Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by Prince and the soundtrack to his semi-autobiographical film of the same name, released in June 1984 on Warner Bros. Records and produced by Prince. The album was a cultural phenomenon, spending twenty-four consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 and spawning two number-one singles in 'When Doves Cry' and 'Let's Go Crazy,' as well as the iconic title ballad. The record blended hard rock, funk, soul, and new wave into a sound that was simultaneously personal and universally accessible, with Prince's virtuosic guitar playing reaching new heights. Purple Rain won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance and Best Score Soundtrack, and the accompanying film further cemented Prince's status as a generational star. It remains one of the best-selling albums in history and a cornerstone of 1980s American popular culture.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Let's Go Crazy | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 2 | Take Me with U | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 3 | The Beautiful Ones | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 4 | Computer Blue | Prince Rogers Nelson, John L. Nelson, Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Doctor Fink | Prince Rogers Nelson, John L. Nelson, Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Doctor Fink | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 5 | Darling Nikki | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 6 | When Doves Cry | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 7 | I Would Die 4 U | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 8 | Baby I'm a Star | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 9 | Purple Rain | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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Data note: Soundtrack to the 1984 film. Credited to Prince and the Revolution. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are credited as co-writers on 'Computer Blue' and 'The Beautiful Ones'. One of the best-selling albums of all time.