# Michael Jackson or Prince **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2014, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027 "2014-07-13T22:04:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/1 "2014-07-13T22:04:08Z")
The poll on Loni Anderson versus Dolly Parton had a couple of mentions about Dolly Parton being similar to Prince and I basically agree with that. They are both polymaths in the music world that are both incredibly famous yet probably still underrated by the general public in terms of sheer talent. I think this will be a better match-up: Michael Jackson versus Prince. This has little to do with both of them being black men. It is more about skill versus skill and you have to pick one. In one corner, you have the dead and crazy Michael Jackson, The King of Pop with mega-hits like Thriller as well as incredible dancing ability and general showmanship. In the other, you have the eccentric but very much alive Prince who had some major hits like Purple Rain but is less appreciated in pop culture for his insane songwriting and musical instrument skills. For instance, he wrote Manic Monday on a whim just to impress one of the Bangles which they performed as one of their biggest hits. You can look up his songwriting credits on your own if you don’t know them but it is impressive to say the least. Prince is also supposedly one of the greatest guitarists in the world which would be cool if he wasn’t also almost as equally accomplished on many other instruments. Ready, fight! ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/2 "2014-07-13T22:11:47Z")
I like more Michael Jackson songs, and I like them more than the Prince songs I like. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/3 "2014-07-13T22:13:52Z")
Neither are my cup of tea. But I appreciate good musicianship. And Prince is a very talented musician. Jackson was not. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/4 "2014-07-13T22:21:00Z")
Prince needs to do an album full of him playing his guitar. Dude can play when he feels like it, to wit: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/6SFNW5F8K9Y/hqdefault.jpg "Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others -- "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y) The little guy has way more talent than MJ could ever hope for. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/5 "2014-07-13T22:26:02Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > The little guy has way more talent than MJ could ever hope for. This. And I’m no fan of Prince. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/6 "2014-07-13T22:41:10Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Prince needs to do an album full of him playing his guitar. Dude can play when he feels like it, to wit: > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y) Classic. That’s a terminally dull, plodding, over-reverential bar-band cover version. quite shockingly poor, given the personnel. And then Prince turns up. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/7 "2014-07-13T22:48:26Z")
I love the bit where George Harrison’s boy just grins like Christmas at Prince. Also, I like that Prince just throws his guitar up to the roadie dangling from the lights, tips his hat and strolls off the stage, ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/8 "2014-07-13T23:22:41Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > This. And I’m no fan of Prince. Same here. Prince can really play. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/9 "2014-07-13T23:24:30Z")
> **[Prince vs. Michael Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=570837)** > > OK, these “Beatles vs. …” threads are getting silly and bizarre. Here’s one where the matching seems to be a bit more even: Prince vs. MJ. Most of us have been to (or seen posters for) Prince vs. Michael nights at clubs and discos. So here’s your... Here’s a thread we did on this a few years ago. In that thread, I said: > [@](#): > > Yeah, I am Team Prince without even having to consider it. To frame it using the first wave of breakthrough rock n’ rollers, Michael Jackson was Elvis, no question; but Prince is Chuck Berry, with a lot of Little Richard thrown in. Along with a bunch of other stuff…including this: > [@](#): > > > [@olivesmarchforth](#): > > > > I understand that Prince is beloved and widely respected, but I don’t really get why. I don’t mean that in a confrontational way - I would like for someone to explain it to me. I feel like I’m missing out on some crucial element of his music. