I Would Die 4 U

"I Would Die 4 U"
U.S. 7" single
Single by Prince
from the album Purple Rain
B-side	"Another Lonely Christmas" "Free" (UK 12")
Released	November 28, 1984
Format	7" single 12" single
Recorded	Live, First Avenue, Minneapolis, August 3, 1983
Genre	Funk, synthpop
Length	Album/7": 2:49 12": 10:15 Single: 2:57
Label	Warner Bros.
Writer(s)	Prince
Producer	Prince
Prince singles chronology
"Purple Rain" (1984) "I Would Die 4 U" (1984) "Take Me with U" (1985)
Prince (UK) chronology "Purple Rain" (1984) "I Would Die 4 U" (1984) "Let's Go Crazy"/"Take Me with U" (1985) Purple Rain track listing "When Doves Cry" (6) "I Would Die 4 U" (7) "Baby I'm a Star" (8)

"I Would Die 4 U" is a song by Prince and The Revolution, and the fourth single in the U.S. from their 1984 album, Purple Rain. The up-tempo dance song was a top 10 hit (the last from the album) in the U.S., reaching number 8 on the Hot 100.

The extended version of "I Would Die 4 U" is actually a studio 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; most of this version was often performed live, preceding "Baby I'm a Star". 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's death on Christmas Day. The UK 12" single release also included the 1999 track "Free".

"I Would Die 4 U" is thought by some Prince fans to be sung from the viewpoint of Jesus. On the 12", and in Purple Rain Tour concerts, Prince changes the lyrics from "I'm your messiah" to "He's your messiah", pointing to the sky as he sings the line.

Track listing

7": Paisley Park / 7-29121 (US)

1. "I Would Die 4 U" (single version) – 2:57
2. "Another Lonely Christmas" – 4:51

12": Paisley Park / 9 20291-0 (US)

1. "I Would Die 4 U" (extended version) – 10:15
2. "Another Lonely Christmas" (extended version) – 6:47

12": Warner Bros. / W9121T (UK)

1. "I Would Die 4 U" (single version) – 2:57
2. "Another Lonely Christmas" – 4:51
3. "Free" – 5:00

Cover versions

• Indie band Cush included a cover of the song on their 2002 EP Spiritual 1.
• The song was covered by French music artist Space Cowboy on his 2003 album Across The Sky.
• A cover by Mariachi El Bronx was included on the 2009 tribute compilation Purplish Rain. A free download of the song was offered by Spin magazine.
• Neo-soul singer Raheem DeVaughn released a cover on his 2010 mixtape "Mr. February aka March Madness."

Live cover performances

• Of Montreal covered this song throughout their fall tour in 2007, along with other Prince songs.
• Bloc Party covered part of the song as an intro to "Flux" throughout their 2008 summer tour.