Asking for very obvious reasons & this song is frankly too emotional to listen to now [I cry each time]

Speaking to many other purple friends they share the same sentiment...we associcate it with his transition in April 2016 & it seems to have become our torch song for Prince. Like many we always saw P. Rain as THE song to define him but now this encapsulates him more to us.

Yes but they both rip my heart out equally everytime I hear them.

It does 4 me as a result. Which is why cannot listen to it directly

For some reason it is hard 4 me to hear Down To You -Joni Mitchell for similar reasons

I swear that song sounds like it should be on the Parade album and followed up on the album by Sometimes It Snows In April.

It is easier for me to hear the 6.7.1985 live intro of the song than the album cut

No, because I am not going to spend the 21st of every month celebrating his death, as fans seem to be doing. "OMG It's been eight months!" "Oh, it's been THREE months today." Really????

He lived 21,138 days. That's 57 years, 10 months, and 14 days. He died one. He recorded how many released songs? Folks are fixating and romanticizing his death with one.

I'm choosing to celebrate those 21,138 days in full, and not put weight on a song of coincidence but rather put weight on his life, his music, his videos, and those that surrounded him and supported him. If he'd have died in December, people would have been pulling out those two songs instead. Or June, or any other month he happened to mention. Yes, it's an interesting bit of serendipity that he died on April 21, when he wrote "Sometimes It Snows in April" decades before. But no - it doesn't make it more significant. It gives fans a reason to endlessly post "too soon, more tears, can't talk".

It was incredibly significant to me already because a few years ago, a long term relationship had ended in April. Weirdly enough, it was when I was making my Parade documentary for XFM Radio. The documentary went out on the last day of April as I recall, and so at the time the relationship ended, I was doing the final edits of the last section of the documentary which was..... guess what..... Sometimes It Snows in April.

I saw Prince play the song on several occasions and it made me tear up every time. Now... it's even harder to listen to.

Now, the uncirculating orchestral version, on the other hand, I can listen to. The phenomenal orchestration by Clare Fischer makes it feel like a very different song.

Militant said:

It was incredibly significant to me already because a few years ago, a long term relationship had ended in April.

You reminded me that I broke up with my boyfriend in 2001. On November 4th. But now, I smirk when I hear that lyric.

TrivialPursuit said:

No, because I am not going to spend the 21st of every month celebrating his death, as fans seem to be doing. "OMG It's been eight months!" "Oh, it's been THREE months today." Really????

He lived 21,138 days. That's 57 years, 10 months, and 14 days. He died one. He recorded how many released songs? Folks are fixating and romanticizing his death with one.

I'm choosing to celebrate those 21,138 days in full, and not put weight on a song of coincidence but rather put weight on his life, his music, his videos, and those that surrounded him and supported him. If he'd have died in December, people would have been pulling out those two songs instead. Or June, or any other month he happened to mention. Yes, it's an interesting bit of serendipity that he died on April 21, when he wrote "Sometimes It Snows in April" decades before. But no - it doesn't make it more significant. It gives fans a reason to endlessly post "too soon, more tears, can't talk".

lol well yeah some people go way too deep in a well of sadness.

I think a lot of things can contribute to how we process this.

In most things concerning loss, I think it is best to open yourself and feel it and let it pass through you. Too many people shut that part of the process down and therefore stay in a place of pain.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

the fact that (whoever we loose) is no longer here becomes a part of our living, meloncholy, helps us to remember and celebrate.

OldFriends4Sale said:

lol well yeah some people go way too deep in a well of sadness.

I think a lot of things can contribute to how we process this.

In most things concerning loss, I think it is best to open yourself and feel it and let it pass through you. Too many people shut that part of the process down and therefore stay in a place of pain.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

the fact that (whoever we lose) is no longer here becomes a part of our living, meloncholy, helps us to remember and celebrate.

