Why Isn't the Batman 1989 Soundtrack More Popular? - Prince: Batman 30th Anniversary (Part 5)

Prince: Batman 30th Anniversary Discussion (Part 5) - Why Isn't it More Popular? With the Batman Soundtrack producing a #1 hit and being such a huge part of Princes legacy, why isn't it more popular. It may be more about perception than anything. We discuss this topic in Part 5.
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[@rosemarieharcus1917]

Batman was Genius! It captured the whole experience of the movie.

[@dawnnaavelino517]

I agree w- u

[@chrislacy1990]

‪I want to thank everyone who took time out of their day to watch these ‘Batman’ videos. I’m only 29 years old but I hope my thoughts gave everyone a greater appreciation for the album (whether you like ‘Batman’ or not). As for PF, thanks again for inviting me on your channel. I’m praying that more people discover your work and peel back the layers of the music they love.

[@PrincesFriend]

Any time man

[@prn0607]

Thank you so much Chris and PF! Learned so much! Much admiration, love and respect for what you both do and articulate so well. I listened to Batman all week at work because of this and loved it ! Wish you both much success and sending best wishes from Illinois.

[@lateleigh]

Hey PF, I heard Tim Burton was a fan, but did you ever hear about the tension between him and Prince over the soundtrack? Specifically "Dance With The Devil" which was possibly going to be the lead single before being dropped? I remember reading some time ago about Tim continually requesting that Prince change/alter the songs. He allegedly wanted Prince to write a 'big epic' song for the movie to be released as a tie-in single instead of these 'mid-tempo dark ones'. "Batdance" was apparently Prince's over the top reaction to Burton's ongoing complaints. That's we hear chopped up bits of "Devil", "Electric Chair", "200 Balloons" etc.. and crammed in dialogue from the unfinished cut of the movie with a massive 'epic' guitar solo over the whole lot. I believe the track was a big FU to Burton who perhaps overstepped the line regarding Prince's creative process!

[@StevieStitches]

Like Prince's Black Album, it was Prince who felt the track "Dance With The Devil" was too dark, so Prince chose not to release it on his album and Prince wrote in the album liner notes, "Don't dance with the devil in the pale moonlight. The curious try and always die." www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Dance_With_The_Devil Tim Burton rejected "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic" and "200 Balloons" because Tim Burton didn't think they worked within the film, so Prince replaced them with "Partyman" and "Trust".

[@Modernaire]

Interesting. Where did you read, see, hear this? I've never heard or read anything about that conflict. It's possible because during a creative process different egos can conflict in their colliding creative visions and goals. The chopped up Batdance seems possible, and it's an interesting story, but is there any verification that actually happened? There is footage of Burton in a Batman behind the scenes documentary speaking about Prince's music and how Burton was using existing Prince hits as placeholder music for rough cuts. So if there is something similar, maybe in a book about Burton, bio or making of a Batman or his films, and this can be verified, it would be kind of fascinating and I'd love to learn more about the rejection of Dance With The Devil which I think is perfect for the mood and what I call 'gothic funk' that steps into the occult and should of been on the soundtrack. Dance With The Devil certainly would of been the dark part of a duality/gemini division of dark, light, good, evil and I can see Prince making that a setup song to provide the GOOD in another song.

[@myishahutchinson652]

None of Prince's albums sounded the same and that what's made people somewhat turned off by him. To me Batdance, is a constant rotation on my musical devices.

[@tesswonderful4194]

Why would people want his music to sound the same? It's why I love him - its different. How boring for the music to stay the same.

[@BoosterGoldEarth6]

It hard to build a popular brand if you are not being consistent with what you produce. The casual listener love constant familiarity and are very reluctant to change. Coca cola is massive because they sell the same type of soda for the past 100 years. When they change the formula it don't deviate to far from the original. Same with Pepsi,etc. Pepsi lesser products are not as successful i.e Propel Sports Drink, why bc it vastly different than their other products. That Prince he always releasing vastly different products, which make fans hard to build an strong affinity towards him. That also why he is one of a kind

[@sunnypie2]

I’m enjoying the “originals” right now! But after listening to this enthusiast interview, I want to listen to the “Batman” album too. Prince has so much material he released! It’s so hard to keep up 😓😆 Great interview.

[@ronpaizley9349]

THE BATMAN SOUNDTRACK NOT INNOVATIVE ??? !!! / I AGREE HIS ALBUM STANDARD HAS BEEN QUITE EXPLOSIVE AND A HIGH STANDARD // BUT THIS IS STILL A FAVE PRINCE ALBUM FOR ME

[@dariousharris]

Me, too, my friend. People are idiots and TYPICALLY don't know what the f*** they are talking about.

