Try holding back tears watching D’Angelo sing Prince’s 1986 ballad “Sometimes It Snows In April” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
D’Angelo made a rare television appearance on the late-night talk show to pay tribute to the iconic artist who died last Thursday (April 21). Backed by a duo billed as “Princess” (that included actress Maya Rudolph), D’Angelo sat at a white Yamaha piano and sang a stirring cover of “Sometimes It Snows In April.”
The song is the final track on Prince‘s 1986 album Parade and also appeared in the accompanying film Under The Cherry Moon. The song was reportedly recorded in one raw take.
D’Angelo, who has cited Prince as one of his main musical influences and the reason why he sought to play every instrument on his debut album Brown Sugar, fought back tears as he sang the song.
The song is written around Prince’s character in Cherry Moon, Christopher Tracy. While the song references Tracy by name throughout, D’Angelo went off script in the last verse of the song.
Where the original lyrics say:
“I often dream of heaven and I know that Tracy is 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”
D’Aangelo inserted Prince’s name, singing:
“I often dream of heaven and I know that Prince is 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”
The moment got to D’Angelo, causing him to stumble and take a deep breath as Rudolph finished the lyrics for him.
This is not the first time D’Angelo has sang a Prince cover. He also sang his 1985 classic “She’s Always In My Hair” for the Scream 2 soundtrack.
Watch the emotional tribute below.
Photo: Screenshot
