When Doves Cry
by Prince
What is “When Doves Cry” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “When Doves Cry” by Prince is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
When Doves Cry' by Prince captures a poignant look at the conflict and despair in personal relationships, laying bare the emotional turmoil of love that cannot find harmony.
So… what’s this song really about?
Prince's 'When Doves Cry' delves into the depths of relationship struggles, articulating the pain that arises from irreconcilable differences between partners. The lyrics express the protagonist's torment in attempting to reconcile his bold persona with his partner's dissatisfaction, mirroring the opposing traits inherited from his parents. This song transcends the personal, touching on broader themes of communication breakdown and emotional distress in intimate relationships.
The recurring image of crying doves serves as a powerful metaphor for peace and purity disrupted by human discord. The stark absence of a bass line in the song accentuates the hollow feeling of internal emptiness, reflecting the desolation felt when love fails to triumph over personal conflicts. This emotional and sonic landscape invites listeners to reflect on the complexities of love, pride, and the yearning for emotional fulfillment in their own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What year was 'When Doves Cry' released?
'When Doves Cry' was released in 1984.
Q: Why are there no bass lines in 'When Doves Cry'?
Prince decided to remove the bass line to create a stark, sparse sound that reflects the song's emotional themes of tension and absence.
Lyrics to “When Doves Cry”
85 ContributorsTranslations
[Verse 3]
Touch, if you will, my stomach (Hmm)
Feel how it trembles inside (Mhm)
You've got the butterflies all tied up
Don't make me chase you, even doves have pride
[Chorus]
How can you just leave me standing
Alone in a world so cold? (World so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
[Bridge]
Yeah, yeah
Doo-doo, woah-oh
(Yeah, yeah)
[Chorus]
How can you just leave me standing
Alone in a world that's so cold? (World that's so cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding (Maybe, maybe)
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold (My father, you know he's cruel)
Maybe you're just like my mother (Maybe you're just like my mother)
She's never satisfied (Never, never satisfied, why scream?)
Why do we scream at each other? (Why?)
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
[Break]
When doves cry (When doves cry, when doves cry)
When doves cry (When doves cry, they cry)
Oh, no, oh
Oh, no, yeah
Oh, oh, yeah
Oh, oh, yeah
Oh, oh, yeah
When doves cry
When doves cry (Hoo)
When doves cry (Hoo)
Baby, baby, baby, yeah
[Outro]
When doves cry (When doves cry, when doves cry)
Don't cry
Darling, don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry, don't, don't cry