Difference between revisions of "The Question Of U"

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In 2007, a live version using the lyrics of [[The One]], was included as the 14th track on [[Prince]]’s fourth live album [[Album: Indigo Nights|Indigo Nights]] (credited only as [[The One]]).
 
In 2007, a live version using the lyrics of [[The One]], was included as the 14th track on [[Prince]]’s fourth live album [[Album: Indigo Nights|Indigo Nights]] (credited only as [[The One]]).
  
−
While specific recording dates are not known, basic tracking took place in mid-late July 1985 at the [[Washington Avenue Warehouse]] in Edina, Minnesota (during the same set of sessions that produced [[Girls & Boys]], [[Love Or $|♥ Or $]], [[Neon Telephone]], [[Do U Lie?]], [[Venus De Milo]] and [[(U Got The) Good Drawers]]), but was not included on any known configurations of [[Album: Parade|Parade]], or any other projects during 1985-6.
+
The song started of as an instrumental committed to tape during the so-called ''“Paisley Jam”'' on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December 28|28 December 1985]] at [[Sunset Sound]] in Hollywood, California with [[Sheila E.]], [[Levi Seacer, Jr.]] and [[Eric Leeds]] (that also produced [[Madrid]], [[Breathless]], [[Slaughterhouse]], [[U Just Can’t Stop]], [[Run Amok]] [[High Calonic]] and [[Mobile]]). It was named '''12 Keys''' by [[Eric Leeds], who named all the tracks from the session
  
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An instrumental version was recorded on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December 28|28 December 1985]] at [[Sunset Sound]] in Hollywood, California with [[Sheila E.]], [[Levi Seacer, Jr.]] and [[Eric Leeds]] during the so-called ''"Paisley Jam"'' session (that also produced [[Madrid]], [[Breathless]], [[Slaughterhouse]], [[U Just Can’t Stop]], [[Run Amok]] [[High Calonic]] and [[Mobile]]).   
+
It is unknown if this version was ever considered for [[Album: The Flesh (1986)|The Flesh]] album or any other project.   
  
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[[Eric Leeds]] named the track '''12 Keys''', unaware (as were [[Sheila E.]] and [[Levi Seacer, Jr.]]) that it was an instrumental version of a track [[Prince]] had recorded previously. It is unknown if this version was intended for [[Album: The Flesh (1986)|The Flesh]] album or any other project.
+
In July 1986 a new version was cut by [[Prince]] alone in his [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]] in Chanhassen, Minnesota. This re-recording was shelved until [[Prince]] began work on [[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] and in the Autumn  of 1987, he pulled it out again to recorded additional parts.  
  
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When [[Prince]] began work on [[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] in late 1987, he pulled out the original studio version of [[The Question Of U]] and recorded additional parts. It was included as the fifth track on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 25|25 September 1988]] configuration of [[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]], and remained there for the late 1989 configuration, before switching places with [[Elephants & Flowers]] for the 1990 configuration, to become the fourth track, where it remained for release. What appears on the album is in fact an edit. The original version ran about a minute longer.
+
A year later it was later included as the fifth track on the [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/September 25|25 September 1988]] configuration of [[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]], and remained there for the late 1989 configuration, before switching places with [[Elephants & Flowers]] for the 1990 configuration, to become the fourth track, where it remained for release. What appears on the album is in fact an edit. The original version ran about a minute longer.
  
−
In March 1990 [[Clare Fischer]] recorded string overdubs for the song at [http://www.lermanet2.com/scientology/mad-hatter-studios.html Mad Hatter Studios] in Los Angeles, California, and while they were not utilized in the released version, parts of it can be heard in the live version of the song as it was played on the [[Nude Tour]].   
+
In March 1990 [[Clare Fischer]] recorded string overdubs for the song at [http://www.lermanet2.com/scientology/mad-hatter-studios.html Mad Hatter Studios] in Los Angeles, California, and while they were not utilized in the released version, parts of it can be heard in the live version of the song as it was played on the [[Nude Tour]].   
  
 
A single of [[Single: The Question Of U|The Question Of U]] was also planned, but this was not released.
 
