PRINCE’S KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid

Prince’s “Kiss” is a masterclass in minimalism, groove, and creative boldness. This track broke every “rule” of pop and funk production at the time (1986) and that’s exactly its genius.

What makes “Kiss” so compelling is its radical stripped-back arrangement. Have you ever noticed there’s no bass line? Let that sink in: a funk song… with no bass. Instead, the groove lives in the spaces between the sharp, dry drum machine hits (Linn LM-1), the tight guitar scratches (courtesy of Prince and Wendy Melvoin from The Revolution), and Prince’s sexy falsetto. Each element is surgically placed, leaving massive negative space, which somehow makes the track feel even funkier. It’s tension and release, in real time.

The guitar tone is equally iconic: clean, spanky, and percussive, almost like a snare drum with a personality. Prince uses the instrument rhythmically rather than melodically, pushing funk guitar to the front while still keeping it locked in the pocket.

The vocal production is another standout. Prince sings the entire track in an exaggerated falsetto. His vocals are bone-dry, sitting right on top of the mix, which makes the performance feel intimate, exposed, and completely in control. He layers harmonies strategically, but never clutters the space.

Then there’s the story: Prince gave the track to the band Mazarati as a demo. They funked it up with more layers. He heard it, took it back, stripped it down even further, added his vocals and guitar, and released it under his own name. The final version is essentially a live-sounding loop with just a few masterfully placed elements. It’s a rare example of subtraction becoming innovation. 

In short, “Kiss” is bold because it dares to do less. It trusts the rhythm, the performance, and the silence. It’s proof that great production isn’t always about layering and polish; it’s about knowing what not to include. 

And of course, it’s got that Prince energy: playful, sexy, weird, and totally unforgettable.

What can you do with one drum machine, one guitar and one vocal?

Keep It Simple Sexy, mwah. 

A Conceptual Song Prompt

Want a taster of what you can expect in our subscription based Studio forums? Check out the song prompt below:

This song prompt is a little more open-ended than some others... I'm giving you a concept:

The Morning Train

This is a phrase designed to get your creativity flowing - it's purposefully succinct and open for interpretation. Feel free to take this idea anywhere that feels inspiring for you. If you get stuck, here are a few options you might consider:

This is a phrase designed to get your creativity flowing - it's purposefully succinct and open for interpretation. Feel free to take this idea anywhere that feels inspiring for you. If you get stuck, here are a few options you might consider:

1. Who rides the morning train? Are there any characters you identify with? What emotions are associated with the morning train for you?

2. The regularity (or irregularity) of the train: depending on where you live, the train may represent order and timeliness or utter chaos. Consider how you might use this idea in a song, as a metaphor perhaps?

3. The train as a rhythmic muse and lyrical image is also often featured in the blues: how might you adapt railroad rhythms to craft a song?

If you find this prompt useful, feel free to share your song in the comments below (lyrics and recording would be lovely).

These are posted weekly, and share a few different themes: harmonic prompts, title prompts, story prompts. I'm always looking for new and creative ideas to get you writing!

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