Yes, it is some un-Godly hour. I have sat here for the best part of 12 hours, consistently refreshing my browser, whilst viewing 3121. I am not exaggerating.
For the past few days, Prince’s website promised “Guitar”, an exclusive new download to be available on 2nd February. The anticipation around this song online was palpable and what with Prince due to perform during half-time at the Superbowl in the US on the 4th, the buzz surrounding the Purple One is electric.
The download is my explanation for the manic refreshing. Although I started at around midday (on the 2nd) GMT, I knew that it probably wouldn’t go live till the US woke up, so I had my PC clock set to Pacific Time, just so I could keep tabs on the situation.
The link went live at midnight here (GMT), 4PM Pacific Time and remained live for all of a pitiful 20 minutes before being removed and replaced with the flyer that had advertised the download during the week run-up.
During this 20 minute window, I managed to download the song. Although, not before half a dozen failed logins due to hideously unorthodox password requirements and having to enter dummy data when ordering, as the form was US–centric.
Some US customers have been wrongly charged for “duplicate” downloads and International customers may not even be charged at all, as a result of being forced to enter dummy data.
The only way others can download the song now is via hacked URLs posted at forums by the lucky few that were alert during those fateful few minutes.
With such an iconic performance looming, this event should have been key in building the anticipation. Instead, what we have is a mismanaged and farcical situation typical of Paisley Park/NPG endeavours.
If heads don’t roll, they should.
P, I love you, but my little fuzzy man with those big doe eyes that make it so difficult to be cross with you, your camp takes the piss. Royally.
I’m knackered and now, I’m going to listen to this bloody song (a few more dozen times) that I waited all day for, before then going to bed.
Image © 2007 Paisley Park Enterprises.
A full-time wheelchair user since 1998, Claire lives in an adapted bungalow in England with her Partner of 10 years and their two dogs: 
Claire,
I’m going to watch the Super Bowl this afternoon, but mainly for the ads and the half-time show. I hope you get to see Prince. He was living in Toronto, hometown of his wife, for a while, which isn’t so far away from me, not that our paths would ever cross. I did read though that he and his partner had split up, which means he’ll probably move on.
Cheers,
Dvd
Dvd:
That’s what I’m looking forward to
Though it will be at some unsociable hour (pesky time difference!), so I’m going record it and watch it the following morning 
You are, at this moment in time, the epitome of a fangrrrl.
That said, if I had a similar opportunity where say ..a free Nintendo Wii was available.. you know I’d behave in exactly the same manor.
Or manner, even.
I watched the Super Bowl today solely to see Prince. Otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered.
It was an EXCELLENT performance. If you haven’t already seen it, I’m sure you’ll be one happy fangirl.
Hello, by the way!