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 Warehouse in St. Louis Park, MN, USA, with The Revolution The track was then further worked on on 15 August 1983 at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA (during the same set of sessions that produced Let's Go Crazy), with only Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman participating.
The song, ultimately clocking in at over 14 minutes would be edited down for the album. It remained 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.
The song contains 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.
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Versions
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Released Versions
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Video Versions
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Unreleased Versions
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Title
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Version
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Additional Info
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Computer Blue
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Live recording
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3 August 1983, First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Computer Blue
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Studio
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Full band recording at The Warehouse, St. Louis Park, MN, USA
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Computer Blue
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Studio
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Overdubbed with Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA
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