Purple Rain
PrinceThe Revolution Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 Prince's famous song Purple Rain clearly express his regret for any pain or sorrow he may have caused someone he cares about deeply. He didn't intend to hurt them and only desired to see them happy. The following lines describe the beauty of the purple rain and how he only wanted to see that person bathing or standing underneath it. This is a clear metaphor for his love and how he wants to share it with the person he's addressing in the lyrics.
The next verse reveals that Prince didn't want to be a simple weekend lover for this person, rather he wanted to be more than that, perhaps even just a friend. He apologizes as their friendship has been affected by the complexities of their relationship. The final verse of the song is more of a plea for change, for something new to happen, but the person has to want it too. They need to stop being indecisive and let him be their guide to the beauty of the purple rain. The song ends with a final flourish of the chorus, and the same passion as it began.
Line by Line Meaning
I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I did not intend to bring you sadness.
I never meant to cause you any pain
I did not wish to hurt you in any way.
I only wanted to one time to see you laughing
I wanted to see you happy and carefree.
I only wanted to see you
Laughing in the purple rain
I desired to witness you content while the purple rain poured.
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only wanted to see you
Bathing in the purple rain
The purple rain is vital, and I yearn for your attire to be soaked in it.
I never wanted to be your weekend lover
All I aspired to be was a friend rather than a fleeting companion.
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
I did not desire our relationship to be anything beyond friendship.
Baby, I could never steal you from another
I could never do you or another person harm by stealing you away.
It's such a shame our friendship had to end
It's unfortunate that our friendship had to conclude.
I only wanted to see you
Underneath the purple rain
I wanted to witness you standing below 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
I understand that things are changing, and it's time for all of us to obtain something innovative, including you.
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 say you want a leader to follow, but you can't make up your mind. Therefore, I believe it would be best for you to follow me to the purple rain.
If you know what I'm singing about up here
C'mon, raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
If you comprehend the message I am conveying, raise your hand. The message is about the significance of purple rain.
I only want to see you
Only want to see you
In the purple rain
It's fundamental that I only see you under the purple rain.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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.
@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!