Classical Composer Reaction/Analysis of Purple Rain (Prince) | The Daily Doug (Episode 531)

#prince #purplerain
In this #masterpiecefriday edition of #thedailydoug, I'm listening to Purple Rain by Prince. The song, album, and movie are all among the top successes of Prince's career. Of course, I've heard the tune, but I couldn't resist coming to this artist and this song during our ongoing celebration of Black History Month. So, I'm turning to an extended live edition that I haven't seen before. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Reference Video: • Prince - Purple Rain (...
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[@cheriwinn3852]

Prince is a one man army. Nobody has more talent💜He taught himself to play over 20 instruments, wrote thousands of songs (including hits for other artists) sings in 5 octaves, dances, produces, and on top of all of that is a legendary ladies man:) He's amazing!

[@davegilbertson4907]

The day after Prince died his home and studio became inundated with fans. The road in front of his property is a divided four lane. Two lanes were closed for near a month due to the amount of people spilling into the street. It also became an impromptu parking lot. Tens if not hundreds of thousands of people from around the world came to Chanhassen paying their respects. It was an amazing site to behold. His property is now a museum.

[@margueritewood7036]

About 20 years ago, Neil Young said that, “as long as that guy is still making music, we’ll all be alright.”…….referring to Prince’s ability to inspire and influence other musicians.

[@SomeGuy_GRM]

Is that why Neil hasn't put out any good music in so long?

[@blazeesq2000]

When he did this in the rain at the Superbowl was amazing.

[@jakemaattanen]

But Prince, what are we going to do? It’s raining cats and dogs? : ” Can you make it rain harder? ”

[@TippiGordon]

Imagine being Prince's luthier. "It has to look like no other guitar ever has." "Okay." "Like this." /draws squiggly symbol "Um... okay." "And it has to sound better than any guitar ever." "..." "EVER."

[@NeilBlanco]

Had the privilege of seeing him live twice and both times it was a very different performance. He was amazing...

[@kathybwell]

Thank you Pam for this suggestion! I was serving in Korea when Purple Rain came out and boy did it ever unify us soldiers, we were so proud of Prince, he's a prime example of our country's musical talent. Thanks for this in-depth and endearing reaction Doug. 💖

[@davelindstrom6005]

Having read every comment posted on this thread up to this point in time, I can't help but notice that while many have pointed out the myriad instruments he played (having taught himself to play them) and the plethora of songs he wrote (some for other musicians), it has gone unmentioned that on his very FIRST album Prince Rogers Nelson was a high school senior who wrote all the music and lyrics, sang all the vocals (both lead AND harmonies), played EVERY instrument, and recorded, mixed, engineered and PRODUCED the whole entire collection... Truly a one-man endeavor! Of course haters gonna hate, and admittedly not everyone is going to love his individual style or genre, but anyone who doubts his musical prowess and his true, pure GENIUS is plainly and sadly mistaken. Rest peacefully in the Purple Rain, Mr. Nelson💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@lisapa297]

Astounding one in a million brilliance 🌟🌟

[@francoistimms]

Thank you!!!!! Thank you for echoing everything I have ever felt, experienced, loved and needed from that genius (Mozart reincarnated). And with that, equally, thank you for your immense musical insight! My mom has, like you, perfect pitch and just like you, lives music. I wish I had a smidgeon of the talents that you were blessed with. My favorite artist of all time indeed. Made me help live through my battled youth. Again, thank you for your analysis. Most appreciated!

[@Heiteinah]

So I remember when Prince did the Super Bowl half-time show... and that to me is still the greatest Half-time show ever. The fact that he was shredding that guitar while it was raining ... Of it was a perfect storm. Great video again, Doug!

[@cczeroX]

Fun fact: There is no way to not listen to a live recording of this song since the album version is also a live performance. It got some enhancements in the studio later but other than that it is a live performance. And the very first one in front of an audience no less.

