Why You Wanna Treat Me so Bad? - Prince | The Midnight Special

January 11, 1980
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[@greggraham9785]

Been a big PRINCE fan since the beginning but the guitar solo at the end of the song did it for me. The DIRTY MIND and Controversy Era is my favorite PRINCE eras

[@kelvinlovett1]

Dirty Mind, Controversy, and 1999 for me

[@christophertracy2807]

Dirty Mind era is what got me as a devoted life long fanatic. I had his first 2 albums when they came out but Dirty Mind was when his genius separated him from the rest of the world. The image and the sound came together to define him as a special one of a kind musical force on Dirty Mind. I can remember how my young crew was astonished with the crossover that he was getting - he was starting to show up in rock magazines and playing rock clubs. The hippest white kids were starting to hear him. He had something for everyone all in one package. It was punk, funk, rock, new wave, and even disco.

[@waynedexter]

I’m slightly disappointed that these Midnight Special uploads of Prince aren’t live. Especially when you considering that 99.9% of MS performances are live.

[@whitesauce923]

I think the late-era MS episodes don’t feature live performances. I don’t know why.

[@waynedexter]

@@Modernaire I know Prince was lip syncing and it wasn’t dubbed. I was just wondering why. For the Midnight Special entire existence you’d be hard pressed to find any other artist lip syncing. I’m disappointed because the quality of video and the performance is so good but it’s wasted on a lip sync

[@waynedexter]

@@Modernaire Also, why are you complaining about me complaining and why do you feel it necessary to be the arbiter of what I can complain about? If you’re going to disagree then disagree. But you don’t have to be unnecessarily disrespectful just because our cares don’t align. Especially not on an issue as trivial as this.

[@user-zz7nr9dt5x]

The guitars and organ sound live, not sure about the vocals. So is he lip-synching, and the instruments are live, or is the whole thing fake? How can you tell the vocals aren't real?

[@waynedexter]

@@user-zz7nr9dt5xEveryone one is miming in this. Nothing’s live, and I know this because the playback sounds EXACTLY like the record

[@CJH71587]

Happy birthday in heaven to Prince 🥳💐💜🙏🏿🎶 Classic from 1980! ❤️‍🔥

[@224flash]

He and Rick James were battling it out for top dog during this era, I remember it well. Loved them both and if you look closely you can see both had very similar swag. If course no singer has pushed the envelop like Prince when it came to cross-dressing. RIP

[@95VirginiaCounties]

Well… Bowie

[@felixramos3078]

Oh yeah, Prince was the ladies' man. He even wore their clothes. He definitely was ahead of his time.

[@Tassie85]

He wore that onstage 44 years ago. Tell me he didn't have the confidence of a king. He was just astonishing.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Imagine the amount of shit that guy took. Yes, an absolute king.

[@HeartWorX.Creations]

Indeed, what a RISQUÉ costume for that time-fwewww, he sure did ROCKIT THO!!!!! Have loved him since the beginning, his debut album w/this song & “I wanna be your lover”-yep, I definitely GOT IT then, neva got to see him in concert-DAMN-sure wish I had tho……👀😓‼️‼️ RIP *PRINCE*-still seems surreal U left us 8 yrs ago already! 👎👎👎😓‼️

[@paulloveless3372]

Not his debut album, his second album.

[@paulloveless3372]

Not his debut album, his second album.

[@teehud313]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@nothingsixsixsix]

Prince knew he was a rock star, which is why he wasn't afraid to take chances.

[@ABrownVB63]

The first band, this one, the most exciting and explosive for sure.

[@michelesmoke4131]

Damn, I miss Prince! 💜

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost eight years now since his passing. Prince wrote some great songs throughout his career. Nothing compares 2 U is by far tops my list of his catalog.

[@waynedexter]

Prince left a vast musical legacy behind I suggest delving into said legacy whenever you start to miss him

[@coryhogan6648]

I miss his flamboyant appearance and my lord those panties are so sweet.

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

💜💜💜

[@sunnystormy4973]

~ rest in paradise ~ 😔 🕯 -prince lived not far from me- 💜💜💜💜💜

[@marcelbell6751]

This is GREAT!!! All we need now is for SOLID GOLD to show all of its episodes.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

Oh man that's like icing on the cake. lol Do you remember "Starrrrrr productions"? Prince was on that. What year, like 1981-82. I think it had the Soul Train host Don Cornelius maybe. It had the video feedback infinity of a blue star graphic on the screen. In Columbus it was on regular cable channel 3 I think.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

I found this 1hr 34mins, KZbin: *PRINCE ERAS 1980-1983* on Sinnik22 channel.

[@zroy9263]

Great musical performance! This video is proof of my dude's PRINCE being a musical genius. He was only in his early twenties during this performance and he absolutely killed that guitar solo! PRINCE was one of the greatest guitar players ever! Easily in the top 10. He's also a Black musician who kept rock and roll alive in the musical community. A lot of people fail to recognize this. He was important in the funk rock scene as HENDRIX, SLY STONE, FUNKADELIC, DEATH, BAD BRAINS, FISHBONE, and LIVING COLOUR. PRINCE was an original act! There will NEVER be another legend like this man again. His outfit was a little too zesty for me though 😂!

[@melissapurvis8230]

Amazng! Prince, Dez, and Andre on guitars 😊! They each had their own styles! Just pure eye candy and talent! 💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

I actually went to the controversy concert in 82, and Prince was very unique with that sound you are hearing. It was kind of R&B synthpop with a rock presentation. He was advertised as a James Brown and Jimi Hendrix combo, but was neither of these. It was okay as a concert because there were so so many great artist at the time., but little did we know we were looking at one the 80s kings. Talented and unique is the best description at this time, but he was far away from his peak power at this time.

[@TwiztedGenius]

THIS IS WHAT LIVING IN YOUR PURPOSE LOOKS LIKE !!!!FREE 2 B YOURSELF AND NOT GIVE A DAYUM WHAT PEOPLE THINK!!!!

[@NigyarMamedova]

I just discovered this song and it is now my favorite.

[@josephwilliams3005]

U must be young lol but glad u like it … his music is the soundtrack to my life without it I wouldn’t have made it through tough times in my life

[@Midi-olo-gist6758]

What a guy. He was the man by far

[@user-qm6vr5os1n]

That guitar solo

[@uncleswan3896]

his guitar isn't even plugged in

[@Cormac-jd2kx]

His most overrated one 😂

[@musicalSFCat]

Prince getting funky on The Midnight Special. 💜☔

[@kenzelcold1636]

I watched it the night it aired. Life long fan

[@thevoid99]

@@Modernaire i guess you weren't ready for that. don't worry. a lot of people weren't ready for it. the stones weren't ready for it as they did not know what they had to deal with when they asked prince to open for them in l.a. as they kicked him out of the tour.

[@kenzelcold1636]

@@Modernaire Yeah, that's was the difference between MJ and Prince. He wasn't always suitable for children. He did adjust as he matured

[@JesgateOnDown]

@thevoid99 the irony & lack of foresight... 🤦‍♀️ Even as a naive teen, when I first heard Prince I was completely aware of him being unique → in the best way.

[@jeanbrown3777]

Yea...we stayed up every Friday night!

[@gregoryduncan3067]

Another great clip today. We have both clips now. Yay🎉!

[@LithaJones-td2jx]

My favorite song by him dancing this Friday morning i miss you Prince ❤

[@steadyglamourcosmetics]

His hair was exquisite💜👑💜

[@1971Sdiaz]

Majestic!!!!! Prince is the king,

[@newshoesbigblister]

Thank you so much for uploading all these wonderful shows and clips, and taking the time to upscale them - the quality is amazing! ❤

[@Romans219]

Pure musical genius!

[@pedrovargas160]

Last time for me saw prince live was msg 2010!!!! Will always b missed!!!

[@mannybravo237]

Prince, my man, you Have It All🤘🏻💜

[@BIZARBIES]

Even though it's not live, watch Bobby Z on drums... he is not pulling any punches! He was such an underrated drummer for sure.

