Purple Rain — Prince & The Revolution

This post has been a work in progress since the day Prince passed. Back in April, I knew I had to write something like everyone else. But the quicker I tried to write this, the harder it became. It began to not feel right. To sum it up, I didn’t want to act like a hungry journalist that was capitalizing on a content opportunity to get likes and retweets. By no means am I calling myself a music journalist, but you get where I’m coming from. On April 21st, 2016, a musical giant passed, and it was best to leave it at that.

We started The Monday Movement to write, first, for ourselves. And second, for the thought of captivating people’s interests with reflection pieces that focused on songs. That’s it. And with that, now is the time that The Monday Movement officially says goodbye to the one and only… Prince.

Crazy to think he’s gone, huh? Fan or not a fan, Prince’s death made many of us stop and reflect for a minute. Much like Michael Jackson, Prince was more than just a great musician who wrote timeless tunes — he was this mythical, mysterious musician that embodied everything: a masterful singer, songwriter, producer, and performer. This is a man who played over 25 different instruments, sold over 100 million records, and continued to reinvent himself for four decades. Michael may have had more hits, but that punch, grit, and soul is what made Prince from the very beginning.

It just seemed like he could do anything. Whether he was melting your face off with his guitar solos, serenading us with his beautiful falsetto, or dancing to the beat… it was always a spectacle. Purple rain, purple rain…

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted one time to see you laughing
I only want to see you laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain

I only want to see you bathing in the purple rain

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

Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain

I only want to see you underneath the purple rain

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

Purple rain Purple rain
Purple rain Purple rain

If you know what I’m singing about up here
C’mon raise your hand

Purple rain Purple rain

I only want to see you, only want to see you
In the purple rain

A fine ballad, it is. When I listen to this song, I always think this one is just not supposed to end.

What’s so unique about Purple Rain, is how the song maintains the same tempo all 8 minutes and 41 seconds. The beginning is so hypnotic — that slick guitar riff colliding with the echoing drum puts the listener into an immediate trance. The chorus is so soothing and the outro showcases the extreme talent in Prince’s guitar playing. The outro and multiple guitar solos create a rock element to the song that most pop artists can never capture. Prince was his own genre.

And, has there ever been a better “ohhh/whoaaa/woohoo/ moment than at the end of the Purple Rain? It seemed like at all of Prince’s live shows, the crowd could never wait until the latter half of the song so they would just go right into it from the very beginning. This song is one of my all time personal favorites and it never ceases to amaze me every time I turn it on.

To me, Purple Rain just stirs immense emotion that is so overpowering. Purple Rain doesn’t drift way but instead… ascends. Remember, this one is not supposed to end.

If Prince wasn’t writing about sex, he was writing about spirituality. With Purple Rain, he built the lyrics around the spiritual meaning of the color purple. “This color relates to the imagination and spirituality. It stimulates the imagination and inspires high ideals. It is an introspective color, allowing us to get in touch with our deeper thoughts.”

And with the lyrics of Purple Rain, he masterfully combines themes about love, angst, and spirituality. He’s longing for the woman he loves; he wants the love to be eternal. He wants her to surrender to the power of their connection as only he can guide her to the purple rain. If you have seen the film Purple Rain, it is perfectly depicted with The Kid and Appollonia’s relationship.

“I only want to see you underneath the purple rain”

Maybe he means under the heavenly rain? It certainly appears so. Something about this song that has always inspired me. Certain songs transport you into a state of calmness — certain songs transport you into a state of feeling motivated to do something greater — this song combines both of those feelings.

And as I have gotten older, I learned to really appreciate Prince’s musicianship and achievements. When you watch the live clips of Purple Rain or any of Prince’s songs for that matter, he just represents that “IT” factor. His control of the guitar’s tone, his dance moves, his ability to sing outside of his range and still sound amazing. I can go on. He had such command over his abilities. A one of a kind musician and entertainer. Gosh, he had swagger. His music had so much depth and originality and he played his guts out every time he took the stage. He simply did it all and the musical world won’t be the same without him.

So, with that, I urge you to watch this 19 minute performance of Purple Rain. Grab yourself a drink, put on a good pair of headphones, and disappear into the music. Because, folks, this sort of thing cannot and will not ever be replicated. Prince Rogers Nelson: the world misses you, but know that your music will forever live on.

-The Monday Movement