A single of [[Single: The Question Of U|The Question Of U]] was also planned, but this was not released.
 
|recording info            =
 
|recording info            =
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
{{RecordingLine|
−
|date                      = Mid-late July 1985
+
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December 28|28 December 1985]]
−
|studio                    = [[Washington Avenue Warehouse]],<br>Edina, MN, USA
+
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]] - Studio 3,<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
−
|additional info          = Basic tracking
+
|additional info          = Basic tracking, mix ('''12 Keys''')
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
{{RecordingLine|
−
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December 28|28 December 1985]]
+
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December 29|29 December 1985]]
 
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]],<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
 
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]],<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
−
|additional info          = Basic tracking of '''12 Keys''' (instrumental version of [[The Question Of U]])
+
|additional info          = Horn overdubs, mix ('''12 Keys''')  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
{{RecordingLine|
−
|date                      = December 1985
+
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 6|6 July 1986]]
−
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]],<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
+
|studio                    = [[Galpin Blvd Home Studio]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
−
|additional info          = sax overdubs to  '''12 Keys''' (instrumental version of [[The Question Of U]])
+
|additional info          = Basic tracking, overdubs (re-recording)
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
{{RecordingLine|
−
|date                      = Late 1987
+
|date                      = October 1987 (estimate)
 
|studio                    = [[Paisley Park Studios]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
 
|studio                    = [[Paisley Park Studios]],<br>Chanhassen, MN, USA
 
|additional info          = Additional recording
 
|additional info          = Additional recording
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|1= '''12 Keys'''
 
|1= '''12 Keys'''
 
|2= Studio
 
|2= Studio
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|3= Recorded [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/December 28|28 December 1985]]; recorded live; instrumental version of [[The Question Of U]]
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|3= part of so called  ‘Paisley jam’
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Unreleasedline|
 
{{Unreleasedline|
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|1= '''The Question Of U'''
 
|1= '''The Question Of U'''
 
|2= Studio
 
|2= Studio
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|3= longer take of the version as it appeared on the album
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|3= 1986 version
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Unreleasedline|
 
{{Unreleasedline|

Revision as of 13:37, 20 August 2021

{{song-2| |song name = The Question Of U |single image = Graffitibridge.jpg
from the album Graffiti Bridge |performer = Prince |first released = 20 August 1990 - Graffiti Bridge album |album(s) = Graffiti Bridge |writer(s) = Prince |producer(s) = Prince |previous song = Qualified |next song = R U Ready? |introduction = The Question Of U is the fourth track on Prince’s twelfth album Graffiti Bridge. The song also features in the movie Graffiti Bridge.

In 2004, a live version (as The ? Of U) in a medley with Fallin’ and The One was offered as both audio and video by NPG Music Club for $5.55 for members ($7.77 for non-members).

In 2007, a live version using the lyrics of The One, was included as the 14th track on Prince’s fourth live album Indigo Nights (credited only as The One).

The song started of as an instrumental committed to tape during the so-called “Paisley Jam” on 28 December 1985 at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California with Sheila E., Levi Seacer, Jr. and Eric Leeds (that also produced Madrid, Breathless, Slaughterhouse, U Just Can’t Stop, Run Amok High Calonic and Mobile). It was named 12 Keys by [[Eric Leeds], who named all the tracks from the session

It is unknown if this version was ever considered for The Flesh album or any other project.

In July 1986 a new version was cut by Prince alone in his Galpin Blvd Home Studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota. This re-recording was shelved until Prince began work on Graffiti Bridge and in the Autumn of 1987, he pulled it out again to recorded additional parts.

A year later it was later included as the fifth track on the 25 September 1988 configuration of Graffiti Bridge, and remained there for the late 1989 configuration, before switching places with Elephants & Flowers for the 1990 configuration, to become the fourth track, where it remained for release. What appears on the album is in fact an edit. The original version ran about a minute longer.

In March 1990 Clare Fischer recorded string overdubs for the song at Mad Hatter Studios in Los Angeles, California, and while they were not utilized in the released version, parts of it can be heard in the live version of the song as it was played on the Nude Tour.

A single of The Question Of U was also planned, but this was not released. |recording info = |- align="left" |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|28 December 1985 |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Basic tracking, mix (12 Keys) |- align="left" |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|29 December 1985 |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Sunset Sound,
Hollywood, CA, USA |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Horn overdubs, mix (12 Keys) |- align="left" |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|6 July 1986 |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Galpin Blvd Home Studio,
Chanhassen, MN, USA |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Basic tracking, overdubs (re-recording) |- align="left" |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|October 1987 (estimate) |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Additional recording |- align="left" |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|March 1990 |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Mad Hatter Studios,
Los Angeles, CA, USA |style="border-top:1px dotted #ccc;"|Orchestra overdubs by Clare Fischer |recording personnel = The Question Of U

  • Prince - all vocals and instruments


12 Keys

|released versions =

Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Question Of U 3:59 Graffiti Bridge Studio
The Question Of U 6:04 NPG Ahdio Show # 11 mp3 (not available as a separate track) Rehearsal Unknown recording date and location (Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota is likely)
The ? Of U, Fallin’, The One 10:59 NPG Music Club .wma download Live a.k.a. 2004 Tour Audio; 7 April 2004, Qwest Center, Omaha, NE, USA

|sampled in = |- |style="color:#AB3E00" |Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in...

|- | valign="top"|

Title Length Released Version Additional info
Soul Psychodelicide Studio Unreleased 1989 track
Graffiti Bridge Cue 2:27 Graffiti Bridge DVD Studio Instrumental interpolation heard in the background
The One 9:07 Indigo Nights Live 22 September 2007 am, 3121 at The IndigO2, London, England; includes musical backing of The Question Of U

|video versions = |- |style="color:#AB3E00" |Video Versions

|- | valign="top"|

Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Question Of U 3:59 Graffiti Bridge DVD Live promo video 31 August 1990, Tokyo Dome (東京ドーム), Tokyo, Japan; see The Question Of U for details
The ? Of U, Fallin’, The One 10:59 NPG Music Club .wmv download Live a.k.a. 2004 Tour Video; 7 April 2004, Qwest Center, Omaha, NE, USA

|broadcasts, streaming = |- |style="color:#AB3E00" |Broadcasts/streaming (only)

|- | valign="top"|

Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Question Of U T.B.C. Live concert radio broadcast Live 22 July 1990, Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid, Spain; short version during piano medley
The Question Of U T.B.C. Live concert radio broadcast Live 22 July 1990, Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid, Spain; incl. Electric Man lyrics
The Question Of U T.B.C. Delayed concert TV broadcast Live 29 July 1990, Estadio Santa María del Mar, La Coruña, Spain
The Question Of U T.B.C. Delayed concert TV broadcast Live 31 August 1990, Tokyo Dome (東京ドーム), Tokyo, Japan; incl. Electric Man lyrics; edited for The Question Of U promo video
The Question Of U / The One T.B.C. Live concert online stream Live 10 May 2015, Baltimore, MN, USA, Royal Farms Arena; incl. Electric Man

|unreleased versions = |- |style="color:#AB3E00" |Unreleased Versions

|- | valign="top"|

Title Version Additional Info
The Question Of U Studio Original 1985 version
12 Keys Studio part of so called ‘Paisley jam’
12 Keys Studio Same as above, but with sax overdubs
The Question Of U Studio 1986 version
The Question Of U Studio 1990 version with later discarded orchestra overdubs by Clare Fischer

|first live appearance = 30 April 1990: Rupert’s, Golden Valley, MN, USA

|performed regularly on =Nude Tour

|performed occasionally in = 1990, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010 (instrumental in a medley with The One lyrics, 2011 (instrumental in a medley with The One lyrics, 2012 (instrumental in a medley with The One lyrics , 2013 (instrumental in a medley with The One lyrics , 2015 (instrumental in a medley with The One lyrics |trivia = In the handwritten 2 December 1987 version of the script for Graffiti Bridge, instead of the lyric All of the questions in my life will be answered, When I decide which road 2 choose it reads Music is like an amusement park, each cord a ride and I don’t know which one 2 do. |see also = Graffiti Bridge album

|references = The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004) |categories = }}

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