Prince - Purple Rain Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar Em chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
[intro]
[G] [Em] [D] [C]
[Opening]
[G] I never meant to cause you any s[Em]orrow
[D] I never meant to cause you any p[C]ain
[G] I only want one time to see you laugh[Em]ing
I [D]only want to see you laughing in the purple [G]rain
[verse 2]
Purple rain, purple r[C]ain
Purple rain, purple r[G]ain [Em]
Purple rain, purple r[D]ain
I only want to see you bathing in the Purple [G]Rain
[verse 3]
I never wanted to be your weekend l[G]over [Em]
[D] I only wanted to be some kind of fr[C]iend
[G] Baby I could never steal you from an[Em]other
[D] It's such a shame our friendship had to [G]end
[verse 4]
Purple rain, purple r[C]ain
Purple rain, purple r[G]ain [Em]
Purple rain, purple r[D]ain
I only want to see you underneath the purple [G]rain
[verse 5]
Honey I know I know I know times are ch[G]angin' [Em]
[D] It's time we all reach out for somethin' new[C]
[verse 6]
That means you too
[G] You say you want a leader
[Em] But you can't seem to make up your mind
I think you better close it[D]
and let me guide you to the purple rain[G]
[verse 7]
Purple rain, purple r[C]ain
Purple rain, purple [G]rain (Whew)
[verse 8]
if you know what I'm singin' about
help me and [Em]come on raise your hand
Purple rain, purple r[D]ain
[Closing]
I only want to see you, only want to see you
In the purple rain[G]
[outro]
[G] [Em] [D] [C]
How to play Purple Rain on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Prince - Purple Rain on guitar requires 4 chords and 5 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
Purple Rain uses these transitions most often: Em → D (11), G → Em (11), and C → G (7). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with G - Em chord transition.
1. G → Em chord transition
To move from G to Em;
- While playing G, lift your index finger from A string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
2. Em → D chord transition
To move from Em to D;
- Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to B string fret 3.
- Place index finger on G string fret 2.
3. D → C chord transition
To move from D to C;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
4. C → G chord transition
To move from C to G;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
5. D → G chord transition
To move from D to G;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
Purple Rain chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Purple Rain.
- Purple Rain includes 43 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Purple Rain contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Purple Rain connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
- G → C: 25%
- G → Em: 9%
After Em, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (26%), G (18%), and D (18%).- Em → D: 18%