[@kingsambokoon1422]

This album was trash heaven batdance poor single choice's too he should have made the future a single

[@alexcho9737]

The Future was a single (In Europe)

[@carriebernhardt3989]

Me and my best friend went opening night to Batman. Standing in line a bunch of folks were discussing the anticipation about Batman on the big screen, Tim Burton etc.. They were aghast when we said "we are just here for the Prince music". While Batman exposed a new audience to Prince, Prince also exposed a new audience to Batman. I became a Batman fan.

[@naligsEkr]

Believe it or not I just listened to his "Batman" soundtrack yesterday + LOVED THE 2 MAIN SONGS- and thought the choreography, music, .....everything was perfect. I always wait till people stop all the craziness + time moves on - then discover it by myself!!!!

[@giacominadingeo5617]

Batman is not my favorite album by Him, but I love it and I don't think that people don't!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

When I was doing redecoration in my apartment I had the "Batman" album playing on constant rotation and the more I listened to it, the more I began to notice how much is actually going on. And with each time I put it on, I discovered something new. On a comic book forum of which I'm a poster, we had a thread of the greatest villain speeches and I included the lyrics of "Electric chair" and people rated it as highly as the dialog from "Killing Joke" and that's REALLY saying something coming from hardcore Batman fans. The album really grew on me and I still play it regularly. It's an entity of its own in Prince' catalog, it will probably never be rated as high as "Purple rain" and "Sign o' the times" but I'm pretty sure that in time it will get the accolades it deserves.

[@StaceNyourFace]

Prince's Friend I have seen a bunch of interviews with Prince today that I've never seen before. I don't know how they flew under my radar before now, but I have to admit that I didn't watch a lot of videos people were posting immediately after he passed, because I just couldn't handle it emotionally. Man, I still can't keep back the tears sometimes. *sigh* You have probably seen every interview and video out there, but I may drop a link or two in your comments from time to time, just in case it's something you haven't seen yet. I hope that's alright with you. I don't know how to tag you on other people's videos, or if that's even possible on YT. Keep up the great work! ~💜Stacey💜~

[@javithemoondog6289]

Here I am commenting 48 years later. I feel like Batman's sound is right in the middle between a heavier in synths and drums Sign o the Times, and a darker Diamonds and Pearls. I love how the synth arrangements are used like neon lights in a common night of Gotham City. I just love this masterpiece! Many times I just grab my old Batman Arkham games and put the album as the soundtrack, and it is amazing. However, how you pointed out, I feel like while Lovesexy has no weak track, and you know, Sign o the Times might be the best album of all time, this Batman is just...a great album, and contains Lemon Crush, which I always felt was kinda weak. Good video Prince´s friend

[@gabrielepetrocchi1690]

I personally love the album. The title track is easily one of the craziest and most original tracks a mainstream artist has ever put out, also how he incorporated dialogues from the movie throughout the album was amazing. My only complaint is that it could have been even better had tracks like S.E.X and most of all Dance With The Devil been included. DWTD in particular is one of his best songs ever, I hope it's featured on an eventual "unreleased songs" collection someday, it needs to be heard in HQ. Agree about people associating this album mostly with the movie instead of Prince himself, that is truly why it's underrated as a "Prince album", even though it is one of his best sellers.

[@eddiet3026]

Batman had a built in theme. I look at it as pushing the envelope for soundtracks! Anyone who doesn't see it as a masterpiece is just a hater! There IS more going on there than just a "good" album. The songs ARE amazing! How could you listen to Scandalous or Electric Chair, or even Trust, and not hear the greatness of them in addition to the fact that they perfectly fit the Batman narrative? It's a magnificent twofer!

[@nancypatricia511]

Great in-depth conversation on this album. I couldn't disagree with anything here. I think that this was definitely a pause, if not a bit of backing in his journey and unfair to judge Prince or this album because of that. He was brought on because of his reputation and music that Tim Burton and Jack Nicholson were familiar with and loved. He was not brought into the project to innovate a new sound or concept. So Prince was going to reach for what he was known and loved. There is nothing wrong with that. Something that you pointed out about using the Batman icon with Prince's name mentioned nowhere on the cover? This would be Prince's first album using a symbol for the title. :)

[@chrislacy1990]

Nancy Patricia Excellent point about Prince’s use of a symbol instead of his own name. I’m not sure if that was a Prince or Warner Bros. move, but it creates a sense of curiosity.

