Prince kept most of his music off of the Internet entirely, which may or may not have been a bad business move. But if I had to pick my favorites for you to listen to...

1. The whole Purple Rain album, but most of all "When Doves Cry." It was huge for a reason. There's so much going on in that track -- passion, soul, technique -- but pay special attention to A) the drum machine -- Prince really was the master of programmed drums as an instrument with human feeling -- and B) the open space. No bassline on that song!

2. "When You Were Mine." You want manic bubblegum pop thrills, you got manic bubblegum pop thrills.

3. "Lady Cab Driver." Wanna know what Prince's funk was all about? Also the best roller-skating song ever.

4. "If I Was Your Girlfriend." Freaky, sad, hilarious, and moving, all at once.

5. "Space," from the Come album. 'Cause Prince could be smoove, too.

Damn, I feel like I need to cleanse myself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka, right about now.