The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Ah
Ah
Ah
Oh, oh
Do
Um da da, ah
Tracy died soon after a long fought civil war
Just after I'd wiped away his last tear
I guess he's better off than he was before
A whole lot better off than the fools he left here
I used to cry for Tracy 'cause he was my only friend
Those kind of cars don't pass you every day
I used to cry for Tracy 'cause I wanted to see him again
But sometimes, sometimes life ain't always the way
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish life was never ending
And all good things, they say, never last
Springtime was always my favorite time of year
A time for lovers holding hands in the rain
Now springtime only reminds me of Tracy's tears
Always cry for love, never cry for pain
He used to say so strong, oh unafraid to die
Unafraid of the death that left me hypnotized
No, staring at his picture I realized
No one could cry the way my Tracy cried
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad
Sometimes, sometimes I wish that life was never ending
And all good things, they say, never last
I often dream of heaven and I know that Tracy's there
I know that he has found another friend
Maybe he's found the answer to all the April snow
Maybe one day I'll see my Tracy again
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish that life was never ending
But all good things, they say, never last
All good things they say, never last
And love, it isn't love until it's past
Ah
Ah
Oh, oh
Do
Um da da, ah
Tracy died soon after a long fought civil war
Just after I'd wiped away his last tear
I guess he's better off than he was before
A whole lot better off than the fools he left here
I used to cry for Tracy 'cause he was my only friend
Those kind of cars don't pass you every day
I used to cry for Tracy 'cause I wanted to see him again
But sometimes, sometimes life ain't always the way
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish life was never ending
And all good things, they say, never last
Springtime was always my favorite time of year
A time for lovers holding hands in the rain
Now springtime only reminds me of Tracy's tears
Always cry for love, never cry for pain
He used to say so strong, oh unafraid to die
Unafraid of the death that left me hypnotized
No, staring at his picture I realized
No one could cry the way my Tracy cried
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad
Sometimes, sometimes I wish that life was never ending
And all good things, they say, never last
I often dream of heaven and I know that Tracy's there
I know that he has found another friend
Maybe he's found the answer to all the April snow
Maybe one day I'll see my Tracy again
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish that life was never ending
But all good things, they say, never last
All good things they say, never last
And love, it isn't love until it's past
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Christ, it gets a whole new meaning now he die.
Anyone think that perhaps maybe it's got a much deeper meaning to it (other than being the song from the movie)?
@OldSkoolPrinceFan It's ironic that this song seems like it pertains to his real death. Maybe he did forsee his death and so he created a song to represent his death mysteriously.
I always cry when I hear this song....
It's definitely snowed April 2016. RIP Prince, you will be missed :'-(
This song is one of his many hidden gems. It's sad and captures a mood and a feeling in a unique way like he did so well. Anyone who has lived in the north knows how exciting it is when spring comes around . Sometimes it Snows in April captures a mood of profound sadness and disappointment. A more eloquent way of saying raining on the parade. Not sure what the reference is specifically about his friend Tracy but I think the main point is just that of profound sadness and life doesn't always play out how we would like. Prince had so many talents and being a great lyricist was one of them. RIP
one of my all time favourites. such meaning in the lyrics and the way they are sung. one of prince's finest moments.
OldSkool, I heard it does. Prince has made music also for other artists under several pseudonyms. I heard once that Christopher Tracy was one of these, and this song was done when Prince stopped using that name. I understand that he was also in court with a record company on Tracy's songs. Hence, "Tracy died soon after a long fought civil war" :-)
Unverified rumour, mind ya... a masterpiece nonetheless.
I always thought he was referring to a friend (fictitious or not) that had died of AIDS/HIV (long fought civil war reference) .... i may have read too literally ....
Sad song. One that I think is about the love of a friend. You can feel love for friends. Tc
Well this song is sad and special to me - it was out when I went through a sort of 'civil war' of my own- and lost my friends and had to do the hardest thing in my life, give up my baby for adoption (I was 15). The whole song is symbolic for me of someone who had a really hard time in life and moves on..