Purple Rain is a ballad, sounds like a love song. But why does it have a religious gospel sound?

fluid said:

Purple Rain is a ballad, sounds like a love song. But why does it have a religious gospel sound?

I was pondering some of this today myself. I mean, to me, the whole "Purple Rain" soundtrack emits a very strong religious theme. For example, there is the B-side, "God." "I Would Die 4 U" is clearly written from a religious perspective. More central to Prince’s religious message is “Let’s Go Crazy.” It’s Prince as preacher, telling us religion is fun and will keep us happy in the face of life’s troubles. (“Dearly beloved / We are gathered here today / to get through this thing called life”; “Things are much harder here than in the afterworld.”) Who needs doctors and experts? (“So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills / You know the one, Dr. Everything Will Be Alright.”) The lyrics are his sermon, the music infused with gospel tropes. That famous guitar solo at the end is akin to speaking in tongues.


Religion seems to permeate throughout Prince's music. I guess it just makes itself more apparent on his most famous piece of work.

Purple Rain=Heaven (or after life). It's been discussed here on the ORG many times per metalorange:

If you look at the lyrics, it would suggest Prince is wistfully singing about the breakup of a relationship ('it's a shame our friendship had to end') and Prince is apologising if he inadvertantly caused any problems ('I never meant to cause you any sorrow').

The big question has always been, why purple? In my opinion, purple is associated with luxury, plushness, royalty. If he'd sang 'I only wanted to see you in the POURING rain' it would have been a negative message, by adding purple it subtly makes the rain seem positive, comforting and beneficial. Obviously the rain is not literal, it is a metaphor for a place where the woman is happy and at peace, and Prince thought he could have helped her/could still help her achieve that place (let me guide you to the purple rain).

If you wanna look at it with a religious eye, the rain could be associated with baptism and the cleansing of the soul, he wanted the woman's problems to be all washed away and be reborn fresh, happy and satisfied. In this case, the rain would be god's beneficial love coming straight from heaven, making it purple makes it seem more mystical.

1999: ...."The sky was all purple,
there were people runnin' everywhere"

Purple Rain: just continued that theme, the song is about "Judgment Day"

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[Edited 10/24/13 1:32am]

Purple Rain = The Blood of Jesus - washing away the sins of those who believe.

jwsullivan said:

Purple Rain = The Blood of Jesus - washing away the sins of those who believe.

I think I saw a S&M porno like that once.

fluid said:

Purple Rain is a ballad, sounds like a love song. But why does it have a religious gospel sound?

a love song in what way, more like a song of regret and forgiveness

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from beginning 2 end GOD sounds like a religious song

somehow I've always tied this song 2 Computer Blue & Temptation

From what you tell me the 7 levels of Heaven rain a color. ANd at the 7th level the rain is Purple. This rains down into The6th. Being because the 7th level is where God lives and no one can go.

It makes sense as a ballad until "Times are changing, out for something new.".

What about the secret verse? There's another verse nobody's heard. It's about money, know the lyrics?

fluid said:

What about the secret verse? There's another verse nobody's heard. It's about money, know the lyrics?

^ try and search for the dvd release: 3rd august 1983:

The King Of First Avenue, (could be several other titles?)..

this dvd includes the extra verse to the song "Purple Rain", this live recording ended up on the final album that was released the year later, 1984. (However the extra verse was -of course- edited out)...



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[Edited 10/24/13 18:15pm]

fluid said:

From what you tell me the 7 levels of Heaven rain a color. ANd at the 7th level the rain is Purple. This rains down into The6th. Being because the 7th level is where God lives and no one can go.

It makes sense as a ballad until "Times are changing, out for something new.".

What about the secret verse? There's another verse nobody's heard. It's about money, know the lyrics?

*

thedance said:

the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose.

If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose

Amazing how people these days still take the whole Bible and even Prince lyrics literally.

