PRINCE 🎵🎵 OLD FRIENDS 4 SALE 🎼 (1985)

[@DanieleBrunengo]

One of the best songs ever written. This sparse version is by far the best. I still can't believe how good this song is.

[@morten1]

Absolutely. I guess it was too personal at the time, singing about some close friends, band members, their cocaine use etc. Hopefully it will be released soon as part of the vault somehow

[@morten1]

@Simmon Durham He sings about some band members and other associates/friends. So maybe it was "for her" but about his own stuff

[@djextrabacon7573]

Omg i so much agree 👍 🙌 👏 😍

[@henrinevermind1695]

🌬💸So underRATED so SLEPT ON 🤔🎼SADLY 🎶

[@patricklanders5145]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@scottyk171]

"Maybe it'll all make sense when I'm dead. When I'm dead." Prince, my friend...if U only knew how we all felt since U left us, Kid. If U only knew.

[@alinelson00786]

I always say it makes less sense now that hes gone...

[@robertbemis7006]

Best ever song writer mesningfullyic relate to of anyone who has been there

[@paisleyprincess7996]

I miss that man

[@cynthiarose1770]

Jesus, nothings been the same since 😪

[@Youknowmeozone]

Sometimes less is more …❤

[@goldenphalanges]

Some things are better left unsaid, Some people are better left untrusted

[@rodneyjones4787]

Finally, a clean version!! Bootlegged for years??? Who could afford not to release great songs like this BUT Prince? Awwww man. I will never ever get over his passing. I AM DONE.....

[@titojunior2439]

This song should have been on Parade and a single, it's a masterpiece.

[@jerad508]

Totally Agree! And this recording of it with these lyrics not the rewrite.

[@djextrabacon7573]

Omg i so much agree 👍 🙌

[@starrcompany3275]

I can imagine this song playing after Cherry moon was over! Since they played parts of it in the movie anyways.....

[@newhorizonsforfifty2833]

Instead of Under the Cherry Moon, perhaps?

[@Helios601]

@@starrcompany3275 Agreed.

[@Helios601]

The genius of this song is beyond words.

[@morten1]

And he played all the instruments, except for the short horns strut at the beginning

[@PurpleRain500]

I have lived to realize every word of this song with haunting detail. This man had a way of sitting there and writing your unlived life in a song in the most uncanny way. Just for the lyrics to sneak up on you decades later. Wow, that is a gift only God can give...☮️💟✝️

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Same. With clarity

[@PurpleRain500]

@@paisleyprincess7996🙏🏾💜

[@patricklanders5145]

My god how you really feel it when he says “They sold some more pictures .. all my little memories ..chub change is to unravel the mystery…but life is no fun without fantasy…” (hear how he hangs on “memories”. Kills me. He just got life.

[@johnclifford2371]

I’ve got this album in White Vinyl…my god between 78/88 what a decade of work.

[@digitalvictory8266]

Charade?

[@christophertracy7136]

Masterpiece!!!❤

[@TheLuggmaxi]

Pure poetry, the phrasing emotion on each line is incredible, The world lost a musical primary colour the day Prince died.. a true one of a kind genius... RIP.

[@morten1]

For me, this is one of the best gems of Prince's unreleased songs. Maybe even overall. The later las vegas version doesn't hold a candle to this one. This is raw, beautiful and haunting blues. All instruments (except the horns) on this was played by Prince

[@kandikane923]

incredible, he was truly gifted.

[@paisleyprincess7996]

My fav Prince Boot. “Chump change for some photographs and all my little memories.” Ain’t that true...Except for some it’s less that change. Sometimes it’s for nothing

[@MaryJaneBurns]

The depth!!

[@Martvandelay]

This is pure Prince. Top of his game!

[@britboxer]

Pure purple genius… ‘watch out they’ll kiss you, until they’ve got what they want …’ One of his finest songs ever 💜

[@tanyshalaney4164]

we all have Old Friends for Sale...sometimes you must move on and forward

[@purpleflowers699]

tanysha laney Their the ones who won't let go. This song was written in the 1980s. Prince has never said a peek about them sense.💜

[@starrcompany3275]

@@purpleflowers699 I wonder who were the friends that he put up for sale tho😳 (whomever it was must have really hurt him)

[@purpleflowers699]

@@starrcompany3275 🖤💜🖤It would be easier to say who didn’t.🖤💜🖤

[@qwertyzxaszc6323]

Such a gorgeous burn track. Imagine being the ones roasted bobbing their heads and singing along.

