12 Best Purple Songs

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Written By John Red

Founder of Handsounds, avid music lover of all genres and tastes. 

Numerous musicians have used various colours and hues in their music to emote and tell tales for a very long time. Numerous songs have used colours to elicit emotions of mystery, creativity, and spirituality, with purple songs being one of them. Songs with the word “purple” in the title have sparked the imaginations of audiences all over the world, whether through metaphor or explicit allusions to the colour itself. Purple is one of my favourite colours personally, as I am a huge fan of Mace Windu, from Star Wars, who sports a purple lightsaber.

We’ll look at a few of the greatest songs with the word “purple” in the title of this piece, covering a variety of genres and eras. There’s a chance that some of these tracks are recognized classics and others are undiscovered treasures. We’ll look at the song’s use of the colour purple and how it affects the music’s general mood and message.

12 Best Purple Songs

We intend to demonstrate the distinctive ways in which music can use colour to produce a potent and enduring listening experience through our examination of these tracks. There is therefore bound to be a “purple” song on this list that will appeal to you deeply and personally, regardless of whether you are a fan of rock, pop, hip-hop, or any other genre.

12 Best Purple Songs – Here are our recommendations!

12: A Purple Cow – Doris Day

The song “A Purple Cow” describes how a young lady cannot trust her eyes and once more uses the colour purple as an illustration of fantasy and imagination. The song’s narrator says she never thought she would experience love, but now she claims she is seeing purple cows and green giraffes in clever wordplay and phenomenal use of colour descriptors.

It’s a very clever and classic melody that is also very sweet. The authors of the songs are Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster. The song, which Doris Day recorded in the early 1950s, is now playable on the majority of music streaming platforms.

11: Purple Snowflakes – Marvin Gaye

The song “Purple Snowflakes” from The Ultimate Motown Christmas Collection album features Marvin Gaye’s sultry singing. The music is about taking in a winter snowfall during the holiday season while picturing spending the entire winter cuddling with the person you love.

When Marvin Gaye sings about a winter day with the sun hidden behind thick clouds and the street lights turning on early to help transmit a purplish glow, the imagery of a purple snowflake flawlessly captures the scene. The song was first sung by Marvin Gaye in 1964, but Leon Bridges recently released a highly successful cover of it.

10: Purple Yellow Red And Blue – Portugal. The Man

‘Portugal. The Man’, an American rock band, has a colourful and catchy tune called “Purple Yellow Red and Blue”. The song, which is the lead single from their seventh studio album “Evil Friends,” was published in 2013. Lead vocalist John Gourley’s soulful vocals are accompanied by a stomping bassline, funky guitar riffs, and a catchy melody.

Gourley sings about a vibrant, dreamlike world in the abstract and poetic words of “Purple Yellow Red and Blue”. One of the band’s most well-known songs, the song is an immediate earworm thanks to its upbeat tempo and catchy melody. Portugal. The Man’s contribution to “Purple Yellow Red and Blue” is evident and their talent for fusing rock, funk, and pop elements to produce a distinctive and resonant sound is unmatched.

9: The Witch Doctor Meets The Purple People Eater – The Big Bopper

The American singer-songwriter The Big Bopper has a fun and odd tune called “The Witch Doctor Meets The Purple People Eater”. The novelty record, which was published in 1958, has a catchy melody and humorous lyrics about a meeting of two mythical beings known as the Witch Doctor and the Purple People Eater.

The cheerful tempo and humorous lyrics of the song perfectly depict the lighthearted nature of 1950s rock and roll. The tune is charming and memorable thanks in part to The Big Bopper’s distinctive voice and upbeat delivery. A cherished novelty favourite and a lighthearted reminder of a simpler musical era is “The Witch Doctor Meets The Purple People Eater.”

8: A Man In A Purple Dress – The Who

The Who, a British rock group, wrote the satirical tune “A Man In A Purple Dress”. As a part of their eleventh studio album, “Endless Wire,” the song was published in 2006. Lead vocalist Roger Daltrey sings about a preacher who gets caught up in a scandal while sporting a purple dress in the song’s lyrics, which parodies the hypocrisy of organised religion.

The song’s driving guitars and pounding rhythm section give the group’s distinctive hard-rock tone, which moves the song along. A humorous and irreverent take on a serious subject, “A Man in a Purple Dress” exemplifies The Who’s readiness to take on contentious subjects and stretch the limits of rock music.

7: Purple Sky – Kid Rock

The rock-infused song “Purple Sky” is performed by Kid Rock, an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The song, which contains Kid Rock’s distinctive fusion of rock, country, and hip-hop influences, was made available in 2007 as a part of his album “Rock n Roll Jesus”. In “Purple Sky”, Kid Rock sings about overcoming adversity and rising above life’s difficulties. The song’s words are upbeat and empowering.