[@craigremsburg4539]

He’s one of the most AWESOME ARTISTS of ALL TIME!!! Also under appreciated as well!!!

[@g54b95]

Doug, 5:57 - 6:25. This is exactly how I feel about Prince. When my sister was totally in to him in 1984, I was listening to Van Halen, Scorpions, Motley Crue, Ratt, Ozzy, Def Leppard and Twisted Sister. As an adult, what really blew my mind was his performance with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, et al covering "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". I had no idea he could play like that. Anyway, after diving deeper into his work, I now consider him one of the best musicians so far in my lifetime.

[@bobthebear1246]

Exactly like me, bro. Were you also 17 at the time, too?? By the way, take all those bands and put both Judas Priest and Iron Maiden at the top of that list and you have exactly what I was listening to back in 1984 myself. 🤘🏻 Love Live Metal and Long Live Prince. 🤘🏻

[@g54b95]

@@bobthebear1246 I was 13 then. Dammit, forgot about Maiden and Priest. Excellent additions. And AC/DC. How could I forget them!

[@RolandTumble23]

That WMGGW clip is what I show to anyone who scoffs at his guitar chops....

[@g54b95]

@@RolandTumble23 I have been a Hendrix fan for 30 years, and Prince's performance I think would have made Jimi take notice. I believe it was one of the finest live guitar performaces ever recorded so far.

[@janetbrown6301]

I was watching on KZbin. Prince was performing and started going up and down over keys on guitar. Then all of a sudden there was a video of Jimi Hendrix. Don’t forget Jimi had a piece named Purple Haze.

[@bobthebear1246]

Like you, I also didn't really appreciate Prince when I was younger. I mean, I liked some songs by him (namely, "1999" and "Little Red Corvette") but this album came out when I was turning 17 and had just become a major Metalhead earlier that year, and I didn't know what to do with it. I absolutely hated "When Doves Cry" but I loved "Let's Go Crazy" and I was ambivalent about "Purple Rain." Over the years, Prince gradually grew on me but I never really felt like I could fully "get" him. I always knew that he was immensely talented but I just couldn't groove onto him for the most part. That started changing when I heard *Emancipation* for the first time. I'm still not a big Prince fan but now I do love a lot of his stuff and I will probably learn more of it as time goes on. And, by the way, R.I.P. Prince. He and Michael Jackson would have turned 65 this year. Kinda hard to imagine, isn't it? Maybe it's better that they remained forever young, even though it sux to not have them in the world anymore. 🌹🌹

[@thomasvieth578]

Even Frank Zappa called him a great artist; and being ennobled by the maestro is something else alright

[@carlesdemiguel2979]

Purple Rain was originally a country song sent by Prince to Stevie Nicks of Fleewood Mac. He asked her to write lyrics to a 10-minute track and she refused out of overwhelm. With the group The Revolution Prince he took it up again. But in rehearsal, 19-year-old guitarist and crew member Wendy Melvoin played the chords differently. Prince took that turn until composing it as it is known. There is a video where I remember seeing Prince publicly thank Wendy on stage. Later he called Jonathan Cain of the band Journey to ask him to listen to the song, since Prince thought it was very similar to their "Faithfully"to Journey . Cain commented that he used the same 4 chord progression but both songs were different.

[@phunkidruma]

Nice piano playing and thank you for recognizing the genius of prince. Prince was so universal with his sound and his heart.

[@RONJAE212003]

Please do this with Prince ADORE song. So many instruments I hear in that song. I’d love here it broken down.

[@PhilipvanderMatten]

'Lucky Man' by ELP on the wall.... P.S. So happy you are open to all kinds of (pop) music. Music is universal. I like classical music too.

[@TippiGordon]

This will literally be the first time I've listened to this song since his death. I've had this weird thing about "Purple Rain", like if I don't listen to the very end, he's not really dead. Stupid, I know...