[@paisleyprincess7996]

I think they probably feel sad about it. I know Jimmy Jam and Terry felt bad.

[@LaCheleWallace]

If he only knew what he did on this song. Those lyrics... Excellent song/version.

[@morten1]

@Firefly He not just wrote it. He played all the instruments, except for the short horns strut at the beginning. And I bet he made the song in a few hours

[@jamesmitchell331]

I have this entire album on vinyl and I haven't played it, since he left. It's too emotional for me.

[@herboffour8594]

chilling and gorgeous song. Beautiful

[@gothamknight2700]

Ain't nothing like playing the original cut! Too smooth! 😎🎶🎶

[@Helios601]

To make this even more mind boggling, it flows into 'In All My Dreams'... You can make it out at end. I have this. A truly crowning achievement and both unreleased. Simply incredible.

[@taozen1]

My favorite Prince unreleased track. So much emotion. This version is so much better than the one he officially released. Amazing you have one of such good quality.

[@ledivo59]

Yes, the later (re-recorded) version on "The Vault" can't compete with this one from "Charade"

[@jayjay86443]

@@ledivo59 Instrumentally it kicked ass, and the ending chorus was a bit more theatrical. This is the better one with the ominous, haunting, somber tones and implicit betrayals happening throughout. The end chorus here was just elegant and even more haunting. Now, there's an outtake combining the Instruments of Vault with the Lyrics of Charade and to me, this should be the true version. We don't mention the live ones.

[@SteveSteeleSoundSymphony]

Nothing beats the original bootleg version. The synth that comes in at the end. It's ethereal and creepy at the same time. Brilliant! The leftover Parade tracks; Old Friends 4 Sale, All My Dreams and Others Here With Us are my favorite Prince 'gift" ever. Got it in 1987-88 along with the Black Album. Parade is ny favorite album, but if those tracks would have been included too? Wow! A world unto its own.Might have even saved the movie!

[@nishani3]

Dammit!!! He knew...all along...he knew...💔💜

[@etreezeful]

nishani3 And that's the part that fux me up. Damn....

[@morten1]

We all know we die some day sugar pants ;) I don't think he knew it would be so soon for him

[@theteleisewilliamsexperience]

@@morten1 He said in an interview he wouldn't make it 2 60 yrs old. And a certain company had 1.6 billion reasons for him not 2 make it 2 60

[@morten1]

@@theteleisewilliamsexperience What company? I don't believe in most conspiracy theories

[@briannaburch6737]

@@morten1 Warner brothers took him out for his 1 billon dollar life insurance policy and 300 million estate also they own a cremation service center which explains why they were so involved with his death and cremation process and also it took less than 24 hours for it to be completed

[@angeleyes98676]

This song is sooooo deep lyrically symbolic over emotional events taking place 😢 gets me in the ❤ every time I hear it. Such a genius still crying purple tears ☔

[@lindabyrd6977]

My Son husband prince princess Linda Blessed

[@mrcoolcasanova1]

The one and only!!! We will live through the music.

[@asthestarsdiethesunwillris2352]

The sun set in the west this mornin' 4 I know, I know L. A. Is callin' Bad news, Steve said, and people are talkin' They say your kingdom is fallin', yeah They say you lost your fire When another musician you hired Little do they know, you wouldn't have passed go Unless they could take you higher, yeah The sun set in my heart this afternoon 4 2 friends of mine got stuck in the snow In Uptown when winter's alarmin', oh Cocaine becomes charmin' But you talk about things you don't know 'bout I know, no matter how pleasant your past was Green and white return 2 blue U're happy as long as your last buzz And then you think you want something new, yeah The sun, the sun set in my mind this evening 4 someone who said they would die 4 me Sold some, they sold some more pictures and all my little memories Chump change is 2 unravel the mystery, ah ha But life is no fun, life ain't no fun without fantasy Some things are better left unsaid And some people are better left untrusted Maybe, maybe, maybe it'll all make sense when I'm dead When I'm dead Old friends 4 sale Get'em while the gettin' is hot Watch out, they'll kiss you until they get what you got And they'll show you the friends that they're not Old friends 4 sale

[@newwayofthinking...2301]

Thanks Martha for posting the lyrics.