[@DonnyNoMarie]

He's not only a great drummer, he's a great guy!

[@BIZARBIES]

@@DonnyNoMarie I don't doubt it!

[@BIZARBIES]

@@Modernaire no kidding? What do they call themselves?? I'd love to see them.

[@dboogiewoogieone]

I was wondering if anyone else noticed Bobby. He is throwin' the F--- down!!! He giving it up, even if it aint live!

[@nanshe3x]

Little dude you were so talented.

[@scorpichella]

America was never ever ready for this lol but Prince went full steam ahead and succeeded anyway 💜

[@YnotNomis]

Prince, Dez and 'Dre up front. Love this version of his Band (the Rebels)

[@sonetdug]

I was there that night!

[@xman9190]

My favorite Prince song!

[@trowerz]

I’m not really a prince fan, but seeing this on the midnight special is way cool!!🙏🏻🤘

[@alanvelleparambil]

this was awesomeeee

[@romelovesdan]

Let me add this....when I went to shows 'in this era' beginning with 3 in 1981, many girls were screaming and giving a lot of attention to Andre Cymone as well.

[@paradoxward2533]

I admit it...., I once owned an outfit like that....., well, at least the bottoms...., hey.., it was a different time..., it was Princes' time...., I have no regrets...., I had my fun.....,

[@RBS_]

...I think Prince actually played this LIVE, but they went with the Studio version (as an overdub), because back in 1980, Record labels wanted the consumer to hear, '..the Radio version..', and with Prince (playing it live) it would've sounded different....notice he's still playing at the fadeout...(3:36)....

[@ROLtheWolf]

According to the producers, that song was going too long. Amazing to see early Prince!!

[@brendamelvoin2043]

So happy ! Now I won't have 2 check daily the channel ! I have the full Prince performance ! Thanks 2 The Midnight Special 4 posting it 😊

[@WhyTheHorseface]

What a band!

[@timdelph2747]

I do not think the band was playing. It all sounds pre-recorded.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

@@timdelph2747 I’m sure you’re right, but they know how to perform on stage! A lot of bands dress boring and don’t even move. This band was entertaining, even if they weren’t playing!

[@timdelph2747]

@@WhyTheHorseface true

[@jeffandersen7397]

PRINCE could've stood in for Paul Stanley of KISS and it would have been stellar

[@edgilberto]

guitar solo killed. my goodness.

[@that70sgirl90]

One thing is for sure... he had some smokin' body! He has a phenomenal voice! Happy Friday 🥳 Thank you for sharing! 💖

[@evileyes4070]

We all love Prince 😎😍

[@executivedecision6141]

No we don't! I never liked Prince. I couldn't listen to more than a few seconds of this. But I was curious to see one of his first TV appearances, before Charlene Tilton hosted Saturday Night Live a year later and introduced him. He dressed and sounded like a woman in this Midnight Special. Very odd for the time, but then David Bowie did that years earlier, and David was a true talent!

[@sdey893]

​"Prince has a much tighter understanding of genres than me." - Bowie 🤡​@@executivedecision6141

[@delmedeiros3570]

​@@executivedecision6141Well, you might not like him, just like I never liked Bowie, who didn't sing or play anything, in addition to having absolutely boring and boring songs. But they are just our personal opinions and they are in the story, to our delight or not.

[@delmedeiros3570]

​@@executivedecision6141Well, you might not like him, just like I never liked Bowie, who didn't sing or play anything, in addition to having absolutely boring and boring songs. But they are just our personal opinions and they are in the story, to our delight or not.

[@robertmugabe2905]

@@executivedecision6141 lol , Bowie LOVED Prince . Apparently , Bowie recognized excellent talent when he saw it.

[@waverlyking6045]

Game, blouses….

[@chrisoakley5830]

Y'all want some pancakes?😂😂

[@al5152001]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Oh yeah, that was some funny 😆 stuff !! Chapelle & Charlie Murphy - thanks for the reminder! 🏀

[@christopherwoods891]

Lol

[@joepermenter7228]

Setting fruity ass picks and shit.

