Let's Go! Such is the huge, irresistible gravitational pull of this multi-layered, existentially angst-ridden, hedonistic, battle of religiosity, passion and blazing vibrancy that it is known the world over by it’s simple two opening words…

However, over-familiarity can sadly make us lazy to the extraordinary philosophical depth, cultural impact and universality of this work of genius. It’s time to strap in, dig deep and Get Crazy!

Like so much of Prince’s work Let’s Go Crazy has more levels than a Super Mario Expansion Pack! From the first moment Prince opens his Purple Hymn Bible to the Book of the eternal struggle, Hidden Meanings abound

For those who simply want to party like there’s no tomorrow a la 1999 There’s all you could want from spirited vocals, striding, mesmeric grooves and quite simply one of the greatest guitar solos of all time.

However, to take LGC as an inconsequential party track would be to mimic Morris Day’s Character in Purple Rain, missing the core raison d’etre of a track that demands so much more

From the opening transcendent, swelling Church organ chords, Prince, the Preacher of God and Sex, Love and Lust, surveys his eager congregation. He knows the pain, the anger, the aimlessness.

Prince knows we were all thrown into this life without warning, without an explanation, without someone to answer all those 3am questions.

However, Prince has an answer. The Afterworld. A soulfully joyous paradise to be enjoyed, if we can just get through our time in this life.

Prince embraces this existential conundrum, he knows what we see cannot be all there is. But it’s up to him to find a way, because in this life you're on your own.

This is yet another example of a track where Prince does not get enough credit for dealing with complex, deep and eternal questions.

Other titles in this category include When Doves Cry, 1999, Papa, Avalanche, Black Muse and 2045:Radical Man. And Dear Mr Man. And The War. And..and…and

You want philosophical existentialism summed up in a lyric? Prince can do that.

Prince also decides that as with 1999 hedonism is also the only way, Party now for we do not know what pain tomorrow brings.

Prince famously stated that he used the term de-elevator as you couldn’t say God or the Devil on the radio

Lisa and Wendy saw clearly that the track would have a wide appeal to the human situation. Credit to Alan Light’s Great book 'Let’s go Craz'y

The ever meticulous and forensic Prince scholar Duane Tudahl form his book 'Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984' adds extra colouring

As always the extended version is the way to go with Prince tracks and the mid-section here is discordant joy.

People sadly sleep on just how much sheer energy, feeling, ad-libbing, passion and grit Prince puts into his vocal performances. Listen here to the Vocal only version for some true joy!

There is nothing I can say about the Guitar Solo at the end that could describe this utterly timeless, fresh, virtuoso denouement. You’ll need a minute...

Part of the closing section owes a debt to a blues track, originally written by John Brim and famously covered by Van Halen on the song Ice Cream Man, check out the last 20 seconds here of Van Halen's version here...

That Prince manages to ask so many fundamentally human questions, questions that have intrigued the greatest philosophers of all time with such a striking song is just extraordinary.

In short the track has more layers and meanings than a @SpencerDerryART print

Ready for the second half?

It’s also important to note the huge cultural impact of this track. From books, to the Grammy salute Let’s go crazy has become a truly iconic idea, track and blueprint for a better life

Check out this utterly heart-warming, eye-moistening version by the Young @ heart group. Now tell me Prince doesn’t reach every demographic!

Or How about a slowed down acoustic version here?

Imagine if Prince had re-imagined this track himself…oh wait! Of course he did, here with the superb 3EG, slowing the groove down to a jaunty swagger.

Then Bands cover that reworked version, Prince’s music always had that ability to evolve, inspire and change the musical world around him and beyond…

There are endless covers of the track as it speaks to our very beings as humans, our deep held desire to forge a meaning from our lives, our lives that we entered without warning. It’s universal and multi-generational.

Prince even find times to warn about drugs, infidelity and most importantly to punch that higher floor. Watch out for the Purple Bananas!

Life is ours and ours to try and make sense of how we can.

I could talk for day about this track but I can feel that guitar solo crescendoing in.

No-one but Prince could blend a sonically stratospheric, achingly existential, innovatively drum programmed, blazing guitar hero soloing masterpiece that sounds perma-fresh, vibrant and more relevant than ever.

After the scattering drum effects which echo around your mind, flexing and spluttering throughout the track Prince declares he’s coming, he’s coming!
Even here Prince blends the spiritual and sexual so effortlessly.

Prince is exhausted and spent, he has delivered his manifesto of salvation and is ready for the next world.
Take me Away!

There will never be an artist close to Prince in his ability to nourish the mind, ears and soul. The universality of his songs mean for every one of us Prince had a track.

Thank you for this incredibly flattering chance to talk about what I love. For more Prince Reviews find me on Youtube at NIGHTCHILD REVIEWS