40 years ago, Prince shook up the industry pop with the release of their iconic album ‘Purple Rainone of the most acclaimed and influential of the 80’s.
The album contained a lot of hits, however, one of the biggest hits almost didn’t appear on the album, since originally, It was going to be for Stevie Nicks. But finally, the Fleetwood Mac singer rejected it, so Prince put it on his album.
The song that Stevie Nicks rejected and was a hit for Prince
Prince is known for write songs and give them to other artists, which then turn them into hits. This is what happened with “I Feel for You“by Chaka Khan,”Manic Monday” by The Bungles, and “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor.
However, that happens with his iconic song, one of the most well-known and representative: ““Purple Rain”. Since although it gives the title to their sixth album, it was originally intended for Stevie Nicks.
Stevie Nicks’ song “Stand Back” was written by her, but she has said that “belongs“to Prince. When he heard”Little Red Corvette” for the first time, he was inspired to write “Stand Back.”
When she later went to record the song, she called him to tell him the story. Twenty minutes later, the Minneapolis native appeared in his studio. In a session “absolutely brilliant for about 25 minutes“on the synthesizers, as the singer said, Prince did his thing and left.
Months later, Prince sent him a demo ten-minute instrumental of “Purple Rain” to Steviewith touches of country music, so I thought it would be ideal for her. He wanted Nicks to write lyrics for the song and sing it.
However, Stevie Nicks rejected it. “I heard it and I was scared. I called him and said, ‘I can’t do it. I wish she could. It’s too much for me” the artist told NME.
After this rejection, Prince decided to show it to his group, The Revolution at the end of a test.
The guitarist Wendy Melvoin began playing guitar chords to accompany the song, which triggered the composer to be inspired to change it. “He was excited to hear her with a different voice. He brought it out of that country feeling. Then we all started playing it a little louder and taking it more seriously.” said to Guardian. “We played it for six hours straight and By the end of that day we had it practically written and arranged“.
