I only wanted to one time to see you laughing/
I only wanted to see you/
Laughing in the purple rain.

Perhaps the “Purple Rain” is some sort of apocalyptical rain at the end of times. So, when Prince says he wants to see his love laughing in the “Purple Rain” he is wishing that his love with her would have lasted forever. But the love didn’t last—so he tells us in the song. Other than that, he is vague on the origin of the phrase.

We do know that the relationship did not work out the way he wanted. She treated him like a “weekend lover”, when he was looking for more. He hints that she might have been seeing other people. Prince wants all of her.

The music in “Purple Rain” is superb. Prince’s songs are always produced super tight. They never sound like they were made in one take. There is a lot of instruments, and experimentation involved and a lot of precision demanded. The first half of the song is fairly simple, but then the rest of the band comes in along with a choir and symphony and that is when you hear the complexity of the album.

As always, Prince’s voice sounds solid, and he is experimental with his voice and vocals. He will squeeze way too many words into one line in a way that only works for him and give off a few weird sounds as he ad-libs. The outro is special. The guitar solo coupled with Prince ad-libbing over “Purple Rain” makes the song.

More Prince.

Purple Rain Lyrics

I never meant to cause you any sorrow,
I never meant to cause you any pain.
I only wanted to one time to see you laughing.
I only wanted to see you
Laughing in the purple rain.

Purple rain, purple rain,
Purple rain, purple rain.
Purple rain, purple rain,
I only wanted to see you
Bathing in the purple rain.

I never wanted to be your weekend lover.
I only wanted to be some kind of friend.
Baby, I could never steal you from another,
It’s such a shame our friendship had to end.

Purple rain, purple rain,
Purple rain, purple rain.
Purple rain, purple rain,
I only wanted to see you
Underneath the purple rain.

Honey, I know, I know
I know times are changing.
It’s time we all reach out
For something new, that means you too.

You say you want a leader,
But you can’t seem to make up your mind.
I think you better close it,
And let me guide you to the purple rain.

Purple rain, purple rain,
Purple rain, purple rain.
If you know what I’m singing about up here
C’mon, raise your hand.

Purple rain, purple rain,
I only want to see you,
Only want to see you
In the purple rain.

written by Prince

Illusion never changed into something real/
Wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn.

In “Torn” Natalie Imbruglia is dating someone new. Her initial impression of him favorable. Is her impression accurate? Is this the good man that could change her life and be a great partner? All of her initial impressions give her hope. She falls for him. But it turns out it was a façade. He is not that guy after all. Her dreams and illusions are “Torn” apart and replaced with the reality that she was wrong.

She feels ashamed that she was deceived—or at the least that she misjudged his character so badly. Just as her dreams are torn apart, her body begins to be torn apart as well, as she subconsciously punishes herself mentally for her mistake.

“Torn” starts out so happy. Bright major chords in the intro transition quickly into a darker song. Imbruglia sings the song as if she is exasperated and confused…and tired of the games. She makes good choices in her vocal. The background vocals are strong but go mostly unnoticed. The strength of the song may be the guitar work. It is muted during the verse and chorus but rocks during the ending solo. It sounds like she is erupting into the solo.

Torn Lyrics

I thought I saw a man brought to life.
He was warm, he came around like he was dignified.
He showed me what it was to cry.

Well, you couldn’t be that man I adored.
You don’t seem to know,
Or seem to care what your heart is for.
But I don’t know him anymore.

There’s nothin’ where he used to lie,
The conversation has run dry.
That’s what’s goin’ on.
Nothing’s fine, I’m torn.

I’m all out of faith,
This is how I feel.
I’m cold and I am shamed
Lying naked on the floor.

Illusion never changed
Into something real.
I’m wide awake and I can see
The perfect sky is torn.

You’re a little late,
I’m already torn.

So I guess the fortune teller’s right.
Should’ve seen just what was there
And not some holy light.
But you crawled beneath my veins and now.

I don’t care, I had no luck,
I don’t miss it all that much.
There’s just so many things
That I can touch, I’m torn.

I’m all out of faith,
This is how I feel.
I’m cold and I am shamed
Lying naked on the floor.

Illusion never changed
Into something real.
I’m wide awake and I can see
The perfect sky is torn.

You’re a little late
I’m already torn.
Torn.

There’s nothing where he used to lie,
My inspiration has run dry.
And that’s what’s goin’ on.
Nothing’s right, I’m torn.

I’m all out of faith
This is how I feel.
I’m cold and I am shamed,
Lying naked on the floor.

Illusion never changed
Into something real.
I’m wide awake and I can see
The perfect sky is torn.

I’m all out of faith,
This is how I feel.
I’m cold and I’m ashamed
Bound and broken on the floor.

You’re a little late.
I’m already torn.
Torn.
Oh

written by Scott Cutler / Anne Preven / Phil Thornalley

In every heart there is a room…
To heal the wounds from lover’s past/
Until a new one comes along.

Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes” is in some ways romantic and in some ways depressing. Joel seems to be expressing the view that love is a place in your heart that gets filled by your current love until things go wrong and you break up. Then it is hollow and only filled again when someone new comes along. Though, that person will leave too, of course. And so it goes.

This is a pessimistic view on love. It contrasts with a view that when two kindred spirits meet, it is special. Never mind the permanence of wedding vows. Joel says, you will break my heart too, and eventually I will have to find someone to fill my empty heart with the hole you left in it, but for now you are welcome to have my broken heart that the last woman ripped out of me. I’d imagine there must be a line waiting.

Joel sings “And So it Goes” as if he is tired. It sounds as if he is exhausted by relationships and has very little energy to offer, and he is being up front in admitting that to a potential mate. Laying it all on the table, if you will. Perhaps honesty is the best policy. To convey that emotion in his voice really makes the song. The piano also captures the feel perfectly, along with a nice melody…mostly in the verses. Interesting use of the background keyboards.

And So it Goes Lyrics

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

And every time I’ve held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It’s just as well for all I’ve seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you’re the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That’s if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes, and so it goes
And you’re the only one who knows

written by billy joel