John Morrison joins host Raina Douris

Prince’s iconic song “Purple Rain” was originally intended to be a country ballad…sung by Stevie Nicks! On the World Cafe, correspondent John Morrison joins us to talk about Prince’s most popular album, as well as the movie Purple Rain, which turns 40 this year. He also discusses how the success of Purple Rain elevated Prince’s career to new heights.

Listen to the session here.

Today’s Playlist
Joan Osborne “Right Hand Man” Relish
Prince “Let’s Go Crazy” Purple Rain
Prince “When Doves Cry” Purple Rain
Prince “I Would Die 4 U” Purple Rain
Prince “Purple Rain” Purple Rain
Prince “I Would Die 4 U” Purple Rain
Sheila E “A Love Bizarre” Romance 1600
Hindu Love Gods ” Raspberry Beret” Hindu Love
Tom Jones “Kiss” At This Moment
Julien Baker “Funeral Pyre” Funeral Pyre / Distant Solar Systems
Clairo “Sexy To Someone” Charm
R.E.M. “Fall On Me” Life’s Rich Pageant
The Beatles “Blackbird” The Beatles

Hour Two
Elvis Costello “You Bowed Down” All This Useless Beauty
Kim Deal “Coast” single
Big Star “September Gurls” Radio City
Valerie June “Call Me A Fool” The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers
Phosphorescent “Revelator” Revelator
Phosphorescent “Song For Zula” Muchacho
Raphael Saadiq “Stone Rollin'” Live at the World Cafe
Ray Lamontagne “Step Into Your Power” Long Way
Paula Cole “Me” This Fire
Waxahatchee “Right Back To It (feat. MJ Lenderman) Tigers Blood
Waxahatchee “A Little More” WC Recording
Tim Heidecker “Well’s Running Dry” Slipping Away
Talking Heads “Take Me To The River” More Songs About Buildings and Food
Tom Tom Club “Wordy Rappinghood” Tom Tom Club