The Minneapolis Sound: A Celebration of Music from the City of Lakes
Minneapolis, the city of lakes and cold winters, has a rich musical heritage that spans genres and decades. From the funk and soul of Prince and Morris Day to the indie-rock of The Hold Steady and The Jayhawks, Minneapolis has been home to some of the most influential and iconic bands in music history. In this article, we’ll take a journey through the city’s music scene, highlighting some of the most notable and iconic bands to emerge from the Twin Cities.
4. Prince: “Rock ’N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives in Minneapolis)”
The Purple One represents his city on this funky, upbeat 1995 B-side: “Even the president flies in to watch the thing called fame,” he sings. “Red, white and blue boy girls, tonight everyone’s the same.” This song is a testament to Prince’s ability to blend genres and create a unique sound that is quintessentially Minneapolis.
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5. Janet Jackson: “Escapade”
One of my favorite moments on the great, sprawling “Rhythm Nation 1814” — recorded entirely at Flyte Tyme Studios in Minnesota — comes on the bridge of this 1990 hit, when an exuberant Janet Jackson calls out of nowhere, “Minneapolis!” It might sound like a non sequitur to the uninitiated, but real ones know that she was shouting out her producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, both important architects of the Minneapolis sound.
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6. The Time: “Jungle Love”
Jam and Lewis both got their start in the Minneapolis funk group the Time, led by the charismatic Morris Day. Friendly rivals of Prince’s backing band the Revolution, the Time has two scene-stealing performances in the 1984 film “Purple Rain,” including its rendition of this lively classic.
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7. The Hold Steady: “Stuck Between Stations”
Though the anthemic indie-rock band the Hold Steady formed in Brooklyn, its frontman and principal songwriter, Craig Finn, proudly hails from Minneapolis and often nods to his home state in his highly referential lyrics. “These Twin City kisses, they sound like clicks and hisses,” he sings on this standout from the 2006 album “Boys and Girls in America.”
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8. The Jayhawks: “Blue”
Formed in Minneapolis in 1984 and still going strong, the long-running alt-country group the Jayhawks is one of the state’s unsung, if-you-know-you-know local heroes. This cracked, twangy tune comes from the band’s 1995 album “Tomorrow the Green Grass.”
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9. Babes in Toyland: “Sweet ’69”
A rare all-female grunge group, Minneapolis’s Babes in Toyland brought a dash of riot grrrl attitude to its muscular, hard-rocking sound. The cowbell-heavy “Sweet ’69” is a snapshot of the band at its commercial peak, a minor 1995 alt-rock hit from the final Babes album “Nemesisters.”
Conclusion
Minneapolis may not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking of music, but it has a rich and diverse musical heritage that spans genres and decades. From the funk and soul of Prince and Morris Day to the indie-rock of The Hold Steady and The Jayhawks, Minneapolis has been home to some of the most influential and iconic bands in music history. Whether you’re a native Minnesotan or just visiting, the city’s music scene is definitely worth exploring.
FAQs
Q: What is the Minneapolis sound?
A: The Minneapolis sound is a genre of music that emerged in the 1980s and is characterized by its fusion of funk, soul, and rock. It is often associated with the city’s rich musical heritage and the influence of Prince, Morris Day, and other Minneapolis-based musicians.
Q: Who are some notable Minneapolis-based musicians?
A: Some notable Minneapolis-based musicians include Prince, Morris Day, Janet Jackson, The Time, The Hold Steady, The Jayhawks, and Babes in Toyland.
Q: What are some must-listen-to Minneapolis songs?
A: Some must-listen-to Minneapolis songs include Prince’s “Rock ’N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives in Minneapolis),” Janet Jackson’s “Escapade,” The Time’s “Jungle Love,” The Hold Steady’s “Stuck Between Stations,” The Jayhawks’ “Blue,” and Babes in Toyland’s “Sweet ’69.”
Q: How can I experience the Minneapolis music scene?
A: There are many ways to experience the Minneapolis music scene, including attending concerts and festivals, visiting local music venues, and exploring the city’s rich musical history through museums and tours.
