Purple Rain
Prince
1984
Album Summary
Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Prince, released on June 25, 1984, by Warner Bros. Records and the soundtrack to the 1984 film of the same name. Purple Rain was musically denser than Prince's previous albums, emphasizing full band performances, and multiple layers of guitars, keyboards, electronic synthesizer effects, drum machines, and other instruments. Much of the album had a grandiose, synthesized, and psychedelic sheen to the production and performances. The music on Purple Rain is generally regarded as the most pop-oriented of Prince's career, though a number of elements point towards the more experimental records Prince would release after Purple Rain. The music video for the album's lead single "When Doves Cry" sparked controversy among network executives, who thought its sexual nature was too explicit for television. The risqué lyrics of "Darling Nikki" raised complaints from Tipper Gore and the Parents Music Resource Center and contributed to the implementation of Parental Advisory stickers and imprints on album covers. Purple Rain became Prince's first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200. The album spent 24 consecutive weeks atop on the Billboard 200 and was present on the chart for a total of 122 weeks. "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Purple Rain" peaked at number two and "I Would Die 4 U" peaked at number eight. In May 1996, the album was certified 13× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Its total sales stand at 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. Prince and the Revolution won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, while Prince also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for the film Purple Rain. Music critics noted the innovative and experimental aspects of the soundtrack's music, most famously on the spare, bass-less "When Doves Cry". Other aspects of the music, especially its synthesis of electronic elements with organic instrumentation and full-band performances along with its consolidation of rock and R&B, were identified by critics as distinguishing, even experimental factors. Purple Rain is regularly ranked among the greatest albums of all time. Rolling Stone ranked the album number eight on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry list of sound recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
WikipediaTaken together, all of the stylistic experiments add up to a stunning statement of purpose that remains one of the most exciting rock & roll albums ever recorded.
Its a shit film by word what an album (or soundtrack). The cover is horrendous. But the Music is glorious and the album flows between frenzied synth driven Lets go crazy through the eclectic fantasy of Darling Nikki all the way to the greatest closer of all time; the masterful Purple Rain, all which instantly became iconic. To this day the greatest live performer I've ever seen. Unbelievably he actually has a better album then this (Sign O'the Times) but this is a masterpiece in itself from one of the most complex song writing geniuses of his time. 5/5
How does something sound simultaneously so excessive and so uncluttered all at once? That crisp, clean, joyfully exuberant sound with not a note out of place speaks of an artist working expertly in the easy-to-espouse-difficult-to-achieve mode of Serious Play. And so the entire album is suffused with a sense of delight and playfulness, whilst not-quite holding at bay the melancholic void that sits at the centre of all hedonistic partying. In short: tremendous.
Brilliant funky pop. Possibly Prince's best and cohesive standard length LP (Sign 'O' the times being a double!). Not too long, superb "backing" band in The Revolution.
There are a ton of major singles that came from this album; let alone the fact that it helped his win multiple awards including an Oscar. Prince's powers are firing on all cylinders as he is showing diverse influences in a tightly produced album.
His mission is transcendence, and as a what-you-see-is-what-you-get performance he succeeds. Everything is oversized, virtuoso. No drum beat is permitted unless it's the biggest, baddest motherfucker of them all. No emotion expressed if not in extremis. It coheres too, mostly around the concept of ALBUM AS EVENT. Or maybe ARTIST AS EVENT. And on that level I enjoy the shit out of it in the same way I enjoy a fireworks show. Turn up, happily gawp for however long it lasts, retire home. EVENT over. As for the aftertaste, I'm not so sure.
I didn't see this one and I don't have to listen to this because I know every word and every guitar riff, Prince will remain a wonder always.
One of my favorite albums of all time. I find it thoroughly enjoyable throughout and consider it a perfect album. Prince's absolute zenith with his greatest lineup. Love pretty much everything about this album.
Calkiem niedawno przesluchalem purple raina poza listowym chalengem, bo jesli artysta/albumik zawiera w sobie tyle referencji bizarnych, to cos musi byc na rzeczy, i dokladnie tak bylo, dziwne ze opis albumiku nie wspomina, ze nagrany zostal on za banda the revolution, jako ze nie mialem okazji poznac sie wczesniej na poprzednich albumikach princowych i jego karierze, to aspekty autobiograficzne zawarte w tym albumiku dla mnie nie istnieja, ale podobno sa, bo sama plyta jest soundtrackiem do filmu o takim samym tytule, co wyroznia albumik, charyzma i energia princowata ktora sie z niego wrecz wylewa, zwlaszcza na 3 ostatkich trakach, ktore byly nagrywane live, wiec tytulowy purple rain jest to wersja koncertowa, oczywiscie edytowana i overdubowana, ale jednak czuc zycie w tym co slychac, mimo ze to prince byl glowna sila sprawcza za konceptami, to jednak tutaj banda revolutionowa dala mu dobry backup do tych pomyslow zapewniaja silidne gransko, nieprzesadzana ilosc synthow, co tak bardzo boli pop tamtego okresu, co do strony lirycznej, to jest tak szczera, ze w niektorych momentach az obsceniczna, jak na traku darling nikki , wiec nie bez powodu byl demonizowany jako spiewany zbereznik, nie moge sie przyczepic nawet do wycia na the beutiful ones, jak zazwyczaj bym zrobil, bo jest to tak ekspresyjnie wyjcowane, nie wiem gdzie slyszalem take me with u, ale wydaje mi sie ze musiala to byc jakas giera lub hinska bajka, ewentualne kompozycja oparta na tym traku, bo sluchajac tego mam lekkie deja vu, leci na plejke, kolejny trak to when doves cry, no i tytulowy purple rain, ktory jako najdluzszy trak albumiku, 8 minut, jest spokojnym kloserem niespokojnego albumu, jesli jackson byl krolem czarnego popowego granska, tak prince niech bedzie princem w moim rankingu popowych legend
Never listened to Prince before as I'd assume it would be cheesy 80s. Despite some outdated production, I was proven wrong. It has 3 great singles on here and the album cuts were good too. It has made me look forward to watch the movie just to see how the songs are featured. Only a 4 because a couple of songs were average.
another album from the little purple pervert. i wonder if prince writes the music or comes up with his sex words first? i'm pretty sure everything he says is about sex and even when it's not, it is really. it must have made life difficult when normal conversation and making small talk sounds like you're going to mount someone like some sort of sweaty 80s stallion. prince: excuse me, what aisle is the ketchup in? shelf stacker: i'm going to have to ask you to leave the store sir, that is not appropriate way to talk to staff. Prince: but i just need some red sauce. shelf stacker: * crumples to the floor suffering from a monstrous orgasm* to give it some credit its got his big ones on it. they're super 80s cheeseball and i still don't get why he's so famous. is he massive because he was big in the 80s and he somehow didn't get left behind?
Top 5 Guitar Player EVER. Sorry I never saw him perform live. OUTSTANDING collection of songs on this album!
I mean. It has all the bonkers fun stuff of prince just having a blast. Bop after bop.
I approached this album with some preconcieved notions, even some trepidation, being an MN native and resident but not a huge Prince fan. I realized very quickly though that I had never listened to this album as a whole, and I really thought it was exceptional. The songs are well written, they hold together well, and his raw talent is showcased throughout, both his musicianship and his vocals. Purple Rain as the album finale is just epic.
Maybe I’m biased because of New Girl but this album was amazi by. Lots of special hits on it and although it was thoroughly 80’s, something about a few of the songs were truly timeless. Best of his niche/sub genre. 4.5/5
Absolutely loved this album, a real rock classic. I like the way the whole album is great and upbeat. This was also the first time listening to the Purple Rain song in the 9 minute variant. All I can say is… wow!
All-time classic. All tracks are fire, and "Purple Rain" is my least favorite--saying something.
No question this gets a 5. It's Prince. It's one of the more formative albums of my childhood. Purple Rain was the closing song of every dance in middle school and high school. It's a classic, he's a genius and it deserves all of the stars.
Masterpiece. Prince at his greatest. Extended version of Purple Rain with the guitar solo 👏🏻👏🏻
Yes! Not a bad track on the album. The Beautiful Ones is one of my favorites.
Classic 80's album. Some excellent so gwriting with great melodies and arrangements, very much enjoyed.
Perfect beginning to end. Amazing that the last song was from a live show
Take me with you... Where do we go, moment to moment? If thoughts were physical locations, the brain, a teleporter. What did we leave to be born? Is the uterus a revolving door between dimensions? Emerging, we are tiny astronauts out on a space walk, tethered to the mothership. Mama Placenta I am air, antibodies, food, and blood -- I was once your entire world. the entire earth in my belly. When it is time for you to leave, pack that picnic basket of essentials: shortbread cookies, potted meat, and celery sticks. Take me with you, but be sure to leave all of our disappointments behind.
15th June 2021 Listened on the living room speaker with jen during the afternoon after hanging my notice at GCF. It's Prince. It's purple rain. One of the best ever.
I happen to really like Prince; liked him when I heard him all the time in the 80s, and now as I re-listen to him, I'm blown away by the musicianship. Because there is so much to Prince that his guitar playing (he played more instruments than I can list, and he was a phenomenal guitarist) gets overlooked, but he belongs in the Pantheon of all-time great guitarists. Quite a bit of his music can be too dance-pop for me, but that's just a matter of taste. Prince rocked.
YES, THIS!! I've only come to appreciate Prince in the last few years, really. This album is a fav though. The tracks are all so varied, but so funky. Love it.
The day before his deathiversary too, what timing. I miss albums that were more varied and dynamic like this.
Excellent album some iconic songs and a joy to listen to prince is a genius
-Just a bunch of great songs -I liked "Let's Go Crazy," "The Beautiful Ones," and "When Doves Fly"
Tremendous. Triumphant. Transcendent. Fourth Tr word. I’ve never listened to this full album as the artist intended it. I have now remedied that frankly unconscionable failing. This is the sort of thing I signed up for with this challenge.
Damn HBO Max for removing the film after adding it only 3 months ago. This album is best experienced through the film. Despite this, Prince combines pop, rock, R&B, electronic, and dance and experiments with every known instrument and sound the human mouth can make, and you've got to appreciate how much each track differs must each other while still being glued together by Prince's voice, personality, and themes. There is a balance found in every song. There's never too much vocals or too much instrumental. Everything mixes so well, and despite all but one song go 4 minutes or longer, there's always something new and exciting to enhance the experience. Despite its popularity, I'm actually not too big of a fan of the opener "Let's go crazy", but I admit it's a great way to excite the audience for what's to come. I like the experimental sound and storytelling of "Darling Nikki," which as we all led to the creation of the Parental Advisory label (just for referencing masturbation). "When Doves Cry" is without a doubt my favorite Prince song, and quite possibly a candidate for one of my favorite pop songs of all time. Thank god for it being 6 minutes. I'm a sucker for New Wave, so "I would die 4 U" really resonates with my pop soul. Finally, "Purple Rain" smacks us with heartbreaking lyrics in the first half while the other half is a masterpiece in music composition, extending the story without a single word.
I swear I've heard every single song from this album covered by at least one other artist, I like these versions better
This album was shorter than I remembered. There is little to be said that hasn't been said though. A ton of hits came off this thing, most notably the title track. That song is timeless. At just 44 minutes, the only complaint is that I wish there was more. The movie is a weird one, but the music is pretty much perfect. Prince was stylistic, an influencer, and a true artist.
The man and master. Prince is a marvel of modern music. We lost him too young. This is his masterpiece. This is one of the most obvious 5/5 in this list it's not even a question.
A blast from start to finish. Get me hyped up just to cry when doves fly.
нет слов - одни эмоции невольно сравниваешь с Майклом Джексоном, на половине перестаешь и слова кончаются, начинаются эмоции
ЧТО: Шестой студийный альбом короля ритм-н-блюза - Принса, который стал самым популярным альбомом в дискографии артиста, а также неким манифестом его уникального стиля. Считается одним из самых успешных альбомов в истории (чтобы было понятно, по миру было продано 22 миллиона копий). КАКОЙ: Лучший R&B альбом, что я слышал. Одно решение здесь выглядит безумнее другого. Весь альбом пропитан энергией провокации и сексуальности. Но смысл пластинки, конечно, гораздо глубже банальной провокации. В каждой песне подбор инструментов, звучание вокала, структура песен индивидуальны. Но общее звучание альбома вдохновлено каким-то готическим нуаром из бёртановского «Бэтмэна» (саундтрек к которому кстати тоже написал Принс). При этом сексуальная энергия борется как одна из сторон личности музыканта с другой стороной - религиозностью. Первое начало проявляется в бодрых гитарных риффах и вокальных изысканиях Принса (например, на Darling Nikki). Сексуальность вообще одна из главных тем в творчестве исполнителя. Религиозное же начало проявляется в использовании органа на некоторых песнях, а также в некоторых фишках, которые Принс делает со своим голосом: то он похож на госпэл, то звучит по-дьявольски (например, гроул (гуттеральный вокал; звуки, издаваемые за счёт резонирования гортани) на When the doves cry). Видны попытки избежать посредственности. Именно поэтому все на той же When the doves cry напрочь отсутствует басовая линия, что необычно для танцевальных песен. Интересно, что начинается альбом с некой небольшой интерлюдии в начале Let’s go crazy, а оканчивается долгим проигрышем и аплодисментами на Purple rain. Таким образом происходит своеобразное замыкание альбома на самом себе, по форме напоминающее цельный музыкальный перфоманс. Подводя итог, можно сказать, что Purple rain структурно и музыкально вовсе никаким нормам не подчиняется, по крайней мере он так выглядит; очень старается быть таким: ярким и неформатным, при этом штурмуя мировые чарты. Такое может себе позволить только поистине гениальный музыкант. О ЧЕМ: Тексты оплетают уже высказанную выше основу: единство противоположностей в душе Принса, выраженных сексуальной свободой и религией. Многие песни повествуют о прекрасном времяпрепровождении с любимым человеком. Но, естественно, всё не настолько целомудренно. Darling Nikki - вовсе история о безумном сексе, в которой Nikki - это дьявол. Последние реверсивные (здравствуйте, мистер Нолан) строчки показывают, что эта песня есть признание в грехах, перекликающееся с историей Фауста. Тут стоит упомянуть, что именно «Пурпурный дождь» стал поводом для появления знака Parental Advisory, обозначающего, что альбом содержит ненормативную лексику, либо тексты провокационного или непристойного характера. Вспоминая о прекрасной титульной песне Purple rain, следует сказать, что весь этот альбом является саундтреком к одноименному фильму. Вкратце: Принс учится исполнять роли бойфренда, музыканта, лидера, сравнивая себя со своим отцом, который не смог реализоваться, растерял все свои мечты и стал жестоким. При этом, сколько бы боли этот человек не вызвал в сердце, Принц все равно говорит, что любит его. Короче говоря, секрет в том, чтобы быть собой и верить в свои силы даже если больше никто не поддержит. ИТОГ: Во всех смыслах сильный альбом супер-звезды в зените славы. Справедливо названный классическим этот альбом затрагивает проблему неидеальности людей. Человек ошибается, но от этого не перестаёт быть человеком. Эта пластинка не только триумф Принса, но и манифест свободы и оригинальности, который покажется потрясающим до глубины души всем хоть сколько-нибудь мыслящим людям. ЛУЧШИЕ ПЕСНИ: Let’s go crazy, When doves cry, Purple rain.
Timelessly good. Prince in his prime was truly a poet. This album is a masterwork.
Epic album. So many upbeat good groove bangers before possibly the greatest closing track ever. The more I hear this album the more I love it.
🦹🏼♀️Loved the artist and all his quirkiness. Tiny man with huge talent. I’d put him up there as one of the best writer, performer and guitarist out there. I know he is in a band with Freddie Mercury right now fighting over who gets to wear the tightest, brightest, studded out fit. Rock on gentleman. Easier to list which songs I didn’t like-none.
Legendary. Sent me down the rabbit hole of watching live performances. His Super Bowl halftime show may never be topped. Best track: Purple Rain
This album is prime Prince for me. He may have gone deeper lyrically on later albums, and certainly broke as much (or more) new ground sonically elsewhere, but PURPLE RAIN is nothing if not pure Pop/R&B genius.