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I Would Die 4 U
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = I Would Die 4 U
| cover = Prince_Die4U.jpg
| alt =
| caption = US 7" single
| type = single
| artist = Prince and The Revolution
| album = Purple Rain
| B-side =
| released = November 28, 1984
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 2:51 (Album Version)
2:57 (Single Version)
10:15 (12-Inch Version)
| label = Warner Bros.
| writer = Prince
| producer = Prince
| chronology = Prince
| prev_title = Purple Rain
| prev_year = 1984
| next_title = Take Me with U
| next_year = 1985
| misc =
}}
"'I Would Die 4 U'" is a song by Prince and the Revolution, the fourth single in the US from their 1984 album, 'Purple Rain'. The up-tempo dance song was a top 10 hitthe final one from the albumin the US, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song's lyrics evoke Jesus Christ's message to his followers: "UI would die 4 U, darling if U want me 2"; as well as, "if you're evil I'll forgive you", "all I really need to know is that U believe," and, "I'm your messiah and you're the reason why."Saunders, Martin. [https://www.christiantoday.com/article/i-would-die-4-u-the-christian-themes-in-princes-lyrics/84555.htm "I Would Die 4 U: The Christian themes in Prince's lyrics,"] 'Christian Today' (22 Apr 2016).
'Cash Box' called the song "a practice in restrained ecstasy" in which "Prince delivers one of his finest and most passionate...vocal performances."
"I Would Die 4 U" is often played in sequence with "Baby I'm a Star", the track following it, on 'Purple Rain'. As of April 30, 2016, it has sold 561,772 copies in the United States.
"Another Lonely Christmas"
The B-side, "Another Lonely Christmas", is a melancholy account of a man mourning his lover, who had died from pneumonia on a previous Christmas Day. Prince recorded "Another Lonely Christmas" in February 1984.Ross, Alex Robert.
[https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/j5zak7/the-noisey-advent-calendar-day-11-prince-another-lonely-christmas "Prince's Only Christmas Song Is Still Completely Devastating,"] 'Vice' (Dec. 11, 2018). Although during that period of his life Prince was socially very solitary, he insisted that "Another Lonely Christmas" was a fictional story. The song has been compared to the song "Sometimes It Snows in April," from the 1986 album 'Parade'. He only performed "Another Lonely Christmas" live one time, on the day after Christmas, December 26, 1984, at the St. Paul Civic Center in Minnesota.Needham, Jack. [https://www.redbull.com/us-en/prince-another-lonely-christmas-forgotten-song "The story behind Prince's lost Christmas song,"] Red Bull (December 20, 2019).
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 recorded some time 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 of the UK 12" single release includes "Another Lonely Christmas" as well as the '1999' track "Free".
Personnel
* Prince lead and background vocals and various instruments
* Wendy Melvoin guitar and vocals
* Lisa Coleman keyboards and vocals
* Matt Fink keyboards
* Brown Mark bass
* Bobby Z. drums and percussion
Track listing
7": Paisley Park / 7-29121 (US)
# "I Would Die 4 U" (Single version) 3:03# "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
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
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