It’s a fantastic track for energising the listener because the song’s pounding guitars and potent percussion produce an intense energy that matches the intensity of the lyrics. On an album that contributed to Kid Rock becoming a significant force in American rock music, “Purple Sky” stands out as a brilliant tune, and it has remained popular with fans for years.

6: Pale Purple – Ani DiFranco

American singer-songwriter and activist Ani DiFranco has a hauntingly gorgeous tune called “Pale Purple.” The song, which was included in her 2001 album “Revelling/Reckoning,” includes soulful vocals and DiFranco’s distinctive fingerstyle guitar playing. DiFranco sings about the passing of time and the inevitable nature of change in the poetic and introspective words of “Pale Purple.”

DiFranco’s emotive delivery and the song’s delicate instrumentation evoke a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that draws the audience in and encourages contemplation of life’s transience. On an already outstanding record, “Pale Purple” stands out and is evidence of DiFranco’s skill and artistry as a songwriter.

5: Purple Stain – The Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band, and “Purple Stain” is one of their lively and upbeat songs. The song, which was included on their seventh studio album, “Californication,” was released in 1999. It includes Chad Smith’s upbeat drumming, Flea’s signature bass lines, and Anthony Kiedis’s soulful vocals. In “Purple Stain,” Kiedis sings about vivid imagery and his desire to move, with playful and illogical lyrics.

All in all, “Purple Stain” is a fast-paced song that displays the group’s distinctive fusion of rock, funk, and punk elements. It’s evidence of their distinctive sound and their capacity to write catchy, enduring songs that have withstood the weight of time.

4: Deep Purple – Donny And Marie Osmond

The 1975 single “Deep Purple” by American singers Donny and Marie Osmond is an all time hit. The song has a nostalgic and romantic tune that has helped it become a classic ballad, and the harmonies of Donny and Marie’s voices add to its enduring appeal. Over the years, many artists have covered “Deep Purple,” but the Osmonds continue to hold the song’s most prominent place in contemporary culture thanks to their distinctive charm and style.

The song’s romantic and dreamy quality is enhanced by the use of the colour purple in the title, which conjures up images of sunsets and starry evenings. The timeless tune “Deep Purple” epitomises the best of old-school pop music.

3: Purple Heather – Van Morrison

Van Morrison, a famous Irish singer-songwriter, wrote the soulful song “Purple Heather.” Morrison’s signature mix of poetic lyrics and emotive melodies is present in the song, which was included on his 1997 album “The Healing Game”. Morrison’s vocals exude a strong sense of emotion and vulnerability as she sings the song “Purple Heather,” which is about longing and unrequited love.

The song’s title, which incorporates the colour purple, gives the lyrics an air of secrecy and intrigue while also evoking the atmosphere and mood that are hallmarks of Morrison’s music. Fans all over the world adore “Purple Heather,” a song that exemplifies the enduring strength and impact of Morrison’s music.

2: Purple Haze – The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded the timeless tune “Purple Haze” in 1967. The tune is a classic of rock music thanks to Hendrix’s recognizable guitar riffs and psychedelic lyrics. One of Hendrix’s most well-known tracks, “Purple Haze,” is widely regarded as showcasing his virtuoso guitar abilities and genre-defying sound.

Purple’s use in the lyrics of the song has come to represent the psychedelic movement of the 1960s, and its impact can still be heard in the music of a wide range of artists today. The timeless classic “Purple Haze” never fails to enthral and motivate music fans everywhere.

1: Purple Rain – Prince

The late American singer-songwriter Prince wrote the classic tune “Purple Rain,” which was released in 1984. The song, which was also used as the album’s title cut, has a strong guitar solo and soaring vocals that have come to represent the artist’s distinctive sound. With lyrics that are both moving and inspiring, “Purple Rain” recounts a tale of heartbreak and redemption.

Purple’s symbolic use in the song, which has come to represent the imaginative and spiritual energy that Prince infused into all of his music, has also added to its lasting influence. The recognition of “Purple Rain” as one of the all-time great tracks has cemented Prince’s reputation as one of the most significant musicians in music history.

12 Best Purple Songs – Closing remarks and thoughts

As we complete our examination of the greatest songs with the word “purple” in the title, we are left with a deep understanding of the ability of music to arouse feelings and tell tales. Some of the most iconic and memorable tracks of all time feature a variety of ways in which the colour purple has been used.

These songs demonstrate the various ways in which musicians have used the colour purple to produce music that speaks to the human experience, from the soaring guitar solos of “Purple Rain” to the reflective lyrics of “Purple Haze.” Whether it’s because of its connections to imagination, spirituality, or mystery, purple never ceases to enthral and motivate creators as well as viewers.

We are prompted to remember the beauty and profundity that music can provide as we continue to listen to these tracks and find new ones with the word “purple” in the title. It serves as a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that there is always a melody that can speak to our most enduring fears, hopes, and aspirations.

Closing remarks: 

So let’s honour these songs as well as all the others that use colour to make listening to music truly transcendent. Let’s accept how songs can unite us and serve as a constant reminder of the beauty in the world.

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