Purple Rain
Prince & 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 Prince & The Revolution's song "Purple Rain" start with an apologetic tone from the singer, indicating that he never intended to harm or hurt anyone to whom he's singing the song, followed by the desire to see his loved one/someone he cares about laughing at least once. The song's catchy chorus then follows, where Prince repeats the words "purple rain" several times. Here, purple rain seems to be a metaphor for the sadness and grief that he and his loved one are experiencing. He then expresses his regret for never wanting to be a mere weekend lover, but instead, he always sought to be a good friend. The song also suggests that though he could never win her from her current love interest, he still wants to see her under the purple rain, indicating that he wants her to feel the emotions he's going through.


The song's final verses mention the challenges and changes that come with the times and how everyone has to look beyond and reach out for something new. Here, Prince seems to suggest that everyone needs to have the courage to try new things and take risks in life. He also offers to take his loved one's hand and guide her to the purple rain, indicating that he wants to help her overcome her sadness and grief.


Line by Line Meaning

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never intended to harm or upset you


I never meant to cause you any pain
I never intended to hurt you physically or emotionally


I only wanted to one time to see you laughing
I wanted to witness your happiness and joy at least once


I only wanted to see you Laughing in the purple rain
I wanted to see you in a state of happiness and bliss, surrounded by beauty (represented by the purple rain)


Purple rain, purple rain
Referencing a beautiful natural occurrence (rain), with the color purple representing royalty, luxury and sensuality


I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple rain
I wanted to see you fully immersed and enjoying the beautiful experience of the purple rain


I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I didn't want to have a casual, fleeting relationship with you


I only wanted to be some kind of friend (hey)
I hoped to have a meaningful, platonic relationship with you


Baby, I could never steal you from another
I wasn't interested in breaking up your current relationship or causing you any harm


It's such a shame our friendship had to end
I regret that our relationship had to come to an end, and I am disappointed that we couldn't have remained friends


Honey, I know, I know I know times are changing
I am aware that things are constantly shifting and transforming


It's time we all reach out For something new, that means you too
We should all pursue new experiences, including you


You say you want a leader But you can't seem to make up your mind
You express wanting someone to guide you, but you are undecided


I think you better close it And let me guide you to the purple rain
I suggest that you stop being indecisive and let me lead you to the beautiful, luxurious experience of the purple rain


If you know what I'm singing about up here C'mon, raise your hand
If you understand the deeper meaning behind my words, show me by raising your hand


I only want to see you Only want to see you In the purple rain
I desire to be with you and experience life's beauty together, specifically represented by the 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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