What is the Meaning of Prince’s Song, “When Doves Cry”?

“When Doves Cry” is a beautiful song written and directed by Prince that was the lead single from his sixth studio album, Purple Rain and released on May 16th, 1984. He was first asked by film director Albert Magnoli to write a song to match the theme of a specific scene that represented the challenges of parenthood and a love affair. What Prince had produced was beyond breathtaking. He composed two songs, one being “When Doves Cry”, which was inspired by his relationship with Susan Moonsie, a member of Vanity 6, according to Prince’s biographer, Per Nilsen.

The Meaning of “When Doves Cry”

The meaning of “When Doves Cry” is when a couple, or two people once in love, start to fight. It is symbolism for when the love wilts as their relationship takes a downturn; something beautiful has turned wistful. The doves represent the beautiful story becoming grim as they cry.

Contrarily, crying doves also represent something positive. Despite the mourning, there is an opportunity for new life, renewal and peace, which is incredible because for most couples, a breakup can be a breath of fresh air.

Prince has never clearly explained the meaning of his legendary song, however, his symbolism of “When Doves Cry” seeks to remind fans that even during dark, sorrow times, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Ultimately, the legendary pop star has captured the meaning of an incredibly emotional point in life, one which everyone experiences, in just the title of a song. This explains why it has become so popular as the lyrics and music video narrate the story of this major life event. To put the cherry on top, he related the song to his personal life as he had doves in his Minnesota home. It’s also really catchy!

The Success of the Song

For five weeks, “When Doves Cry” was Prince’s first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single as well as a worldwide success. It was the highest grossing single of 1984, according to Billboard.

It was also certified as Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and is the last single released by a solo artist to receive that certification before the requirements were lowered in 1989. “When Doves Cry” was also ranked number one on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1984. Even after Prince died in on April 21st, 2016, the song was re-charted number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.

Success of the Music Video

To give everyone a visual, Prince directed a music video, which premiered on MTV in June 1984. It started with white doves flying through the double doors to reveal him lying in a bathtub, then moving to various scenes with him singing.

Despite critics regarding the video as “sexual” and “too explicit for television” it ranked No. 52 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 5— Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Finally, “When Doves Cry” is regarded as the 31st most celebrated song in popular music history, according to Acclaimed Music.

Awards and Nominations

“When Doves Cry” won a Favorite Black Single Award at the 1985 Music Awards as well as the 1984 Pazz & Jop critics’ poll for best single of the year.

Composition and Details of “When Doves Cry”

“When Doves Cry” was completed after all others on Purple Rain. Prince not only directed the video, but he sang all vocals and played all instruments. The song was also released without a bass line; this was taken out after speaking with the singer Jill Jones and thinking it made the song too conventional with it included.

“When Doves Cry” first starts with a guitar solo and then a Linn LM-1 drum machine, then a looped guttural vocal. Once the lyrics begin, they’re joined by a much longer guitar and synthesizer solo. The song then ends with a classical music-inspired keyboard piece along with another synthesizer solo.

About Prince

Prince is known as one of the greatest and most popular musicians of all time. He was an American singer and songwriter, musicians, dancer, actor and record producer. Considered to be a guitar virtuoso, Prince was most well known for his creative work for multiple genres, androgynous persona and wide vocal range.

He had a number of different music styles, including funk, R&B, Latin, rock, classical, soul, pop, jazz, industrial, hip hop, rock and more. He helped develop what is known as the Minnesota sound, which is a subgenre of rock that was introduced in the late 1970s.

Prince’s Music

Prince produced 39 albums and numerous unreleased projects that were left in his home after he died. Many believe these contain many fully produced albums with over 50 music videos, along with other media.

Hundreds of songs were released under his name and multiple pseudonyms throughout his lifetime as well as writing songs like “Nothing Compares 2 U” and “Maniac Monday” that were made famous by other singers and musicians. There is an estimated 500 to 1,000 complete songs written by Prince.

“When Doves Cry” and Prince’s Success

“When Doves Cry” will go down as one of the most successful songs in history, however, Prince wrote and composed it after he made it into fame. His first critically acclaimed albums include Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981) and 1999 (1982) after signing a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records at the age of 19.

After releasing Purple Rain, Prince went on to release the hit album Sign o’ the Times (1987).

In 1993, amidst a contractual dispute with Warner Bros., he changed his stage name to what is known as most fans as “The Love Symbol”, or   .

In 1998, he signed with Arista Records and unofficially changed his name back to Prince in 2000. Following a performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards ceremony, he returned to mainstream prominence and scored another six US top ten albums over the next decade.

After experiencing considerable pain from his sustained injuries (mostly his hips) from his dynamic stage performances (such as leaping off speaker stacks in high heels), he was using a cane to walk. He died at the age of 57 in April 21st, 2016 in his Paisley Park home and recording studio in Chanhassen, MN, where he was also buried.

What Do You Think?

What do you think it means “When Doves Cry”? Does it have a deeper meaning than what most believe? Was Prince also trying to incorporate a deeper meaning than one of adulthood’s most common challenges? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!