I really like this song. The only version of it I've heard is really lousy quality but I suppose that is part of its charm. Anyone know if there are any other versions and any background information on the song? Thanks!

There are two versions, one was a 1976 home recording.

The other is a version that was recorded at Moonsound studio with Chris Moon, also in 1976.

14 songs were recorded during the Moonsound sessions, with Chris Moon writing the majority of the lyrics, but a handful of songs were written entirely by Prince including Leaving For New York.

Leaving For New York
This is one of the most accomplished and interesting unreleased songs from the pre-For You years. Prince demoed the song on a cassette recorder in 1976 and recorded a version of it at Moonsound the same year. It is a gentle piano ballad with some very "Princely" lines, including probably what is his first use of the words "purple", "rain" and "dawn". The song is addressed to a lover, "a love extraordinaire", he is leaving behind as he is going to New York. She is in pain but he assures her that she will "overcome that misery". Oddly enough, the lyrics never specifies why Prince is going to New York.


Leaving For New York

Sitting there on the purple lawn
U've been there since dawn
Wonderin' why I've gone
And 4 just 2 long

U're sorry U gave into me
Giving up your virginity
U're so afraid that U will be
So alone away from me

Though I said I'd never leave U
This is something that I must do
But I never will forget U
Unless U forget 2 come into my dream

Leaving 4 New York in the morning
But I'm leaving behind a love extraordinaire
But I'm taking with me memories of when we made love
And all the other lovely feelings that we share

U overcome that misery
Passed up by life's complexity
Picturing your love around me
Only adds 2 your agony

U're undisturbed by the rain
Your pain must be 2 strong
And even though U wait in vain
U'll wait 4 me no matter how long

Though I said I'd never leave U
This is something that I must do
But I never will forget U
Unless U forget 2 come into my dream

CHORUS:
I'm leaving 4 New York in the morning
But I'm leaving behind a love extraordinaire
But I'm taking with me memories of when we made love
And all the other lovely feelings that we share

^ He was maybe (in the song) Leaving For New York to seek fame? Bright lights big city?

The time had arrived, Prince believed, to begin shopping his music to labels in the hope of getting a contract. He had essentially outgrown the need for Moon as a colaborator, and asked him instead to begin serving as a manager. The Englishman declined, however. "The piece I don't do," he responded, "is booking your hotel, making sure you're wearing the right kind of clothes. I'm not interested in that."

Showing remarkable confidence, Prince decided to approach record companies on his own. Armed with a four-song demo tape he flew to New York, where he stayed with his his half sister Sharon Nelson. Predictably, labels were unwilling to meet with an unknown teenager. Frustrated, Prince called Moon and urged him to contact record labels. Moon relented and did as asked, although no one returned his calls either.

Moon then seived on a bolder approach. He contacted Atlantic Records and claimed to a secretary that he represented Stevie Wonder; moments later, an executive called back. Summoning all of the confidence he could muster, Moon admitted that he did not handle Wonder but claimed he had something better to offer. "I'm representing Princ," Moon said "If you like Stevie Wonder, you're gonna love my artist. He's only 18, he plays all the instruments, and he's not blind."

Moon's audacity landed Prince and audience with Atlantic records, but the label came away unimpressed with the tape. The Moonsound demo was simply not slick or professional enough for presentation to major labels. Disappointed but undaunted, Prince hunkered down in his sister's apartment and pondered his next step.

Leaving 4 New York & Soft n Wet were 2 of those songs on the demo

OldFriends4Sale said:

The time had arrived, Prince believed, to begin shopping his music to labels in the hope of getting a contract. He had essentially outgrown the need for Moon as a colaborator, and asked him instead to begin serving as a manager. The Englishman declined, however. "The piece I don't do," he responded, "is booking your hotel, making sure you're wearing the right kind of clothes. I'm not interested in that."

Showing remarkable confidence, Prince decided to approach record companies on his own. Armed with a four-song demo tape he flew to New York, where he stayed with his his half sister Sharon Nelson. Predictably, labels were unwilling to meet with an unknown teenager. Frustrated, Prince called Moon and urged him to contact record labels. Moon relented and did as asked, although no one returned his calls either.

Moon then seived on a bolder approach. He contacted Atlantic Records and claimed to a secretary that he represented Stevie Wonder; moments later, an executive called back. Summoning all of the confidence he could muster, Moon admitted that he did not handle Wonder but claimed he had something better to offer. "I'm representing Princ," Moon said "If you like Stevie Wonder, you're gonna love my artist. He's only 18, he plays all the instruments, and he's not blind."

Moon's audacity landed Prince and audience with Atlantic records, but the label came away unimpressed with the tape. The Moonsound demo was simply not slick or professional enough for presentation to major labels. Disappointed but undaunted, Prince hunkered down in his sister's apartment and pondered his next step.

Leaving 4 New York & Soft n Wet were 2 of those songs on the demo

Cool, thanks for the reminder. So the song is probably about that trip? Or inspired by the idea.

This story is well known but i had never connected the NYC trip to the song before.

MikeyB71 said:

There are two versions, one was a 1976 home recording.

The other is a version that was recorded at Moonsound studio with Chris Moon, also in 1976.

14 songs were recorded during the Moonsound sessions, with Chris Moon writing the majority of the lyrics, but a handful of songs were written entirely by Prince including Leaving For New York.

I've only heard one version, which I think was the 1976 home recording

bboy87 said:

MikeyB71 said:

There are two versions, one was a 1976 home recording.

The other is a version that was recorded at Moonsound studio with Chris Moon, also in 1976.

14 songs were recorded during the Moonsound sessions, with Chris Moon writing the majority of the lyrics, but a handful of songs were written entirely by Prince including Leaving For New York.

I've only heard one version, which I think was the 1976 home recording

Me too I'm only familiar with the piano version which sounded like a home recording.

Harlepolis said:

bboy87 said:

I've only heard one version, which I think was the 1976 home recording

Me too I'm only familiar with the piano version which sounded like a home recording.

And me too, it seems that the more accomplished version recorded at Moonsound is the more elusive track. You might think it would be the other way round.

I'm gonna search my outtakes just in case i do have it.

Love this song... It's nice to know some of the history connected to it.