LogFAQs > #953966201

231. Prince When Doves Cry (1984)
from the album Purple Rain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUc0R8bbWQE

Key lyrics:
Maybe Im just too demanding
Maybe Im just like my father, too bold
Maybe youre just like my mother
Shes never satisfied
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like, when doves cry

It strikes me as I re-listen that this is a genuine musical epic, from that iconic opening shred to the extended outro marked by animalistic shouts. This is a complex fusion of pop, rock, and funk, ditching a bass line entirely while making striking use of the keyboard and synthesizer. The fact this was a popular hit blows my mind; though I grew up in a world knowing this was a classic, a closer inspection reveals just how experimental Prince was being here. Without a bass line guiding the action, When Doves Cry glides unexpectedly between moments. The overall complexity is contrasted with momentary bursts of minimalism. The chorus really steals the show, the synthesizer hitting like an unexpectedly cold shower.

With such minimal instrumentation until the finale, Princes iconic voice is allowed to take center stage. His delivery is raw passion, sometimes diving into guttural yelps when words cant possibly work. But every instrument present is given a spotlight, including a complex keyboard solo during the finale. What really surprises me is learning that Prince recorded this song himself, playing every instrument. Few artists pushed the boundaries of popular music like Prince, and the fact he made such an odd song into a number one hit really shows his impact.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/