I Would Die 4 U

Infobox Single
Name = I Would Die 4 U


Caption = U.S. 7" single
Artist = Prince
from 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": 2:49
12": 10:15
Single: 2:57
Label = Warner Bros. Records
Writer = Prince
Producer = Prince
Certification =
Chart position = * #11 R&B
*#8 U.S.
*#58 UK
Last single = "Purple Rain"
(1984)
This single = "I Would Die 4 U"
(1984)
Next single = "Take Me with U"
(1985)
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Prince (UK)
Type = singles
[ Background = #ffff00 ]
Last single = "Purple Rain"
(1984)
This single = "I Would Die 4 U"
(1984)
Next single = "Let's Go Crazy"/"Take Me with U"
(1985)Extra tracklisting
Album = Purple Rain
Type = studio
prev_track = "When Doves Cry"
prev_no = 6
this_track = "I Would Die 4 U"
track_no = 7
next_track = "Baby I'm a Star"
next_no = 8"I Would Die 4 U" was the fourth single in the U.S. from Prince and The Revolution's 1984 album, "Purple Rain". Most Prince fans believe the song is sung from the viewpoint of Jesus. 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. Bloc Party covered part of the song as an intro to "Flux" at the 2008 Reading Festival.

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

External links

* "I Would Die 4 U" [http://www.dtt-lyrics.com/albums/purple.html#die lyrics]