grew wider as he realized how overjoyed July's folks: Clay and May, would be to see their grand-baby again. Something they thought they'd never live to see.

He could see it now that he got a better look at Bloo, as they were bombarded with kisses and hugs, that they did share a little resemblance to their Pop-Country Aunt. Though without a doubt, they took after their father Ziggy the most. No wonder Bloo wasn't easily recognizable at first glance, they looked so different in comparison to how they looked back then as a Trolling.

Who would have thought that he'd meet the Troll who's childhood pictures adorned the home he and his brother were staying in? Which happened to be Bloo's Old family home on the Ranch. The same house they had stopped to stare at on their way to the main house.

"Small world we live in!” He barked with laughter.

"Welcome home Miss Bloo, glad to meetcha." And he meant it, whole heartedly.

"Glad to be home again.”

END.

(Song used was Faith Hill’s ‘Wild One’. Tweaked for this story)

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funknrolll · 4 years

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Celebrating Prince: discovering a timeless artist and his meaningful and impactful art. Part 2. The early 1990s: Diamonds and Pearls, and Love Symbol eras

Hi music lovers, as I anticipated yesterday, this music addiction is going to celebrate Prince and his amazing and timeless work!! The article will be split into a few little articles. I hope you enjoy this new format and these articles!!

As I said yesterday, let me say that I have heard so many things about Prince’s artistry. Some comments came from uneducated people who did not even take a second of their lives to understand, and do research on his art. Hence, I think the time to shed some light on Prince’s art, has come (finally). I hope to help some of those people understand this artist better and to finally appreciate him the way he deserves. We owe Prince big time. Today’s music and musicians owe Prince everything. Without him, many of the artists we listen to today, WOULD NOT BE EXISTING. As we all know, Prince loved to experiment with music, trying out new music genres, new styles, new harmonies, melodies, rhythms and so on. This is one of the factors that led this legend to create a unique, wide and broad vault. There are so many songs of his that I love so much and that I find relevant for this article. The ones I chose, are going to prove that Prince and his music did not just revolve around sex and sexuality, (even if the artist through his music took the topic to another whole level). Through the article, we will see that Prince was more than all that I mentioned above. He was an extraordinary human being, blessed with so many enormous talents, with a beautiful mind, a uniquely pure soul. A true gift of God. With this in mind, let us start this article.

This is the sequel of the article I posted yesterday, so in case you guys missed it, check the previous one out✨

One year after Graffiti Bridge, Prince released Diamonds and Pearls. On this album, I picked 3 relevant songs to prove my case study. These gems are: Walk Don’t Walk, Money Don’t Matter 2Night, Push. Walk Don’t walk is perhaps my favorite song in Prince’s entire vault. Back in 1999 during the interview with Larry King for Cnn Prince was asked to describe his music, and he provided an extremely insightful, wise and interesting answer that depicted perfectly the purpose and meaning of his music. Prince: “The only thing I could think of, ‘cause I really don’t like categories… but the only thing I could think of is inspirational”. In my opinion, he could not have chosen a better word to describe his art, and this song is indeed the epitome of motivation. Personally, I remember this was one of the first songs of Prince I discovered, and I instantly loved it! Through the metaphor of walking the way the artist gave us such an important and inspiring lesson that is to say that we should always walk our paths, no matter what. Even if everyone is choosing a different way, we to stay true to ourselves, and therefore be unique. Even if people try to put us down or to persuade to change ourselves, we should always keep going because:

“The sun will shine upon you one day,

If you’re always walking your way”

Indeed, good things will happen someday, if we keep walking our ways without looking back. Moreover, another interpretation that might be given to these lyrics is that even if society dictates its rules, we have to keep walking our ways and stay true to ourselves. Even if everyone tells us no or that we are not going to make it. Additionally, another lesson that lays behind these lyrics is to be brave enough to go out of our comfort zone, be bold and not to look for the easiest way. In fact:

