Released a year and eight months after Prince's previous album 1999, it marked the longest period between albums to date.

The album was mostly recorded between August, 1983, and March, 1984, although Baby I'm A Star had first been recorded in 1981. The last three songs on the album, I Would Die 4 U, Baby I'm A Star and Purple Rain, were recorded live at the 3 August, 1983, First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA show, although overdubs and edits took place later. This marked the first time Prince had included live recordings on an album or on any release.

Purple Rain produced five commercially-released singles, When Doves Cry (which preceded the album), Let's Go Crazy, Purple Rain, I Would Die 4 U and Take Me With U. Both When Doves Cry and Let's Go Crazy reached number 1 on the US Billboard Chart.

Prince supported the album with the Purple Rain Tour, his most extensive to date (and the first billed as Prince and the Revolution). Every song on the album was played regularly on the tour.

The album outsold all of his previous (and subsequent) albums, selling 11 million copies in the US and 5 million in the rest of the world. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Album Chart, where it remained for 24 weeks. It was boosted by the success of the Purple Rain movie, while also promoting the movie.

I see a Purple Party coming in June 2014!