In the dazzlingly creative ascent of Prince, the journey from relative obscurity to the platinum heights of 1982’s 1999 was fueled by a groundbreaking fusion of synth-pop sensibilities with the raw energy of punk-infused R&B and funk. Yet, to truly seize global domination, as he emphatically did with 1984’s monumental Purple Rain, Prince needed to amplify his musical arsenal. The secret weapon? Unadulterated, electrifying rock guitar, unleashed in the iconic “Let’s Go Crazy song”.
While glimpses of Prince’s guitar prowess flickered earlier—notably in the edgy funk rhythms of 1980’s “Bambi”—his recorded work largely sidelined the kind of bombastic soloing that defines rock legends. That all changed the moment the searing, distorted riff of “Let’s Go Crazy” exploded from the speakers, shattering the serene opening spoken word intro of both the song and the Purple Rain album. It wasn’t just a song; it was a sonic declaration. And as the track climaxed with a screaming, Jimi Hendrix-esque guitar solo, it felt less like a musical evolution and more like a seismic shift in popular music itself.
The Rock Revolution of “Let’s Go Crazy”
“Holy shit! That was my reaction,” exclaimed Vernon Reid of Living Colour, capturing the raw impact of the track. “The first time I heard ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ it felt revolutionary.” Reid’s sentiment echoes the transformative power the song held. “Once it’s a hit song, it enters the lexicon, becomes part of our mental soundtrack. But the first time I heard it? From the introduction, this crazy televangelist thing, into this rock rave-up—it was awesome.” The sheer audacity of the song was a siren call, compelling audiences to experience the full spectacle of Purple Rain. “That meant you had to go see [the movie] Purple Rain. That was when Prince became a worldwide phenomenon.”
Inside the Studio: Revolution Band Members’ Perspective
To understand the genesis of this rock anthem, insights from Prince’s band, the Revolution, are invaluable. Keyboardist Matt “Doctor” Fink, bassist Brown Mark, and drummer Bobby Z., in exclusive interviews, shared their firsthand memories of recording “Let’s Go Crazy.”
“When he presented that groove to us, it definitely was the start of a change in another direction,” Brown Mark recalls, highlighting the song’s pivotal role in Prince’s evolving sound. Matt Fink adds context to the song’s development: “He brought it to us in rehearsal, while we were getting ready to film Purple Rain. It was one of the songs he had recorded pretty much on his own, the demo version, but he wanted the band to put their flavor on it, and perform it live to record it.” This collaborative approach, blending Prince’s vision with the Revolution’s synergy, was key to the song’s explosive energy.
Guitar Mastery: Prince’s Guitar Skills on Display
Bobby Z. vividly remembers Prince’s dedication to his instrument during the recording process: “He was down on those pedals, he was studying those dials, he knew exactly what he was doing.” The result was a guitar solo that was both spontaneous and meticulously crafted. “When that guitar solo at the end of ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ hit, that could have been the first take,” Bobby Z. marvels. “That Vegas ending, and that guitar solo, I can only remember one or two takes. He nailed the guitar solo, and we nailed the ending, and that was done.”
Prince’s efficiency in the studio was legendary. “With Prince, it was just done and you went on to the next thing.” Bobby Z. emphasizes Prince’s journey to guitar mastery, ” Purple Rain was his sixth album – people really forget that. He had all that time to master guitar. By the time he got to ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ you knew he figured it out. The guitar parts were now epic.”
Brown Mark echoes this admiration for Prince’s seemingly effortless guitar skills: “Just the way he played guitar, he made it look so easy. He loved the fact that it looked so easy for him; it was a magic trick.”
From Rehearsal to Movie Magic
The creative process for “Let’s Go Crazy” extended beyond the studio recordings, influencing the Purple Rain movie itself. Matt Fink reveals, “He showed us this longer version he wanted to do [released as the seven-minute long ‘special dance mix’]. I ended up doing this wacky, goofy piano thing at one point, and then of course in the movie you see him doing that.” This interplay between studio experimentation and live performance, captured on film, blurred the lines between reality and cinematic fantasy, further enhancing the song’s mystique.
Creative Drive, Not Just Commercial Calculation
While the inclusion of rock guitar in “Let’s Go Crazy” and other Purple Rain tracks like “When Doves Cry” and “Purple Rain” undeniably broadened Prince’s appeal, Matt Fink firmly believes Prince’s motivations were deeply artistic. “I’m sure he was trying to take things to the next level for himself, and challenging himself as he always did, and growing as an artist.” Fink emphasizes Prince’s relentless pursuit of creative excellence: “He was such a creative force and actually dedicated to his craft, such a hard worker, unafraid to do anything, and to go there. His desire and drive were stronger than anybody I ever met, really. I only wish I had even half of that in my life.”
Lasting Legacy and Cultural Impact
“Let’s Go Crazy” cemented its place in music history by becoming the second consecutive No. 1 hit single from Purple Rain. It remained a cornerstone of Prince’s electrifying live shows throughout his career, famously igniting his iconic 2007 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. The song’s influence extends beyond Prince’s own performances. Public Enemy sampled its unforgettable guitar solo in their 1990 track “Brother’s Gonna Work It Out,” marking just one of over 20 instances where hip-hop artists have sampled the song, attesting to its enduring groove and sonic richness.
In 2013, Prince revisited “Let’s Go Crazy” with his band 3rdEyeGirl, releasing a slowed-down, fuzzed-out rendition and performing it at the Billboard Music Awards that year, demonstrating the song’s versatility and timeless appeal.
Following Prince’s untimely passing, the Revolution reunited for tribute shows in 2016. Brown Mark poignantly explains their choice to open with “Let’s Go Crazy”: “If you remember, in the song it asks, ‘Are we going to let the elevator bring us down?’ and the ironic thing is that he died in an elevator.” The song took on a new layer of meaning. “We needed to come out with ‘Let’s Go Crazy,’ because Prince lived and breathed what he was. This guy was very energetic. He loved life, and he loved music so much. That was his happy song.” Despite the tragic irony, the song’s core message of resilience resonated deeply. ” ‘Nothing’s going to bring us down.’ But it caught him off guard, and bam, it’s over. So, we thought it was a very appropriate song for us to come out with, both because it’s sentimental to us and because it represents that energetic side of who he was in that time period.”
“Let’s Go Crazy” is more than just a song; it’s a testament to Prince’s fearless creativity, his guitar virtuosity, and his enduring impact on music and culture. It’s a rock anthem that continues to inspire and electrify generations.
