Purple Rain
Prince/Prince & The Revolution/The Revolution Lyrics


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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

Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only wanted 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 (hey)
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 wanted 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song Purple Rain by Prince strongly express his remorse and regret for causing his lover pain, but he also reminisces on the good times when they laughed together. He longs for the joy that they once shared, represented by the metaphorical purple rain. He emphasizes his desire to see her bathing and underneath the purple rain, which is an allusion to a new beginning, a fresh start even though their friendship has ended. The repetition of the words "purple rain" throughout the song creates an almost hypnotic effect, making the listener focus on the emotional depth of the lyrics.


Furthermore, Prince reflects on the changing times, acknowledging that things are different now, and he feels compelled to reach out to her. He understands that she may be looking for someone to guide her through these difficult times, someone who can be a leader. He ends the song by urging his listeners to join him in the journey to the purple rain, which could represent a new start for everyone.


Line by Line Meaning

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
It was never my intention to hurt you in any way


I never meant to cause you any pain
I never intended to cause you any discomfort


I only wanted to one time to see you laughing
I just wanted to see you happy and smiling for once


I only wanted to see you
Seeing you was my only desire


Laughing in the purple rain
I wanted to see you rejoicing, experiencing life to the fullest


Purple rain, purple rain
A representation of something beautiful and divine to me - a hue of royalty


I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple rain
I wanted to see you drenched in the divine beauty of purple rain


I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I was never interested in developing an intimate relationship with you only at the weekends


I only wanted to be some kind of friend (hey)
My intentions were pure, I just wanted to be friends with you


Baby, I could never steal you from another
I could never win your heart over someone else


It's such a shame our friendship had to end
It's unfortunate that we had to lose our friendship


I only wanted to see you Underneath the purple rain
I wanted you to enjoy the enchanting beauty of purple rain and be free in its divine magic


Honey, I know, I know
I understand that times are changing, things may not be the same anymore


I know times are changing
I'm aware that things are changing


It's time we all reach out
It's time for all of us to extend our hands


For something new, that means you too
Let's be open to new experiences, that also includes you


You say you want a leader
You claim you're looking for a guide or a mentor


But you can't seem to make up your mind
You're indecisive and can't make up your mind


I think you better close it
I think it's better if you stop overthinking and focus on the present


And let me guide you to the purple rain
Let me be the one to guide you to the divine beauty of purple rain


If you know what I'm singing about up here
If you can understand my emotions and my message


C'mon, raise your hand
Acknowledge and accept the message that I'm trying to convey through my song


I only want to see you Only want to see you In the purple rain
I only want to see you at your best, enjoying life to the fullest in the beauty of purple rain




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ApolloTchize

Just sitting here with mouth open. Didn't move for the last minutes, just got goosebumps all around and tears start to roll. Nearly forgot to swallow and to breathe and was about to drool on the desk. How would you describe something like this to others without sound and video?

This is so raw, so passionate, so, well, intimidating because of sheer talent and genius and somehow down to what anything in universe is all about.

It's hard to find words for this. So raw, so passionate, so incredible skillful, that it marks and expands somehow the borders of human beings, as no human being could transport that in a ridiculous suit with a ridiculous guitar, but when you are Prince everything falls in place and it feels as natural as it can be. This is way beyond, what any other person I've ever heard of on earth could do.

Never seen anything like this and most probably never will.

Whoever this strange, little man was: He was much more than a man,., He was Prince. And whatever that is, is more, than we deserved. I feel like every cell of my useless existence is loaded now with his energy. Still. Sometimes he made me think, he is an evolutionary proof of concept of Human 2.0.

And although I wrote all this crazy stuff, I still feel speechless.

And when I look at this next time, it'll be the same. And again. And again. This will last for ages.



All comments from YouTube:

@warp1geon

Just an incredibly special era. Great music, no cellphones, no internet - just living in the moment.

@reginakellum270

Full resonance ❤

@cruisinguy6024

I feel so bad for the people that never got to actually experience a concert. I cannot imagine just standing there with thousands of others just holding a phone out / facetiming someone instead of getting lost in the moment.

My best concert memories were all before smart phones came out. Side note, I also worked as a medic at a major live concert venue so I've been at a TON of concerts / music festivals.

@patriciajordanwoods2003

I hear you! His converts were the best ever!

@shethingsd

No cell phone is quite right. Experience.

@h4x0rrrr

the internet existed in 1985

@johnteresi

You Think your a Tough Guy until This tune brings you to Tears. Most soulful performance ever. Prince played for the audience and leaves it all out there.

@uwesvneider4540

I LOVE THIS SONG !GREAT SOLO GOD BLESS HIM

@JosephDiamond-jx8sm

That's himself!!

@briangall8442

Take our hearts through the stone! English Cash COOL! With a touch of Algonquin Blue truth!

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