[@bernardtalbert6729]

I've never seen this clip before. Too bad it wasn't a live performance but this had to be produced in the final years of The Midnight Special which similar to Soul Train initially had live performances but later switched to lip-syncing to reduce production cost. BTW most people didn't know that Prince played all the instruments on his early record albums and The Time records. I think Morris Day may have played drums on some of early The Time records. Prince hired the band members later when he was ready to tour.

[@staciasmith5162]

This band is always on point.

[@sebastiendamarey6673]

With his Gibson L6 S !!!

[@Dan-vt3nk]

Awesome!

[@jerrybrowning8422]

LOVE PRINCE!!! THANK YOU!❤

[@proudamerican9438]

Prince with his fine self looking like a gay caveman. LOL 😂😂 I love this song, the man was genius. I miss him. Musicians like him only come around once in a century.🎸🎸🎵🎵

[@KittyGrizGriz]

I miss Prince 🥹 💜

[@TheRoyalGenerationiTunes]

The amount of guts it took to get on national TV in that outfit in 1979 Lol😂

[@yiddena]

Wow. They are so tight!

[@violentshemp7776]

it's the album track.

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

The most talented I have ever seen. He plays every instrument and sings so... only Prince. A true Maestro. And he dressed so weird. Especially in this day🤣👍🏼 I remember when he passed. I never felt the loss of any star that deeply. Disappointed when you could search on KZbin and listen to his music. Took me a while to even do it because his efforts to own it as he should ended with him.

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

@@Modernaire That is terrible and exactly what I suspected. Modus Operandi of these Lucifer worshipping shit bags. I used to think that Satan was winning, had a stroke over it fighting them with every single angle I could. I was wrong, Yah wins. Hallelujah! Shalom ❤️‍🔥 ❤️‍🔥 ❤️‍🔥

[@billymoluv]

His music was great. when you say Rick james I see it now.

[@smashism]

This is crucial.

[@waynedexter]

The artist is crucial The miming, on the other hand, not so much Respectfully

[@joeyhunt7820]

They played live set at that time but some set backs to live TV in the 60s and 70s so enjoy watching and cool out. Stop rain falling! Snow Blizzard.

[@Gatazaf]

❤ From Oslo, Norway

[@carlobalzer3238]

Miss you prince last time prince live 2007 at 02 in London 🙏💜

[@Rico-ow3ys]

That is one tight band.

[@andypearce5537]

Nice to see Dez

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Yikes, Galm-Fruities !!! 🍒🧚🧚‍♂🧚‍♀ 😆 🤣

[@rossblack1542]

Watching Prince miming is like a broken pencil: pointless. Nice outfit though, Princy baby.😄😄

[@CountJayeAndTheHardBeats]

The only in an outfit like this who still looks manly.

[@AnthonyWilliams-ot1yk]

A live performance of Prince on TMS and it’s a recorded track? Huh?

[@paladro]

wow, just great.

[@thisislogout]

Only two of us in the comment section noticed that this is not a live performance? Hello? They are fake playing and singing to the studio track! WTF?

[@user-qj2pj7rz6k]

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@AlecMajerison]

I know it was common to lip-synch at many TV venues at that time, but I thought Midnight Special was always live. That obviously changed at some point.

[@ynothump2566]

💜

[@averyj8924]

I didn't know that show lip synced

[@amess0stuff89]

Would have been amazing had The Midnight Special not cheesed out by then with the lip-syncing. I notice at this stage Prince w/out guitar is Mick Jagger while Prince with guitar is Paul Stanley of KISS. Oww yeah!

[@marisabruno7110]

((💜💜)) Forevermore…

[@chrismanzoni3586]

OMG put on some pants JC

[@uncleswan3896]

Prince's guitar is not plugged in. Aren't the MS supposed to be live?

[@joepermenter7228]

Acts that hadn't made it yet would pull this shit for exposure, hence the fruity ass outfits.

