‘My Computer’ is a song written by (The Artist Formerly Known As) Prince. It was released as the ninth track on the third disc of his 19th album Emancipation, released on 19 November 1996.
The track was presumably recorded in 1995 or early 1996 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minneapolis (USA). Kate Bush appears on this track with backing vocals recorded at her own studio in the UK.
The track is not believed to ever have been performed live by Prince.
Critical reception
While Emancipation is a 3 CD set, some reviews had something to say about the track ‘My Computer’.
‘My Computer’ is a timely reflection of a person who burrows in the electronic comfort zone of his computer, looking for someone to talk to “to make believe it’s a better world, a better life…” Kate Bush does a guest vocal that floats above the layers of overdubbed tracks.
Michael Saunders, Boston Globe (USA), 20 November 1996
As far as new material goes… ‘My Computer’, which boasts vocal contributions from his new labelmate Kate Bush, is quirky but sweet.
Andrew Smith, Sunday Times, 24 november 1996
Waiting quietly near the end of this bumper package is maybe the finest moment of the whole 180-odd minutes, the beautiful ‘My Computer’. Perhaps the most heartfelt hymn to technology since Kraftwerk’s ‘Computer World’, it features both Kate Bush and the computerised voice prompts of the America Online computer network and is a career highlight.
Q, January 1997
Lyrics
“Welcome, you’ve got mail” (AOL sample)
It was Sunday night
Instead of doing what I usually do I..
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Somebody 2 talk 2, funny and bright
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Make believe it’s a better world, a better life
Nothing on TV I ain’t seen before
Another murder on the news, I can’t take no more
Evil Incorporated, blowing up bombs and thangs
I have a child, huh, I have a lot 2 explain
I could write a letter, but who would I send it 2?
It was Sunday night, instead of doing what I usually do I..
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Somebody 2 talk 2, funny and bright
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Make believe it’s a better world, a better life
I called an old friend of mine just the other day
No congratulations, no respect paid
All she did was wonder if the rumors were true
I said – “No, I ain’t dead yet, but uh.. what about you?”
I can count my friends with a peace sign: 1, 2
It was Sunday night, instead of doing what I usually do I..
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Somebody 2 talk 2, funny and bright (Oh)
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Make believe it’s a better world, a better life (A better life)
I got no mail, my computer
I told them I don’t want to see a doctor unless he’s lonely 2
Every Sunday night, instead of doing what I usually do I..
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Somebody 2 talk 2, funny and bright
I scan my computer looking 4 a site
Make believe it’s a better world (Make believe it’s a better world)
A better life, a better life, a better life, a better life…
“Goodbye” (AOL sample)
References
- My Computer. Princevault, retrieved 9 January 2016