Tremolina said:

robertgeorgeakabob said:

Tremolina said:

Amazing how people these days still take the whole Bible and even Prince lyrics literally.

It takes imagery from The Bible, how else can you discuss it. Prince believes The Bible literally, I don't have to. So pray, enlighten me the meaning of PR??

How do you know Prince believes the (whole) Bible literally? I don't get that impression at all from his lyrics. On the contrary even.

"it takes imagery from the Bible" Really now, where is the image of a purple rain described in the Bible? The only resemblance is that the "purple rain" is obviously methaphorically or symbolically meant - like often the Bible is.

Your last question "pray enlighten" speaks volumes. If you want to be truly enlightened, you should truly pray and let the Spirit make you aware/speak to you/enlighten you. It may even make you aware what Prince truly meant with "purple rain".


Who knows, perhabs he meant exactly THAT ^
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[Edited 10/25/13 13:03pm]

Tremolina said:

Tremolina said:

What's the secret verse in PR?

Tempest said:

What's the secret verse in PR?

*

Does the secret lie with Charlotte?

robertgeorgeakabob said:

robertgeorgeakabob said:

How do you know Prince believes the (whole) Bible literally? I don't get that impression at all from his lyrics. On the contrary even.

"it takes imagery from the Bible" Really now, where is the image of a purple rain described in the Bible? The only resemblance is that the "purple rain" is obviously methaphorically or symbolically meant - like often the Bible is.

Your last question "pray enlighten" speaks volumes. If you want to be truly enlightened, you should truly pray and let the Spirit make you aware/speak to you/enlighten you. It may even make you aware what Prince truly meant with "purple rain".


Who knows, perhabs he meant exactly THAT ^
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[Edited 10/25/13 13:03pm]

SNIP One minute you're berating for taking the Bible literally, then you're slagging me for not! SNIP And tell me where I've claimed to take The Bible or Prince's lyrics literally? You really think that I think Prince isn't using the image and idea of Purple Rain as a metaphor? Considering I'm an atheist you can take that for granted. Judgement Day is in the Bible, I ran with the rest, just like Prince did. [Edited 10/26/13 1:32am]

"Make your mind up dumbo"?

tsktsk such agression.
If you would be a little bit less emotional and use your intelligence some more, you would have gotten your answer already. But you are way too emotional and way too negative to be able to use your intelligence properly.

Your loss.

robertgeorgeakabob said:

Judgement Day is in the Bible, I ran with the rest, just like Prince did.

Purple Rain obviously has nothing to do with "Judgement Day".

You ran with your own illusions.

Why do we have to be so crabby?

Tremolina said:

Why do we have to be so crabby?

Tempest said:

robertgeorgeakabob said:

Tempest said:

What's the secret verse in PR?

Honey I don't want your money, no, no. I don't even think I want your love. If I wanted either one I would take your money and, I want the heavy stuff. For the best it was ommitted I think.

*

Interesting.

*

I'm curious where that verse was supposed to fit in the song?

Tempest said:

robertgeorgeakabob said:

Tremolina said:

Purple Rain obviously has nothing to do with "Judgement Day".

You ran with your own illusions.

When there’s blood in the sky - red and blue = purple.. purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith/god"guide you through the purple rain...quote by Prince himself. SNIP.

Do you think you come across as more intelligent, mature or reasonable when you call me "Dumbo"?

Your name calling and your red + blue = purple "explanation" are testimony of a simplistic and immature mind. Kind of like a child that doesn't understand that he shouldn't take everything literally. That life goes much deeper than his own limited perception of it. That in other words, hasn't matured enough yet to think properly and not let his emotions get in the way.

So, "the end of the world", "judgement day", "the bible".

None of those words are used in the song.

It's all in your simple imagination.

Just because Prince wrote about the "sky was all purple" on 1999 doesn't mean he was talking about "judgement day" on Purple rain.


"I only wanted to see you bathing on/in Judgement Day"?