Purple Rain
Revolution/Prince 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
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 to Prince's song "Purple Rain" are full of heartfelt emotion and a deep longing for someone. The singer opens with a confession, stating that he never intended to cause any hurt or pain, he only wanted to make the person he's singing to laugh. He repeats this sentiment several times, emphasizing his pure intentions. The next stanza reveals that he never wanted to be his love interest's weekend lover, it's clear he only had good intentions, but things didn't work out that way. The chorus then repeats the phrase "purple rain" in succession several times. The phrase is interesting because it carries a lot of symbolism. Purple is often associated with royalty, luxury, and power, while rain is a cleansing and purifying force. Together, the combination paints a picture of a powerful force for good. The chorus ends with the same line that's been repeated throughout the song "I only wanted to see you bathing in the purple rain."


The last stanza is particularly poignant because Prince seems to be speaking directly to his audience. "Honey, I know, I know/I know times are changing/It's time we all reach out/For something new, that means you too." He's calling for a change, urging people to let go of what's familiar and open up to new possibilities. There's a sense of urgency in his words, an insistence that something needs to be done, and that time is slipping away. Towards the end of the song, Prince urges his listeners to join him, to raise their hand if they know what he's singing about. It's a call to action, a plea for connection, and a declaration of his passion. The song ends with the same chorus, "purple rain, purple rain, I only want to see you, only want to see you, in the purple rain."


Line by Line Meaning

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I didn't intend to make you sad


I never meant to cause you any pain
I didn't mean to hurt you


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


I only wanted to see you
All I really wanted was to be with you


Laughing in the purple rain
Laughing while we enjoyed the beauty of nature


Purple rain, purple rain
The rain is a rich shade of purple


I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple rain
I desired to watch you enjoy the rain's beauty and purity


I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I never wanted to be just a fling for the weekend


I only wanted to be some kind of friend
I wanted to establish a genuine friendship


Baby, I could never steal you from another
I wouldn't dare take you away from someone else


It's such a shame our friendship had to end
It's unfortunate that we couldn't remain friends


I only wanted to see you Underneath the purple rain
I wanted to observe you enjoying the rain's beauty and purity


Honey, I know, I know
My love, I'm aware of your feelings


I know times are changing
I understand that circumstances are evolving


It's time we all reach out
It's an opportunity for us all to connect


For something new, that means you too
It includes you as well


You say you want a leader
You express a desire for someone to follow


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


I think you better close it
I suggest you clear your head


And let me guide you to the purple rain
Allow me to show you the beauty of this natural phenomenon


If you know what I'm singing about up here
If you understand the message in my song


C'mon, raise your hand
Show me a sign that you get it


I only want to see you Only want to see you In the purple rain
I want to be with you while we experience the rain's beauty and purity




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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