[@nancypatricia511]

There was never an album cover that was not a Prince move. And names were one of the things that Prince loved to play around with; his own and others. Putting that Batman icon on the front of his album was like taking on a different identity which seemed to be deliberately done in this case. (Start listening at 10:22) He was always switching that up with a list that is quite long and getting longer because here is another one that I would never have even guessed. He loved going incognito. It was part of his game. There's enough content there for at least one video.

[@dawnnaavelino517]

I don't understand y ppl didn't like this album, I 💜💜💜💜💜💜 this album

[@shedabelle8485]

dawnna Avelino so do I

[@dawnnaavelino517]

@@shedabelle8485 I think they r dumb,

[@dawnnaavelino517]

They r bunch of haters

[@inspectorbudget]

@@dawnnaavelino517 The term "hater" needs to die already. Please God let it die.

[@dawnnaavelino517]

@@inspectorbudget sad ppl r always gonna hate, o well such as life, I 💜 the album 🙂

[@Vikki-Waiting-victoriagrace]

2:00 - that Prince 80’s albums synopsis though - so off the cuff - PROPS PF !!

[@PrincesFriend]

hehehehe! Thanks! And yeah, it was totally off the cuff, but also I think put into words something I've been thinking for a while. lol

[@Vikki-Waiting-victoriagrace]

Prince's Friend it made it so much more authentic!

[@mitchellbanks34]

THANK YOU Chris for mentioning Rhythm Nation!!!🖤🖤

[@chrislacy1990]

Mitch Banks You’re welcome. ‘Rhythm Nation’ gets cranked up to ignorant levels in my car to this day.

[@Supernova464]

That’s interesting. I don’t understand why some people don’t like the album? I’d say it’s one of the greatest albums of all time. It should be recognized more as it’s so underrated. I’d listen to it every week. I even watch the movie of it over and over sometimes. This is the best reviews ever. I give this a thumbs up. Thanks for sharing!😄👍

[@dawnnaavelino517]

Ikr I total agree w- u, 100 percent

[@juliusthompson9306]

I vividly remember everything about this release and movie! The movie AND soundtrack were literally everywhere! Listened to it a few months ago after not hearing it for more than 20 years, and it's genius! The musicality is out of this world! So many suprise musical moments in it.

[@Modernaire]

Prince didn't give away his songs. I think about Jack Nicholson, and how Prince felt Jack was cool, and how Jack WAS a "party man" and I think, Prince could have modified the title to match the movie's character, something like 'Joker Man' or something clever. Prince only modified an existing Rave era track from 'Anna Waiting' to 'Vicki Waiting' and is really the only song that suggests a movie tie in specifically to a Batman movie/story character. He could of, or another artist could have titled 'Batdance' as 'Batman', but not Prince. I agree, the dualities IN one album, Batman, is what Prince made the album, his own, personal, which could be a really interesting way Prince made Batman HIS album also, so it could live later as a self contained album that can stand the test of time. Which it can, but the tie into a 1989 very much hyped Batman movie, it dates it, Batman album has a ball and chain which is the Batman movie. In comparison with Purple Rain in terms of a Prince plus MOVIE, it still lives and breathes as a personal Prince-Prince album. I don't think Batman are left over songs, I think again, you have to look at Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic, and the songs springing up from that project, re-imagined great existing songs. Your guest is very astute to LOOK at what other albums and producers had going like Jimmy Jam/Janet's RN1814. I LOVED that album and still regard it as one of Flyte Tyme's ultimate achievement. I agree PF, I think the Batman movie tie in jarred the spiritual transformation, the OTHER side of darkness that Prince had going as an arc-storyline with CB/SOTT/LS then BATMAN then Graffiti Bridge which the album itself, the songs, and overall style seem a continuation of Lovesexy and Rave '89, maybe 'The Dawn' project also. However, and this is a whole other subject, Graffiti Bridge stumbled because of the very rushed FILM that accompanied it, which ended up being shaped, most likely by Warner Bros. into a Purple Rain sequel or retelling, of which I certainly am still wondering which of the two GB is!

[@TJ-rw7jn]

The Batman album was not supposed to be an album, When Warner approached Prince on this he wrote several songs same as how he did it with Purple Rain. Prince is an extremely prolific and does nothing on a small scale. Batman was at introduced at a transitional period in Prince's life at the time. And the music was changing rapidly at the time. And Warner had a large stake in this the decision making aspects of Batman as well.

[@Doskharaas]

I hooked on Prince when I was 13 watching Batman on TV at Korea, Trust got me hit hard, I wanted to know who sang the song. To me the Batman sound track is what Prince is all about with that duality.

