Although he came close with 1987's Sign O' The Times, Slave, The Purple One, Squiggle, or the artist originally known as Prince Rogers Nelson never really topped 1984's Purple Rain. At a time when planet pop was awaiting the arrival of tomboy Madonna's second album, and Michael Jackson's Thriller (released two years previously) was still eating up everything in its wake, early reviews dismissed Purple Rain as a soundtrack album lacking obvious hits.
Yet the soundtrack to Prince's semi- autobiographical tale (short-ass alienated youth from poor, dysfunctional family takes refuge in his music) proved to be Prince's most complete pop statement. It shifted 14 million units worldwide, spawned five Top Ten singles (including two No. 1 hits) and rocketed him from sexed-up star to icon extraordinaire.
The key to Purple Rain’s success was Prince's genre-defying sound. Replacing the sleazy synthesized funk he had become known for was a new rock, pop, and soul hybrid that incorporated screaming guitars over drum machine-driven tracks such as "When Doves Cry" and "Computer Blue". The album's title track—believe it or not—was Prince's attempt at writing a country-rock track a la Bob Seger.
Prince knew he would never cross over globally unless he toned down his lyrics. Typically, though, he could not help himself and with "Darling Nikki"(starring a man-eater who masturbates over magazines) Prince placed himself in the history books once again, becoming almost directly responsible for the arrival of Tipper Gore's parental advisory stickers.
TRACKS:
Let's Go Crazy (4:39)
Take Me With U (3:54)
The Beautiful Ones (5:15)
Computer Blue (3:59)
Darling Nikki (4:15)
When Doves Cry (5:52)
I Would Die 4 U (2:51)
Baby I'm A Star (4:20)
Purple Rain (8:45
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