[@frankswarbrick7562]

Glad I had some pop listening cousins in the mid-80s who introduced me to Prince with 1999 and Purple Rain, else I don't know when I would have discovered him. So much more than a pop artist, while still being one.

[@KhordLizardMage]

Doug, if you ever have the chance to see The Purple Experience, I highly recommend that you do. I saw them at the Stockton Performing Arts Center at Stockton college in south Jersey. I was front row and it was an amazing show. The guy who portrays Prince (Marshall Charloff) is exceptionally talented and had the stamp of approval from Prince to perform his material (Since Prince stopped performing parts of his catalog due to his religious beliefs). He also had some musician's that worked with Prince and The New Power Generation in the band at various times. FYI, they are supposed to play in Wildwood in July.

[@johnjanovsky]

Prince has always had such awesome tone!!

[@jen9036]

I loved hearing you play keyboard along side his song. Purple Rain is my favorite Prince song.

[@bcma9688]

Always cool when knowledgeable people such as yourself recognize and appreciate the artistry and master craftsmanship that Prince embodied. He IS music

[@paulcollins5586]

Theres a 16 minute live version on youtube which is incredible.

[@jameswarner5809]

Wendy & Lisa are well worth checking out in their own right. Their music has ranged from funky and poppy to rock to classical. Honeymoon Express, the first track from their first album, is a wonderfully uplifting funky pop number with an inspired key change in the bridge and perfect resolve into the chorus. Sweet Suite (Beginning At The End) from their last proper studio album is a heart wrenching breakup song with beautiful lush synth string and piano arrangements.

[@LandPirate1]

Fruit at the bottom is one of my all time favourite albums. Lisa and Wendy deserve more recognition

[@eldons1518]

Prince was a top artist, musician, performer and human being. One of my all time favourites. I love his music and i loved the movie.. funny that he was really bad as an actor :p But that showed even more how much of a real human being he was. Even though he was really akward in the movie at times, he was also real, himself. Prince was a huge part of my younger days back in the 80´s

[@brystonecowboy]

Really find these videos and your analysis relaxing.

[@rainerader1182]

My father was a guitarist. He saw Prince in 1979 and told us he was spectacular as a guitarist, as a singer as a performer. I saw Prince for the Purple Rain concert I was 16. I saw him 5 more times after in more than one state

[@deed5811]

I was fortunate to see the Purple Rain tour also. Rip Prince

[@One_Proud_Papa]

The man was a genius. Sorely missed.

[@emayhand]

I’ve seen Prince at more than 11 times in n all sorts of venues. That guy never ever disappointed no matter how large or small the audience was. Arguably the best to ever do the damn thing! His live performances were epic!

[@walterbeare1561]

Prince played keyboard on Stevie Nicks' "Stand Back".

[@orproject87]

Greatest ballad ever made. Very personal to me. RIP Prince

[@davidbenton8775]

I'd love to see you talk about the performance, just after Prince's death when Dave Gilmour wove this song into Comfortably Numb and did it absolutely seamlessly. A wonderful, beautiful tribute from one musical genius to another.

[@vickieray5032]

I miss him so much. Can’t wait until I see him again. Can just imagine him playing in the heavenly choir 😢

[@GlennJ1881]

Great reaction by you Doug. By far my favourite reactor on YT. I'd love it if you would react to a little very underrated Welsh Rock Band known simply as Budgie. A 3 Piece Band with similarities to Rush. Pretty please and thankyou 🤘🏼

[@willsjames31]

This was beyond any shadow of a doubt, the GREATEST SB show ever!!!! NO ONE will ever come close. He was a genius

[@Mr-gg8ek]

I am not a Prince fan or a fan of pop music in general, but this a entire album is absolutely amazing.

[@thomasbellamy1]

Artists like Prince transcend labels or genres.

