Computer Blue

The song Computer Blue, from the album Purple Rain, has a rather unique creation story. Originally conceived as an extensive piece, around fourteen minutes long, it was edited multiple times until reaching the version we know today. The idea was to include it in Purple Rain, but after adding Take Me with U at the last moment, further cuts had to be made. The full version featured longer instrumental solos and additional lyrics. It also included a repetitive synthesizer segment with a sing-along chorus, something often heard in live performances. In fact, that synthesizer part, without vocals, appears in the film Purple Rain during a scene where The Revolution rehearses while waiting for Prince. The song’s original ending features three minutes of piercing feedback, which also serves as a transition to Darling Nikki on the album.

The genesis of Computer Blue traces back to a piano piece written by Prince’s father, John L. Nelson, titled Father's Song. Prince recorded this idea on piano and later incorporated it into the structure of Computer Blue. The initial recording of Computer Blue took place at The Warehouse in Minneapolis, the day after recording Let's Go Crazy. Later, in August 1983, additional layers were added at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. During this process, Prince worked alongside Wendy & Lisa and the sound engineer to shape what would eventually become Purple Rain, albeit in a much shorter edit. The version we hear today contains only one verse, but the one first performed at the First Avenue club and the original recording featured a second verse and were considerably longer, exceeding twelve minutes in what fans know as the “Hallway Speech” version. This extended 12:18 version was included in the 2017 deluxe reissue of Purple Rain.