I Would Die 4 U

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I Would Die 4 U

Purplerain.jpg
from the album Purple Rain
Iwoulddie4u single.jpg
single art for I Would Die 4 U
Song details
Performer: Prince and the Revolution
First Released: 25 June 1984 - Purple Rain album
Album(s): Purple Rain
The Hits 2
The Hits / The B-Sides
The Very Best Of Prince
Ultimate
Writer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the Revolution)
Producer(s): Prince (credited to Prince and the Revolution)
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
Performed occasionally in shows:
  • 1983, 2001, 2007 , 2011 (clip only during sampler set), 2012 (during sampler set), 2013 (during sampler set), 2014 (during sampler set), 2015 (during sampler set), 2016 (solo piano)

I Would Die 4 U is the seventh track on Prince's sixth album Purple Rain, the first album to be credited to Prince and the Revolution. Five months after the album's release, I Would Die 4 U was released as the album's fourth single. The track is also featured in the movie Purple Rain.

In 1993, the track was included as the eighth track on the compilation album The Hits 2 (also included as the second disc of The Hits / The B-Sides).

In 2001, the track was included as the seventh track on the compilation album The Very Best Of Prince.

In 2006, the track was included as the seventh track on the first disc of the compilation album Ultimate.

Prince and the Revolution recorded the song live on 3 August 1983 at First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA (at the same concert where Baby I'm A Star and Purple Rain were also recorded). The song dated back to at least 18 months earlier when it was tried out in soundcheck during a Controversy Tour show.

It was included as the seventh track on the 7 November 1983 configuration of the album, and the sixth track on the 23 March 1984 configuration, but became the seventh track on the final 14 April 1984 configuration after some tracklist changes to the album.

A tour rehearsal version of the song was recorded in late 1984 for release on the single's 12". The single version of the track was included as the eleventh track on the first disc of an early configuration of the compilation album Ultimate before the album was reworked for release.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
3 August 1983 First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA Live recording
October, - November 1984 Unknown venue Rehearsal recording
Recording Personnel

Purple Rain (album) version

Rehearsal Recording


Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
I Would Die 4 U 2:51 Purple Rain album

Strange Tales From The Rain promotional album

Live with overdubs 3 August 1983, First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA; segues (as recorded) with Baby I'm A Star
I Would Die 4 U (Single Version) 2:57 I Would Die 4 U single

The Story So Far... promotional album
The Hits 2 album
The Hits / The B-Sides album
The Very Best Of Prince album
Ultimate album

Edit Slightly alternate ending avoiding segue
I Would Die 4 U (Extended Version) 10:15 I Would Die 4 U single

His Majesty's Pop Life promo
Erotic City reissue single

Rehearsal recording with Sheila E. and members of her band
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
I Would Die 4 U 4:01 The Hits Collection VHS/DVD

Purple Rain 20th Anniversary DVD

Live concert promo video 20 November 1984, Landover, MD, USA; See I Would Die 4 U video for more details
I Would Die 4 U 3:50 Prince And The Revolution: Live VHS/laserdisc Live 30 March 1985, Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY, USA


Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
I Would Die 4 U Live recording 3 August 1983, First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA; contains instrumental break edited from release
I Would Die 4 U (Extended Version) Rehearsal recording Version edited for release on 12"; features Sheila E. and members of her band
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia


References
I Wonder U   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Ice Cream Castles