The Whole Of The Moon

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The Whole Of The Moon

Dance Rally 4 Peace.jpg
Prince3EG Soundcloud account profile image
Song details
Performer: Prince
First Released: 12 May 2015 - Prince3EG Soundcloud stream
Album(s): None
Writer(s): Mike Scott (original music and lyrics) / Calvin Valentine (sampled loop)
Producer(s): Prince (assumed, no official credits given)
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
  • none
Performed occasionally in shows:

The Whole Of The Moon is a song written by Mike Scott and originally performed with his band The Waterboys, which first appeared on their 1985 album This Is The Sea and released as a single shortly after the album.

A live version of the song performed by Prince, recorded on 03 May 2015 (a.m.) at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA, was streamed on Prince3EG Soundcloud account nine days after the show. The song was part of a 41:34 stream titled "Prince and 3rdEyeGirl - Dance Rally 4 Peace (Live from Paisley Park - May 2, 2015)" with portions of the Dudley D. DJ set and selected songs from the performance given that night by Prince and 3rdEyeGirl.

In the original lyrics, Mike Scott compares himself to an inspiring person who has achieved everything in the arts. After multiple comparisons, the difference between the two individuals is summed up in the chorus with the line "I saw the crescent / You saw the whole of the moon". A persistent rumor states that the lyrics of The Whole Of The Moon were written about Prince, but Mike Scott, the author of the song and leader of The Waterboys, denied this on numerous occasions since the eighties. In 2020, Scott said the song was "about someone like CS Lewis, who seemed to see so much and explore issues much more deeply than most people, or it could be about a Jimi Hendrix-type person who comes “like a comet, blazing your trail” and is gone too soon, but it’s not specifically about anyone". He also denied sending a personal note to Prince saying that he was the subject of the song. He admited however that "its synths, which crop up almost nowhere else in Waterboys music, was (him) copping sonic ideas from Prince, which Karl Wallinger (keyboard player in the band), also a big Prince fan, was able to translate."

It is not known if Prince believed that rumour or if he was humorously playing with it when he covered the song by changing the perspective of the lyrics. By reversing the "You" with the "I" (and vice versa), he positions himself as the inspirational figure and the key phrase "I saw the crescent / You saw the whole moon" is turned into "You saw the crescent / I saw the whole moon".

The original performance of The Whole Of The Moon lasted for 12 minutes with Prince alone on stage playing bass over a looped-beat, only joined towards the end by Eryn Allen Kane. The looped beat (in this live rendition) was taken from “God It” by De La Soul feat. Nas, who in turn utilized Otis Redding’s “Stand By Me” for it (written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller). “God It” was released online just a few week before Prince’s performance. The Whole Of The Moon was edited down to 3:43. No studio version by Prince is believed to exist.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
03 May 2015 (a.m.) Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Live recording
May 2015 Paisley Park Studios,
Chanhassen, MN, USA
Editing
Recording Personnel

N.B. - recording personnel below refer to streamed version; this track is not known to have been recorded in the studio by Prince

  • Prince - lead vocals and bass (over a looped-beat)

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Whole Of The Moon n/a n/a n/a No 'hard format' release of this song has been made available.
Broadcasts/streaming (only)
Title Length Released Version Additional info
The Whole Of The Moon 3:43 Streaming audio on Prince3EG Soundcloud account Live As part of a 41:34 stream titled "Prince and 3rdEyeGirl - Dance Rally 4 Peace (Live from Paisley Park - May 2, 2015)"


 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Why Should I Love You?