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s really femme. > > **olives** - I really want to take a shot at this, but am not sure where to start. Here goes: > > - Musicianship - Prince is one of the best guitarists, bassists, keyboardists and vocalists around. That level of competence across so many instruments - let’s call vox an instrument for this purpose - is just, like, whoa. His big millenium party DVD - Rave unto the Year 2000 - features him engaging Larry Graham in a bass duel. Larry Graham!!! He was the bassist in Sly and the Family Stone - he INVENTED pop/slap/funk bass. If there is a Mount Rushmore of Bassists, Larry is on it, okay? And you know what, Prince totally holds his own in the give and take. Same with guitar - the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is normally a dog’s breakfast - a bit of a mish-mash and not nearly as entertaining as you’d expect. But when George Harrison had passed and was getting a tribute, his son Dhani, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne a few others played While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Prince took the solo at the very end (around 3:37) - and killed (link to youtube clip). That’s Clapton’s part, in a Beatles song - at a tribute for the just-passed songwriter featuring his son - and Prince just owned it, delivering an explosive lead that perfectly fit the climax of a passionate song. > > - Muso Cred - to be clear, MJ and Madonna, two artists you cite in your quote, have total cred. Their talents as songwriters, entertainers, provocateurs and personalities are unquestionable. But they are very different from Prince - they are frontmen (in a non-gender-specific sorta way ). They are musicians who present themselves as entertainers. Prince presents himself as an entertaining musician. NOTE - neither is better than the other, they are just different. A great illustration would be the production of a show by these guys - Madonna and MJ put on spectacles with VERY precise moves, song transitions, stunts, costume changes. Prince is legendary as a band leader - his band can turn on a dime as he calls out changes, stretches out solos, gets everyone quiet and then builds them back up - he choreographs the structure while it is happening. So he not only has the cred of being a technically brilliant musician who could make a living simply on his instrument(s), but even while leading with playing, his entertainment skills are of the highest caliber. He can do tricks with guitars, mic stands and his moves that are on a level with Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. > > - Songs - Prince has a catalogue that pretty much anyone would envy, in terms of hits, songs that have crossed over to become part of the fabric of the era they were first heard in. Not much else to say here - in terms of personal taste, YMMV, but the success and endurance of the songs is a matter of record. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/10 "2014-07-13T23:34:44Z")
Putting aside their personal lives, I never had much regard for Jackson’s music. His songs were the fluffiest of pop. With Prince, there’s some substance behind the music. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/11 "2014-07-14T00:00:51Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > It is more about skill versus skill and you have to pick one. The problem is that people are going to focus on the skills that they DON’T share in common. Like dancing. Michael Jackson sold himself as a dancing machine. His moves are his claim to fame, and IMHO there has yet to be anyone better in this department. But Prince has always been a rockstar. Rockstars may have swagger. They may move their bodies in creative ways while performing on stage. But they are not dancers and don’t pretend to be. Prince is more of a musician. But it’s not fair to rate MJ against him because he was never billed as a musician. He was a vocalist and consummate performing artist. It’s like comparing a chef with a sculptor. They’re both artists. But they create different things. Their “things” shouldn’t be compared. So I’ll stick to the things they do have in common: singing, song-writing, and work ethic. Michael Jackson wins on singing. Prince has a great voice with an great range. And he does amazing things with his voice. But Prince has a voice that is made for rock and roll. Yeah, you gotta be able to sing. But if you’ve got enough soul, you can make even bad notes sound good. However, MJ has a voice that’s more R&B. You _sang_ R&B, you don’t sing it. And MJ could _saaaang_. Prince wins on song-writing, IMHO. MJ is credited with some great [songs](http://www.songwriting.net/blog/bid/18936/Michael-Jackson-The-Songwriter-Remembered-1958-2009), don’t get me wrong. But I think they were great songs because he performed them. I don’t think anyone but him could have taken “Billie Jean” to the top of the charts. In contrast, Prince’s body of work is much more [impressive](http://www.princevault.com/index.php/A-Z_song_list), IMHO. There are a lot of duds on that list, to be fair. But the lyrics are deeper and more subjective. They cover a broader emotional range. They provide more of a social commentary. Prince has written songs that other artists were able to make popular. Michael Jackson’s songs are entertaining. But I think Prince is a more thoughtful artist when it comes to song-writing. Work ethic is a tough one, because they are both known for being hard working. But I think Prince edges out over MJ on this metric. The sheer volume of work he’s produced is the most obvious testament to this. But his lack of a “tabloid life” is another indicator. While MJ was busy doing the whole Neverland Ranch thing with Lisa Marie and Debbie Rowe and Blanket and nem, Prince was working in the studio churning out album after album. Both MJ and Prince have a ton of natural talent. But I think Prince has worked very hard at being an artist and constantly refining his craft, which is why his work has changed so much through the years. But MJ’s style didn’t change. He just wanted to give the fans what they wanted. Which is what killed him, ultimately. Poor MJ. Most people are going to think whomever they like best is more talented. As for myself, I just don’t have a definitive answer. I love both the same. Sometimes I’m in the mood for something deep and sexy, so I’ll listen to Prince. Sometimes I just want to dance and be happy, and I’ll listen to MJ. Talent doesn’t enter into the equation at all. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/12 "2014-07-14T02:23:50Z")