[@tommyji8954]

Martha MelJane thank you for taking the time 2 write the lyrics down there was a few words I couldn't get such a beautiful almost prophetic song..

[@blaqmarc]

I have this version but with Claire Fischer’s strings.

[@Dornie51]

Martha, thanks so much for writing out the lyrics!!

[@troypostell798]

Great song

[@beaubleu1]

I just can't stop listening to this...... best version. Raw and REAL. Just don't know how this was never released....WoW.

[@brendamelvoin2043]

God, I love so much this song/era ! I was so happy that "All My Dreams" was officially released. Truly hope that this one will B part of the Parade SDE...

[@christophertracy7136]

Except that is was released in 1996.

[@brendamelvoin2043]

@@christophertracy7136 ??? It was a different version...

[@christophertracy7136]

Are U talking about the 90s version? I love the original more because U can feel the sadness.

[@brendamelvoin2043]

@@christophertracy7136 U talked about the 90's version. In my initial post, I was wishing 4 a release of the original version...

[@coquijean]

still here 3/24/2021......and i cant help myself

[@purpleman1974]

When you can afford to leave this song out of the chosen lot for your records, you play in a whole different league. Especially considering the way Prince played and composed in the studio. He might have composed, played and recorded this in one day.

[@markmower6507]

Prophetic, he knew all along. The Whole Vault just needs to be released en masse!

[@tootfromwroot]

This separates prince from every other musician, along with 10/15 other songs, on his own in a league of 1. Incredible

[@Dornie51]

Wow I love this song!! First time hearing it .. I don't know how I missed it before!!! 💜💜💜

[@kandikane923]

He has so many more great songs that i only discovered when he died. He was truly gifted and amazing. His jazz albums are superb (check out the NEWS)💜

[@lindabyrd6977]

SONGS WOW SOLO ARTIST GODS CROWN PRINCE

[@vinababyexperience]

💔💔😭they will show u the friends ur not...

[@lexxmusic7549]

Let's hope the Estate will do a Parade Super Delux Edition including this. Such a gem.

[@ledivo59]

Prince was that kind of artist, you could truly fathom by the songs he omitted! This (1985-)version of OF4S says it all - what a (buried) treasure of a song on the alternative version of 'Parade' called "Charade".

[@artelmiller642]

No, no.. Not prince, wow truly ahead of his time.......

[@markmower6507]

Side note I bought this as a single in Atlanta Ga when it first came out, however it was expensive and I was fortunate enough to know a friend of a friend that could get their hands on it! Same thing with the black album, I was listening to that for two years before most people realized it existed. Crystal ball etc.

[@khismet]

Mark Mower Same. I too had a friend who was generous enuf to share a copy w me. I wore this out for years before anyone had a notion of its existence. Some of us were just lucky!

[@user-gi6ee8vj1y]

The 1st verse is about Larry Graham. Note the reference to "take you higher," lyrics from one of Larry's songs. The second verse is about a mixture of people. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were reportedly fired after a snowstorm prevented them from returning to Minnesota in time for a concert. The snow reference also refers to cocaine. Vanity and Morris Day both reportedly had substance abuse issues. The 3rd verse could be about several people, but Prince's former bodyguard, Chick, sold pictures and stories to the tabloids.

[@darkknightsds]

You're so wrong on a lot of this. For starters, the incident with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis happened YEARS after this song was written. Second, The first verse is most definitely NOT about Larry Graham.

[@user-gi6ee8vj1y]

@@darkknightsds the incident with Jam and Lewis, occurred in 1983. This song surfaced in 1985. There are SEVERAL versions of this song. I know more than you think.

[@suzeesix]

He didn’t even know Larry then.

[@PassDatHere]

Actually the song is about Big Chick, his former bodyguard who sold a story to the National enquirer , he was strung out on coke by then...

[@user-gi6ee8vj1y]

@@suzeesix Larry was a huge musical influence on Prince. Furthermore, Prince's lyrics weren't always exact interpretations of an actual event. He often made references to people in his songs, but the song itself wasn't about that particular person.

