If we’re breaking this to you, we apologize. But Prince Rogers Nelson, the legendary musician known simply as Prince, is dead. He passed away Thursday at his estate, Paisley Park, in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

He was 57.

A giant in the art of performing, songwriting and producing, Prince dominated popular music throughout four decades, amassing hits like “Purple Rain”, “Lets Go Crazy”, “1999”, “Little Red Corvette”, “Raspberry Beret” and many, many more.

His stuff is notoriously hard to find free online (he was a stickler for copyright), so enjoy the one above (“Darling Nikki”).

We also thought it was appropriate to share the following lyrics from one of his songs — the intro to “Let’s Go Crazy”, off of the mega-smash 1984 album Purple Rain:

Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
To get through this thing called life

Electric word life
It means forever and that’s a mighty long time
But I’m here to tell you
There’s something else
The after world

A world of never ending happiness
You can always see the sun, day or night

So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills
You know the one, Dr. Everything’ll Be Alright
Instead of asking him how much of your time is left
Ask him how much of your mind, baby

‘Cause in this life
Things are much harder than in the after world
In this life
You’re on your own

And if the elevator tries to bring you down
Go crazy

Also, because we promised in the headline, here’s that photograph art featuring Prince holding a microphone gun:

prince mic gun photo

In the next few weeks, America will mourn the loss of one of our most beloved and gifted artists, and you’ll no doubt be bombarded with tributes. Not only was Prince a great showman, but he was one of the most dynamic guitarists who ever lived.

Legend has it Eric Clapton was once asked what if it felt like to be the greatest guitar player in the world and he simply responded “I don’t know. Ask Prince.”

But Prince’s passing shouldn’t be a singular thing, because the fact that Prince was ever able to be himself and bring joy and wonderment to millions all over the globe is a testament to the United States. If you want to dig deeper, it’s a testament to the U.S. military, too.

Because without the people who protect America, Prince might’ve grown up in an oppressive alternate version, one where tyranny replaced liberty and freedom, and artists were thrown in jail for being “different”.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. And Prince pretty much did whatever the hell he wanted.

Some of it was music. Music that Americans will be listening for centuries to come.