It’s been over a year since we lost the Purple One far too soon, but his music not only lives on; it’s more popular than ever. In fact, a new remastered version of Prince’s signature album Purple Rain was released last week, with unreleased tracks from the album’s original recording sessions, B-sides, alternate takes, and a whole lot more. And it’s currently at #4 on the Billboard Top 100. Not bad for an album that is 33 years old. But one can’t deny greatness.
Along with the re-release of Purple Rain, Warner Brothers and Prince’s estate have finally released the music videos for his songs from Purple Rain on an official Prince Channel on YouTube. Why is this a big deal? Because while Prince was alive, he never allowed his music videos on YouTube, or anywhere on the internet for that matter. In the days after his death, fans would post videos of his, only to have his estate send cease and desist orders and have them yanked. It was frustrating as hell for a Prince fan who just had a wild notion to just share “Raspberry Beret” via Twitter.
Right now it’s just the videos from the Purple Rain era that are being allowed on YouTube, but hopefully there is more to come soon. (For some reason, the song “Purple Rain” itself is not among them.) Still, some are better than none. So far, here is what we’ve got:
“When Doves Cry”
The first single off of Purple Rain, “When Doves Cry” was also the first video released in May of 1984. This was Prince’s first American number one single, topping the charts for five weeks. This one is more than just footage from the movie, as it also has the iconic shot of Prince emerging from the bathtub, ready to seduce the entire world. Oh, a lots of doves flying about.
“Let’s Go Crazy”
The second #1 single off of Purple Rain, and the opening track of the album and film. The music video is just really well edited footage from the movie, and honestly, watching the video almost negates ever having to see the movie itself. It’s all right there.
“I Would Die 4 U”
The fourth single off Purple Rain following the title track, this was the last Billboard top ten hit off the album, peaking at #8. This one got a special extended live music video with a different arrangement from Prince’s protege Sheila E. There was also a “regular” video that aired on MTV, which was just movie footage, but it seems Warner Brothers wanted to release this version instead. No complaints here.
“Take Me With U”
Another live concert video, from the Purple Rain tour. This one’s from Houston, Texas, shot in January 1985. Wendy and Lisa are filling in for Apollonia on the female vocals. Trust me, it’s better this way.
“Baby I’m A Star”
Another live concert video from the Purple Rain tour, this one, like “I Would Die 4 U,” is from the same November 1984 show in Maryland. The lyrics to this song sum up the Purple One in just a few sentences: “Everybody say nothin’ come to easy/But when you got it, baby, nothin’ come too hard.”
Here’s hoping Warner Brother’s and Prince’s estate release the rest of Prince’s vast music video library to YouTube. It’s long overdue.
Which music videos of Prince’s do you want to see again the most? “1999?” “U Got The Look?” Maybe even “Batdance??” Let us know down below in the comments.
Images: Warner Brothers