[@cherrymoon58]

This is my favorite version. Always will be. I know quite a few have heard the Vault version, but this has so much guttural meaning behind the lyrics and delivery. You'd have to know the backstory to truly understand. Thanks for sharing. 🙏🏿💜

[@cathiphoenix2771]

Wow! I love the 1991 version on the Vault album (slightly different lyrics), but this original is so rich and very personal. Don't think it was ever released? Thanks for sharing.

[@borushthegreat]

Cathi Phoenix he was talking about morris, jesse, vanity, big chic, purple rain era

[@cathiphoenix2771]

borushthegreat Thank you. Makes sense

[@tanyshalaney4164]

borushthegreat yes he was so real in this song...

[@talk2bill]

After having this for years I was so disappointed with that when it came out

[@starrcompany3275]

@@borushthegreat Wait are you serious?

[@christophertracy7136]

This song in this original version should have been on Parade! This wants me 2 cry all over again and I wonder what inspired this gem?

[@cherrymoon58]

Thanks for this, it's one of my favorites as sad as it is. Anything from the Parade era is always welcomed and appreciated. 💜🙏🏿

[@wisewoman5245]

I love this look on him! I love this era.....

[@stuartmcculloch9461]

Timeless

[@think4]

Damn! Prince always surprise me! Thanks for posting!

[@DjHero1234]

Tak bywa takie życie taki świat 😊

[@Sec998]

Thanks for sharing this. This is an excellent recording of the song

[@Pillar5770]

Best version, in my opinion.

[@positivejust6981]

1st verse: about the backlash of adding Wendy to the fold 2nd verse: Morris day and vanity 3rd verse: big chick

[@RockyScorcese]

PositiveJust Jam and Lewis also in 2nd verse- 2 of my friends got stuck in the snow.

[@user-gi6ee8vj1y]

@@RockyScorcese they said he lost his fire, when he hired Larry Graham. Unless they could take you higher, borrows lyrics from one of Larry's songs.

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Don’t Forget Flyte Time

[@paisleyprincess7996]

@@user-gi6ee8vj1y Naw...He wasn’t anywhere near Larry in 85.

[@justinculp7357]

Stuck in the snow is a metaphor for cocaine

[@kingpin71]

Maybe this one was a little too personal to put on the soundtrack to a film in his opinion. It is deep and profound, I love it. It is classic Prince with all of the hidden meanings. It all went down the way he wanted it to on this album. It was always his way or the highway!

[@jayskywalker5049]

I wonder how does Morris feels now that Prince is gone when he hears this....shit is probably super heavy on his heart

[@starrcompany3275]

Yup cuz Morris said b4 Prince died he told Morris that he loved him! And that was somthing rarely heard from Prince to other men! He has no problem saying it to women tho lol

[@vibezonvibez2181]

2019 anybody?

[@angeliquesoul6719]

🔥🔥🔥💜💜💜

[@Hope2seeU]

Sigh.... ☔️💜🕊

[@theprolificnetwork4670]

Never heard the Parade version. It's splendid.

[@tommytrance684]

this is THE version other 1 is syrupy slop!!one of my ultimate favourites​...

[@user-gi6ee8vj1y]

You're right. This version has more grit and emotion.

[@clivewilliams916]

I have cancer...only just found out she two plates of pasta......I usually don't have much appetite...but like my beautiful prince I'm gone...............................x x

[@jacklyons7960]

Timeless 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@theodoresheppard9124]

we miss you

[@rayluca6037]

'OUR' ✊🏿MOZART🎹🎶‼

[@robertbemis7006]

He knew he was being used he wanted to help he was there himself that was prince

[@purplesky5102]

💜☦️💜#Prince4Ever I miss Him so...😔💔☮️💟☯️👆🏾

[@StPaul-rp4iu]

I wish Prince would have kept the title "Little Girl Wendy's Parade" . I've never heard that version.

[@starrcompany3275]

I did!!! Wendy did the whole parade album over! Had it but my x girlfriend stole it from me🥺😢

[@gilbertgarcia8958]

Funky god damn

[@brachelleon8333]

He is the one............

[@jennymulenga7374]

The Vault version from 1991 sounds a bit like a song from a Bond film....

