Computer Blue

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Computer Blue

Purplerain.jpg
from the album Purple Rain
Song details
Performer: Prince and the Revolution
First Released: 25 June 1984 - Purple Rain album
Album(s): Purple Rain
Writer(s): John L. Nelson, Lisa Coleman, Wendy Melvoin and Prince
Producer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the Revolution)
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
Performed occasionally in shows:

Computer Blue is the fourth track on Prince's sixth album Purple Rain, the first album to be credited to Prince and the Revolution. The song also features in the movie Purple Rain.

Before a studio recording was made, Prince and the Revolution recorded the song live on 3 August 1983 at First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA (during the same concert where I Would Die 4 U, Baby I'm A Star and Purple Rain were also recorded).

Later in August 1983, a studio version was recorded at The St. Louis Park Warehouse, St. Louis Park, MN, USA, with the full Revolution, before at least three other versions were recorded on 15 August 1983 at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA, with only Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman participating (during the same set of sessions that produced Let's Go Crazy).

These versions would be edited down for the album. They are largely similar at the beginning and end of the song - differences are noticeable in the middle of the track. A longer version of the track was included as the third track on the 7 November 1983 and 23 March 1984 configurations of the album, but this was edited down for the final 14 April 1984 configuration to make room for the inclusion of Take Me With U.

All recorded versions of the song contain a segment of the track Father's Song during one of the instrumental breaks. It is likely that John L. Nelson's credit on the track comes from this inclusion.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
3 August 1983 First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA Live recording
August 1983 St. Louis Park Warehouse, St. Louis Park, MN, USA Initial tracking of first version
15 August 1983 Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA Initial tracking of re-recording
Recording Personnel
  • Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
  • Lisa Coleman - keyboards and vocals
  • Wendy - guitars and vocals
  • Bobby Z. - drums and percussion (credited, but on unreleased version only)
  • Brown Mark - bass guitar and vocals (credited, but on unreleased version only)
  • Matt Fink - keyboards and vocals (credited, but on unreleased version only)

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Computer Blue 3:59 Purple Rain

Strange Tales From The Rain promo

Studio
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Computer Blue 4:30 Prince And The Revolution: Live VHS/laserdisc Live 30 March 1985, Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY, USA


Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Computer Blue Live recording 3 August 1983, First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Computer Blue Studio Full band recording at St. Louis Park Warehouse, St. Louis Park, MN, USA
Computer Blue Studio With Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA
Computer Blue Studio With Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA
Computer Blue Studio With Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
Compassion   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Condition Of The Heart