That's what the OP got out of the song.

To me, the song is like his "Freebird" channeled through Joni's "A Case of You", and lyrically has similarities to Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide", or Led Zep's "Ramble On".

He's letting someone go because he can't give back what she's giving him, and he's dealing with a really confused girl who worships him, even though she's in a relationship. "Me and Mrs Jones?" "If Loving You is Wrong?"

Prince and the girl had their fun, but she was involved with another man, but gives indication she'd leave it all for him. He's basically telling her no, this is turning serious, and I need to live my life, which requires me being away all the time. You'd be miserable, and I don't know if I can commit to just one woman when stardom is within reach (at that time). Context is he's in his early 20s,trying to get out of the clubs and be famous.

He just wanted to have fun with her, see her happy, but was unable to give her all of himself, and she complicated things for herself by wanting more from Prince than a weekend fling here and there. He wasn't sure if she should leave her man for him. He didn't know if he wanted a relationship with her.

How do you let someone go that adores you and worships you? He doesn't want her adulation, he just wanted a friend, but he points her in the direction of where she can put that adulation to good use.

I don't know if it's from an experience Prince had or writing it from the point of view of The Kid. Keep in mind, this is someone who has written songs in the mindset of characters.

It stopped being Prince's song back in the mid 80s. I'm sure there's a handful of songs he feels personal attachment to. Usually those type of songs are rarely performed in concert. Kind of like Clapton doing "Tears in Heaven"...,he might do "Wonderful Tonight" because that was 50 ex-girlfriends and a few ex-wives ago, or "Layla" because they're crowd pleasers. But "Tears in Heaven" is about his son. I think most artists have certain songs they won't play live because it still hits a raw nerve.

I also think The Who's "Love Reign O'er Me" has that whole thing of washing your sins away just as powerfully. Pete Townshend wrote a lot of songs with a spirituality to it, and he credits his guru Meher Baba for the inspiration.

sweething said:

Veego said:

After knowing Christ the song has taken on new meaning for me. I never understood it. When the guitar solo starts it's the blood of Jesus raining down. When prince starts to sing " oooh ooh ooh" it's the joy of cleansing as the actual waves of blood rush over you cleaning you of all sin. Then the majestic strings and spacey piano keys as your lifted up into heaven to be with God. Heavy song and well written. [Edited 3/17/11 5:57am]

I believe Purple Rain is God's majesty (blood or sacrafice) raining down (covering) on us. As for the musical accompaniament, listening to the song touches all of us in this same way--understanding of God's love and the sacrafice of his only son as measure of his love. Even those who wouldn't admit it understand fully the subliminal message underscored by the music, and that is undeniable and why the song has a manificent place in music and world history. Prince is praying for salvation for all of us.

x

[Edited 3/19/11 10:45am]

WHAT?

I disagree with your interpretation.

The guitar to me goes from occasional sniffling to full out bawling.

Even those he's now references the Bible when he sings it, that's a luxury of its vagueness and apparently, not the original intent. (He could have used the Bible reference all along but did not.)

Prince created a vague arena rocker art rock ballad.

The lyrics don't support the interpretation you've offered in my opinion either.

Laughing, bathing, underneath, let me guide you, want to see you - all in the purple rain.

Prince is again expressing his indecision as to what he wants. (One of the biggest themes of the movie . . .)

I want you, if I can't have you then I don't want you around, forget about them because I got plans for you.

But can he also forget about them and focus on one? (Notice 'The Beautiful Ones' is plural for a reason.)

He too could be happy if he could just make up his mind.

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted 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 changin'
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 singin' about up here, come on raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you, only want to see you in the purple rain

SUPRMAN said:

sweething said:

I believe Purple Rain is God's majesty (blood or sacrafice) raining down (covering) on us. As for the musical accompaniament, listening to the song touches all of us in this same way--understanding of God's love and the sacrafice of his only son as measure of his love. Even those who wouldn't admit it understand fully the subliminal message underscored by the music, and that is undeniable and why the song has a manificent place in music and world history. Prince is praying for salvation for all of us.

x

[Edited 3/19/11 10:45am]

WHAT?

