“Purple Rain” by Prince and the Revolution

Everyone knows that “Purple Rain” is a deep track. Indeed there seems to be at least two intricate subthemes operating within the lyrics. But for the most part, this appears to be a love song – i.e. one in which the singer is addressing a romantic interest – albeit a relatively-complex one.

Narrative

Now the way the story contained within plays out is like this. Prince has befriended a certain lady. Throughout the course of their friendship either they became romantically involved, or at least that’s the way she idealizes their relationship. But it seems she already has a lover. In other words, she wants her romance with Prince to be on the downlow. However, he’s not willing to play such a role. And seemingly in the third verse he is saying that both he and she need to venture forth and find someone new. Also to some degree it can be said that he is putting the onus on her to choose between him and her current boyfriend.

“Purple Rain” Movie

Now as will be mentioned in the lower section of this post, this song actually serves as the title track for a movie Prince starred in. So it is theorized that throughout the lyrics there are also references to said film. And this may explain some of the ambiguity contained therein. However, considering that the track was indeed edited down and had over two minutes and an entire verse from the original recording omitted, it is possible that the song, in its entirety, was intended to convey a whole different meaning. Indeed in the deleted verse Prince states to the addressee forthrightly that he ‘doesn’t think he wants her love’ and if forced to choose between her affection and money, would choose the latter. 

So apparently when he first wrote this tune, it wasn’t exactly what you would call a love song nor one which necessarily fit into the overall plot of the “Purple Rain” movie.

What Prince has said about “Purple Rain”

And then we also have to take into consideration what the Purple One himself has said concerning the meaning of this track. And according to Prince, the narrative featured is actually set in an apocalyptic scenario, kind of like another of his songs that we’ve covered, 1982’s “1999”. Or as he explains it, “purple rain” actually alludes to the idea of “blood in the sky”. Or stated differently, the redness of blood mixed with the blueness of the sky produces “purple rain”. 

So from his perspective, what is actually going down in this tune is that he and the addressee are basically experiencing “the end of the world” together. And they are both tasked with surviving this ordeal or ‘letting their faith/god guide them through the purple rain’. Now in all respect to the musical genius that was Prince, on the surface at least the lyrics do not seem to reflect this storyline at all. But considering that he is the one who actually wrote the song, we have no choice but to take his word for it.

Conclusion

So stripped down to its most-basic elements, “Purple Rain” is indeed a love song with a considerable degree of complexity. Even Lisa Coleman, one of the members of The Revolution, has interpreted it differently from Prince. And all things considered, what appears to be going down is that the singer and the addressee going through some type of harrowing ordeal. And apparently to some degree the seriousness of the situation is taking precedence in Prince’s mind over him and the addressee being romantically involved in the moment.

Release Date of “Purple Rain’

“Purple Rain” is the title track from Prince’s sixth-studio album. Warner Bros. Records released both the song and the album on 25 June 1984. And said album also happens to be the soundtrack to the successful 1984 film also entitled “Purple Rain” which Prince starred in. So basically, this track is the theme song of the movie by the same name.

The version of “Purple Rain” that made it onto the album and movie, albeit edited, was actually recorded live. The recording took place at a performance Prince and the Revolution conducted at a club in Minneapolis, Prince’s hometown, on 3 August 1983.

The Last Song Prince Performs

“Purple Rain” will go down in history as the last song Prince (1958-2016) ever performed in concert before passing away. And this performance(s) occurred on 14 April 2016.

Notable Performance of “Purple Rain”

There is also an interesting tale of Prince performing this as the final song of his set during the Halftime Show of the Super Bowl in 2007. That performance is considered to be one of the most-memorable, in a good way, Super Bowl Halftime Shows of all time. For instance, it was actually raining, with the stadium being lit with purple lights, as he rendered this tune.

Writing Credits for “Purple Rain”

“Purple Rain” was written and produced exclusively by Prince. Interestingly enough, he originally conceptualized it as a country song he intended to sing alongside and be written Stevie Nicks. This collaboration never materialized. And this was because at the time Stevie was under the impression that Prince was using it as a means to get close to her romantically. However, after it went through a few transformations, “Purple Rain” the track became what we all know today.

First Usage of the term “purple rain” in Music

It has been noted that the first time the term “purple rain” was actually used in a song was on a hit a rock band America dropped way back in 1972. That song is entitled “Ventura Highway”. Moreover it has been asserted by some parties that said song is where Prince likewise got the title of this track.  However, that theory has yet to be definitively proven.

Song’s Inspiration

It is said that Prince’s musical inspiration for this tune was based on how audiences reacted to the works of a singer by the name of Bob Seger, specifically his 1976 tracks “Mainstreet” and “Night Moves”.

Success on the Charts

When it was originally released in 1984, “Purple Rain” peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It made it to number 8 on the UK Singles Chart. Furthermore, it topped the US Cashbox Top 100 and also scored number ones in Belgium and the Netherlands. And overall, it charted in almost 15 nations.

Throughout the years this song popped up on music charts from time-to-time, especially in the UK. But in the wake of Prince’s death in 2016, in some regards, the song performed better than it did in the first. For instance, that time around, in charted in 16 countries. Moreover it topped Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs as well as the Scottish Singles Chart and the SNEP in France.

And overall this track has been certified Platinum in the UK and Gold in three countries, including the US.  Moreover Rolling Stone considers it one of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”, and it has received similar accolades from organizations like Pitchfork and Q music magazine.

Notable Covers

Amongst the notable artists who have covered this song is the “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen actually performed it shortly after Prince died in memory of the singer.