Difference between revisions of "Big Tall Wall"

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{{song-3|
+
{{song-2|
 
|song name                = Big Tall Wall
 
|song name                = Big Tall Wall
|single image              = [[File:Unreleasedsong.jpg|link=Unreleased Songs]]
+
|single image              = [[File:sottDeluxe.jpg|100px|link= Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe'']]<br><small> from the album <br>[[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe'']]
|performer                = [[Prince and the Revolution]]; [[Prince]]
+
|first released            = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 25|25 September 2020]] - [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe'']] album
|writer(s)                = [[Prince]] (assumed)
+
|album(s)                 = [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe'']]
|producer(s)              = [[Prince]] (assumed)
+
|performer                 = [[Prince]]  
 +
|writer(s)                 = [[Prince]]
 +
|producer(s)              = [[Prince]]  
 
|previous song            = [[The Big Pump]]
 
|previous song            = [[The Big Pump]]
 
|next song                = [[Bill Collector Blues]]
 
|next song                = [[Bill Collector Blues]]
|introduction              = '''Big Tall Wall''' is an unreleased track, recorded in mid-April 1986 at [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]] in Chanhassen, Minnesota (during the same set of sessions as [[Crystal Ball]], [[Starfish And Coffee]] and [[Visions]]). It was included as the fifth track on a late April 1986 configuration of the [[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]] album (which was planned as a [[Prince and the Revolution]] release), but was removed as the album underwent changes, and was not included on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/June 3|3 June 1986]] or [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 18|18 July 1986]] configurations. In July 1987, [[Prince]] revamped the lyrics, and the song was mentioned in the initial script of the [[Film: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] movie, dated [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 22|22 September 1987]]. It was included as the first track on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 25|25 September 1988]] configuration of the [[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] album. The song remains unreleased.
+
|introduction              = '''Big Tall Wall''' is a track recorded on[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 18|18 April 1986]] at [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]] in Chanhassen, Minnesota. It was included as the fifth track on a late April 1986 configuration of the [[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]] album (which was planned as a [[Prince and the Revolution]] release), but was removed as the album underwent changes, and was not included on the two lster configurations.  
  
 
In July 1987 [[Prince]] revamped the lyrics, and re-recorded the song. It was then mentioned in the initial script of the [[Film: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] movie, dated [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 22|22 September 1987]]. It was included as the first track on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 25|25 September 1988]] configuration of the [[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] album.
 
In July 1987 [[Prince]] revamped the lyrics, and re-recorded the song. It was then mentioned in the initial script of the [[Film: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] movie, dated [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 22|22 September 1987]]. It was included as the first track on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 25|25 September 1988]] configuration of the [[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] album.
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The track was initially recorded around the time when [[Prince]]’s then-girlfriend [[Susannah Melvoin]] had moved out of [[Prince]]’s house and the lyrics, including “I’m gonna build a big tall wall, stone circle so you can’t get out”, are a direct reference to the round apartment building in Lake Calhoun to which she moved. The song at this point had a quite upbeat sound and melody, making the lyrics effectively talking about imprisonment seem somewhat sweet and innocent.  
 
The track was initially recorded around the time when [[Prince]]’s then-girlfriend [[Susannah Melvoin]] had moved out of [[Prince]]’s house and the lyrics, including “I’m gonna build a big tall wall, stone circle so you can’t get out”, are a direct reference to the round apartment building in Lake Calhoun to which she moved. The song at this point had a quite upbeat sound and melody, making the lyrics effectively talking about imprisonment seem somewhat sweet and innocent.  
  
The 1987 version is re-recording, done when [[Prince]] came back from the [[Sign O’ The Times Tour]] and [[Susannah Melvoin]] was out of the picture, romantically. This version is a minimalist funk/rock song, with [[Prince]]’s vocals accompanied only by a Linn LM-1 drum machine. The song includes the line “I’ve got more holes than a golf course” which [[Prince]] later re-used in the party coda to [[The Ball]] (later heard in the intro to both [[Joy In Repetition]] and [[Eye No]]). The line ”pretty little baby, you’re so glam, every time I see you I wanna slam” later inspired [[Glam Slam]]. While the lyrics in the initial version were focused on a positive, more loving relationship, the revised version rephrased the lyrics to depict a much more negative, possessive one.
+
The 1987 version is re-recording, done when [[Prince]] came back from the [[Sign O’ The Times Tour]] and [[Susannah Melvoin]] was out of the picture, romantically. This version is a minimalist funk/rock song, with [[Prince]]’s vocals accompanied only by a drum machine beat. The lyrics now include the line “I’ve got more holes than a golf course” which [[Prince]] later re-used in the party coda to [[The Ball]] (later heard in the intro to both [[Joy In Repetition]] and [[Eye No]]). The line ”pretty little baby, you’re so glam, every time I see you I wanna slam” likely later inspired [[Glam Slam]]. While equally possisive, this new version seems to be attributed to a woman [[Prince]] expresses his desire (but not respect) to make his, while the previous one focussed on a woman and relationship he wants to keep.
 