“Walk on their side of the street Don't walk where it feels the best “

To conclude, as I said previously, the fulcrum of this song is to be unique, stay true to ourselves, and to get out of our comfort zone even people or society tells and dictates otherwise. Only by being ourselves the sun will shine upon us one day. Moreover, one of the recurring themes in this song is the act of walking which might be related strictly to the peculiar arrangement. In my opinion, there might be two methods of interpretation. Besides the beautiful message this song is delivering, the arrangement is an extremely important part. As we can hear the leading instruments in this masterpiece are the keyboard and the drums. The keyboard arrangement is characterized by ascending chords and it might be used to enhance the meaning of the song. As we know Prince was a perfectionist and he surely left nothing to chance. Therefore, in my opinion, the arrangement for the keyboard might be used to help the listener visualize a long difficult walk that eventually is leading to a beautiful destination. This is just my interpretation of this song and I might be wrong, but I love to see it this way. Moreover, through the unique environmental sounds such as the honks of the cars in the street, the song gains even more plenitude and eventually the idea of a real walk. I really love how Perfectionist Prince was. The way he crafted music is something so special from the way he wrote the lyrics, to the arrangements and the compositions and the performance. He was a virtuoso, a real maestro in what he did. Another song that got straight to my heart is Money Don’t Matter 2Night. Another meaningful song. The lyrics of this masterpiece are pretty self-explanatory and eloquent. Indeed with this monumental piece of art the artist is delivering an urgent and poignant message: in today’s world we got to a point where people would do anything for money included send children to war and kill our beautiful. Through the painful yet beautiful lyrics and the arrangement the artist is giving an impressive, powerful and emotional depiction of the ugly effects that money and greed could do to people. On the other hand, through the choruses, the artist expresses his point of view about money which is that we should care more about being decent people, with values and love to give before we think and care about money. In Prince’s words:

“Money don't matter tonight (don't matter) It sure didn't matter yesterday Just when you think you've got more than enough That's when it all up and flies away That's when you find out that you're better off Makin' sure your soul's alright (soul's alright) 'Cause money didn't matter yesterday, (don't matter) And it sure don't matter tonight”.

Furthermore, what impressed me the most is the last part. Indeed, with extremely vivid lyric makes it easy to visualize the images Prince is depicting in this song. For instance, in the following part, the artist is portraying some sad and painful situations where money and greed are contributing to kill our beautiful earth, our children, our environment:

“Hey now, maybe we can find a good reason To send a child off to war So what if we're controllin' all the oil, Is it worth a child dying for? (is it worth it?) If long life is what we all live for Then long life will come to pass Anything is better than the picture of the child In a cloud of gas And you think you got it bad”

This is another powerful example of how a timeless masterpiece can be applied to our world today as we live in a situation where money and greed are ruling people’s hearts and minds. We live in a world without compassion, where we would do anything for money. We live in a corrupted society. We live in a world where we would even kill our children and our environment for greed. Everything for money. Hence, I strongly believe that this powerful song applies perfectly to the world today. Prince was highly educated and extremely “woke” and he knew all the dirt and all the sorceries that were happening on this earth, and through his music, in particular, with this song, he was trying to educate people on this significant topic. Furthermore, as we can hear, this song is totally different from all the other ones on the album. Indeed, it is a blues song and it sticks extremely well with its lyrics.

Among the songs on this album, Push is my third favorite one. With this song, Prince goes back to his signature funk and r&b sounds that we all love so much. This is perhaps one of the most motivating songs in Prince’s vault. Indeed, with these straightforward lyrics genius himself is teaching we should do whatever we can to reach our goals. There will always be people who try to put us down, but we must do whatever we can to reach the top. We are never too young and never too old to push ourselves to the max without stopping until we reach our goals. This song is a huge source of motivation.

well, every time you get some (Push) people want to take it back (p-push) They rather see you on the run (push) Then see you get it like that (Every time) every time they stop you Change up like a sock (push) Every time they try to clock you (push), tick more than they can tockOoh, push (I push) don't let them pull you down Push (I push) until you get to higher ground (higher) Push You're never too young, never too old Yeah, push Don't stop until you go