[@Martvandelay]

So cool that you chose the recording from Rave In2 the Year 2000 💜🎸

[@patriciastewart2239]

Okay I can't with him though. I miss him so much. Furthermore, his earlier music was equally and possibly more thought-provoking. I remember the first time I heard Prince on the radio it was 1978 I think and I was about eleven. What a fine man

[@emayhand]

Doug. I love how musicians can talk to each other through music. It truly is the universal language. The greatest rendition of Purple Rain I’ve ever seen and heard was Prince and the Revolution live from Syracuse, NY. Epic! You must do that one. On another note, when are you coming back to Rider U. We miss you! BTW. I love your channel. Keep em’ coming

[@BandStar2]

A great ballad you should listen to is "Bed of Roses" by Bon Jovi.

[@metallicaguy4679]

One of my favorite songs of all time.

[@rayasalter9650]

If only I could have been at this concert! Prince was such an overwhelming artist with his music and look I think many people overlooked his guitar virtuosity.

[@manlioyllades]

He was a genius

[@user-gd1ru7er5t]

Doug, awesome piano work!!!!

[@michelebriere9569]

Purple is the color of spirit. Purple rain is God's cleansing rain. A bit of trivia.

[@chrismoorcroft334]

I like Prince, I do own several albums, but Purple Rain has never clicked with me. My favourite has to be Three Chains O'Gold from the Love Symbol album O(+>. This is when he went Prog with a capital P.

[@chopperdeath]

He was the heir apparent to James Brown. Loved this man for the stuff he created.

[@robinbeerman4726]

Great song.

[@caseyshawn5]

The dissonance at 5:46 was pure Miles Davis.

[@DavidWhite-rp6sz]

A song from 1972 that, no doubt, Prince had heard was America's "Ventura Highway". It includes these lyrics: Wishin' on a falling star Watchin' for the early train Sorry boy, but I've been hit by purple rain Influence? Probably.

[@mottoth]

Doug, please react to: Guns n' Roses, Coma. Studio version. Very intricate songwriting, vibrant lyrics, amazing soundscape. A song with no chorus, by the way.

[@anthonywilson7681]

glad I got to looking around and found this one, Doug. Thank you for this one. Don't know if you'll see this comment, but did you see the version of George Harrison While My Guitar Gently Weeps from the RROH all star jam?

[@itorres008]

Per sheet music, and sounds like, it's Bbsus2 Gm7(addC) F Eb(addF).

[@robertblauner7680]

The 🐐☔...Thx for keeping PRN's genius aalive...plz review the AMA and Syracuse performances of Purple Rain...they will blow your mind. #Prince4Ever

[@jaumepiquebernaus1853]

Good !!! Thanks !!! Check by your self the best Purple Rain live performance, in A Coruña ( Spain ) 1990 , a bit dificult to find but i can tell for sure it's gonna blow your mind. I'm 62 and a Prince fan , i saw him couple times in Barcelona, greetings from there. Keep on rocking

[@ruygranja]

I love your comments and sharings!

[@metalmark1214]

Songfacts is a great resource for song meaning and backgrounds.

[@dianecalta5237]

🙌🙌🙌

[@melaneeosullivan5805]

I love prince

[@joejackson4202]

The quintessential version of this song imo.

[@stevenmichael4990]

Prince's live performance of "Purple Rain" at his 1988 "Lovesexy" concert tour in Germany is way better than this one. Please check it out.

[@missy652]

The Purple Yoda said it himself. Purple Rain is simply a prayer to someone close to Prince who no longer was in his life. He wishes the spirit of God to manifest itself in their lives. Purple being Majestic God, Rain being the spirit. Most of us know who that person was, but the message applies to us all.

[@desertflow3r]

Marvelous reaction.

[@matseriksson8177]

RACHEL FLOWERS has a cool Purple Rain cover on her Soundcloud.