I disagree with your interpretation.

The guitar to me goes from occasional sniffling to full out bawling.

Even those he's now references the Bible when he sings it, that's a luxury of its vagueness and apparently, not the original intent. (He could have used the Bible reference all along but did not.)

Prince created a vague arena rocker art rock ballad.

The lyrics don't support the interpretation you've offered in my opinion either.

Laughing, bathing, underneath, let me guide you, want to see you - all in the purple rain.

Prince is again expressing his indecision as to what he wants. (One of the biggest themes of the movie . . .)

I want you, if I can't have you then I don't want you around, forget about them because I got plans for you.

But can he also forget about them and focus on one? (Notice 'The Beautiful Ones' is plural for a reason.)

He too could be happy if he could just make up his mind.

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted 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 changin'
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 singin' about up here, come on raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you, only want to see you in the purple rain

Are you saying you believe it was expressly meant for the love/romance in the movie? descriptive of what was going on?

I might not disagree either. I was speculating/offering an observation about the song's massive appeal and not even sure the underlying effect of the song was intentional.

xlr8r said:

vitriol said:

^And proud of it! (That only means we have a brain AND we use it!).

^^^ hells awaitin'

I hope so! It'll sure be great to be on the funkiest place of them all.

As for the 'topic'... come on, people! It's just a (quite stupid) lyric for a song. Prince might've have written it that way just because he liked how the words fit the music. He must be having the time of his life if he's reading some of your 'findings'.

SUPRMAN said:

Pokeno4Money said:

I agree with the last sentence about laughing at ourselves and finding strength in our decisions.

Is it safe to assume that you believe nothing should be placed in a special bubble? Nothing is offlimits?

It's okay to make fun of all nationalities?

It's okay to make fun of all races?

It's okay to make fun of conditions which cause some to be mentally challenged?

It's okay to make fun of conditions which cause some to be physically challenged?

It's okay to make fun of diseases such as cancer, AIDS, etc?

It's okay to make fun of natural disasters?

It's okay to make fun of man-made disasters?

It's okay to make fun of sexual preferences?

It's okay to make fun of people's skin color?

It's okay to make fun of people's height or weight?

It's okay to make fun of people's age?

I don't do any of that. Not because I'm "afraid" to do so, but because I don't derive pleasure from it.

I believe everyone should be considerate and respectful of others, and most atheists share that belief. Imagine that, showing love for one another without any notion of being rewarded in Heaven!

Honestly, why would anyone want to intentionally hurt other people's feelings?

Depending on the circumstances, I would say yes to all.

No it's not okay to be insensitive or deliberately cruel but otherwise, why not laugh?

People joke and laugh about all the above daily do they not?

Why would anyone want to intentionally hurt other people's feelings? Because we as people, realize we can do so.

Why do we kill each other? Surely that intentionally hurts other's feelings?

You don't make the jokes, but are you going to say you've never laughed? (I think you do.)

Even the targets can enjoy jokes without feeling someone is intentionally hurting their feelings.

I like both these posts a lot. Nice discussion here.

sweething said:

SUPRMAN said:

I disagree with your interpretation.

The guitar to me goes from occasional sniffling to full out bawling.

Even those he's now references the Bible when he sings it, that's a luxury of its vagueness and apparently, not the original intent. (He could have used the Bible reference all along but did not.)

Prince created a vague arena rocker art rock ballad.

The lyrics don't support the interpretation you've offered in my opinion either.

Laughing, bathing, underneath, let me guide you, want to see you - all in the purple rain.

Prince is again expressing his indecision as to what he wants. (One of the biggest themes of the movie . . .)

I want you, if I can't have you then I don't want you around, forget about them because I got plans for you.

