Tom Jones – Purple Rain

About the song

“Purple Rain” is originally a monumental 1984 power ballad by Prince, known for its emotional depth, iconic guitar solo, and cinematic grandeur. Tom Jones’s decision to cover this track, particularly with the unexpected collaboration with David Gilmour, highlights his incredible vocal versatility and his willingness to tackle challenging material. This performance, aired on his TV show, is a powerful reinterpretation of a modern classic, bending it to his unique vocal style while respecting the original’s emotional core.

The sound and style (of the cover): Tom Jones’s “Purple Rain” cover can be described as a soulful rock ballad with a gospel and blues inflection, elevated by a legendary rock guitarist. It retains the dramatic build-up and emotional intensity of the original but filters it through Jones’s powerful, gritty baritone voice. The collaboration with Gilmour adds a distinctly progressive rock and blues-rock guitar sensibility, which contrasts beautifully with Jones’s more traditional vocal approach. The sound is grand, expressive, and deeply emotional.

Musical features (of the cover):

• Tom Jones’s Powerful and Expressive Vocals: Jones brings his characteristic booming, soulful baritone to “Purple Rain.” He imbues the lyrics with a raw, earnest emotion, showcasing his incredible vocal control and ability to convey deep feeling. His delivery is less ethereal than Prince’s falsetto and more grounded in a traditional soul/gospel interpretation.
• David Gilmour’s Iconic Guitar Solo: This is a major highlight of the cover. Gilmour takes on Prince’s famous guitar solo, but he doesn’t merely replicate it. Instead, he infuses it with his own signature melodicism, sustained notes, and blues-rock sensibilities, making it instantly recognizable as his own. His solo is both powerful and incredibly tasteful, adding significant weight and depth to the performance.
• Gospel/Soul Influence: Jones’s vocal phrasing often leans into gospel and soul traditions, particularly in his ad-libs and the emotional swells, giving the song a slightly different spiritual texture than Prince’s more funk-infused R&B original.
• Dynamic Arrangement: The cover maintains the original’s dramatic structure, building from a relatively subdued opening to a soaring, powerful climax, particularly during and after Gilmour’s solo.
• Solid Rhythm Section: While less prominent than the vocals and lead guitar, the underlying rhythm section provides a strong, supportive foundation, allowing the main elements to shine.
• Emotional Intensity: The combined forces of Jones’s vocal delivery and Gilmour’s guitar work create a highly emotional and moving rendition.

It’s a powerful, soulful, and majestically interpreted cover, a true meeting of musical legends.

Lyrical themes and atmosphere (as interpreted by Jones):

“Purple Rain, Purple Rain / I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain.”

The lyrics, originally penned by Prince, speak of deep emotional longing, regret, and a desire for reconciliation, set against a backdrop of a final, perhaps metaphorical, cleansing rain. Through Tom Jones’s powerful delivery, the themes of yearning, a plea for understanding, and the ultimate sorrow of a broken relationship are amplified. The atmosphere, particularly with Gilmour’s contribution, becomes one of profound melancholic beauty and a raw, almost bluesy, resignation, yet still holds a glimmer of hope or a desire for redemption.

Themes:

• Heartbreak and Regret: The pain and sorrow associated with a fading or lost love.
• Reconciliation/Lasting Connection: The hope, however faint, for some form of understanding or shared moment.
• Emotional Catharsis: The song serves as a release for powerful, complex feelings.
• Sacrifice and Vulnerability: Willingness to lay one’s emotions bare.

Jones’s interpretation brings a weathered, seasoned perspective to these themes, differing from Prince’s often more youthful, intense anguish.

Legacy and impact (of the cover):

• Unexpected Collaboration: The pairing of Tom Jones and David Gilmour was highly surprising and a testament to both artists’ respect for the music and each other.
• Demonstration of Versatility: Showcased Tom Jones’s ability to interpret and excel in various genres, reinforcing his status as a vocal chameleon capable of making any song his own.
• Appreciation of Prince’s Work: A powerful tribute to Prince’s songwriting genius, performed by two other musical titans.
• Cult Status: While not a massive commercial hit, the performance has gained significant appreciation and cult status among fans of all three artists involved (Jones, Gilmour, and Prince) due to its unique and powerful execution.
• Live TV Moment: It remains a memorable moment from Jones’s 1992 TV series, often shared and discussed online.

This “Purple Rain” cover is a remarkable example of how a great song can be reinterpreted with new depth and impact by different artists, especially when those artists bring their own unique, legendary talents to the table.

Final thoughts: Tom Jones’s cover of “Purple Rain” is a fantastic example of a legendary vocalist taking on a monumental song and making it truly his own, while simultaneously collaborating with another icon. His raw, soulful delivery brings a different kind of gravitas to Prince’s poignant lyrics, showcasing a more grizzled, experienced sadness. And David Gilmour’s guitar solo? It’s pure magic – unmistakably Gilmour, yet perfectly serving the song’s emotional core. This rendition is a powerful, surprising, and deeply moving interpretation of a classic, a testament to the enduring power of great songwriting and extraordinary musical talent.

Video

Lyrics

“Purple Rain”
(originally by Prince)

I never meant to cause you any sorrow
Never meant to cause you any pain
Only wanted one time to see you laughin’
I only want to see you laughin’ 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 love
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, the times are changin’
It’s time we all reach out for something new
And 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
Purple rain, purple rain
I want to see you, I want to see you
In the purple rain

Purple rain
Purple rain
I never meant to hurt you, baby
Purple rain

Purple rain
Oh-oh-oh
Purple rain
Oh-oh-oh
Purple rain
Oh-oh-oh

Honey, I know, I know, I know
It’s a shame
Oh-oh-oh
Oh

Only want to see you laughing
Only want to see you laughing
In the purple rain

Purple rain
Oh-oh
Purple rain
Oh-oh
Purple rain
Want to see you laughing in the purple rain

Purple rain
Purple rain
Purple rain
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh

In the purple rain