Record of the Week: Prince And The Revolution – Purple Rain
Welcome back to The Daytime High’s Record of the Week. This week, we’re throwing it back to 1984 with an absolute juggernaut: the soundtrack to Prince’s first full-length film, Purple Rain.
It is hard to overstate just how massive this album was upon its release. While Prince already had a brilliant catalog, Purple Rain features arguably his most accessible and universally celebrated material. What makes this record stand out from a performance standpoint is the collaborative energy. Prince opened the floor to contributions from his backing band, The Revolution, far more than he had in the past—most notably on the last three tracks of the album, which were actually recorded live.
The combination of elite songwriting and undeniable musicianship on this record is breathtaking. Whether you’re listening to the intricate arrangements or the blistering guitar solos, this is the exact moment the entire world got to know the sheer, unfiltered genius of Prince.
Standout Tracks to Spin:
If you are diving back into this masterpiece, turn it up for these highlights:
“Let’s Go Crazy”
“Computer Blue”
“Darling Nikki”
