Some are dissing this song because it's been played a ton. They're right, it has, but to me this song represents Prince's pop genius like no other. There's kind of a technical reason why:

In the bridge, when Prince sings "I don't care if we spend the night in your mansion", the "Purple Rain" version of this song had the Fmaj7th chord as its chord. Prince played it like this for almost 20 years.

When he brought it out for the Rainbow Children tour, he changed that part. Now, when the song hits "spend the night together", the chord changes to G (with an A note thorwn in the middle of the choard). You can hear the higher change in pitch very clearly, and it really brings that part of the song back to the lead line in a great way.

It's a subtle change, but who else would change one part of a classic song almost 20 years later? I'm impressed that Prince played this song for so long, then said, "You know what? There's a better way to play this part."

Listen to the song on both "Purple Rain" and "ONA" and you'll see what I mean.

It may take the subtlety way somewhat, but I agree the chord change was a good idea for a live setting.

I do dig it better live if only for Apples horrible wailing not being on there.

stymie said:

Thank you!

That's the reason I could never fully get into this song. I can take her breathy cooing on songs like "Sex Shooter," but that yowling is fucking murder.

FunkMistress said:

Morning, sweetie.

stymie said:

FunkMistress said:

wooo-hoo-hoo!

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

i personally think that harmony is great! its the one i always sing along to instead of princes voice!

softandwet said:

It would've been great if she hit the right note.