|recording info            =
 
|recording info            =
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
{{RecordingLine|
|date                      = Mid-April 1986
+
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/April 18|18 April 1986]]
|studio                 = [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
+
|studio                   = [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
 
|additional info          = Basic tracking
 
|additional info          = Basic tracking
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 11|11 July 1987]]
 
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 11|11 July 1987]]
|studio                 = [[Paisley Park Studios]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
+
|studio                   = [[Paisley Park Studios]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
 
|additional info          = Additional recording
 
|additional info          = Additional recording
 +
|additional info          = Basic tracking of re-recording
 +
}}
 +
{{RecordingLine|
 +
|date                      = July 1987
 +
|studio                    = [[Paisley Park Studios]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
 +
|additional info          = Additional recording to updated version
 
}}
 
}}
 
|recording personnel      =  
 
|recording personnel      =  
 
*[[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments (assumed)
 
*[[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments (assumed)
|unreleased versions       =  
+
|released versions         =
{{Unreleased|
+
{{Songchart|
|line=
+
|line =
{{Unreleasedline|
+
{{Songline|
|1= '''Big Tall Wall'''
+
|1= '''Big Tall Wall #1'''
|2= Studio
+
|2= 5:58
|3= Recorded mid-April 1986
+
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe'']]
 +
|4= Studio
 +
|5= Version 1
 
}}
 
}}
{{Unreleasedline|
+
{{Songline|
|1= '''Big Tall Wall'''
+
|1= '''Big Tall Wall #2'''
|2= Studio
+
|2= 5:46
|3= Recording after July 1987 changes
+
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe'']]
 +
|4= Studio
 +
|5= Version 2, recording after July 1987 changes
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
|unreleased versions      =
 
|video versions            =  
 
|video versions            =  
 
|broadcasts, streaming    =
 
|broadcasts, streaming    =
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|performed occasionally in = none
 
|performed occasionally in = none
 
|trivia                    =  
 
|trivia                    =  
|see also                  = [[Unreleased Songs]]
+
|see also                  = [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe'']] album
 
* [[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]] unreleased album
 
* [[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]] unreleased album
 
|references                = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]]''
 
|references                = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]]''
|categories                = [[Category:1986]][[Category:Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Songs (Prince and the Revolution)]][[Category:Unreleased Songs]][[Category:Recorded 1986]]
+
|categories                = [[Category:1986]][[Category:Songs (Prince)]] [[Category:Songs (Prince and the Revolution)]] [[Category:Released Songs (Prince)]] [[Category:Recorded 1986]]
 
}}
 
}}

Revision as of 17:01, 22 September 2020

The Big Pump   < < < Non-Prince Songs All Prince Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Bill Collector Blues
Big Tall Wall

Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe
from the album
Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe
Song details
Performer: Prince
First Released: 25 September 2020 - Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe album
Album(s): Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe
Writer(s): Prince
Producer(s): Prince
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
  • This track is not believed to have been performed live by Prince
Performed regularly on tour:
  • none
Performed occasionally in shows:
  • none

Big Tall Wall is a track recorded on18 April 1986 at Galpin Blvd Home Studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. It was included as the fifth track on a late April 1986 configuration of the Dream Factory album (which was planned as a Prince and the Revolution release), but was removed as the album underwent changes, and was not included on the two lster configurations.

In July 1987 Prince revamped the lyrics, and re-recorded the song. It was then mentioned in the initial script of the Graffiti Bridge movie, dated 22 September 1987. It was included as the first track on the 25 September 1988 configuration of the Graffiti Bridge album.

The track was initially recorded around the time when Prince’s then-girlfriend Susannah Melvoin had moved out of Prince’s house and the lyrics, including “I’m gonna build a big tall wall, stone circle so you can’t get out”, are a direct reference to the round apartment building in Lake Calhoun to which she moved. The song at this point had a quite upbeat sound and melody, making the lyrics effectively talking about imprisonment seem somewhat sweet and innocent.

The 1987 version is re-recording, done when Prince came back from the Sign O’ The Times Tour and Susannah Melvoin was out of the picture, romantically. This version is a minimalist funk/rock song, with Prince’s vocals accompanied only by a drum machine beat. The lyrics now include the line “I’ve got more holes than a golf course” which Prince later re-used in the party coda to The Ball (later heard in the intro to both Joy In Repetition and Eye No). The line ”pretty little baby, you’re so glam, every time I see you I wanna slam” likely later inspired Glam Slam. While equally possisive, this new version seems to be attributed to a woman Prince expresses his desire (but not respect) to make his, while the previous one focussed on a woman and relationship he wants to keep.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
18 April 1986 Galpin Blvd Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Basic tracking
11 July 1987 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Basic tracking of re-recording
July 1987 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Additional recording to updated version
Recording Personnel
  • Prince - all vocals and instruments (assumed)

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Big Tall Wall #1 5:58 Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Studio Version 1
Big Tall Wall #2 5:46 Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Studio Version 2, recording after July 1987 changes



 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
The Big Pump   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Bill Collector Blues