[@PrincesFriend]

And that duality is important

[@Doskharaas]

Prince's Friend Can’t Agree more. Prince is still my artistic core that I am a novelist, he taught me that duality is divine that eternally struggle, yet integrated as one in a harmony, like oriental thoughts as yin-yang or sort of, in a way of songs and performances. Beautiful and sacred being he was, and also Nasty hot black ash, like a Tibetan tantric buddhas.

[@Pillar5770]

Batman did not have a follow-up tour like the previous albums did. It was treated like Around The World In A Day where Prince would play a few songs off the album on the Parade tour, but that was it. The Nude Tour was a best-of Prince tour and then it was onto the 90's. He never looked back.

[@brandyd5291]

I love this conversation at this album! This may be unpopular opinion but this is actually one of my favorite Prince albums! It’s got a sentimental value to it but this album has depth and complexity. This album similar to Parade takes you on a journey beginning to end!

[@PrincesFriend]

It’s a popular opinion in my book

[@blancafiro2810]

Im loving this last part series

[@blancafiro2810]

My favorite song from batman is not in here it is called partyman purple party mix it has a little bit of songs in 1979-1988

[@JoeyDamocles]

I made my own Batman mix to give it a bit more edge. My version goes.... The Future, Electric Chair, Dance with the Devil, Vicki Waiting, Lemon Crush, 200 Balloons, Partyman (Extended Video Mix), Scandalous, Batdance. Also, Kudos for giving The Cure a shout out.

[@lateleigh]

Would LOVE to hear that!

[@PrincesFriend]

I love the Cure!

[@cathylee5840]

To me Prince had it no matter what happy Friday to you both hope you both have a blessed and great weekend 💜💜💜💜😀🙏

[@noneya8273]

I like how you went through the albums in the way you displayed how different they were but I like that man that mean to me it was different it was a motion picture soundtrack. And it was just good but it was still phenomenal in my opinion. Everything he does is golden

[@PrincesFriend]

Exactly

[@chandlerdukes1790]

Summary is in the words of James Brown “dead on it” for a long time I skipped the Batman album and Batdance, but these reviews opened me up to this album and how powerful it is, i think like James Brown and George Clinton before him, at some point you have to take a rest and it was the end of the1980’s and Prince had exploded the music scene and Batman was his rest album to me kinda like a Gloryhallestupid (George Clinton album after Uncle Jam record), still an incredible album full of gems just not as explosive as the previous, because again Prince was about to do more work and start NPG later that year with Graffiti Bridge, just my view.

[@charlenejames723]

The reason didn't really listen to the BATMAN soundtrack was that I'm not a BATMAN person. BATMAN never appealed to me. I think everything Prince did was good. Different, but good, some were great but have to listen to the soundtrack again. With the input, you all talked about.

[@seanm1955]

I feel like the reason it isn't held in such a regard as the others is because it's one of the only ones that is firmly rooted in a film that dates it slightly and makes it feel a little gimmicky and like a historical artifact more than the others. Of course public perception is the main thing and the music itself is very very good but its connection to a film from a specific time. Also I feel like Wish was well received because it sold very well (their 2nd best selling i think?) but every one i knoe in the Cure fanbase holds it in very high regard

[@crazyninjaa]

Good video bro! Maybe why most people didn’t love this record, because it might be a bit for corny compared to his previous work. Maybe a bit corny but i really like personally 😂

[@PrincesFriend]

I like corny lol

[@alexcho9737]

Why don't people like Batman album? First and foremost, it's very much a dance album - I suspect the more you like to dance, the more you'll dig the album Point #2: The movie cast a huge shadow over the album - People tend to see the album as supporting the movie; the fact that he's not on the cover sure doesn't help Point #3: Totally concur with the album "dis-order" - Moving from The Black Album to Lovesexy to Batman is akin to Dark to Light and back into Darkness

[@Lindae696969]

Great show!! I like the Batman album, love the videos and the sound. This is a soundtrack not a pop album and the music centers around the characters. Prince was writing for a different medium - film, and not about him. Batman may not be his best work, but the music plays an important role in the film!💜💜

[@PrincesFriend]

But that’s the thing, he WAS writing about him. The music was only tangentially about Batman in the end

[@Lindae696969]

Really? I got the impression he wrote around the characters! I will take a 2nd listen. Thanks again!💜💜

[@jasonbreininger7375]

Great discussion on Batman. I look forward to reading Chris’s article and agree that Batman is an underrated gem in the discography similar to how I feel about “Prince” & Hit n Run Ph 2. Def NOT the cash grab & recycled tracks that many think it is.

