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Purple Rain

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Purple Rain grew out of a deal with Warner Bros. After the breakthrough with 1999, Prince demanded that the label finance a feature film with himself in the lead role, with new songs as the soundtrack. Recording ran from May 1983 to March 1984. He wrote more than a hundred songs and chose nine that fitted the film. His band the Revolution received a permanent name in 1983 and was expanded with Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman.

The sound is fuller than on earlier records, with layers of guitar, synthesizers and drum machines. Let's Go Crazy and When Doves Cry reached number one on the American Hot 100. When Doves Cry has no bass line. The last three tracks, including the title track, were recorded live in Minneapolis. Critics praised the mix of electronics and ordinary instruments. Darling Nikki led to complaints and contributed to the Parental Advisory stickers.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to When Doves Cry and notice what is missing: there is no bass line, which leaves the drum machine and the vocals extra exposed.

Track list

  1. 1Let's Go Crazy (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)4:38Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Take Me With U (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)3:53Apple Music ↗
  3. 3The Beautiful Ones (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)5:13Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Computer Blue (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)3:59Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Darling Nikki (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)4:15Apple Music ↗
  6. 6When Doves Cry (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)5:53Apple Music ↗
  7. 7I Would Die 4 U (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)2:49Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Baby I'm a Star (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)4:23Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Purple Rain (2015 Paisley Park Remaster)8:45Apple Music ↗
  10. 10The Dance Electric11:29Apple Music ↗
  11. 11Love and Sex5:01Apple Music ↗
  12. 12Computer Blue ("Hallway Speech" Version)12:19Apple Music ↗
  13. 13Electric Intercourse (Studio Version)4:58Apple Music ↗
  14. 14Our Destiny / Roadhouse Garden6:25Apple Music ↗
  15. 15Possessed7:57Apple Music ↗
  16. 16Wonderful Ass6:27Apple Music ↗
  17. 17Velvet Kitty Cat2:43Apple Music ↗
  18. 18Katrina's Paper Dolls3:30Apple Music ↗
  19. 19We Can Fuck10:18Apple Music ↗
  20. 20Father's Song5:30Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs