Prince - "Purple Rain" Live American Music Awards 1985 HQ

Prince explained the meaning of "Purple Rain" as follows: "When there's blood in the sky – red and blue = purple... purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith/god guide you through the purple rain".

The title track of Prince's preceding album, 1999, included similar references to a doomed ending under a purple sky ("...could have sworn it was Judgment Day, the sky was all purple...").

Lyrics

I never meant to cause you any sorrow I never meant to cause you any pain I only wanted to one time to see you laughing I only wanted to see you Laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain I only wanted to see you Bathing in the purple rain

I never wanted to be your weekend lover I only wanted to be some kind of friend Baby, I could never steal you from another It's such a shame our friendship had to end

Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain I only wanted to see you Underneath the purple rain

Honey, I know, I know I know times are changing It's time we all reach out For something new, that means you too

You say you want a leader But you can't seem to make up your mind I think you better close it And let me guide you to the purple rain

Purple rain, purple rain Purple rain, purple rain If you know what I'm singing about up here C'mon, raise your hand

Purple rain, purple rain I only want to see you Only want to see you In the purple rain

Songwriters: Prince Rogers Nelson Purple Rain lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group