Prince and The Revolution (November 26, 1984) I Would Die 4 U - Single

A Purple Rain devotional paired with Prince’s most heartbreaking holiday B‑side

RELEASE DETAILS Date: November 26, 1984 (UK) Catalogue: W 9174 (7") Format: 7" Single, 12" Single Country: United Kingdom

A-Side: “I Would Die 4 U (Single Version)” – 2:57 B-Side: “Another Lonely Christmas” – 4:51

THE STORY Released in the UK on November 26, 1984 as the third single credited to Prince and The Revolution, “I Would Die 4 U” continued the extraordinary momentum of the Purple Rain era. The ecstatic, gospel‑infused synth‑funk anthem became one of the era’s defining live moments. 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 appearing on the latter.

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

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

CHART PERFORMANCE UK Singles Chart: Moderate charting (strong performer within the Purple Rain cycle) US Billboard Hot 100: Peak No. 8 (context from album era)

PERSONNEL

• Prince – vocals, all instruments, production

• The Revolution – additional contributions

PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS

• Standard Warner Bros. company sleeve (UK)

• Picture sleeve variants

WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS Typical mid-1980s Warner Bros. design with vibrant Purple Rain-era imagery and Prince’s intense portraiture.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 • BBC Official Charts • Wikipedia

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 (Single) ARTIST ATTACHMENT — Warner Bros. Records

ARTIST YEAR — 1984