Category Archives: Purple Rain

Another Lonely Christmas: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 62 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Todd Sanzone & I experience a sad and depressing Christmas in May through the lyrics to Prince’s B-side, “Another Lonely Christmas.” We drink some banana daiquiris, have a good cry and try to figure out what this poor girl died from (pneumonia? stress? strep?)

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


God: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 61 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I pore over the biblical lyrics in the strange yet arresting vocal acrobatic exercise that Prince gives us on “God,” the B-side to the massive pop hit, “Purple Rain.” Is Prince sermonizing, teaching Bible Study or finally…finally….giving us a completely naked example of his spirituality without all the metaphors & hidden meanings?

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Erotic City: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 60 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I am again joined by Farooq Ansari to discuss the sleazy, robotic funk of “Erotic City.” Arguably Prince’s best and most well-known B-side to the iconic “Let’s Go Crazy.” Enter the Garden of Hedonism with us to talk about this Prince and Sheila E masterpiece.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


17 Days: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 59 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Karen Shedrick & I talk at length about one of Prince’s most popular B-sides, “17 Days.” Let the rain come down, down and wallow in the misery with us. Just grab those 2 cigarettes first.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Purple Rain: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 58 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Eloy Lasanta from the Prince’s Friend YouTube channel joins me to discuss his own journey into some of the deeper meanings behind the lyrics to “Purple Rain.” As the title track to the soundtrack and film of the same name, there’s plenty here to discuss. The Purple Pied Piper implores us to join him in the purple rain by crafting a song that is at once sad, joyous, melancholy, and uplifting. This is the rare song that can do all of that plus melt our faces with an awesome guitar solo.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Baby I’m A Star: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 57 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Josh Norman from The Mountains & the Sea podcast joins me to chat about the self fulfilling prophecy that Prince puts forth on the fun exercise that is “Baby I’m A Star” off the Purple Rain soundtrack.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


I Would Die 4 U: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 56 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Erica Thompson (APurpleDayInDecember.com) and I talk about the various interpretations of one of the more surprisingly complex songs from Purple Rain. “I Would Die 4 U” has fascinating lyrical content (and a pretty damn catchy beat and dance moves) so we try to cover as many angles as we can when discussing what Prince may have been thinking about when writing this song.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


When Doves Cry: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 55 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, fellow Prince writer Zachary Hoskins of the DMSR blog (princesongs.org) joins me to discuss the familial and romantic dramas presented to us for the Purple Rain film in the musically compelling and massively popular “When Doves Cry.”

What does it sound like when doves cry? Beautifully strange as it turns out.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Darling Nikki: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 54 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, author and blogger Laura Tiebert and I talk about the infamous, scandalous, and downright sexy “Darling Nikki” from Prince’s Purple Rain album. We dig into the cultural significance of the lyrics as both a spark towards the “explicit lyrics” labeling for the music industry AND its depiction of female sexuality. We also dissect the hidden message in the song’s strange and haunting coda and what it might mean in the context of the song and album as a whole.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Computer Blue: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 53 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Jerry Bonner and I discuss the longer, alternate “Hallway Speech” version of “Computer Blue,” originally released on the Purple Rain soundtrack. Wendy & Lisa set the progressive & experimental tone for the track with their iconic spoken-word opening before Prince & the Revolution take this song to epic highs. What exactly is the message being communicated during the Hallway Speech? We break it all down for you in this episode.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


The Beautiful Ones: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 52 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I welcome Leslie Ballard back to the show to discuss the emotionally intense “The Beautiful Ones” off Prince’s Purple Rain album. We both agree that this particular song is a highlight not only for the album and the film but as one of Prince’s most memorable tracks over his entire career. Is it the lyrics, the music, the performance, or that amazing scream at the end? Probably all of the above, but please check out the episode anyway!

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Take Me With U: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 51 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I am joined by new podcast guest, Julian Long, to geek out on the sweet ballad “Take Me With U” from Purple Rain. Is Apollonia able to reach that place in Prince/The Kid that is calling out her name? Does Prince/The Kid sweep Apollonia off her feet and take her away, possibly to a frigid Minnesota lake? We dissect this classic song from the soundtrack and hope to uncover new aspects along the way.

Check out Julian’s show, Storytime with Julian on Facebook and YouTube.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!


Let’s Go Crazy: Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast



On Episode 50 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, I’m joined by Christy Norman from The Mountains & the Sea and Killer Fun podcasts to decipher our interpretations of Prince-isms such as “purple banana”, “de-elevator”, and “Dr. Everything’ll Be Alright” which can be found on “Let’s Go Crazy,” the opening track of the world dominating album, Purple Rain.

The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:

  • Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
  • Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
  • If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!