I'm so very happy you said that! When I lost my mom in 2012 (on April 21!), the one thing I learned was to just let happen what happens. Our brain goes into overdrive when death occurs, especially when it's someone close. It is constantly trying to right itself again, and set plumb. We throw that off by trying to stay sad all the time, or feeling guilt if we feel happy. Feeling happy doesn't mean we dishonor the dead. We have to stay true to what we feel, whether it's joy, sorrow, bliss, or remorse. As long as we're honest with what we feel, and just let it happen, it's much easier to move past the point of change (in this case, the death), and find our new normal. But some enjoy sitting in the sorrow, as if it's going to bring someone back. Misery loves company, but truth loves. I've found myself laughing about times with my mom way more than I cried or mourned her passing. I suppose that has been my journey with Prince. I'm not focusing on April 21, 2016 and an elevator. I'm focusing on stories (like the Stevie Nicks thread, or The Revolution thread), the music, etc. That's why we love him - he brought us joy. Let's not stifle that in favor of being in a holding pattern of pain.

TrivialPursuit said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

lol well yeah some people go way too deep in a well of sadness.

I think a lot of things can contribute to how we process this.

In most things concerning loss, I think it is best to open yourself and feel it and let it pass through you. Too many people shut that part of the process down and therefore stay in a place of pain.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

the fact that (whoever we lose) is no longer here becomes a part of our living, meloncholy, helps us to remember and celebrate.

I'm so very happy you said that! When I lost my mom in 2012 (on April 21!), the one thing I learned was to just let happen what happens. Our brain goes into overdrive when death occurs, especially when it's someone close. It is constantly trying to right itself again, and set plumb. We throw that off by trying to stay sad all the time, or feeling guilt if we feel happy. Feeling happy doesn't mean we dishonor the dead. We have to stay true to what we feel, whether it's joy, sorrow, bliss, or remorse. As long as we're honest with what we feel, and just let it happen, it's much easier to move past the point of change (in this case, the death), and find our new normal. But some enjoy sitting in the sorrow, as if it's going to bring someone back. Misery loves company, but truth loves. I've found myself laughing about times with my mom way more than I cried or mourned her passing. I suppose that has been my journey with Prince. I'm not focusing on April 21, 2016 and an elevator. I'm focusing on stories (like the Stevie Nicks thread, or The Revolution thread), the music, etc. That's why we love him - he brought us joy. Let's not stifle that in favor of being in a holding pattern of pain.

I agree.
I tend to be a VERY happy person. But I remember when I broke up with a girlfriend(who I thought I would marry), I would feel guilty after a a short period, of feeling extremely happy, and would play some music and look at some things that would help remind me of the pain lol. I looked back on that felt so out of character and out of touch with myself.

I look at April 21st 2017 too see how I've proceed it and how I will move into this 'new world' with out Prince. I usually give myself 1 yr from the time someone passes.

It was hard doing those era threads at first. I remember we were in the middle of a Prince & Vanity 6 era thread when she died. I find myself a lot more excited to share info about Prince again now.

that dark place is claustrophobic

like Cranes in the Sky

Yes, absolutely for me.

not for me, it was never a fave.

It makes me more sad...but they both are significant.

Way Back Home is the one that really became MUCH more significant than any of them.

I much prefeer Snows to Purple Rain, and had from first hearing. PR was always way, WAY too melodramatic for me -- I'd invariably skip it on any tape or cd I've ever had of it, and basically ignored it whenever I watched the movie. Terrible of me, I know, but there it is.

It's odd because during the original release, after seeing the movie, I hated the song, I'd skip it because it made me feel what I didn't want to feel. Then eventually I got over it and forgot about it, and simply enjoyed the song. Now here I am having to deal with those feelings in a real way, and now that song brings back what I was dreading back then, I'm right back to skipping it but this time I'm not sure about the getting over and forgetting about it part. Right now I most definitely prefer Purple Rain.

[Edited 3/29/17 13:34pm]

I can still remember first giving the album a spin. It always stuck out as something bittersweet and solemn. Almost always made me sad and reflective, but the caution: "always cry for love, never cry for pain" just precedes the passioned singing.... so, go figure.

The man was a gifted artist at showing his reflection in his art. I only kinda wish I knew what/whom it was about. Seemed incredibly bold that he should have possibly written his OWN epitaph.

I also would ponder it in quiet with headphones on....I swear I can hear some jewelry shifting along with the guitar strings. But, I swear i hear bangles on that song.

It's been positive listening to HNR phase II, but watching and hearing him live, kinda brings it back to reality that I won't see the little fella rock a stage again... it's frightening how few people could do it like he did. (or close) Such a loss

Whilst Sometimes It Snows In April was the first song that came to mind upon hearing the sad news, like TrivialPursuit, my memories of Prince are not connected to just that one point in time.

