Purple Rain
Prince/The Revolution Lyrics
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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
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
The opening lines of “Purple Rain” express Prince’s regret and apology for any pain or hurt he may have caused to his lover. He didn't intend to cause her sorrow or pain. He only ever wanted to see her happy, to see her laugh, and to be with her when she was at her best. Prince talks about his love interest as he wants her only happiness, as he sings: “I only wanted to one time to see you laughing,I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain”. The color purple is one of the most important symbols in the song. It symbolizes love and spiritual healing. Prince addresses the color purple in most of the song and it signifies a metaphor for faith and hope, which represents the future.
These lyrics demonstrate Prince’s signature of expressing complex emotions and desires by using simple and relatable phrases. The song’s use of the phrase “purple rain” and Prince’s call for everyone to raise their hands if they know what he is singing about signals an invitation to listeners to join in on the universal human experience of love and heartbreak that he is expressing. This iconic song has endured to become a symbol of Prince’s artistry and the 1980s as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I didn't intend to sadden you
I never meant to cause you any pain
I never meant to hurt you
I only wanted to one time to see you laughing
I just wanted to make you happy for a moment
I only wanted to see you
Laughing in the purple rain
I wanted to witness your happiness as it's all around and blessings surround you
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only wanted to see you
Bathing in the purple rain
Purple rain symbolizes the cleansing hope of new beginnings and opportunities to be found and shared together
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
I didn't want to be just a fling, but a true friend. Yet, some things cannot change
I only wanted to see you
Underneath the purple rain
I yearned to see, being in the presence of 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
Times may have changed, but we should seek out new opportunities nonetheless as it's for us
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
You want someone to lead but doesn't know what to follow. Better let me show the way to the purple rain
If you know what I'm singing about up here
C'mon, raise your hand
If you understand what I'm singing, acknowledge it too
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you
Only want to see you
In the purple rain
All in all, I desire a glimpse of you under the purple rain, for the happiness and fulfillment it holds.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind