“When Doves Cry” is one of Prince’s most iconic and groundbreaking songs, released in May 1984 as the lead single from his album Purple Rain, which served as both a soundtrack to the film of the same name and one of his most critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums. The song was a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for five weeks. It’s widely regarded as one of Prince’s most innovative tracks, showcasing his musical genius and redefining the boundaries of pop and R&B.
“When Doves Cry” is notable for its unconventional and minimalist approach, particularly its absence of a bass line, which was highly unusual for a pop and R&B track. The song begins with a haunting guitar solo that blends into an electronic beat, driven by synthesizers, drum machines, and Prince’s falsetto vocals. The lack of a bass line creates a sense of tension and drama, emphasizing the emotional depth of the song. The song’s arrangement features sharp synths, layered vocal harmonies, and a mix of pop, R&B, and rock elements. The interplay of the different genres reflects Prince’s musical versatility and his ability to transcend conventional genre boundaries. His vocal performance, switching between falsetto and deeper tones, adds to the emotional complexity of the track.
“When Doves Cry” was a massive commercial success, becoming Prince’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., where it stayed for five weeks. It also topped the charts in Australia and Canada, and reached the top 10 in several other countries, including the UK, and South Africa. The song’s success helped propel the Purple Rain album to the top of the charts, where it became one of the best-selling albums of all time. The song, along with the rest of the Purple Rain soundtrack, played a significant role in establishing Prince as one of the most important and influential artists of his generation.
The music video for “When Doves Cry” was directed by Prince and includes scenes from the Purple Rain film interspersed with shots of The Revolution performing and dancing in a white room. The video was nominated for Best Choreography at 1985’s MTV Video Music Awards.
“When Doves Cry” is widely regarded as one of Prince’s most innovative songs. Its unusual structure, including the absence of a bass line, marked a departure from traditional pop and R&B production techniques.