INfo question---what exactly did Prince contribute (in terms of writing) to the song Purple Rain??

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Reply #30 posted 06/25/17 3:24pm

Polo1026

jaawwnn said:

Polo1026 said:

There is a recording of the song that ends up becoming purple rain, where Prince sings the he's 'gotta shake this feeling.' Same chords, same melody and this is prior to Prince taking the song to the band to work on. Purple Rain was already a song, the revolution expounded on what Prince had already created and helped make it the song we know and love. The impetus, inception and creation of the basic melody is Prince, all the lyrics are his as well.

Also, go listen to rehearsal tapes, there is no one talking other than Prince. He gives instruction and direction. At times he says play something here and allows them freedom to express themselves, but most of the time, Prince is so in control that he even tells them what sounds to use and how to play a line. That's producer/arranger work.

[Edited 6/25/17 0:53am]

Just a correction on this, that's not an earlier version it's just from a rehearsal from 1984, long after Purple Rain was recorded.

I thought the same until I took the version I have and was able to meet Susan Rogers during her Q&A in NY and she said directly to me that this was the first iteration of Purple Rain. The recording has Linn drum, synth strings and simple guitar strums with Prince mumbling lyric ideas but constantly going back to 'I gotta shake this feeling' over and over. Apparently there are multiple versions of this song before he takes it to the band.

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Reply #31 posted 06/25/17 3:41pm

rogifan

TrivialPursuit said:

rogifan said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Ask Steve Perry, Neal Schon, and Jonathan Cain.

The only time it reminds me of Journey is when a piano into is used instead of guitar.

It honestly never reminded me of Journey. I never picked up on one and thought of the other. I remember the Cain story being posted here after Prince died, so now that's always in my head. The songs are a half-step off in chords, so it's a odd coincidence, yet not the first time it's happened.

Yep and I wouldn't even think about Journey if not for that story. Though there are song coincidences I find that others don't see at all. Like parts of Green Day's song Basket Case reminds me of The Cars You're Just What I needed. Most people look at me funny when I suggest it. lol

Paisley Park is in your heart
#PrinceForever 💜

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Reply #32 posted 06/25/17 4:10pm

jaawwnn

Polo1026 said:

jaawwnn said:

Polo1026 said:

There is a recording of the song that ends up becoming purple rain, where Prince sings the he's 'gotta shake this feeling.' Same chords, same melody and this is prior to Prince taking the song to the band to work on. Purple Rain was already a song, the revolution expounded on what Prince had already created and helped make it the song we know and love. The impetus, inception and creation of the basic melody is Prince, all the lyrics are his as well.

Also, go listen to rehearsal tapes, there is no one talking other than Prince. He gives instruction and direction. At times he says play something here and allows them freedom to express themselves, but most of the time, Prince is so in control that he even tells them what sounds to use and how to play a line. That's producer/arranger work.

[Edited 6/25/17 0:53am]

Just a correction on this, that's not an earlier version it's just from a rehearsal from 1984, long after Purple Rain was recorded.

Huh

that's interesting. Its on this bootleg though. Did she hear the track when you asked her? Maybe she thought you were referring to something that's not actually in circulation? Or maybe I'm confusing what it is you're actually talking about?

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Reply #33 posted 06/25/17 6:35pm

laurarichardso
n

RodeoSchro said:

If you REALLY want to go down a purple rabbit hole, then you need to listen to Journey's "Faithfully" and then re-assess, because it seems from other posts you've made that you aren't happy with giving Prince any credit for "Purple Rain".

But my non-smart-ass answer is that we will never know exactly who did what. What we do know is that no one has ever complained that they didn't get proper credit for something they brought to the song. That's enough for me.

--He actually took the song to Journey to get their opinion on it and the did not think it sounded like Faithfully.

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Reply #34 posted 06/25/17 7:03pm

twinnies

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I saw an interview with the Revolution somewhere a long time ago, can't remember where I saw it but the question was asked "Who wrote Purple Rain" and one of the band members said Prince wrote the song - words and music.

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Reply #35 posted 06/25/17 7:45pm

Polo1026

jaawwnn said:

Polo1026 said:

Huh

I have that bootleg it's definitely different and yeah I played it for her on my headphones she wasn't very surprised listening to it and was very matter of fact in identifying it. However, let's put this caveat in, there are so much material out there that it could be a copy of another or from a rehearsal or a skeleton track. But what sticks out to me is the way he's trying to piece together lyrics. There's a lot that needs explaining, maybe I'll DM it to Jill Jones and see what she remembers.

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Reply #36 posted 06/25/17 8:01pm

jaawwnn	Aha, I must be missing something so, thanks for clarifying. Any idea what boot this version you're referring to is off? It's of no real surprise to me that there's more stuff out there that I don't have. [Edited 6/25/17 20:01pm]
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Reply #37 posted 06/25/17 8:02pm

rdhull

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for cryin out loud! (c) Bart

"Climb in my fur."

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Reply #38 posted 06/25/17 8:05pm

jaawwnn	rdhull said: for cryin out loud! (c) Bart what? what now? Whaat's the matter with this thread?? [Edited 6/25/17 20:05pm]
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