The legend goes that while recording When Doves Cry, Prince was unhappy with the mixing process. He said to the another singer that he wished he could remove the bass line. The singer asked why he couldn’t?
Prince’s musical background was in funk and r&b and soul – all musical styles where bass is integral. Prince was working in the pop realm and, in many ways competing with Michael Jackson for the crown. The year before, Jackson had released a song with such a classic bass line – Billie Jean. Putting a bass line in a song was a no brainer. But it wasn’t working this time.
So Prince took it out.
That gave Prince the sound he was looking for. The single became Prince’s first Billboard number one. It’s a classic. But more than that it shows that even elements that seem essential need to have their place. Even for a master at the top of his game.
Questioning what is essential – asking what assumptions are we making – is a powerful creative strategy. In fact, it’s one of my first go to exercises during collaborations when we hit a wall.
What are you assuming you need? What are you assuming you need to do? Is it essential, or can it be taken out?