Released November 28, 1984 Genre Funksynthpopnew wave | Format 7" single12" single | |
B-side "Another Lonely Christmas""Free" (UK 12") Length Album 7": 2:4912": 10:15Single: 2:57 |
"I Would Die 4 U" is a song by Prince and The Revolution, and the fourth single in the US from their 1984 album, Purple Rain. The up-tempo dance song was a top 10 hit (the last from the album) in the US, reaching number 8 on the Hot 100.
Contents
- Alternate versions
- Personnel
- 7 Paisley Park 7 29121 US
- 12 Paisley Park 9 20291 0 US
- 12 Warner Bros W9121T UK
- Cover versions
- Live cover performances
- References
"I Would Die 4 U" is often played in sequence with "Baby I'm a Star", the track following it, on Purple Rain. As of April 30, 2016, it has sold 561,772 copies in the United States.
Following Prince's death, the song re-charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 39 on the chart dated the week of May 14, 2016.
Alternate versions
The extended version of "I Would Die 4 U" is actually a rehearsal jam on the song with The Revolution and musicians from Sheila E.'s band, Eddie M (on sax) and Miko Weaver (guitar), along with Sheila E. herself recorded some time before the Purple Rain Tour. The jam features some overdubbing and fades at the end; a longer version, nearly 31 minutes long, was never released officially, but has been bootlegged. The extended mix was also used as the B-side of the 1989 "Erotic City" single (the artwork of which features the same image of Prince that was used for this single's cover).
The B-side, "Another Lonely Christmas", is a sad account of a man mourning his lover who died on Christmas Day from pneumonia. The UK 12" single release also included the 1999 track "Free".
Personnel
7": Paisley Park / 7-29121 (US)
- "I Would Die 4 U" (single version) – 2:57
- "Another Lonely Christmas" – 4:51
12": Paisley Park / 9 20291-0 (US)
- "I Would Die 4 U" (extended version) – 10:15
- "Another Lonely Christmas" (extended version) – 6:47
12": Warner Bros. / W9121T (UK)
- "I Would Die 4 U" (single version) – 2:57
- "Another Lonely Christmas" – 4:51
- "Free" – 5:00