Purple Rain
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 The Revolution's song Purple Rain is a poignant ballad about regret, love, and loss. The singer expresses that they never intended to hurt or cause any pain to their lover. They wanted to see them laugh and be happy. However, it seems like their friendship has ended, and they understand that nothing can be done about that now. The line "I only wanted to see you bathing in the purple rain" is a reference to wanting to see their lover fully immersed in happiness - the purple rain being symbolic of that joy. They then go on to say that times are changing, and it's time to seek new possibilities, and that even though their friend can't seem to find a leader, they will guide them towards happiness - the Purple Rain.


The song Purple Rain was written by Prince and originally performed by his band, The Revolution. The song was ranked number 143 on Rolling Stone's list of 'The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.' Prince wrote the song while he was at his lowest point personally and financially. The song was released on his sixth album, also titled Purple Rain. The album has been certified platinum thirteen times by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song was recorded live in First Avenue, Minneapolis, a nightclub that was significant to Prince's career.


Line by Line Meaning

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I didn't intend to bring sadness or remorse to your life


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


I only wanted to one time to see you laughing
I had one simple desire – to witness you smiling


I only wanted to see you Laughing in the purple rain
My wish was to see you, gleeful, while being surrounded by purple rain


Purple rain, purple rain
The color purple has taken over and is falling like rain


I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple rain
I only wished to see you thoroughly enjoying the purple rain, almost bathing in it


I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I didn't want a casual or temporary relationship with you


I only wanted to be some kind of friend (hey)
As times changed, I craved any sort of friendship or companionship with you


Baby, I could never steal you from another
I could never take you away from someone else


It's such a shame our friendship had to end
I regret that our friendship had to come to an end


I only wanted to see you Underneath the purple rain
All I ever longed for was to see you happy and carefree under the purple rain


Honey, I know, I know I know times are changing
I'm aware that time moves on and things are constantly evolving


It's time we all reach out For something new, that means you too
It's essential that we all take a step forward towards something unfamiliar, you included


You say you want a leader But you can't seem to make up your mind
You express that you want a guide, but you can't come to a decision


I think you better close it And let me guide you to the purple rain
I suggest that you stop all confusion and allow me to lead you to the serene purple rain


If you know what I'm singing about up here C'mon, raise your hand
If you're aware of the emotions that I'm trying to portray through my music, show me by raising your hand


I only want to see you Only want to see you In the purple rain
All I desire is to see you content and blissful, relaxing beneath the purifying 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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