Starfish and Coffee

Prince

About Starfish and Coffee

Starfish and Coffee were an American pop/rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their name comes from a song written by Prince and Susannah Melvoin on Prince's 1987 double album Sign o' the Times.


Year:
1987
2:50
755 
#6

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It was seven forty-five we were all in line
To greet the teacher Miss Cathleen
First was Kevin, then came Lucy, third in line was me
All of us where ordinary compared to Cynthia Rose
She always stood at the back of the line
A smile beneath her nose
Her favorite number was twenty and every single day
If you asked her what she had for breakfast
This is what she'd say

Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If you set your mind free, baby
Maybe you'd understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam

Cynthia wore the prettiest dress
With different color socks
Sometimes I wondered if the mates where in her lunchbox
Me and Lucy opened it when Cynthia wasn't around
Lucy cried, I almost died, you know what we found?

Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If you set your mind free, honey
Maybe you'd understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam, oh oh

Ooh, hoo

Starfish and coffee
Cynthia had a happy face, just like the one she'd draw
On every wall in every school
But it's all right, it's for a worthy cause
Go on, Cynthia, keep singin'

Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If you set your mind free, baby
Maybe you'd understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam, oh ho, oh (la-la-la-la-la-la-la)

Oh hoo (la-la-la-la-la-la-la), oh
Oh hoo (la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la)
Oh hoo (la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la)
(La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la)

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Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson (born June 7, 1958 - found dead in his home April 21, 2016. He died of an accidental overdose of the drug fentanyl), was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Known by his mononym Prince, he was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor. He produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. He wrote several hundred songs plus produced and recorded his own music for his own music label. Prince had a wide vocal range and was known for his flamboyant stage presence and costumes. His releases sold over 100 million copies worldwide. He won seven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year he was eligible. Ro… more »

24 fans

Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson, Susannah K. Melvoin

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Musical Genre
"Starfish and Coffee" is considered a pop and funk song, incorporating elements of soul and jazz as well.
Album Release
The track is a part of the 1987 double album "Sign o’ the Times," which is often regarded as one of Prince's most innovative works.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by Prince's girlfriend Susannah Melvoin's sister, Wendy, who had a habit of saying she had 'starfish and peebee [peanut butter]' for breakfast every morning, which Prince found amusing.
Alteration
The original lyric was 'Starfish and peebee,' but it was changed to 'Starfish and Coffee' to make it more universal.
Recording Process
The song was recorded at Prince’s home studio in Minnesota in 1986.
Guest Performance
Cyndi Lauper has performed a cover of "Starfish and Coffee" during her live concerts.
Television Reference
The song has been referenced in several television shows, including "The Muppets" where Prince performed a version of it.
Music Video
Despite its popularity, "Starfish and Coffee" did not get its own official music video.
Lyric's Content
The lyrics of the song tell a sort of whimsical, quirky, and surreal tale, reflecting Prince's unique storytelling style.
Public Reception
Although the song was never released as a single, it did receive significant radio airplay and proved to be a fan favorite at Prince's concerts.
Creative Influence
The song has often been cited as a work of genius for its simple yet infectious melody, and creative lyrics. It showcases Prince's ability to blend different genres and create a unique sound.
Uniqueness
Despite having one of the simpler musical arrangements on the "Sign o' the Times" album, "Starfish and Coffee" stands out because of its catchy, sing-along chorus and its intriguing blend of music styles.
Symbolic Meaning
The song has been interpreted by some listeners as a celebration of individuality and the importance of embracing one's unique quirks and eccentricities.
Use in Other Media
"Starfish and Coffee" was performed by Muppets characters Clifford and Muppy on the "Muppets Tonight" TV show, with Prince himself appearing in the segment.

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