“Too Obvious for the First Family”: How Michelle Obama’s Four-Word Note Put “Purple Rain” Back in Prince’s Secret White House Setlist

Even in the presence of royalty, there was only one true command that night — and it came handwritten, in purple ink. In June 2015, when Prince performed an intimate, secret concert at the White House for President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and a select group of 500 guests, the music legend almost skipped his most famous song.

But a single note from Michelle Obama changed everything.

A Secret Show for the Ages

On June 13, 2015, Prince transformed the White House’s East Room into a private concert hall. The event — held in honor of African-American Music Appreciation Month — was kept deliberately off the public schedule. Guests described the evening as part dance party, part history lesson, featuring a two-hour performance by one of the greatest live musicians of all time.

Among those in attendance were Stevie Wonder, Russell Wilson, Ciara, Tyler Perry, and Jon Bon Jovi, along with members of the First Family’s inner circle.

According to reports, Prince’s set included funk classics like “Kiss” and “Raspberry Beret.” But there was one glaring omission from the early version of his setlist: “Purple Rain.”

The “Setlist Crisis” — and Michelle’s Intervention

Prince, a perfectionist who constantly reinvented his material, reportedly considered “Purple Rain” “too obvious” for the private show. For an audience that included the President of the United States, he wanted to go deeper, selecting songs that showcased his range beyond his biggest hit.

But before the performance, a handwritten note arrived from Michelle Obama herself. It contained just four words — a personal request that was also, in effect, a directive.

“Play ‘Purple Rain,’ please.”

Delivered with characteristic grace, the note carried the unmistakable authority of both a fan and a First Lady who understood the cultural significance of the song.

Prince reportedly smiled when he read it — and quietly reinstated “Purple Rain” into the set.

A Royal Request, A Legendary Moment

When Prince finally played the song that night, guests described it as transcendent. As purple light filled the East Room, even the famously stoic Secret Service staff were said to be swaying along.

The moment was both personal and historic. “Purple Rain” had long held special meaning for the Obamas, representing resilience, artistry, and cultural pride. In a 2016 clip, President Obama was later filmed singing a line from the song to a child dressed as Prince for Halloween — a small but telling nod to how deeply the music had become intertwined with their story.

Inside the Secret Party

The event remains one of the most legendary private concerts in modern history. While few details were ever officially confirmed, the atmosphere was described as electric — a joyful celebration of music and unity at the nation’s most famous address.

Stevie Wonder joined Prince onstage for a spontaneous duet of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” sending the crowd into rapture. Guests danced for hours as DJ Cassidy spun between sets, with Prince commanding the stage for nearly two hours.

When reporters later pressed White House officials for details, then–Press Secretary Josh Earnest declined to elaborate, confirming only that the party was “a private event for friends and family” — and that the Obamas had personally covered all costs.

Michelle Obama: Patron of the Arts, Keeper of the Moment

The story of Michelle Obama’s four-word note is more than a charming anecdote — it’s a reflection of her deep respect for artistry and her understanding of music’s unifying power.

Prince’s “Purple Rain” wasn’t just an anthem; it was a cultural landmark. By insisting on its inclusion, the First Lady ensured that the night captured the full spirit of his legacy — and that of her own family’s historic chapter in the American story.

In the end, it took only one short note to bring down the rain. And on that humid June night in Washington, it poured purple over the White House.