[@morten1]

Yeah this is much better. Raw, felt, beautiful (less is more)

[@adolflelouche9337]

le meilleur

[@christophertracy7272]

This version should've been released on the Vault CD. U can't improve on perfection!! It also should've been on Parade and released as a single!!!

[@robertbemis7006]

How true the word are

[@southpaw2k1]

I had a friend who had this version. He said it came from the Black Album. Guess it was a different album.

[@Captain_Rhodes]

where do people get this stuff? I mean ive gotten some rare ones over the years but now its all appearing from nowhere! the amount of unreleased stuff is insane

[@judasbooth5455]

Theyre from bootleg releases, but i don't know how they got the original recordings.

[@tanyshalaney4164]

They said you lost your fire....

[@alex55852]

❤️

[@goodgirlsguide]

From a bootleg tape version of the black album

[@paigesmith6548]

💜👑💕💞🎤🎶😘

[@JoeyDamocles]

Great true life references in this song. Inspired by Prince's bodyguard Big Chick selling a story to the National Inquirer. "Steve" is Prince's manager, at that time, Steve Fargnoli. The line about losing his fire because of another musician he hired is about saxophonist Eric Leeds. Some thought adding the sax to his music was taking away from the "fire" of Prince's heavy guitar Purple Rain sound. The 2 friends stuck in the snow were Lisa and Wendy. They were stuck at the airport during a snow storm when they were supposed to be working with Prince. Prince wrote this song instead. References to cocaine are supposedly also about Big Chick. Amazing song! I love the jazzy vibe of the music he was making during this period.

[@waynegoins9033]

no---the stuck in the snow was not wendy/lisa, it was jam/lewis who flew to atlanta to do a session with sos band.

[@purpleflowers699]

@@waynegoins9033 🍒💋🍒Exactly! That’s why Prince fired them. Because their other jobs were getting in the way of the work they were supposed to be doing for the time. They missed a concert and Prince had to play they’re parts behind the certain. And L& W worked ‘ for ‘ Prince, not with him.🍒💋🍒

[@kitap6447]

Needless to say..... Smh🙏🏼☔

[@christophertracy7272]

This song should've been on Parade! It's better than half the songs on that album! It's so prophetic.

[@MsANGLEPOISE]

bulllshit

[@talk2bill]

Someday this version...the real one. the one He did not want waste on that contractually obligated collection will be released.... maybe a Parade Delux?

[@kandikane923]

Best song ever. Do you have this where he performed it live in one of his Montreaux concerts i believe it was 2014?

[@ppa9479]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqOTh4ufi8mjmZo Kate I know your comments a long time ago but just incase think this is it?

[@Steve-mp7by]

One of his greatest songs still unreleased. The L and R channels are reversed

[@neopinto3339]

It's easy to write songs about me when he is rich and I am poor and have nothing and homeless

[@gamillionestudios4162]

All the members of the time clicked dislike on this song.

[@purpleflowers699]

🍒💋🍒LOL!!!! Yet they still kept coming back to the genius.💋🍒💋

[@starrcompany3275]

Was it them or someone else?

[@cathiphoenix2771]

+Guad971 Do you know if this version was ever released/available to purchase? I love it💜

[@KINGJAMESNYC]

This Version Unreleased Unfortunately

[@buddinganarchist]

Except for Wally or Cosmic Day, maybe...

[@MrMarz34]

The superior version of this song. Not a fan of the one on The Vault.

[@marcialamb4054]

is this version on a album

[@cathiphoenix2771]

Marcia Lamb No, I don't think it was ever released. There's a different version on The Vault album.

[@user-gi6ee8vj1y]

The album version has been scrubbed of any real emotion and meaning.

[@a.c.cordova9840]

The track list is not a US edition....where was it released with these additional tracks added?

[@francisqchristopher8684]

It's not Parade. It's a very rare bootleg called Charade.

[@darkknightsds]

I like the other version better, I can see why he didn't release this

[@francisqchristopher8684]

You're high.

[@brianinglis3805]

The irony of this song is that Prince would eject 2 of his closest friends & collaborators, Wendy & Lisa from his band & life a year after recording this song.

[@purpleflowers699]

🍒💋🍒For good reason.💋🍒💋

[@theodoresheppard9124]

we miss you