[@chrislacy1990]

Jason Breininger Here’s the article in case you missed it. www.albumism.com/features/prince-batman-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective

[@nancypatricia511]

In the words of Prince . . . Wouldn't it be cool if . . . the back of the album had referred to the Joker using the colors that Prince used in his videos and maybe put some light colored, ethereal purple question marks on a darker colored purple background? That way both Batman and the Joker would have been represented. Shrug. I just thought of it because of the discussion. I can imagine that.

[@TheFonkzilla]

Loved your Batman series guys was really interesting, opened up new insights! No meh album in my book always loved it saw it twice on the cinema just cause of Prince! Electric chair was worth getting it alone man those guitars over that slammin beat!...I remember I had that on repeat! My only disappointment at the time was I wanted at least another track or 2, but an interesting different set after the liberating Lovesexy, which was part of its problem at the time due to its darker tone...but later is now appreciated a lot more. Thanks again guyZ! 🎼

[@PrincesFriend]

Yup! More music would have been great 😂

[@Vikki-Waiting-victoriagrace]

1989 Madonna released her albumLike a Prayer which P worked on.. so he was doing something a little more spiritual there I’m sure he was doing a lot more elsewhere too

[@louismurphy1689]

That album was fire!!! I loved it!! Batdance was so far beyond anything he ever did (A Medley of songs that was completely different from the originals) He never did A remix for A ballad and a 19 minuet version to boot!! And the song Sex was FUNKY!!! My only let down on this album for me was there was no remix for Lemon Crush I could listen to 12 mins of that joint!

[@PrincesFriend]

I’d be down for that too

[@shawnvalencia8124]

I think this album stands on it's own. Like the rest.

[@chrisgkhawkinsart4974]

I completely agree. Do u remember in Shawn of the dead when they chuck it at a zombie.

[@cathylee5840]

Batman was genius Prince rocked it Love your reviews Thank you 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜😀😀😀😀

[@vincentjordan5881]

PF that's a good question, with all things considered he turned in a fantastic album however there was alot happening with music many top forty And top ten play list going on,like rap and pop crossover dominated the airwaves pigeon holding artists to only feeding their fans with the same thing they got on last album just to insure platinum sales.My best guess on why it was not like very much jealousy from the industry, let me clarify when a artist reaches the height where let's just use Michael Jackson for example this level of success and achievement, the industry downplays them .its just to many factors play apart in sustaining that momentous media, radio and the shift in what popular. Minneapolis sound was still big look at the Janet album at that time,.yup, yup I believe at the time industry heads felt prince was getting to big for is britches, so they began to down play him.its like that old saying when you get so high there's only one way left down.PS I hate to play the race card,but here goes if prince where white by this time in his career he would have been crowned king of rock just from 1999 and purple reign

[@Vikki-Waiting-victoriagrace]

How was electric chair not mentioned ? Haha - PF this was a great series thanks for doing this for us x

[@PrincesFriend]

oh thanks! I was hoping it would be a hit. Chris was an awesome guest too!

[@vincentthomas7142]

At first I didn't care for this album, but after listening to your review of it- I'm a convert. This album is a lot better than I first gave it credit for. I believe his music made the movie so much better. I do believe it didn't do as well because this is the time in music where hip hop had started to take over & new jack swing was popular. Prince was on the decline.

[@PrincesFriend]

And that’s why it want before long that Prince reinvented himself for the 90s. He was always good at that. So happy we got you to take a second look at the album and gain a bit more appreciate for it. It really is amazing.

[@inspectorbudget]

I'll never understand how people don't see the brilliance of this album. Especially as a soundtrack. It's more than just a good album. The Future, Electric Chair, Vicki Waiting, Lemon Crush???? Come on!

[@PrincesFriend]

Right!?!?

[@inspectorbudget]

@@PrincesFriend No other artist could've done this to a soundtrack. One that comes damned close is Queen. The Flash Gordon movie. Have you seen it? If not, please watch the movie- listen to the soundtrack on its own & lemme know what you think sometimes. Hope the movie not too cheesy for you 😄

[@Daprince823]

Prince was at his best when he was pushing the envelope on purpose. There seemed to come a time where he was making music just to make it and you can''t really fool the public. We know when someone actually has something to say! Batman soundtrack had nothing to say except, I'm Prince and I can make good music.