[@JoeyLevenson]

Is that a Gibson L6S? I never saw him with that guitar…

[@austinstyles6393]

That was his main ax before he got the Hohner MadCat. He acquired the Hohner when was he working on the Dirty Mind album.

[@LouieLouie3]

Too bad Rolling Stone fans didnt get him in 1981 when he opened for the Stones.

[@beyourself2444]

They were racist like blacks didn't invent rock n roll, even the term was an AA slang but hey...

[@DwainWilsonJr]

This dude Prince, man... 🤦‍♂️😂🤦‍♂️😂... why he had to paint us lightskins in a bad light like that.... 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@rcleme]

Why not live?

[@steelkeez7700]

Your welcome ✌🏾 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIC4f3R_nJeqpbcsi=T9_uCVXIQkYiITsl

[@GlenRunciter-vq8de]

Endstage Midnight Special leaned heavily into lip syncing

[@coachcleats13]

They killed him!

[@parmahmac6073]

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜☔️☔️

[@rachaelday6154]

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@AJ-mm1iy]

Yeah

[@2_thumbs_up_baby]

I think he went into the wrong side of the wardrobe lol

[@timellison]

Wow

[@Waterschei]

Great artist… but Even in post glam rock period… what A RIDICULOUS outfit 😱😱😱🤣

[@celio777]

Prince was an E.T.

[@weedfiendofthewasteland3616]

I've been looking for an outfit like that. I just don't know if I'm man enough to pull it off.

[@David-fs2yz]

I was not a prince fan and this just enforces why I never did.

[@paulj0557tonehead]

MUST SEE early PRINCE--- 1hr 34mins, KZbin: *PRINCE ERAS 1980-1983* on Sinnik22 channel. Interviews, footage, band members, DJ's...

[@jamesbryant3654]

That outfit though. No wonder people thought he was gay back when he first came out. Not out of the closet that is.

[@waynedexter]

I don’t understand you’re point or better yet why it needed to be said

[@jamesbryant3654]

@@waynedexter No don't take it too personal good buddy. I'm a big Prince fan. I miss the man. But I remember when he first came out back in the 70's. I was a kid. And people didn't understand him. And peeps, even myself thought that maybe he was gay. But he wasn't. He was just different. That's all I'm saying. But haven said that I do believe the outfit was a bit much for a guy to wear.

[@waynedexter]

@@jamesbryant3654 Just because I’m asking questions doesn’t necessarily mean I’m taking anything personal, slightly or otherwise. No offense/disrespect but It’s pretty much common knowledge that narrow minded bigots who like to put folks in a box, just because of their own insecurities, think a lot of things. Like folks who dressed androgynously are gay. Why you felt is necessary to reiterated that on this post is beyond me. Prince didn’t subscribe to conformity and he most definitely didn’t like to be put in box. Prince dressing androgynously was him thumbing his nose at conformity and the confines of archaic gender norms. He did this both with his music and with his aesthetic. That’s what I loved about Prince. His nonconformity is something that should be commended and celebrated

[@jamesbryant3654]

@@waynedexter Couldn't of said it better.

[@robertmugabe2905]

lol , take off your '' Caveman Goggles '' dude , and recognize genius when you see it .

[@manugrandest1683]

Vaut surtout pour ses duels de guitare 🎸. Dommage que Prince n'ait pas développé un peu plus ce genre de morceaux rock dans sa carrière, au lieu de sombrer dans une funk électronique et synthétique souvent fade voir nulle

[@krashboombang]

lip snyc? Too talented for that, RIP Prince, you are missed.

[@BeatlesTranscriber]

Before Prince’s screeching, we had Paul McCartney screeching on the studio version of Maybe I’m Amazed back in 1970. Same style go and listen

[@MrChopsticktech]

Don't forget Band on the Run.

[@Oscar_Hector]

le sex symbol... Qu'est-ce qu'il était beau! 🤩

[@Adept179]

This is painful

[@aliasalias5499]

The Doctor

[@trafyknits9222]

Why the hell do these talented artists lip-sync? This is the studio recording, not live.