"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 final one from the album — in the US, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's lyrics evoke Jesus Christ's message to his followers: "U — I would die 4 U, darling if U want me 2;" as well as, "if you're evil I'll forgive you", "all I really need to know is that U believe," and, "I'm your messiah and you're the reason why." "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.
"Another Lonely Christmas"
The B-side, "Another Lonely Christmas", is a melancholy account of a man mourning his lover, who had died from pneumonia on a previous Christmas Day. Prince recorded "Another Lonely Christmas" in February 1984. Although during that period of his life Prince was socially very solitary, he insisted that "Another Lonely Christmas" was a fictional story. The song has been compared to the song "Sometimes It Snows in April," from the 1986 album Parade. He only performed "Another Lonely Christmas" live one time, on the day after Christmas, December 26, 1984, at the St. Paul Civic Center in Minnesota.
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 and Miko Weaver, 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 B-side of the UK12" single release includes "Another Lonely Christmas" as well as the 1999 track "Free".
Personnel
Prince – lead and background vocals and various instruments
Mariachi El Bronx released two recordings of the song. One was included on the 2009 tribute compilation Purplish Rain. A free download of the song was offered by Spin magazine. Later, the other recording appeared on Colette No. 10.
The synthpop band Chvrches covered the song during their live performances since 2012, titled as 'I Would Die 4 V', as a reference to the V in their band name.
Neo-soul singer Raheem DeVaughn released a cover on his 2010 mixtape "Mr. February aka March Madness."
Nick Jonas recorded a cover version, available on his Facebook page.
American singer Lydia Loveless covered the song on a single released together with Cory Branan in 2015. She also released a cover version on the 2017 album Boy Crazy and Single.