What he represents and has created is vast and multi-dimensional and even though SISIA has that connection with the month during which he passed, I still mostly see the song as the one I discovered on the Parade album all those years ago.

Out of the two, I think Purple Rain will probably remain the Prince anthem for many (including myself) and it was in fact this song that made me cry my soul out when the news eventually hit home (3 days later).

On this auction site there's talk of an early version of SISIA. Anyone knows what that's about?

http://worldofwonder.net/in-march-the-prince-auction-was-a-bust-why-didnt-his-stuff-sell/

TrivialPursuit said:

No, because I am not going to spend the 21st of every month celebrating his death, as fans seem to be doing. "OMG It's been eight months!" "Oh, it's been THREE months today." Really????

He lived 21,138 days. That's 57 years, 10 months, and 14 days. He died one. He recorded how many released songs? Folks are fixating and romanticizing his death with one.

I'm choosing to celebrate those 21,138 days in full, and not put weight on a song of coincidence but rather put weight on his life, his music, his videos, and those that surrounded him and supported him. If he'd have died in December, people would have been pulling out those two songs instead. Or June, or any other month he happened to mention. Yes, it's an interesting bit of serendipity that he died on April 21, when he wrote "Sometimes It Snows in April" decades before. But no - it doesn't make it more significant. It gives fans a reason to endlessly post "too soon, more tears, can't talk".

well thats 1 way of looking at it!.21,138 days to celebrate...i might put that on a T-Shirt!

Both songs have always been special to me, though probably Sometimes.. more so because I felt like a lone ranger with the love I have for the song until I got on the org. I don't think that grief for versus celebration of Prince are irreconcilable ways to approach his music. Both are true. If I happen to cry this April 21st while listening to Sometimes.. it will be with both emotions: grief for our loss and celebration of the magic of the music he left for us. Yes it may be bittersweet but so is life and death. I mostly am in a celebratory groove mode when I hear his music but then again, a grief reaction may unexpectedly happen when I hear his music on June 3rd, September 22nd, or any other day. That's cool too.

[Edited 3/29/17 19:03pm]

It always was. The very 1st time I heard Sometimes it snow in April I was stunned at the sadness. I played it over and over. I never felt that way about Purple rain.That was back in the 80's.

[Edited 3/29/17 17:07pm]

I can listen 2 PR from start 2 finish without any issues. I can't listen 2 SISIA from start to finish. I listened 2 it once or twice since he died because I wasn't familiar with it until after he died. Since listening the first 1 or 2 times, I haven't listened 2 SISIA in it's entirety. Part of this is because I like PR better, but a lot of it is because the #1 thought I have when I hear SISIA is Prince dying on April 21, 2016.

paulludvig said:

On this auction site there's talk of an early version of SISIA. Anyone knows what that's about?

http://worldofwonder.net/in-march-the-prince-auction-was-a-bust-why-didnt-his-stuff-sell/

you should post this in a seperate thread. It has nothing to do with the OPs question.

OldFriends4Sale said:

TrivialPursuit said:

No, because I am not going to spend the 21st of every month celebrating his death, as fans seem to be doing. "OMG It's been eight months!" "Oh, it's been THREE months today." Really????

He lived 21,138 days. That's 57 years, 10 months, and 14 days. He died one. He recorded how many released songs? Folks are fixating and romanticizing his death with one.

I'm choosing to celebrate those 21,138 days in full, and not put weight on a song of coincidence but rather put weight on his life, his music, his videos, and those that surrounded him and supported him. If he'd have died in December, people would have been pulling out those two songs instead. Or June, or any other month he happened to mention. Yes, it's an interesting bit of serendipity that he died on April 21, when he wrote "Sometimes It Snows in April" decades before. But no - it doesn't make it more significant. It gives fans a reason to endlessly post "too soon, more tears, can't talk".

lol well yeah some people go way too deep in a well of sadness.

I think a lot of things can contribute to how we process this.

In most things concerning loss, I think it is best to open yourself and feel it and let it pass through you. Too many people shut that part of the process down and therefore stay in a place of pain.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

the fact that (whoever we loose) is no longer here becomes a part of our living, meloncholy, helps us to remember and celebrate.

Melancholy is a very big part of the human condition.

No.