The Future (song)

Infobox Single
Name = The Future


Caption = German 7" single
Artist = Prince
from Album = Batman
B-side = "Electric Chair"
Released = 18 May 1990
Format = 7" single
12" single
CD single
Recorded = Paisley Park Studios, 1989
Genre = Pop, Funk
Length = 7" remix edit: 3:30
Album: 4:08
Remix: 6:25
Label = Warner Bros. Records
Writer = Prince
Producer = (Original Version) Prince
(Remix Version) William Orbit

Certification =
Chart position =
Last single = "Scandalous"
(1989)
This single = "The Future" (1990)
Next single = "Thieves in the Temple"
(1990)
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Prince (DEU)
Type = singles
[ Background = #ffff00 ]
Last single = "Scandalous"
(1989)
This single = "The Future"
(1990)
Next single = "Thieves in the Temple"
(1990)

"The Future" is a song from Prince's 1989 "Batman" soundtrack, and the final single released from the album. The single was not the album version, but rather a remix by William Orbit, and released as a single only in Europe. The 7" single was backed with the album version of "Electric Chair," but on the maxi-single, "Electric Chair" was also remixed by Orbit. Both 12-inch remixes add little to the originals, although "The Future" becomes more of a house-record than a "Batman" tune. Unfortunately, neither the pop charts or the dance floors reacted well to the remixes, and the single charted in only one country. As a result, this would be the last time Orbit would work with Prince for several years.

"Electric Chair", was recorded well before the album concept had begun, being cut in June 1988. Despite this, it fits well into the theme of the movie, and evokes the Joker's madness. The track blends hard rock and funk with a loud, booming drum machine pattern, and aggressive bass and lead guitar wailing throughout. The bridge combines a funky, percussive bass line with a meshed guitar synth phrase.

The LP version of "The Future" features the sampled strings of Clare Fischer lifted from the then unreleased 1986 track "Crystal Ball," and samples of the Sounds of Blackness choir. The song is rather menacing, evoking the theme of the film. The lyrics speak of a bleak future, recalling Gotham City, and that it needs "spirituality that will last."

Trivia

* Prince's 1990 Nude Tour opened with a DAT intro of former hits, segueing into a live performance of "The Future."

Charts

Track listing

7": Warner Bros. / 5439-19782-7 (Germany)

# "The Future" (Remix Edit) - 3:30
# "Electric Chair" - 4:13

12": Warner Bros. / 7599-21570-0 (Germany)

# "The Future" (Remix) - 6:25
# "Electric Chair" (Remix) - 5:36

* also available on CD (7599-21570-2)

External links

* "The Future" [http://www.dtt-lyrics.com/albums/batman.html#future lyrics]