[@RnB4Sure]

Who knows the answer. It is one of my least favorite albums also with the exception of Scandalous and the Suite which I love. I also was not interested in seeing that type of movie. I imagine most of the music (instrumentally speaking) was designed by Prince to fit that particular movie genre. I missed the channel while I was away on a very busy trip. Glad to be back.

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

Batman soundtrack so underrated

[@pinkcashmere573]

The only thing I didn’t like about the Batman soundtrack was the inclusion of the dialogue from the movie. I think to some degree he made it “tame” for the movie audience and perhaps was not so much of himself in it because he was doing it for someone else versus writing for himself. Plus we got used to the band influence and this time around there was no Revolution or Expanded Revolution/Lovesexy Band pre NPG. We had to get used to him standing alone. My two cents

[@PrincesFriend]

You two cents is worth five cents. :)

[@bestofjoy]

I'd like to hear a version of the album without the Batman movie dialogue. Batdance would make a cool instrumental

[@mykhedelic6471]

Trust-- what makes you a real lover: people just didn't trust Prince. The goofy ass public, they only get it "right" some of the time (and then, usually for somewhat "incomplete" reasons.) I think my comment on 4 hit on some of this, and you guys knock it out of the park here. I think this is a pretty solid analysis of the reaction and contents of this tragically slighted album. It's time to take this show to the next level: The Purple Duo do each Prince album, M-F in 1-5 daily episodes. I've seen the future, and it works.

[@PrincesFriend]

it's hard to trust when you don't know what's coming next. hehehehe. OMG! I'd be down to do this more often with Chris, cause he's awesome, but it can't encompass the whole channel. lol

[@mykhedelic6471]

@@PrincesFriend I think like you did it this time, where you do the conversation-- edit into 10-15 minute chunks, and then spread it out over the week. You could use them to keep content up, do a deep dive in digestible nuggets, and "take the week off" to work on other material for the channel, or, actually take the week off to be with your family or work on a big project on your day job or whatever. Maybe you could do one of these "A Week Of ____" once a month, freeing up time for you and still keeping the audience here with groovy content. I'd think it was cool (my vote). Great chemistry and some great interplay with some good stuff said and addressed. Maybe once a quarter? I guess it depends on your schedules (I think Chris had a good time, too.)

[@PrincesFriend]

I was just thinking that too. we'll see what happens. :)

[@glshe067]

My mouth is wide open and I'm floored. I listened to this last night and bounced back to 1999. I thought Batman was pretty awesome. If I'm being critical, Musicolgy, Hit N Run 1, or SOTT were better, but that's like saying Shaq dunked on me. There's no shame in that

[@angusorvid8840]

It's not a bad album but I think the issue was that Prince, normally a very independent, trailblazer of an artist, a visionary who stuck to his guns, was suddenly subordinate to Tim Burton and Warner Bros' very corporate idea of Batman, a movie meant to sell Happy Meals and toys. Price tried to bring some more depth to it, but it of backfired. It was like trying to launch a ship in a birdbath. It's a shallow album by Prince standards. It's still better than most albums from 1989. The soundtrack did sell very well, but it hasn't built a strong fanbase like Purple Rain, 1999, Controversy, or even Parade.

[@PrincesFriend]

I don’t think anything to said is actually correct 😂 so interesting to hear your thoughts though

[@angusorvid8840]

@@PrincesFriend What's incorrect?

[@PrincesFriend]

Yes

[@kristytucker9149]

I think what people don’t realize is that on this album he had a condition, which was he had to have these songs fit and go with characters. This was going make this album stand out just from that fact alone.lol at prince not putting his name on the album.

[@TomPlotagon]

Hey princes friend, have you heard of a store called 9T99? It’s a prince fan store where they make Prince cartoons and sell them on T-shirt’s. I can send you the link if you want!

[@marcinwilk5718]

I think the soundtrack is absolutely brilliant. I also believe that this was ( in my opinion, I know others might not concur ) the last album that was made in the 80s style of Prince's music. I mean all of the following albums are just so different as compared to Batman and the the ones before that if you understand what I mean. Anyway I think it is a brilliant album and of his Prince's best. It has an amazing tracklist that makes perfect sense when listening from beginning to end. As always I recommend listening to this album on vinyl. The DMM pressing I have is clearly superior to the CD release of said album. Vicky's Waiting is an excellent song, as is Scandalous. Scandalous in my view might be even of Prince's songs ever. This album does not have a single weak point. It works extremely well as a soundtrack but it also works very well on its own and could be released as a "normal" Prince album.