But can he also forget about them and focus on one? (Notice 'The Beautiful Ones' is plural for a reason.)

He too could be happy if he could just make up his mind.

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted 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 changin'
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 singin' about up here, come on raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you, only want to see you in the purple rain

Glad we're back on topic

To fully understand the meaning of Purple Rain and his train of thought while writing it, we need to focus on the original third verse of the song:

Honey, I don't want your money.

I don't even think I want your love.

If I wanted either one,

I take some money and buy it.

I want the heavy stuff.

I want the Purple Rain.

I want the Purple Rain.

It's about spiritual change that brings with it inner peace and happiness, two things that can't be bought.

sweething said:

SUPRMAN said:

WHAT?

I disagree with your interpretation.

The guitar to me goes from occasional sniffling to full out bawling.

Even those he's now references the Bible when he sings it, that's a luxury of its vagueness and apparently, not the original intent. (He could have used the Bible reference all along but did not.)

Prince created a vague arena rocker art rock ballad.

The lyrics don't support the interpretation you've offered in my opinion either.

Laughing, bathing, underneath, let me guide you, want to see you - all in the purple rain.

Prince is again expressing his indecision as to what he wants. (One of the biggest themes of the movie . . .)

I want you, if I can't have you then I don't want you around, forget about them because I got plans for you.

But can he also forget about them and focus on one? (Notice 'The Beautiful Ones' is plural for a reason.)

He too could be happy if he could just make up his mind.

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted 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 changin'
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 singin' about up here, come on raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you, only want to see you in the purple rain

Are you saying you believe it was expressly meant for the love/romance in the movie? descriptive of what was going on?

I might not disagree either. I was speculating/offering an observation about the song's massive appeal and not even sure the underlying effect of the song was intentional.

No it's not expressedly meant for the movie but being vague broadens its appeal.

And then, yes it ties into the movie and to what's to become of them.

Pokeno4Money said:

SUPRMAN said:

I disagree with your interpretation.

The guitar to me goes from occasional sniffling to full out bawling.

Even those he's now references the Bible when he sings it, that's a luxury of its vagueness and apparently, not the original intent. (He could have used the Bible reference all along but did not.)

Prince created a vague arena rocker art rock ballad.

The lyrics don't support the interpretation you've offered in my opinion either.

Laughing, bathing, underneath, let me guide you, want to see you - all in the purple rain.

Prince is again expressing his indecision as to what he wants. (One of the biggest themes of the movie . . .)

I want you, if I can't have you then I don't want you around, forget about them because I got plans for you.

But can he also forget about them and focus on one? (Notice 'The Beautiful Ones' is plural for a reason.)

He too could be happy if he could just make up his mind.

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted 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 changin'
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 singin' about up here, come on raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you, only want to see you in the purple rain

Glad we're back on topic

To fully understand the meaning of Purple Rain and his train of thought while writing it, we need to focus on the original third verse of the song:

Honey, I don't want your money.

I don't even think I want your love.

If I wanted either one,

I take some money and buy it.

I want the heavy stuff.

I want the Purple Rain.

I want the Purple Rain.

It's about spiritual change that brings with it inner peace and happiness, two things that can't be bought.

Why does that revelation make him cry so? (The guitar is definitely crying every time I hear the song, live or otherwise.)

Seems to lead to The Ladder . . . .

Interesting thread. Some nice discussions and thoughtful descriptions.

Also good to discuss Prince's trademark song.

I like the idea that the exploration will be wet. In the rain... sort of a cleansing aspect to it.

Bohemian67 said:

I like the idea that the exploration will be wet.

Me too.

sweething said:

Thank God someone gets it. It's just like Jesus said.

I think I missed this and I would love to hear Jesus' opinion about the lyric to Purple Rain.

Could you quote him?

xlr8r said:

vitriol said:

^And proud of it! (That only means we have a brain AND we use it!).

^^^ hells awaitin'

See you there