In 1992, Prince released LoveSymbol where the Symbol made its first appearance ever. One of the most enigmatic songs on the album is 7. It took me some time and some research to understand the meaning of this masterpiece, and it turned out that the artist crafted another deep and meaningful piece of art. As regards to this masterpiece, I would say that it is drenched with symbolism. Some believe that the meaning of this song is to be found in the number 7 or the number of God, that symbolizes spirituality and divine power. On the other hand, some other people believe that the number 7 is connected to the 7 capital sins. Personally, I would agree with the second theory as in the lyrics Prince says clearly that he would have “let all the 7 fall”, and then “Smoke them all”.

Moreover, the whole lyric gives hints about the fact that the number 7 is related to the 7 capital sins. Indeed, if we take an attentive look at the words of this song, we will find many symbolisms, even from the first chorus with which the song begins. Indeed, starting with the chorus:

All seven and we'll watch them fall They stanwd in the way of love And we will smoke them all With an intellect and a savior-faire No one in the whole universe Will ever compare

The number 7 is related to something evil that is standing in the way of something purer which is love. Moreover, as Prince was extremely spiritual and God-loving, I would assume that the gesture of smoking all the 7 might be related to an act of purification most likely when we purify our homes from the evil. In this case, Prince is suggesting that by smoking the 7 deadly sins, he is also doing an act of self-cleansing of his soul from the evil. Eventually, according to the artist, what will defeat all the 7 sins will be his intelligence and his savoir-faire. Regarding the kind of love the artist is talking about, it is the love between two soul mates, which is the ultimate love that transcends space and time, that cannot be compared to anything. A love that will eventually defeat all the 7 sins.

No one in the whole universe Will ever compare I am yours now and you are mine And together we'll love through All space and time, so don't cry One day all 7 will die

Furthermore, as I mentioned, this song is drenched with symbolic metaphors taken from the Bible, and in some other cases, the lyrics hint to Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

And I saw an angel come down unto me In her hand she holds the very key Words of compassion, words of peace And in the distance an army's marching feet (one, two, three, four, one, two, three, four) But behold, we will watch them fall

Indeed, as we can see from these 5 lines, Prince might be referring to Jesus. In fact, the key mentioned in the lyrics might be a metaphor referring to the belief in Jesus which leads to the practice of compassion and peace. Moreover, the army Prince is referring to, might be the external world corrupted by the 7 sins.

And we will see a plague and a river of blood And every evil soul will surely die in spite of And seven tears, but do not fear Four in the distance, twelve souls from now You and me will still be here we will still be here

With “a plague and a river of blood”, the artist is referring to the prophecy in the book of Revelation. Specifically, he is talking about the second plague in the book which is, as the song suggests, the blood in the rivers and in the oceans. But eventually, love will rise above, and evil will die.

Revelation 16:3,4 "And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became blood. "

There will be a new city with streets of gold The young so educated they never grow old And a, there will be no death four with every breath A voice of many colors sings a song, That's so bold Sing it while we watch them fall

These are the last 6 lines of the song and they could have a double interpretation. After all the evil and the 7 sins will be defeated, those who will have chosen love over evil will be entering the “city with streets of gold”. With this, the artist might be either inferring to the old city of Jerusalem or to the Kingdom of Heaven as we can see in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 21, 21“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.”

I would agree with the second theory, as in the second line Prince is mentioning people who never grow old. Moreover, in the third line, the artist is mentioning the fact that there will be no death. In the fourth line is mentioning a voice of many colors singing which might be inferring to humanity and hence, people of every race and every color and gender. Moreover, in this song Prince is introducing the concept of twin souls. For those who do not know, two twin souls are two souls united as one in spirit which is practically a spiritual union. This is, therefore, an exclusive relationship based on love and faithfulness. Indeed, as we can see in the lyrics Prince is inferring to this concept in the chorus:

I am yours now and you are mine And together we'll love through all Space and time, so don't cry One day all seven will die

Also, in the video, it is quite clear the concept of Twin souls. As a matter of fact, we can see Prince and his wife Mayte dancing together and other couples dressed like the artist and his wife.

