I didn’t plan to talk about music again, but I was thinking today about Princes “When Doves Cry”. What a great song. According to Billboard magazine, it was the top-selling single of the year. It’s so good and very unusual and in my opinion it is one of the most creative songs ever written Think about it. Many songs are great, but many songs have a sameness about them. What song sounds like “When Doves Cry” before or since? Nothing I can think of. It came out in 1984 and was on his Purple Rain album. That’s what we called them back then albums, not cds, but I have bought the album, cassette, cd and mp3 since. He has gotten my money.
Prince wrote and composed "When Doves Cry" after all the other tracks on Purple Rain was complete. In addition to vocals, he played all instruments on the track. The song's texture is remarkably stark. There is no bass line, which is very unusual for a dance song; Prince has said that there originally was a bass line, but decided that the song was too conventional with it intact.
A song of 2 lovebirds perfect for each other, finding themselves in a nightmare, of hurt hate and jealousy gone wrong... this is what it sounds like, when doves cry.
It wasn’t the lyrics that got me, but a few of the lyrics made me laugh. “Animals strike curious poses”? It was the strange music that got me and still gets me.
I am a Prince SUPERFAN. Seriously. I've seen him twice in concert (amazing), and own most of his music. I think he's incredibly talented and Doves Cry still gets me everytime I hear it. In fact, now I have to find it on my iPod and play it. Thank you for this blast from the past.
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