From the moment the first bar is played, the tone is instantly set by a man singing a note that sounds as though it's coming from a place that, while we may able to relate, we will never be able to know the depth of the love he shares between himself and someone he so deeply adores. A note that is coming from a man whose face is likely contorted from sheer joy. And while this same man may attempt to bring on some comic relief by declaring that "You can smash up my ride/Well, maybe not the ride," in the end you're left with a beautiful tale of a man telling his beloved that he will "be your eyes so you can see." And if that's not adoration in all of its possible incarnations, then we don't know what is.
"Adore" is a song that will remain in the annals of soul fame simply because it sets out to do exactly what a soulful song should: it brings you to a place that enables your soul's presence be felt. A true soul song is a cathartic and holy experience. It shortens the distance between yourself and the Creator. It's even better than peering at a blue sky on a cloudless day. And this is exactly what "Adore" delivers, every time it is played. And the lyrics...oh, the lyrics! Ecclesiastical to say the least...
"Adore" by Prince
Until the end of time
I'll be there 4 U
U own my heart and mind
I truly adore U
If God one day struck me blind
Your beauty I'd still see (Your beauty I'd still see)
Love's 2 weak 2 define
Just what U mean 2 me
From the first moment I saw U
Ooh, I knew U where the 1
That night I had 2 call U
I was rappin' till the sun came up
Tellin' U just how fine U look
In a word, U were sex
All of my cool attitude U took
My body was next
U made love 2 me
Like U where afraid
Was U afraid of me?
Was I the first?
Was I your every fantasy?
That's why, until the end of time
I'll be there 4 U
U own my heart and mind
I truly adore U
If God one day struck me blind
Your beauty I'd still see
Love is 2 weak 2 define
Just what U mean 2 me
When we be makin' love (When we be makin' love)
I only hear the sounds
Heavenly angels cryin' up above
Tears of joy pourin' down on us
They know we need each other
They know U are my fix (I know)
I know, that U know that I ain't cheatin' baby
They know this is serious
I ain't funkin' just 4 kicks
No, this condition I got is crucial, crucial baby
U could say that I'm a terminal case
U could burn up my clothes (U could burn up my clothes)
Smash up my ride (U could smash up..)
Well maybe not the ride...
But I got 2 have your face all up in the place (Do U think?)
I'd like 2 think that I'm a man of exquisite taste
(I'm a man of exquisite taste)
A hundred percent Italian silk imported Egyptian lace
Nothin' baby, I said nothin' baby could compare (Nothin' could compare)
2 your lovely face (2 your lovely face)
Do U know what I'm sayin' 2 ya this evening [What you sayin' about]
Tryin' tryin' 2 say [I hear what your sayin']
Just tryin' 2 say
That until, until the end of time
I'll be there 4 U
Be there 4 U
On my heart, on my mind (Truly adore U)
I truly adore U (Darlin')
U don't know what you're mean 2 me
Baby (Until the end of time)
Baby (I'll be there 4 U)
Baby (U own my heart and mind)
'Til the end of time I'll be there 4 U (I truly adore U)
Adore U (Adore U)
Can I talk 2 U?
Tell U what U mean 2 me
Every time U wander (Until the end of time)
I'll be your eyes so U can see (I'll be there 4 U)
I wanna show U things (U own my heart and mind)
That I show no other, I wanna be (I truely adore U)
More than, more than your mother (If God 1 day struck me blind)
More than your brother (Your beauty I'd still see)
I wanna be, like no, like no other (Love is 2 weak 2 define)
If U need me, I'll never leave (Just what U mean 2 me)
(Until the end of time)
I know, that U know, without U there is no me (I'll be there 4 U)
(U own my heart and mind)
There is no me (I truely adore U)
Without U there is no sea (If God 1 day struck me blind)
There is no shore
Love is 2 weak 2 define how much I adore (Your beauty I'd still see)
U, child
U, child (Love is 2 weak 2 define)
The last words U hear
The last words U hear (Just what U mean 2 me)
Until (Until the end of time)
I'll be there for you, baby
(Until the end of time)
Be with me darlin' til the end of all time (Until the end of time)
I'll give U my heart
I'll give U my mind
I'll give U my body (Until the end of time)
I'll give U my time (Until the end of time)
(Until the end of time)
4 all time I am with U
U are with me
(Until the end of time)
U are with me
U are with me
