Just music today.  Purple Rain by Prince ranks as one of the great guitar solos.  The lyrics laid over the melody are an eloquent expression of what it means to be human.  What does it mean to be human?  This.

The story teller reflects upon the fact of his father’s madness, the effect of which conditions everything in the storyteller’s life, especially the relationship with the love of his life.  The storyteller envisions what life with the woman he loves might be, and yet… the friendship had to end.

Homo Sapiens is a conflicted, inwardly tormented species.  What we desire with our reason, and what we do is often in conflict.  What do I like best about this scene?  I like the rapt silence, the moments of stillness shared between Prince and the audience, before he introduces the tune and performs.

Purple Rain

By Prince and the Revolution

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted one time to see you laughing
I only want to see you laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain

I only want to see you bathing in the purple rain

I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
Baby, I could never steal you from another
It’s such a shame our friendship had to end

Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain

I only want to see you underneath the purple rain

Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing
It’s time we all reach out for something new
That means you too
You say you want a leader
But you can’t seem to make up your mind
I think you better close it
And let me guide you to the purple rain

Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain

If you know what I’m singing about up here
C’mon, raise your hand

Purple rain, purple rain

I only want to see you, only want to see you
In the purple rain