Purple Rain Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted to one time to see you laughing
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain
[Chorus]
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you bathing in the purple rain
[Verse 2]
I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
Baby, I could never steal you from another
It's such a shame our friendship had to end
[Chorus]
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you walkin’ in the purple rain
[Verse 3]
Honey, I know, I know, I know times are changing
It's time we all reach out for something new, that means you too
You say you want a leader
But you can't seem to make up your mind
I think you better close it and let me guide you to the purple rain
[Chorus]
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain, wooo!
If you know what I'm singing about up here
Come on, raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you
Only want to see you in the purple rain
[Guitar Solo]
About “Purple Rain”
The title track of his 1984 album and film, Purple Rain chronicles “The Kid’s” nostalgic yearning for a pure love.
For Prince, the international success of Purple Rain was simply the culmination of many years of hard work, coupled with a strong sense of self-confidence. In 1985 he told Rolling Stone:
I wish people would understand that I always thought I was bad.
“Big Chick [Prince’s bodyguard at the time] came into the office raving,” says Leeds. “He said, ‘Wait until you hear the song he did last night. It’s gonna be bigger than Willie Nelson.’”
Prince’s definitive power ballad, Purple Rain peaked at No.2 on the Billboard 200 on November 17th the year it was released.
In 2015, Pitchfork named it the best song of the 1980s.
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What does purple rain mean
There are several contending interpretations of Prince’s infamous lyrics, but the overarching message is clear; our protagonist is wistful for the deliverance of his lover.
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What have the artists said about the song?
Lisa Coleman told Spin magazine:
You know how [Prince] is. It wasn’t about coming out with the next record. The next record had to be a whole environment.
Dr. Fink said the idea came about while the band was on tour:
We kept running into Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. After one of the shows, Prince asked me what made Seger so popular. I said, ‘Well, he’s playing mainstream pop-rock.’ Michael Jackson and Prince were breaking ground, but there was still a lot of segregation on mainstream radio. I said, ‘Prince, if you were to write something along these lines, it would cross things over for you even further.’
Prince said,
When there’s blood in the sky … red and blue [equals] purple … purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith/god guide you through the purple rain.
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Did this track receive any accolades?
Yes, Rolling Stone ranked it number 144 on their ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ list. Q magazine also included it on their ‘100 Greatest Guitar Tracks’ list. Pitchfork named it the best song of the 1980s.
Additionally, it was included in the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll’.
