Dayclear said:

x1000

CJanssen said:

Agreed

This is one of his most brilliant performances.

mentalist said:

Look at the voice as a human musical instrument. The things he does with his voice in this song are absolutely amazing. For a man to be able to sing like that is astounding.

To me, this is part of essential Prince which is really during his early 80's period. I remember after getting the 45 of the single Purple Rain, which I never liked as a 45, listening to the vocal version of God. Then right after that I bought the 12' of the song Purple Rain and the b-side was the vocal version of God and the instrumental of God. Being that the vocal version is what everyone is refereing to, I myself dig the vocal version. And one of the reasons I dig it is because P sounded like he was a stone lunatic. His screaming is waaaay out and overall, it's just a spooky sounding track. I really love the instrumental of God. His playing is excellent. His piano, drumming and of course his lead guitar work is brilliant. I use to set the record player on repeat and let this whole side play over and over (the instrumental and vocal version were both on the b- side on the 12') when my girlfriend and myself would have serious sessions together with this playing over and over in the background.

I loved the (love scene) version that P had in the movie. His solo reminds me of Jeff Beck. I was actually disappointed when the 45 B side was not the version from the film. Still a good track.

SPYZFAN1 said:

That's on the 12' version which is titled "God" (instrumetal version).

I've only heard short snippets, I feel like I'm missing out now

blackguitaristz said:

How romantic, hopefully your girlfriend with down with the song, too.

diana7777 said:

U know, she never mentioned if she was down with the song or not. We weren't doing any talking. But knowing her, if she hadn't dug the song or the instrumental, she definately would have said something. About a year later, after we had broken up, I put the same exact record on repeat with another girl. Same thing...she didn't comment at all about it. And that played for a few hours straight. It just melted into the background. I was in my teens so I was digging the musical atmosphere. I liked the combination and obviously they did too.

I love the instrumental version but as for the vocal version. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

worst... track... ever...

it is only rivaled by Wedding Feast on TRC.

The instrumental was called "God - Love theme from Purple Rain" and the vocal appeared as "God" in America, and "God (vocal)" in Europe.

I love both, but I'd have to go with the vocal. Unbelievable range.

blackguitaristz said:

I used to play that 12" over and over and over....

You were lucky though that your girlfriend liked it, everyone I ever played it for ran out of the room going "that's SO weird, it's SO scary!" and looking at me like I was completely nuts!

the best version i've heard is from the xenophobia 2002 celebration.25 plus minutes of Prince, Neto, Najee, Kip Blackshire, Musiq, and Rachelle Ferrell absolutlety putting their foot in it. Simply awesome. Miss Ferrell has simply one of the best vocal ranges I hagve ever heard

SquirrelMeat said:

Yep, on my 12' that I've had since the original release, regarding the instrumental, it appears like this on the label and on the back of the sleeve

God (Love Theme from Purple Rain)
And then it lists like u mentioned, God (vocal).
Because I had been familiar with buying imports of P regarding his 12', I knew that this 12' of Purple Rain was an import as well. Just like all of his 12' were that came from his 1999 album. But I was somewhat surprised to find out that MANY people in this country have not heard the instrumental version (that's what I've always refered to it as) which is too bad cuz I think it's definately one of P's best recordings. It showcases some of his best playing, to me.

Jeffiner said:

Haha! Yeah well, mind u, u had the instrumental that played first, which was then followed by P's manic vocals! Like I stated before, she never said if she dug it or not. But if I was playing "The Brady Bunch Sings" then yeah, that definately would have broken the groove.

blackguitaristz said:

Back in 84, I actually didn’t like the instrumental. I felt it was slow and boring.

It took a couple of years before I realised that it was what a great track, and that it had been my lack of appreciation for music outside of my (then) comfort zone that had led me to shun it. Its now one of my favourites. The drums in particular.

I think I also thought that not putting his voice to it was a waste, as I think his voice is his best instrument. It was only when things like Madhouse 8 and "This is not music this is a trip" came along before I released how much fun could be had without it.

SquirrelMeat said:

Yeah, for me, being a musician, I always keyed into what P was doing and how he was playing. I've always stated on here that I dug his musicianship on this. And the mix. It's VERY similar to the musicianship and the mix to "Another Lonely Christmas". Especially towards the end of "Christmas" on the 12 '. Very, very similar to the instrumental. Damn near same thing as far as feel goes and the way he's playing. Similar guitar runs, the sound of the drums in both songs, which are high up in the mix. Here's something a little spooky; Anybody ever notice on the 12' cover of Purple Rain, on the back album sleeve, where it's a painting of a purple sky with white raindrops. Have u ever noticed anything underneath the song titles? I noticed something there ever since I was a kid. Go look at the back cover. Without giving too much away and I don't want to scare Jeffiner especially; But it looks like a face underneath the writing. Go check it out if u haven't already noticed it.

Another hint; Anybody ever see the film "Poltergeist" from 82? U know the scene where the father is holding onto the rope that's tied around his wife's waist and while Diane is "inside" the the other world trying to rescue Caroline, u remember that monster with the huge face and bright light eyes that pops out at Steven and makes him let go of the rope? U remember what the face looks like? See if u can find that anywhere on the back of the 12' inch sleeve.

blackguitaristz said:

You're always spooking me out - I need to go and search for it, it's in the garage somewhere brb!

Ok, now I'm really fed up - can't find PR 12" anywhere!! Dug out my old record collection - very dusty! And, it's nowhere to be found, must have lost it somewhere along the way - or just wore it out

The things I did find are pretty funny though, Shalamar! Galaxy? OMD, Bruce Springsteen, Rick James, Swing Out Sister, Whitney, Curiosity Killed the Cat anyone?

lwr001 said:

i was going 2 say that the vocal version never thrilled me, the live versions of it have 4 outsurpassed the official version.

tho the instrumental version

Jeffiner said:

It's there...in time, you'll find it. Probably when you're not even looking for it.

blackguitaristz said:

Nobody on here ever noticed this? If u have the 12' inch, look at it on the back.

I love the story you told years ago about listening to a bootleg of this song and hearing Prince stop the music and tell either Lisa and Wendy to "put down the fucking magazine".

vainandy said:

Yep....P was talking to Lisa...."If u could just put the muthafuckin' magazine down and play your part!"

Prince is such a good Christian.

blackguitaristz said:

OMG, I have the bootleg where Prince says that. It was funny as hell! Prince was pissed! The first time a friend of mine played it for me, I almost fell off my seat laughing. Of course, I HAD to have a copy of it!

L4OATheOriginal said:

The Xenophobia is my fav ,love it ,fantastic!

psychodelicide said:

I can dig it.