SO.... hands up, who actually heard this / knew this first time around? The 12" of Purple Rain - the B side? God instrumental leading into God vocal....? There must be many others who fell in love with this music first time around ... the b side, I mean - 'God' - one or both...?

For me... it was a complete revelation, I didn't really know who 'Prince' was... I can't remember exactly, 'Purple Rain' must have made me go out and buy the 12". But it was 'God' instrumental, and vocal especially, that I fell in love with, totally and completely, and that DEFINED Prince to me, still does.... Anyone else..?

I love that track

luv4u said:

i've mostly been familiar with the vocal version, because that's what was on the 7" and 12" singles i bought back in the day (yeah, you remember the purple vinyl, and the 7" was in a clear plastic cover - sooo sweet). it wasn't until just maybe four years ago that i heard the instrumental. i like both versions, but prince's voice on the vocal version is out of this world.

Anxiety said:

I'm sure you're right, but I don't remember that, just the orginal 12" 'normal' (UK) version. You didn't hear the instrumental until 4 years ago? Maybe because it was an import? So, so beautiful though! I'm really glad someone else appreciates the vocal version, it touched my heart so much, it seemed to scare the people around me, but somehow it 'comforted' me, well maybe that's not the right word, but it just attached itself to my heart in some way .... I don't really know how to explain it! I don't think many people, even a lot of 'die hard' fans appreciate either of these ....
[Edited 10/24/08 20:32pm]

Jeffiner said:

his vocals are bizarre on that song, but they couldn't be sung any other way. i can't put into words what the feeling of that song is all about, but i "get it". it's very sexual-psychedelic-cathartic-eerie-gospel-playful-avant-garde...though even that description doesn't even foot the bill.

Anxiety said:

Cool! But I've never even tried to define it, I can't - it's beyond definition to me, something very spiritual, normally I can't even talk about it! You're one of a VERY few people who has ever said they've 'got it' though, even on a Prince fan site - nice to know I'm not COMPLETELY alone!

The song is breathlessly beautiful...And 2 know that it has a home in the etheric airwaves must certainly comfort the creator of love and life.

Tame said:

That's so lovely Tame....

Jeffiner said:

I agree with you. It is that one song that cannot be defined. It feel the complete sovereignty of God's love. It is my favorite song next to Purple Rain.

Jeffiner said:

I feel at peace and free. It's like I am "resting" in the Sovereignty of God's Love. My favorite song next to Purple Rain.

It's very nice.

The best Prince song ever!

where on earth can i get hold of the instrumental?

DaisyDishwaterBlonde said:

itunes have it - you need to find the 12" of Purple Rain, it's on the b side!

4bjb said:

Cool!

4bjb said:

I'm not sure if I can define how it makes me feel either. That's a lovely description, but there is also an undercurrent of something else....some wickedness, or danger? There's definitely another element in there too....it scares people when they hear it!

I can't take the vocal. I've tried time and time again to listne to this, about a minute in, I have to switch it off. I literally cannot tolerate it. I'm sorry. I just can't.

guarinigirl2000 said:

I don't mean to be critical, but it's the vocals that grab you on the inside...that is God...that feeling that is so supreme.

~
God brings heartouching tears 2 my 's

Thanks Maia7

So.... not many of us then...?
[Edited 10/26/08 7:04am]

G0d said:

Is this the reason for your avatar / org name, whatever it's called!?

..
[Edited 10/26/08 10:21am]

guarinigirl2000 said:

Well, at least you TRIED! That's important, but I think it's just one of those songs you either 'get' straight away, or will NEVER get!

the god vocal gives me goose pimples..its so powerfull/beautifull when u listen 2 it in the dark with no light what so ever, the song just is so diffrent from anything else thats y its unique and it gives me a spiritual feel and im not even religious

optimus said:

Yes!

I like your answer a lot! It is beautiful and very powerful, I always used to listen to it in the dark too, well almost dark, I had a candle burning or something... When I first heard him sing Purple Rain live last year, it took me straight back to that time, instantly, I could see myself sitting on the floor completely lost in it - those 3 tracks on that 12" mesmorised me, I was actually THERE again! The place I used to listen to it in was really spooky and 'haunted' too... it used to scare my friends, but it never scared me...
[Edited 10/26/08 15:05pm]

I absolutely love this track. One of my favourite ever Prince recordings.

Jeffiner said:

C'mon Jeffiner.

Everyone knows I am the Creator of Heaven & Earth.

The Alpha & The Omega.

The Beginning & The End.

Love Itself.

G0d said:

Hmmmm.....

i didn't get in2 the vocal version until after i heard the live version from syracuse. those screams r wicked!!!

but i do prefer the instrumental over the vocal version on record.

and the version done at the celebration 2002 ..

L4OATheOriginal said:

WICKED!!!

He did God instrumental at the 2002 Celebration?!! Really?!

I don't know what I'd do if I saw him doing that live, probably faint!

Oooh, then his security might have to take me to the nearest place (his dressing room) to recover.... well, a girl's allowed to daydream....

Actually, strangely, when I've heard the vocal version live (on the Purple Rain tour) it didn't affect me as much, it's the studio version that really GETS me!
[Edited 10/27/08 9:50am]