Darling Nikki
A raw, controversial track from Purple Rain that sparked the Parental Advisory sticker.
"Darling Nikki" is a song produced, arranged, composed, and performed by American musician Prince, originally released on his sixth studio album Purple Rain (1984). Though the song was not released as a single, it gained wide notoriety in 1985 after Tipper Gore pointed out its sexual lyrics—in particular an explicit reference to female masturbation—and was partly responsible for the creation of the Parental Advisory sticker.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Prince
- Album
- Purple Rain
- Release year
- 1984
- Genre
- Funk; R&B
- Track position
- 1 (album opener)
- Role
- Signature track; cultural touchstone
- Status
- Released; permanent fixture in Prince's live setlists
Lore & Background
The song tells the story of a "sex fiend" named Nikki who seduces the singer. In the film Purple Rain, for which the album serves as the soundtrack, the song is directed toward Apollonia Kotero's character when she decides to work with Prince's character's rival (played by Morris Day). Compared with the slick production of the other songs on the album, "Darling Nikki" was deliberately engineered to have a raw and live feel. Near the end of the song, the music stops into the sound of rain and wind. There is singing, but it is played in reverse. Played forward, the vocals are Prince singing. During the Purple Rain Tour performances of "Darling Nikki", the recording at the end was played forward. This can be heard in the 1985 live video Prince and the Revolution: Live.
Reader's Guide
Credits sourced from Duane Tudahl, Benoît Clerc, and Guitarcloud: Prince – lead and backing vocals, Oberheim OB-8, Oberheim OB-Xa, electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, Linn LM-1, Simmons SDSV.
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