Another song on this album that I find particularly relevant is the Sacrifice of Victor. As we all know, Prince used music to deal with everything that was happening in his life. Also, he used music as a way to communicate with people. Through some painfully straightforward almost raw lyrics the artist gives us some insight into his childhood and his teenage years.

I was born on a blood-stained table Cord wrapped around my neck Epileptic 'til the age of 7 I was sure heaven marked the deck know joy lives 'round the corner {joy for sale down on the corner} (we sacrifice) One day I'll visit her I'm gonna {out on my block I'm just a loner} (we sacrifice) When she tell me everything {tell me} That's when the angels sing {sacrifice} That's when the victory is sho 'Nuff {sho 'Nuff down with the sacrifice} (we sacrifice) (help me) (don't say it, preacher)

As a matter of fact, as we can see in these lines, Prince is telling about how he was born and about his epilepsy and how he saw an angel telling him that he would have no longer suffered from epilepsy. Indeed, in 2009 in an interview with Tevin Smiley Prince revealed how he suffered from this disease during his childhood.

Mama held up her baby for protection From a man with a strap in his hand Ask the victor 'bout pain and rejection You think he don't when he do understand

Furthermore, as we can see from these lines, Prince is mentioning the fact that he was abused when he was a child.

1967 in a bus marked public schools Rode me and a group of unsuspecting political tools Our parents wondered what it was like to have another color near So they put their babies together to eliminate the fear We sacrifice yes we did Fighting one another, (we sacrifice) (don't say it, preacher) All because of color The angel of hate, she taught me how to kick her If she called me anything but victor If the only thing that tells me is father time Then sacrifice is the mother sublime, we love it

Moreover, in this song Prince is also giving an insight into what it was like to be living as a black child in America. The image depicted is extremely striking for it is real and sad as people were still extremely racist during that time.

Never understood my old friends laughing They got high when everything else got wrong (pass the booze up here) Dr. King was killed and the streets They started burnin' When the smoke was cleared, their high was gone Education got important, so important 2 victor A little more important than ripple and weed Bernadette's a lady, and she told me (what she say?) "Whatever you do son, a little discipline is what you need, Is what you need, you need to sacrifice"

These lines are quite clear and self-explanatory. As a matter of fact, Prince is mentioning his teenage years with his friends. In the last 5 lines, the artist is explaining the importance of getting an education instead of getting high on weed. This part is introducing extremely well the last 3 lines where the artist is perhaps referring to Bernadette Anderson, Andrè’s mother who allowed him to stay at her home and who advised Prince to get his high school degree before focusing only on music. Moreover, the Sacrifice Prince is talking about in this song might perhaps also symbolize the hard work he had to do to reach his goals instead of wasting time on mundane joys, favoring metaphysical, divine happiness over earth pleasures. Another interpretation of the word Sacrifice might be Prince's own struggle from a middle-class black child from a broken family to superstardom. On a broader scale the long, hard struggle Black people had to go through in the USA to gain their civil rights, at the cost of riots, police beatings and MLK's death (MLK is indeed a symbol of sacrifice to a cause because his activism led to his death). Furthermore, musically speaking, thinking about the lyrics and the topic this song is dealing with, I personally would have expected a different genre and a different arrangement for this song. This is where Prince with his ingenious and brilliant mind came to surprise us all. Contrary to the expectations, the artist decided to craft a brilliant funk song with two different major drum lines. The contrast between the topic of the song and the alluring arrangement is so beautiful and it entices the public to listen attentively to this masterpiece. In my opinion, if Prince had opted for a more melodic arrangement characterized by a down-tempo, perhaps the public would not have appreciated the song fully, and therefore it would not have had the same impact.

This was the second part of a series of articles dedicated to Prince to celebrate his life and most importantly his art. Stay tuned for more. If you have missed the first part feel free to check it out✨ In the meantime stay home, stay safe and healthy. Peace and Love 4 one another. G💜 thank you for your attention 💜

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