The extended version of the song is actually a studio jam on the song with The Revolution and musicians from Sheila E.'s band, Eddie M (on sax) and Miko Weaver (guitar), along with Sheila E. herself; most of this version was often performed live, preceding "Baby I'm a Star". The jam features some overdubbing and fades at the end; a longer version, nearly 31 minutes long, was never released officially, but has been bootlegged.
The B-side, "Another Lonely Christmas", is a sad account of a man's mourning over his lover's death on Christmas Day. The UK 12" single release also included the 1999 track "Free".
On the 12", and in Purple Rain Tour concerts, Prince changes the lyrics from "I'm your messiah" to "He's your messiah", pointing to the sky as he sings the line.
I Would Die 4 U
Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not a man
I am something that you'll never understand
I'll never beat you
I'll never lie
And if you're evil I'll forgive you by and by
Darling if you want me to
You, I would die for you
I'm not your lover
I'm not your friend
I am something that you'll never comprehend
No need to worry
No need to cry
I'm your messiah and you're the reason why
'Cause you, I would die for you, yeah
Darling if you want me to
You, I would die for you
You're just a sinner I am told
Be your fire when you're cold
Make you happy when you're sad
Make you good when you are bad
I'm not a human
I am a dove
I'm your conscious
I am love
All I really need is to know that
You believe
Yeah, I would die for you, yeah
Darling if you want me to
You, I would die for you
Yeah, say one more time
You, I would die for you
Darling if you want me to
You, I would die for you
Two, three, four you
I would die for you
I would die for you
You, I would die for you
You, I would die for you
In "I Would Die 4 U," Prince expresses his devotion to a lover or a follower, declaring that their bond transcends traditional gender roles or even earthly forms. He sings, "I'm not a woman, I'm not a man, I am something that you'll never understand." By not defining himself by societal binaries, Prince positions himself as a spiritual being or a higher power, which seems fitting since he also calls himself "a dove" and a "messiah" in the song.
The lyrics also touch on themes of forgiveness and salvation. Prince promises never to harm or deceive his beloved ("I'll never beat you, I'll never lie") and even offers absolution for their sins ("And if you're evil I'll forgive you by and by"). He sees himself as a source of comfort and guidance for this person, offering to be there for them in all situations ("Make you happy when you're sad, make you good when you are bad").
It's worth noting that the song's title, "I Would Die 4 U," combines an intentionally non-standard spelling of "for" with the numeral "4," which was a hallmark of Prince's quirky, stylized approach to language. Also, the chorus's repetition of "You, I would die for you" emphasizes the depth of Prince's devotion, as though he's willing to shout it from the mountaintops (or the dance floor, at least).
As for the music itself, "I Would Die 4 U" is a propulsive dance track that incorporates elements of funk, gospel, and New Wave. The song features Prince's signature falsetto vocals and a memorable synth riff that drives the melody. "I Would Die 4 U" was one of the standout tracks on Prince's iconic 1984 album "Purple Rain," and it continues to be a fan favorite and a staple of his live performances.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not a woman
I do not conform to your gender stereotypes
I'm not a man
I do not conform to your gender stereotypes
I am something that you'll never understand
My identity cannot be confined to the binary gender system that you operate in
I'll never beat you
I will never physically harm you
I'll never lie
I will always be truthful with you
And if you're evil I'll forgive you by and by
I will try to understand and forgive your mistakes and flaws, even if they seem unforgivable initially
'Cause you, I would die for you, yeah
I care for you so deeply that I would be willing to sacrifice my own life
Darling if you want me to
If you asked me to die for you, I would do it without hesitation
You, I would die for you
I care for you so deeply that I would be willing to sacrifice my own life for you
I'm not your lover
My relationship with you goes beyond the boundaries of romantic love
I'm not your friend
My relationship with you goes beyond the boundaries of platonic friendship
I am something that you'll never comprehend
My relationship with you is beyond conventional definitions of love and friendship
No need to worry
You can trust me to take care of you
No need to cry
I will comfort you in your time of need
I'm your messiah and you're the reason why
I see myself as a savior for you and will do everything in my power to protect and care for you
You're just a sinner I am told
Society may judge you for your mistakes, but I will not
Be your fire when you're cold
I will provide warmth, comfort, and support for you when you feel lost or alone
Make you happy when you're sad
I will try to bring joy and happiness into your life, even when it feels like the world is against you
Make you good when you are bad
I will try to guide you towards the right path, even when you make mistakes
I'm not a human
I am more than just a physical being
I am a dove
I represent peace, love, and purity
I'm your conscious
I am your moral compass, guiding you towards what is right and just
I am love
My actions and intentions are motivated by love and care for you
All I really need is to know that you believe
The most important thing to me is that you trust and have faith in me
Yeah, say one more time
Repeat it again
Two, three, four you
An expression of love and support
I would die for you
I care for you so deeply that I would be willing to sacrifice my own life for you
You, I would die for you
I care for you so deeply that I would be willing to sacrifice my own life for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind