On Episode 79 of the Press Rewind – Prince Lyrics Podcast, Todd Sanzone (@PRN4EVR on Twitter) joins me again to discuss the Parade track that also shares the title of the film it was featured in, “Under the Cherry Moon.” A Baroque-pop masterpiece with connections to Graffiti Bridge AND Purple Rain, this romantic song has tragedy, poetry, and possibly even sex written all over it.
“I’ll die in your arms, under the cherry moon.”
Old Hollywood, classic romanticism, and balladry mixed with imagery that screams “spring.” Beyond baroque-pop, this is how I would attempt to describe the track featured in the film of the same name. Additionally, the phrase “cherry moon” evokes imagery that demands dissection. As it refers to the full moon of spring, Todd & I relate some memories that associate the entire Parade project with that 1986 season.
“Under the Cherry Moon” is a song that sounds both old-fashioned and modern; it is a form of pop song that Prince had not attempted before. We theorize what the song’s title actually means when placed within the context of the pictures Prince paints for us in the lyrics. “Make love under the cherry moon.” “Die in your arms under the cherry moon.” Two distinctly different contexts, but are they really? Also, take a listen to an alternate mix of Clare Fischer’s orchestration that was ultimately not used in the song’s final version.
The goal of each episode of Press Rewind is to:
- Take a track by track look at the lyrical content of Prince’s discography
- Discuss my own interpretation of each song’s lyrics along with any guest I may have
- If submitted, discuss listener’s interpretations of each song’s lyrics
Thank you for joining me on this journey through Prince’s catalog!
