Prince and The Revolution (December 19, 1984) I Would Die 4 U - Maxi-Single US
- Escape
- Dec 19, 1984
- 2 min read
A Purple Rain Extended Christmas Miracle
RELEASE DETAILS
Date: December 19, 1984
Catalogue: 9 20291-0 A / 0-20291 (12" Maxi)
Format: 12" Maxi-Single, 7" Single Country: United States (with UK and international variants)
A-Side: “I Would Die 4 U (Extended Version)” – 10:00
B-Side: “Another Lonely Christmas (Extended Version)” – 6:47
THE STORY
Released in the US on December 19, 1984 as a 12" maxi-single, “I Would Die 4 U” was the fifth single from the Purple Rain album and film. The extended mix stretched the ecstatic, gospel-infused synth-funk anthem into a 10-minute dancefloor epic. The B-side, “Another Lonely Christmas,” offered a stark emotional contrast — a melancholic holiday ballad rooted in grief, longing, and winter solitude. The single was issued in both 7-inch and 12-inch formats, with extended versions exclusive to the maxi.
CONTEXT & NOTES
This release captured Prince and The Revolution at the height of their imperial phase. “I Would Die 4 U” became a live centrepiece, often extended into ecstatic, dance-driven jams. “Another Lonely Christmas” stands as one of Prince’s most emotionally raw B-sides — a winter lament steeped in loss. Released at the height of Purple Rain’s global domination, the single showcased the emotional range of the era: joy on the A-side, heartbreak on the B-side.
TRACK LIST
12" Maxi-Single (US) (9 20291-0 A / 0-20291) A. I Would Die 4 U (Extended Version) – 10:00 B. Another Lonely Christmas (Extended Version) – 6:47
7" Single (US) (7-29121) A. I Would Die 4 U (Single Version) – 2:57 B. Another Lonely Christmas – 4:51
All US 12" Variants
SRC Pressing (Standard) 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single Warner Bros. Records – 9 20291-0 A / 0-20291 • Extended versions • “Specially-Priced 2-Cut Maxi Single” banner on some copies
Promo Editions Various promo 12" with edits and album versions
INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS
UK 7" Single (W 9174) A. I Would Die 4 U (Single Version) – 2:57 B. Another Lonely Christmas – 4:51
UK 12" Single (W9121TE) A. I Would Die 4 U (Extended Version) – 10:15 B. Another Lonely Christmas (Extended Version) – 6:47
EU US Remix
December 1, 1984 New Musical Express
UK music newspaper full page advert
CHART PERFORMANCE US Billboard Hot 100: Peak No. 8 US Billboard Black Singles: Peak No. 11
PERSONNEL
Prince – vocals, all instruments, production
The Revolution – additional contributions
PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS
Standard Warner Bros. 12" sleeve with oversized labels on some copies
Promo gold stamps on select editions
WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS Iconic Purple Rain-era imagery with dramatic purple tones and Prince’s intense portraiture. Labels feature the Warner Bros. shield and Purple Rain album reference.
RELATED MATERIAL
When Doves Cry (1984)
Let’s Go Crazy (1984)
Purple Rain (1984)
For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.
SOURCES Prince Vault • Discogs • Billboard charts
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All single artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
ARTIST — Prince and The Revolution ARTIST CATEGORY — Prince Singles ARTIST ITEM — I Would Die 4 U (Maxi-Single)
ARTIST ATTACHMENT — Warner Bros. Records
ARTIST YEAR — 1984
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