Released: June 25, 1984

Songwriter: Prince

Producer: Prince

[Verse 1]
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

[Pre-Chorus]
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, hey
Baby, I could never steal you from another

[Pre-Chorus]
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
Underneath 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

[Pre-Chorus]
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

[Instrumental outro 3:46-8:40]
[Guitar Solo]

Prince and the Revolution

“The Revolution” was originally the live backing band for Prince in the early years of his career. They first appeared in a studio capacity on 1999, but it wasn’t until 1984’s Purple Rain when they were officially credited. The band is noted for its diverse range of musicians, which wasn’t very common in the 1980s and inspired by what Sly Stone did with The Family Stone.

The most famous line-up consisted of Prince on lead vocals, guitar, and piano, Wendy Melvoin on guitar and vocals, Brown Mark on bass guitar and vocals, Lisa Coleman on keyboards, piano, and vocals, Matt “Doctor” Fink on keyboards and vocals, and Bobby Z on drums and percussion. The last albums where the Revolution was credited was 1985’s Around the World In A Day & 1986’s Parade.