Does the Song "Purple Rain" Make You Cry? If So, Why?

I have noticed that people have posted either on threads or in the chatroom that the song "Purple Rain" makes them cry. I guess I never found "Purple Rain" to be an emotional song, but for some folks it is. If this song does make you emotional, is it because Prince sang this song in the movie right after his father tried to commit suicide? I'm thinking that perhaps when some people hear this song, it makes them think of the father trying to end his life, and it makes them cry. Or is there another (perhaps personal reasons) behind the song that I'm not getting?

Irish Diplomacy: The art of telling someone to go to hell, and having them look forward to the trip.

My give a damn is busted.

maybe it's the subtle religious undertones that when thought about and taken into context actually have subsequent meaning in a person's life.

I have no idea what i just said.

GlamSlamKid...The resident clown on Prince.orgy

Paw Power Pussy

No.

"I would Die for you" has more religious overtones than Purple Rain.


Purple Rain is clearly overrated.

yeah you're right...i was just trying to sound smrt...

GlamSlamKid...The resident clown on Prince.orgy

Paw Power Pussy

the song is beautiful, that's why -- and Prince himself gets very emotional during the guitar solo, which in turn is very touching as well

Only when I see him perform it live. The sheer passion he puts into performing it always brings tears to my eyes, I guess I kinda feel like when I'm watching him perform it, it's like bearing witness to a miracle. Sappy, perhaps, but you did ask.

i remember at the musicology shows seeing lots of people crying when he performed PR...it hasn't touched me that way probably since the first year the album was out waaaay back when, but it was really amazing to see the song still striking such a chord with so many people. there are prince songs that have moved me more - "another lonely christmas" and "sometimes it snows in april" leap to mind - but it certainly was moving to see this song still having an effect on folks after all this time.

Listening to PR has never moved me to tears.

PurpleCharm said:

GlamSlamKid...The resident clown on Prince.orgy

Paw Power Pussy

Yes. Especially live. Its just so amazing and deep. For me its an indescribable feeling. Someone also mentioned IWD4U, that song is deep too!

Snap said:

Yes. Everytime.

I don't know why. It's gibberish. It's just very heartfelt gibberish.

I think that reading between the lines it's about believing in something and maybe trying too hard to try to make others believe what you believe in. Whether that's a relationship, a religious belief or just a point of view - I don't know. The lyrics could apply to anything, although they do meander around specific situations.

There are certain points in everyone's life when you know that you're right and you can holler and scream and ultimately drive people away through your righteousness. I think that Purple Rain is an acceptance that just because you're "correct" doesn't automatically mean that your point of view is "right" for everybody. It's definitely an apology.

It makes me cry. Almost everytime I listen to the song I cry, its just a very emotional song 4 him and others as well

glamslamkid said:

The first time I saw the movie...yes. Infact, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house...



Only other time I've cried in regards to a Prince song...is the rehearsal of AnnaStesia from 88. AMAZING!!!
If you have LIVESEXY...you noticed that he didn't play a guitar solo because of "technical problems"...if you have the rehearsal...PLAY IT!!!!!

FiveFootNine said:

I heard the Purple Rain song before I ever saw the movie. I had no idea what the story line of the movie was about or that he sung it after his father tried killing himself. I've never gone as far as cry over the song but it does have a little bit of an emtional effect on me, when i hear it. It's probably one of the best songs of all time, ever written. Its powerful and Prince knows how to get deep and make u think or identify with his music on a personal level.

Anxiety said:

Irish Diplomacy: The art of telling someone to go to hell, and having them look forward to the trip.

My give a damn is busted.

Snap said:

There has never been a time that I haven't cried when I here that song.

whodknee said:

glamslamkid said:

Me neither. it justs moves my ass to the next track.

The next track you say?

I can't say I've eer cried because of Purple Rain, nor Sometimes It Snows or Another Lonely Christmas for that matter. That doesn't mean it's not an emotional song. It is a powerful song in and of itself, but I think that the movie really enhanced it's impact.

If you're a fan and can't still enjoy Purple Rain that's a shame. I guess I still enjoy it because I've never lived and died by any one song or artist. I never wore it out. Hell, I've probably only listened to the album 20 times and I've had it in one form or another since the mid 80's.

GlamSlamKid...The resident clown on Prince.orgy

Paw Power Pussy

"The Truth" album makes me want to cry for the fact that he would stoop so low as to put out something so boring.
[Edited 12/12/04 19:16pm]

the only Prince song i ever cried to was Beautiful Ones...i can relate to that song so hard and on so many levels. Happens to me ALL the time. Being in love with someone, who's in love with someone else... see, ya'll made me cry. i'm tellin...

GlamSlamKid...The resident clown on Prince.orgy

Paw Power Pussy

It makes me cry like this:




"Why doesn't he make good stuff like this anymore?!?!?!"

Their is one naff line "that means u too" sorta sucks! Rest is good though! SHame the video was just the movie clip and not something creative! Damn u WB 4 cashing in on the movie!



I still don't fully understand it though, but i rarely hear it so who cares.....

I cried when I heard him play this at the Brixton gig in '98.. I think it was cuz I was surprised to hear him play it again after all his 'I will never play the old hits again' phase.. so it was nice to hear it.. Also after all the verses are over and the strings and oooo ooooo bit kick in, it doeswrench at the heart I think

NA! PURPLE RAIN SENDS ME 2 SLEEP.

"Purple Rain" is my favourite song of all time and I've cried to it many times. However it was always when I was feeling very emotional about things... usually because I'd been dumpped etc..

I love to play it on my guitar too. Has anyone ever seen some of the tabs for this song? ... they're awful and I don't think they're listening to the same song!

no
that song is emotional but it doesnt move me

Sometimes, when I'm in a mood, it brings tears to my eyes...it's the harmonies in the beginning ... and the line "I never meant to cause U any sorrow, I never meant to cause U any pain"...
Can't exactly say why, but the song just touches me very much.

"Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies -
tongue-tied and twisted, just an earthbound misfit, I"