[@connors.8618]

I’ve never really felt these songs sounded out of place for the era. I guess trust and partyman could maybe pass as purple rain era b-sides/leftovers as their energy is a little similar to “baby I’m a star” as that was after all used for a placeholder. Production wise though, they definitely sound like lovesexy era cuts to me. There’s a cleanliness to them that kinda only fits that era for me. Also, Prince not embracing New Jack on Batman didn’t really come off as regression or being behind the game to me. One of my biggest gripes with that early 90s prince music was his embrace of NJS, even if I like those songs. For prince to embrace that sound has always come off to me as buckling to the trends of the day instead of setting the trends like he used to.

[@Thespeedrap]

I never even knew Prince until I was 8 but I knew Batman when I was 2 so hey Batman introduce me to Prince instead of the opposite.I cant wait to see Batman 2021 with my music being the forefront.

[@aleksandarfrick2656]

In that time 1989 Madonna record "Like a Prayer " . 3 song on that album is "Love Song "and ( i found out later ) guitar intro for Like a Prayer song is Prince . Im intresting what you thing about that song couse its stuff who also introduce his music for first time for many people ?

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

Michael Jackson did it so well and good they wanted Prince to outsell Michael for as record sells especially at that time...#WarnerBrothers

[@MartyFRsfNE]

because he left off the extended remixes as singles Big Daddy Kane mix

[@rusticization]

My humble opinion is this: Some music fans were beginning to write off Prince as a has-been and that he was not as relevant as, say, "Purple Rain" so they kinda pardon Prince for such a long while at that point, making "Batman" one of the most overlooked albums in Prince's 40 year career. It is sad because Prince is one of the greatest versatile chameleon icons in the music business.

[@PrincesFriend]

Agreed

[@MegaTempo22]

To people who own the 1989 "Batman" movie DVD, it is likely gathering dust because it so old and a product of that time. Queen fans love 'Flash Gordon", but it is not the go-to album for fans because that movie is incredibly old and dated as well. I think Prince suffered the same fate due to the fact that it was tied to a movie that most people do not talk about as much anymore. The album became more dated for that reason even though people would benefit to forget all things "Batman" and just appreciate it as a Prince album because he took the music very seriously as always.

[@teresaalexander8560]

You know I don't understand either. I thought it was so awesome. Maybe because it was so different to me. loving these interviews. Awesome job guy's. Thankyou for sharing.

[@PrincesFriend]

Thanks Teresa! Thanks for watching all 5 parts!

[@teresaalexander8560]

@@PrincesFriend Thankyou so very much enjoyed it. Feeling somewhat better starting to get back in life a little. Really hoping to see more interviews like this just made my day every day. You guys Rock!!!!!

[@DaLontayplayz]

Good album

[@TheBatmanjb]

I enjoy the soundtrack,allot,I loved it.

[@PrincesFriend]

Me too!

[@avace917]

My answer to this question is simply that it didn't age well. It somehow sounds pretty dated. More so than any of albums before it. As you said, he did this FOR Warner Brothers. He was literally hired to do this album.

[@PrincesFriend]

Well he did and he didn’t lol. It’s not like he stopped doing Prince. He just has a hyper-focus on why he was doing it. I don’t think he did any less than other albums

[@avace917]

The reason I say that is this is a soundtrack for a movie that's not his. "Batdance" wasn't included in the movie because it was deemed "too racy" according to the press at the time. I'm sure the same thing happened with a couple of his other movies. I just previously never heard about it. This album has 9 songs on it and only 6 of them are actually in the movie. Ironically 2 of the 3 not included in the movie were released singles.

[@avace917]

The biggest surprise for me in hindsight on this album is that he doesn't rap on it.

[@70sgemsconnolly34]

I love the batman album

[@PrincesFriend]

Me too!

[@tonydeltablues]

lol I love PF's summary of all of Prince's 80's album...

[@WelcomeTooo]

Ask yourself one question : which album do I prefer … Diamonds & Pearls or Batman album.....I’m thinking most prince fans are going to say Batman

[@PrincesFriend]

I think it largely depends on who you ask LOL

[@archie6962]

Batman for me right now but I can change my mind later 😉

[@pulsarstargrave256]

It's a great album but he played it safe (compared to his other albums) because he wanted a hit that wouldn't be perceived as dragging down what would be a massively successful movie, and yes, his Batman soundtrack was his 2nd biggest hit after Purple Rain, selling 11M copies globally! Remember, leading into Batman he had cancelled The Black Album, for personal reasons, and released Lovesexy, to lukewarm reviews! I love his Batman soundtrack (with SCANDALOUS and PARTY MAN as the faves), played it constantly when I first bought it, but now only play it once in a while. It's just not as musically exciting as his other work. I feel the same way about the relatively "weaker" GRAFFITI BRIDGE and GIRL 6 soundtracks

[@grooveyerbouti]

I thought this album was very popular? Or was that WB hype machine doing a great job at time? I was 15 at time so i just remember Batman everywhere. Personally for me weakest track is Batdance although good fun track,rest of album i love.