No contest at all for me. Prince took many more chances as an artist, and landed a hell of a lot of them. ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/13 "2014-07-14T03:19:28Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > The little guy has way more talent than MJ could ever hope for. hahahaha this is classic 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/14 "2014-07-14T07:51:42Z")
I choose Prince too, but I do think Michael had a lot more talent than some people are giving him credit for. He was a really good expressive singer, someone who could take mediocre material and really make you feel it, and he didn’t sell good material short, either (when he had it). As a vocalist, Michael was way ahead of Prince, way ahead of most people. Of course, in every other respect (except maybe stage presence and dancing) - creativity, versatility, instrumental chops - Prince was/is way ahead of Michael. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/15 "2014-07-14T09:33:44Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I love the bit where George Harrison’s boy just grins like Christmas at Prince. Also, I like that Prince just throws his guitar up to the roadie dangling from the lights, tips his hat and strolls off the stage, With all credit given to Prince’s playing skills I’ve never been a fan of his theatrics. He could make a peacock blush. but I agree with your assessment. A room full of people come down from the mountain to hear his sermon. He preached it well. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/16 "2014-07-14T09:37:30Z")
Michael Jackson was a great visual performer. He never played anything I would sit down and listen to but his videos had no parallel. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/18 "2014-07-14T14:43:12Z")
I think Prince wins this one easily. That said, I’ve recently found myself going back to MJ’s music and I’m struck anew with how soulful, catchy and often groundbreaking it is. He didn’t have Prince’s chops as a composer or a producer (the latter trait is, I think, what truly sets His Purpleness in a league of his own), but he was the best pop singer of his time, and he had the ambition to constantly improve and reinvent himself. Jackson’s tremendous success spoiled him — he went from being a musician who grew and evolved into one whose only goal was to top himself, which is quite a different thing. Anyway, Prince wins. But MJ was great too. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/19 "2014-07-14T15:01:02Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > [Prince vs. Michael Jackson - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=570837) Interesting. I don’t remember that thread, but I participated in it, and voted Prince, “but it’s close.” This time around, I switched over to Team MJ. I guess it just depends what day you ask me. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/20 "2014-07-14T15:02:07Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > Anyway, Prince wins. But MJ was great too. I’m not really familiar with Prince’s music, but certainly aware of his presence. Not my thing, but I’m okay with in. Jackson, on the other hand, is one of those performers that makes me immediately change the channel when one of his songs comes on the radio. He was my generation, and I am therefore quite familiar with his body of work. I don’t dispute his talent, but I’m not a fan. ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027/21 "2014-07-14T15:10:34Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Prince needs to do an album full of him playing his guitar. Dude can play when he feels like it, to wit: > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y) Not bad, but not such a big deal, either. Nice focus and showmanship but I see in that video more posturing and “riffing” than musical merit. > [@Shagnasty](#): > > Prince is also supposedly one of the greatest guitarists in the world which would be cool if he wasn’t also almost as equally accomplished on many other instruments. I think this just keeps getting repeated without much actual basis. I certainly don’t go over to Prince’s house to listen to him play guitar, nor have I even heard most of what he’s recorded, but none of what I **have** heard comes anywhere close to making him “one of the greats.” If you really like what he does, that’s fine, but let’s not exaggerate. There are some very good guitarists out there! Don’t get me wrong: He plays well enough, and I haven’t even heard most of what he’s recorded, but if I’ve missed something, it sure isn’t the above video. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-jackson-or-prince/693027.md?page=2)