I Would Die 4 U

"I Would Die 4 U" is a song by Prince and The Revolution, and the fourth single in the U.S. from their 1984 album, Purple Rain. The up-tempo dance song was a top 10 hit (the last from the album) in the U.S., reaching number 8 on the Hot 100.

"I Would Die 4 U" is often played in sequence with Baby I'm a Star, the track following it, on Purple Rain.

Alternate versions

The extended version of "I Would Die 4 U" is actually a rehearsal 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 ; This version was recorded sometime before the Purple Rain Tour. 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 extended mix was also used as the B-side of the 1989 "Erotic City" single (the artwork of which features the same image of Prince that was used for this single's cover).

The B-side, "Another Lonely Christmas", is a sad account of a man mourning his lover who died on Christmas Day from pneumonia. The UK 12" single release also included the 1999 track "Free".

Track listing

7": Paisley Park / 7-29121 (US)

"I Would Die 4 U" (single version) – 2:57
"Another Lonely Christmas" – 4:51

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

"I Would Die 4 U" (extended version) – 10:15
"Another Lonely Christmas" (extended version) – 6:47

12": Warner Bros. / W9121T (UK)

"I Would Die 4 U" (single version) – 2:57
"Another Lonely Christmas" – 4:51
"Free" – 5:00

Charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	58
Netherlands Singles Chart	7
Canadian Singles Chart	12
US Billboard Hot 100	8
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles	11
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs	50

Cover versions

Indie band Cush included a cover of the song on their 2002 EP Spiritual 1.^[1]
The song was covered by French music artist Space Cowboy on his 2003 album Across The Sky.^[2]
A cover by Mariachi El Bronx was included on the 2009 tribute compilation Purplish Rain. A free download of the song was offered by Spin magazine.^[3]
The synthpop band Chvrches covered the song during their live performances since 2012, titled as 'I Would Die 4 V', as a reference to the V in their band name.^[4]
Neo-soul singer Raheem DeVaughn released a cover on his 2010 mixtape "Mr. February aka March Madness."^[5]
British indie rock band White Lies released a cover of the song on their 2013 extended play Small TV.
Nick Jonas recorded a cover version, available on his Facebook page.

Live cover performances

Of Montreal covered this song throughout their fall tour in 2007, along with other Prince songs.
Bloc Party covered part of the song as an intro to "Flux" throughout their 2008 summer tour.
Chvrches have covered this song live in 2012, and was one of the first three songs readily available on the internet by them.

References

External links

Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Prince and the Revolution · Music from the Motion Picture Purple Rain

Side 1	"Let's Go Crazy" "Take Me with U" "The Beautiful Ones" "Computer Blue" "Darling Nikki"

Side 2	"When Doves Cry" "I Would Die 4 U" "Baby I'm a Star" "Purple Rain"

Related articles	Purple Rain (film) Purple Rain Tour Prince and the Revolution: Live Purplish Rain Prince albums discography

Prince singles

1970s	"Soft and Wet" "Just as Long as We're Together" "I Wanna Be Your Lover"

1980s	"Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" "Still Waiting" "Sexy Dancer" "Bambi" "Uptown" "Dirty Mind" "Do It All Night" "Controversy" "Let's Work" "Do Me, Baby" "Sexuality" "1999" "Little Red Corvette" "D.M.S.R." "Delirious" "Automatic" "Let's Pretend We're Married" "When Doves Cry" "Let's Go Crazy" "Purple Rain" "I Would Die 4 U" "Take Me with U" "Paisley Park" "Raspberry Beret" "Pop Life" "America" "Kiss" "Mountains" "Anotherloverholenyohead" "Girls & Boys" "Sign "O" the Times" "If I Was Your Girlfriend" "U Got the Look" "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" "Alphabet St." "Glam Slam" "I Wish U Heaven" "Batdance" "Partyman" "The Arms of Orion" "Scandalous!"

1990s	"The Future" "Thieves in the Temple" "New Power Generation" "Gett Off" "Cream" "Diamonds and Pearls" "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" "Insatiable" "Thunder" "Sexy MF" "My Name Is Prince" "7" "Damn U" "The Morning Papers" "Pink Cashmere" "Nothing Compares 2 U" "Peach" "Pope" (remix) "Come" "Letitgo" "Space" "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" "P Control" "Dolphin" "Endorphinmachine" "I Hate U" "Gold" "Dinner with Delores" "Betcha by Golly Wow!" "The Holy River" "Somebody's Somebody" "Face Down" "The Truth" "Extraordinary" "The Rest of My Life" "5 Women" "It's About That Walk" "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold"

2000s	"Man'O'War" "Baby Knows" "The Work, pt. 1" "She Loves Me 4 Me" "Last December" "Musicology" "Call My Name" "Cinnamon Girl" "Te Amo Corazón" "Black Sweat" "Fury" "Guitar" "Chelsea Rodgers" "The One U Wanna C" "Dance 4 Me" "Crimson and Clover"

2010s	"Extraloveable" "Dance 4 Me" (remixes) "Rock and Roll Love Affair" "Breakfast Can Wait"

Promotional singles	"Gotta Stop (Messin' About)" "Erotic City" "Love Sign" "Purple Medley" "NYC" "U Make My Sun Shine" "Supercute" "Days of Wild" "S.S.T." "The Song of the Heart" "One Song" "Cybersingle" "Bataclan" "Controversy (Live in Hawaii)" "Live from Paisley Park" "Strange Relationship (Live)" "Glass Cutter" "F.U.N.K."

Other songs	"I Feel for You" "When You Were Mine" "Head" "Private Joy" "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" "17 Days" "The Beautiful Ones" "Computer Blue" "Darling Nikki" "Baby I'm a Star" "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" "Adore" "Don't Talk 2 Strangers" "I Can't Make U Love Me" "La, La, La Means I Love U" "One of Us" "Everyday Is a Winding Road" "A Case of U"