[@lforte3657]

Prince going BACKWARDS ? There are people who are trying , all the time to give you what ( they think & hope ) you want . Trying silly tricks to get & hold your attention 💲💲 * POP * in all genres - ALL when the WORDS came when the MUSIC came when he couldn't sleep startled awake grabbing pen & pad While recording in the studio , I don't think he was thinking Ooooooh I think THEY'LL like this 1 I wonder if THEY'LL find this funky Yes , THEY'LL like this "pretty" part If U know Prince U know that much

[@jamesl4857]

This is about a month late due to the editor's workload. By all means, let me know what you think. sequart.org/magazine/69957/how-prince-merged-the-worlds-of-music-and-comics-with-batman-and-beyond/

[@ricobonifacio1095]

I think that was the beginning of Prince hating warner bros. Maybe that's why it suffered. He wanted to do more and they wouldn't let him. So he did what he does and nothing more. But I love it anyway.

[@PrincesFriend]

Me too

[@chrislacy1990]

Rico Bonifacio Based on my research, Prince’s frustration began when Warner Bros. said ‘Crystal Ball’ couldn’t be a triple album in 1986. In my estimation, I’m glad WB stepped in because it gave us ‘Sign O’ the Times,’ which is his ‘Songs in the Key of Life.’

[@nancypatricia511]

@@chrislacy1990 I agree. it was at the three album set that W.B. started to draw a line. Up untill that point, Prince pretty much got what he wanted.

[@ricobonifacio1095]

Wish by the Cure is a masterpiece btw haha

[@PrincesFriend]

One of my faves

[@Thespeedrap]

Batman soundtrack rules i don't care what nobody says.Prince is great all through out.I think this is better than Purple Rain in my opinion.

[@joemcclinton1749]

I thought it was an excellent album.

[@Thespeedrap]

I can't wait till my Batman soundtrack is done just need to get edited down and fixed a little bit.

[@nawalaitelcadi1147]

Interesting, still marathon.... Do you also have a vault? Lol, just kidding

[@Moneytane1976]

I would not even say its a good album - its a mediocre one. The main reason I am not a huge fan of it - is that the quality is weak, there are 3 clear filler tracks on it. The sequencing is atrocious and the album really just promotes what I consider a very overhyped movie and Franchise. But don't get me wrong, the first two tracks and Scandalous are excellent and the videos are really good and tell a story - but its inconsistent and when you compare it to the rest of his 80s output and even most of his 90s output, its the weakest and only when we get to NewPowerSoul do we get a weaker album.

[@Moneytane1976]

Also all of the albums Dirty Mind to Lovesexy are innovative and see Prince as the tastemaster and trail blazer in 80s dance pop and also the trend setter. Batman is a trend chasing album on the other hand, like late 80s dance acts like S Express and Inner City. You can see more of my opinions in my new review video.

[@kingsambokoon1422]

Honestly it wasn't that good .he had a few good songs but they were forgettable . Unlike purple rain and under the 🍒 🌕

[@PrincesFriend]

agree to disagree. :)

[@aaronsoto9100]

10:38 "EVERYBODY went and bought it thinking it was probably the Danny Elfman album" WTF!! are you really Prince's friend? back in 1989 most of music regular consumers knew that Batman was the Prince soundtrack, music Scores albums were sold on speciality stores, record companies never released albums without a sticker label, even more albums that were sold on malls and plazas, plus Batdance the single was released before the album with heavy rotation on radio, people knew. BTW the irony of your comment (on the video), is that it was Danny Elfman the unknown artist, he wasn't a super star yet, he wasn't know for his trademark sound or Burton collaborations, people din't go to the record stores looking for the latest Danny Elfman score. Bs!!

[@aaronsoto9100]

9:00 "Rhythm Nation that was the landmark album of that year" are you serious?? Lol! yeah forget about very influential albums like The Pixies - Doolittle, The Replacements - Don’t Tell A Soul, Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother’s Milk, Nirvana - Bleach, Lenny Kravitz - Let Love Rule, Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine, De la Soul - 3 Feet High And Rising, Kate Bush - The Sensual World etc even Madonna's Like a Payer is more of a landmark then JJ's copy machine.