Why Prince’s Only Christmas Song Wasn’t Full of Cheer—But a Tale of Tragedy

When Prince released his hit single “I Would Die 4 U” on November 28, 1984, it took the world by storm, reaffirming his place as one of the greatest musicians of his time. However, alongside this upbeat anthem, there was another track tucked away on the B-side that offered a stark contrast—“Another Lonely Christmas.” This song, while technically Prince’s only Christmas tune, was far from the festive cheer typically associated with holiday music. Instead, it told a heart-wrenching tale of loneliness and loss during the holiday season.

The song, recorded on February 18, 1984, was a departure from the traditional holiday tunes filled with sleigh bells, snowflakes, and family gatherings. “Another Lonely Christmas” recounts the story of a lover who dies on Christmas Day, leaving behind an emotionally shattered individual. Prince, however, insisted that the song was purely fictional, despite the raw and soulful delivery that seemed to reflect deeply personal feelings. His long-time sound engineer, Susan Rogers, suggested that the song may have been more autobiographical than Prince was willing to admit. “He was a very truthful writer, and wasn’t afraid to say when he was lonely,” Rogers explained, noting that despite his fame and fortune, Prince often found himself isolated from those he considered friends.

In fact, the recording of the song was a solitary affair. Prince, known for his perfectionism and hands-on approach to music, played every instrument and even engineered the track himself. This one-man band approach reflected his preference for controlling his creative process, but it also spoke to the sense of isolation he was feeling during this period of his life.

The song’s release came just weeks before Christmas, yet it stood out in stark contrast to the usual holiday fare. As Duane Tudahl notes in Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984, the track was not the kind of Christmas song one would expect from a mainstream artist. Prince enjoyed decorating his studio with Christmas lights, but a traditional Christmas song, in the sense of joyful celebration, was never part of his creative vision. Instead, he chose to turn the typical holiday tune on its head by crafting a poignant ballad that highlighted the sadness and solitude some experience during what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.

For Prince, Christmas in 1984 was not full of the typical holiday cheer. He performed “Another Lonely Christmas” live only once, during a matinee show at the Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on December 24. The show was an attempt to respect the holiday and allow fans to spend Christmas Eve with their families, but his decision to perform his more provocative material—such as the sexual themes found in much of his work—sparked backlash. Protesters gathered outside the venue, some even holding signs reading “Prince of Peace, not the Prince of Porn.”

The following day, after the performance, Prince returned home, only to be greeted by the protestors, whose placards further emphasized the tension between his public persona and his personal feelings. Undeterred, Prince continued working that night on new material for his upcoming album Around the World in a Day, an indication of his relentless drive and creative ambition.

The only other live performance of “Another Lonely Christmas” came two days later, on December 26, 1984. Placed in the setlist between “Baby, I’m a Star” and “Purple Rain,” the performance marked a poignant moment in Prince’s career, as the melancholy lyrics about loneliness on Christmas Day seemed to mirror his emotional state at the time. Despite becoming a cult favorite among Prince fans, the track was never included on a standard studio album. It was, however, featured on the 1993 compilation The Hits / The B-Sides and the 1997 remastered edition of Purple Rain.

For all its emotional weight and tragic subject matter, “Another Lonely Christmas” stands as one of Prince’s most unique and raw creations. Though never part of the mainstream holiday music canon, it remains a testament to the artist’s ability to challenge conventions and express emotions that many would rather leave unsaid. In a world of cheerful holiday anthems, Prince’s lone Christmas offering reminds us that the season can be just as much about loss, longing, and solitude as it is about joy and togetherness.