I Would Die 4 U

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“I Would Die 4 U”
“I Would Die 4 U” cover
U.S. 7" single
Single by Prince
from the album Purple Rain
B-side "Another Lonely Christmas"
"Free" (UK 12")
Released 28 November 1984
Format 7" single
12" single
Recorded Live, First Avenue, Minneapolis, Summer 1983
Genre Pop, Rock, Funk
Length Album/7": 2:57
12": 10:15
Label Warner Bros. Records
Writer(s) Prince
Producer Prince
Prince singles chronology
"Purple Rain"
(1984)		 "I Would Die 4 U"
(1984)		 "Take Me with U"
(1985)
Prince (UK) singles chronology
"Purple Rain"
(1984)		 "I Would Die 4 U"
(1984)		 "Let's Go Crazy"/"Take Me with U"
(1985)


Purple Rain track listing
"When Doves Cry"
(6)		 "I Would Die 4 U"
(7)		 "Baby I'm a Star"
(8)

"I Would Die 4 U" was the fourth single in the U.S. from Prince and The Revolution's 1984 album, Purple Rain. The perceived messiah complex of the song is perhaps the reason it was not quite as successful as its album counterparts. Lyrics such as "I'm not a woman, I'm not a man/I am something that you'll never understand," and "I'm not human, I am a dove/I'm your conscience, I am love" disturbed some listeners.[citation needed] Most Prince fans believe the song is sung from the viewpoint of Jesus. Regardless, the up-tempo dance number packed dance floors, and was a Top 10 hit in the U.S.

The extended version is actually a studio jam on the song with The Revolution and musicians from Sheila E.'s band, Eddie M. (on sax) and Miko Weaver (guitar), along with Sheila E. herself; most of this version was often performed live, preceding "Baby I'm a Star." The jam features some overdubbing and fades at the end; a longer version, nearly 31 minutes long, was never released officially, but has been bootlegged. The B-Side, "Another Lonely Christmas," is a sad account of a man's mourning over his lover's death on Christmas Day. The UK 12" single release also included the 1999 track "Free."

On the 12", and in Purple Rain Tour concerts, Prince changes the lyrics from "I'm your messiah" to "He's your messiah," pointing to the sky as he sings the line.

The song was covered in 2002 by Space Cowboy. It was covered again the same year by Cush, on their Spirituals EP. Of Montreal covered this song throughout their fall tour in 2007, along with other Prince songs.

Contents

[edit] Track listing

[edit] 7": Paisley Park / 7-29121 (US)

  1. "I Would Die 4 U" (Single Version) - 2:57
  2. "Another Lonely Christmas" - 4:51

[edit] 12": Paisley Park / 9 20291-0 (US)

  1. "I Would Die 4 U" (Extended Version) - 10:15
  2. "Another Lonely Christmas" (Extended Version) - 6:47

[edit] 12": Warner Bros. / W9121T (UK)

  1. "I Would Die 4 U" (Single Version) - 2:57
  2. "Another Lonely Christmas" - 4:51
  3. "Free" - 5:00

[edit] External links

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