What Prince wrote to a fan whose letter had ‘brightened his day’ after Purple Rain music video released

A letter written to legendary rock artist Prince had “brightened his day,” and prompted a response from the Purple Rain hitmaker.

Prince had only just released the Purple Rain music video around the time he received a letter from Annalisa Masters. The reply to her letter proved touching, with the songwriter congratulating the fan on graduating high school and saying he was “glad” to have a friend like Masters. The heartwarming letter was sent in response to Masters’ letter. What she had written to Prince is not known, but the response she received is a nice touch from the late performer. The star has already left fans in tears with his version of Nothing Compares 2 U, with Prince’s version released from the vaults by his estate shortly after his death.

The Purple Rain mastermind had provided a cover of the song, which would become a hit for Sinead O’Connor. A tape of the original studio version has been shared on the official Prince YouTube channel.

A note from The Prince Estate before the song begins reads: “The following is previously unseen rehearsal footage of Prince and The Revolution from the summer of 1984. It was in this very room at Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse in Eden Prairie, Minnseota, that Prince created and committed to tape one of his most beloved and iconic compositions, which six years later would become a worldwide hit for Sinead O’Connor.

“Prince’s original studio version of Nothing Compares 2 U is presented here for the first time.” Though O’Connor’s version may be the most recognisable of the song, the Prince version shared by his estate is a masterful piece which has left listeners sobbing.

One fan shared: “This makes me cry. I don’t care what anyone says, Prince was such a rarity. I still cry over his loss. He understood more than people realised.” Another added: “This song is so beautiful. Prince was a music prodigy turned master.”

A third added: “Never heard Prince perform this song, only knew that he wrote it and O’Connor sang it. Now it’s even more beautiful to me than ever before.” O’Connor recorded a version of Nothing Compares 2 U for her album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got and topped the charts across the globe. It was number one in Australia, the UK, the US, and most of Europe too.

The lowest placing of the song comes in France, where O’Connor’s cover made it to number five. It was number four in Spain and second on the adult contemporary charts in the United States. But even the chart-topper had time for his fans, congratulating one on graduating high school and thanking her for brightening his day. The full letter from Prince can be read below.

“Dearest Annalisa,

It is so nice of 2 write me. I don’t always have time 2 reply but your letters surely brighten my day.

You’re so sweet. I’m glad you’re my friend. If u dig the video, wait until u see the movie. I’m very proud of it. I hope u are 2.

Congratulations on making thru jr. high. I’m sure u did better than I. I wasn’t much on school. I was 2 busy listening 2 the grass grow.

Thank u again 4 writing me.

Until I hear from u,

Prince”