When I first heard the classic jam, “When Doves Cry,” it was actually by 90’s r&b artist, Ginuwine, who’s famously known for his hit song, Pony.
If you don’t know who Genuwine is, I forgive you. However, for Tom, played by comedian Aziz Ansari on Parks and Recreation, it’s a slightly bigger deal.
It wasn’t until I was older, that I realized it was actually a remake of a Prince song. Needless to say, I wasn’t the biggest fan. Not because I didn’t enjoy his music, which I do now, but my taste was less evolved during my younger years.
Forgive me Prince fans
He’s a bonified legend. If you’re a fan, I’m sure there is no dispute there.
His dress attire, makeup, and overall vibe was thought-provoking, to put it mildly.
He’s probably the only man I know that can wear heals and steal yo girl.
He played multiple instruments, wrote his own music, and according to late comedian and actor Charlie Murphy, could straight up hoop (hood vernacular for basketball). Check out this high school picture of Prince from high school. Timeless!
Beyond that, Prince was enlightened.
In an interview, he was asked, what’s the meaning of life?
“Having reverence for life and service to others is the key to getting off this planet.”
Furthermore, he said,
“Whenever we get tied down to anything on earth, be it a name, the body, a lifestyle, that’s the road to ruin. When you put too much effort in this lifetime in a negative sense, like fighting someone, it just keeps you from your goals.”
Purple Rain
The meaning of arguably Prince’s most important album, Purple Rain is deep and truly highlights how he used his words and music to paint a timeless story through his personal experiences.
In the 1980s, Prince thought the world was going to end. The color purple, being his favorite, symbolized the beauty that one can maintain when the apocalypse approaches.
According to NME, he said, “When there’s blood in the sky — red and blue = purple… purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith/god guide you through the purple rain.”
Lisa Coleman, another musician that worked with Prince, and had a hand in Purple Rain said it meant, “a new beginning. Purple, the sky at dawn; rain, the cleansing factor.”
The cleansing factor was that this album was the first time Prince started trusting others and worked with his band on creating the timeless masterpiece.
I believe Prince was coming to grips with his mortality, and at the same time understanding that trusting others and having faith in them was a gateway to pushing his musical prowess to new heights.
Artistic expression is never clear and always left to interpretation. That’s the beauty of it. Similar to our own experiences, the subjectivity of our lives paints a unique picture.
Prince used music to invite us into his most sacred space and tell a story. It’s how he could communicate that special feeling in his heart.
This feeling, we all have.
I’m glad the universe loaned him to us.
May his music and wisdom live on.
I write articles, stories, and poetry on well-being. Subscribe below to get on my free newsletter so my work can be delivered directly to your inbox. Thank you for visiting.
With Love,
Anand