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[edit] Meaning?=

Just curious. Does anyone have any idea what this song is referring to? I suppose it's something obvious to someone here. It almost sounds like it's describing some sort of apocalypse such as the book of revelations, in a very militaristic way ("we'll watch them fall", "we will smoke them"). And yet something tells me Mr. Lovesexy Symbol is not exactly a Rapture-hoping evangelical member of the 700 Club... so what the hell *does* this weirdass song mean? -Kasreyn 10:12, 13 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Re: Meaning

I believe it does have to do with the apocalypse. Even though it seems he is referring to individuals, there are the 7 seals. Also, I think the song is supposed to convey that the world will not be devastated as Revelations says. This would be against what is widely believed. I think that is the reason for the line "Before us Animosity will stand and decree, we speak not of love only blasphemy." However the song mentions a plague and a river a blood and then a new city with streets paved of gold....this may represent the reign of Christ after Judgment Day. I heard once that he wrote 1999 because he believed it would be Judgment Day. Then he retired the song after the world made it into 2000. Don't know if there is any truth to that though.

My interpretation is that "7" refers to the Seven Deadly Sins but is a metaphor for the concept of sin or religion-imposed codes of morality in general. What he seems to be saying is that the concept of "sin" interferes with the concept of "love", which is used as a metaphor for compassion towards all of humanity. The "angel" with "words of compassion, words of peace" seems to be a metaphor for hypocritical religions who profess to offer "love" but really spread hate, symbolized by "the army's marching feet." Those like himself who reject the religious values will face "animosity" and be "cursed" but will outlast the oppressors and "still be here" in the future, symbolized by the end of the world references from Revelations. The song goes on to envision a future utopia without "sin" (or religion) where the lack of religious oppression leads humanity to develop greater potential, symbolized by "young so educated they never grow old" and live in harmony with itself, symbolized by the "song of many colours." --Darth Borehd 03:48, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

I've heard (though I couldn't give you a credible source) that the 7 were the seven major music corporations at the time - Sony, Warner, EMI, Universal, etc. That said, I'd love to argue your point about the idea of the song being about Judgement Day (I think too many people find too much religious subtext that isn't there, and I'm a theology major), but you may be right. Prince was formally baptized as a Jehovah's Witness in 2001, but he'd been a devout student for many years prior - it's not illogical to suggest he was borrowing on themes from the Revelations. 76.100.55.65 03:26, 6 November 2007 (UTC)User:m3rkvry 22:26, 5 November 2007