So, here is a REALLY accurate version, as played by Wendy Melvoin (guitarist for The Revolution).
One can clearly see the chord forms she uses in the first-ever live performance of this song, from 1983.
The Fadd9 can be replaced with either a standard F barre chord, or an Fsus2 with the thumb playing the
low root note on the 6th string, but I would encourage everyone to strive to master the wide-stretch
fingering. The correct chord forms/voicings are integral to getting the sound of this amazing song just
right, especially the Bbadd9/D and the Ebadd9 voicings.
Thanks and credit to cplemoine for his version, which I used as a template to make this one, and to Youtube
channel "Shutup & Play" for getting the initial chord right!
[Chords] Bbadd9/D Gm11 Fadd9 Ebadd9 Fsus2
e|-1-| |-1-| |-1-| |-6--| |-1-|
B|-1-| |-1-| |-1-| |-8--| |-1-|
G|-3-| |-3-| |-2-| |-10-| |-0-|
D|-0-| |-0-| |-5-| |-8--| |-3-|
A|-x-| |-x-| |-3-| |-6--| |-3-|
E|-x-| |-3-| |-1-| |-x--| |-1-|
[Intro] |Bbadd9/D |Gm11 |Fadd9 |Ebadd9
[Verse 1]
|Bbadd9/D |Gm11
I never meant to cause you any sorrow
|Fadd9 |Ebadd9
I never meant to cause you any pain
|Bbadd9/D |Gm11
I only wanted to one time see you laughing
|Fadd9 |Bb
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain
[Chorus]
|Ebadd9
Purple rain purple rain
|Ebadd9 |Bbadd9/D
Purple rain purple rain
|Gm11 |Fadd9 |Fadd9
Purple rain purple rain
|Fadd9 |Bb
I only wanted to see you bathing in the purple rain
[Verse 2]
|Bbadd9/D |Gm11
I never wanted to be your weekend lover
|Fadd9 |Ebadd9
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
|Bbadd9/D |Gm11
Baby I could never steal you from another
|Fadd9 |Bb
It’s such a shame our friendship had to end
[Chorus]
|Ebadd9
Purple rain purple rain
|Ebadd9 |Bbadd9/D
Purple rain purple rain
|Gm11 |Fadd9
Purple rain purple rain
|Fadd9 |Bb
I only wanted to see you underneath the purple rain
[Verse 3]
|Bbadd9/D |Gm11
Honey, I know, I know, I know times are changin'
|Fadd9 |Ebadd9
It's time we all reach out for something new, (that means you too)
|Bbadd9/D |Gm11
You say you want a leader, but you can't seem to make up your mind
|Fadd9 |Bb
And I think you better close it and let me guide you to the purple rain
[Chorus]
|Ebadd9
Purple rain purple rain
|Ebadd9 |Bbadd9/D
Purple rain purple rain
|Gm11
(If you know what I'm singin' about up here, come on raise your hand)
|Fadd9
Purple rain purple rain
|Fadd9 |Bb
I only want to see you, only want to see you in the purple rain
[Solo]