[@gfanarakos]

i think its the cleansing just as ancient greek theatre talks about katharsis in the end for emotion ending in a religion myth

[@mik9124]

You can call him : The Mozart of His Time . M. J. may the King of Pop , no Problem ... but Prince was the King of Instruments and MusicCreater of all time By the way , you did good on ... and feel it ... ;)

[@thedarkmark8790]

“Like” if you want Doug to do a piano cover to “Purple Rain”

[@danielpadilla9230]

React to SRV- Texas Flood LIVE please!!!!

[@cocoramirezrosa572]

Awesome, a touch of jazz, gospel, pop, and a rock guitarrists influence. Please, reacts to " Sister Andrea" of the amazing Mahavishnu Orchestra.

[@rebagual_bro]

🔥🔥

[@jakemaattanen]

When organizers worried how the rain might effect his half time show at the Super Bowl Prince asked: ” Can you make it rain harder?”

[@gfanarakos]

great comments ...

[@ghost-ey6ik]

Thanks man. Love the talk through, though I can’t read a c from an f

[@ddorantes2934]

React to Allan Holdsworth

[@joex9865]

Everybody's first reaction to Allan: 😲

[@2cleo]

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@planetbetter]

G O A T

[@shanestunkel6545]

Subscribed brother...stay tough

[@jameswarner5809]

The most impressive Prince live recording for me is the finale of the Small Club album. A 13 minute-plus medley starting with 'I'll Take You There' and culminating with a double false ending Rave To The Joy Fantastic. Not only is it funky as hell, it also has prince tearing it up on his guitar and the band are tight as the proverbial waterfowl's posterior.

[@kuroneko7022]

I’d never heard this version before but I heard more from this man than Prince! Every reviewer knows not to talk thru a solo but he thinks he knows more than one of the greatest performers ever. But, of course, that privilege had to come thru.🙄

[@lindaholloway829]

There is a gospel song called Let It Rain by Bishop Paul Morton that is so similar to Purple Rain .. especially the live version I am sure Prince just let it go and didn’t sue that minister because of his ministry ❤🙏🏽❤️

[@eldons1518]

I love this version, but IMO... nothing beats the origian album version. Might be just because that´s what i remember as a kid. Although the guitar here is awesome!

[@BegLadesh]

Would be amazing if you could check the Isaac Hayes version of Aint no Sunshine he and his amazing musicians played in Wattstax :) Thank you from Bali !

[@EvilSean62]

my personal take is that all the reaction videos i see now have a tiny tiny window of the talent and a huge well lit area devoted to the ... person feeding from it you , at least join its all most artists yearn for ... join ... all he errors ... we meant it to be perfect ... play your hardest riff ..,. do it agin ... do it again until there is a mistak ... see which one gets more views

[@JordanLavin-nw5qj]

ty Jord........

[@emayhand]

Hey Doug. Very nice job? When are you coming back to Rider?

[@lucastyni2212]

I mean mad props for choirds....but play that guitar

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

I think he only started to add the preaching after he became a Jehova's Witnesses member and basically "cleaned up" relative to the earlier material.

[@patriciastewart2239]

I'm not a crier because I'm a Virgo but I have to say I cried for 4 days when he died murdered and I just can't do this with you but I love you take care bro

[@dimashpakova4286]

Prince modelled much of his style from Hendrix.

[@melaneeosullivan5805]

Its a shame prince never owned it tho it's all HIS work

[@wpochert]

Brown Mark , not Mark Brown :)

[@wckdaintgood]

Please react to Prince Bambi or his SB press conference performance

[@jerbearschannel2208]

He didn’t teach himself Sonny Thompson taught him

[@petetrippe8457]

This is the first performance of the song and this is what he recorded for the album. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKPFh4l6dt59Z9k

[@mztweety1374]

His death hurts me so badly I can’t even listen to him anymore

[@elpisadvocate5082]

We need some Infant Annihlator next, Blasphemian anyone?

[@melaneeosullivan5805]

I should be a bit dark it's about the end of the world