Did Stevie Nicks ever regret turning down Prince's request to write the lyrics?
Nicks has repeatedly stated that she has no regrets about declining. She consistently notes that had she intervened, the song would never have become the monumental anthem Prince created. She viewed her decision not as a failure, but as an act of artistic respect for a piece of music that belonged entirely to him.
Is the album version of "Purple Rain" an actual live recording?
Yes. The core instrumental tracks, the lead vocal, and the primary guitar solos were all tracked live on August 3, 1983, at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Prince later removed a verse, trimmed an extended guitar solo, and added subtle string overdubs at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, but the live take remains the album version.
Why was Prince concerned about copyright infringement when he finished the song?
Prince worried that the chord progression was too close to Journey's 1983 hit "Faithfully." He contacted Journey keyboardist and songwriter Jonathan Cain, played him the recording over the phone, and asked for his blessing. Cain reassured Prince that the chords were common and gave his full approval without asking for songwriting credit.
