View source for When Doves Cry

{{Short description|1984 single by Prince}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox song
| name          = When Doves Cry
| cover         = Prince doves.jpg
| alt           = 
| caption       = Picture sleeve for 7-inch single release{{efn|Some non-US 7-inch and 12-inch single releases using this artwork contain Prince's name and the song title.}}
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
| album         = [[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]
| B-side        = [[17 Days (song)|17 Days]]
| released      = {{start date|1984|5|16}}<ref>Uptown, 2004, p.48</ref>
| recorded      =
| studio        = [[Sunset Sound]] (Los Angeles)
| genre         =
* [[Experimental pop]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/25-greatest-prince-songs-20160421/when-doves-cry-1984-20160421|title=25 Essential Prince Songs|date=April 21, 2016|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>
* [[neo-psychedelia]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Stephen Thomas|title=Purple Rain - Review|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/purple-rain-mw0000382324|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=April 24, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Soul music|soul]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shuker|first1=Roy|title=Understanding Popular Music|date=1994|publisher=Routledge|location=Abingdom|isbn=041523509X|page=[https://archive.org/details/understandingpop0000shuk_i1i5/page/95 95]|url=https://archive.org/details/understandingpop0000shuk_i1i5|url-access=registration}}</ref>
* [[avant-pop]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-151127/prince-when-doves-cry-55896/|title=500 Greatest Songs of All Time|date=April 7, 2011|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref>
* [[synth-pop]]<ref name="Number Ones 2022">{{cite book|last= Breihan|first= Tom|chapter= Prince - "When Doves Cry|date= November 15, 2022|title= The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music|publisher=[[Hachette Book Group]]|location= New York|page= 166}}</ref>
* [[funk]]<ref name="Number Ones 2022"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_rb-funk.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925122615/https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_rb-funk.html |title=100 Greatest Funk Songs |website=Digital Dream Door |date=August 7, 2008 |archive-date=September 25, 2010 |access-date=October 7, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| length        =
* 5:52 (album and 12-inch version)
* 3:47 (7-inch single edit)
| label         = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
| writer        = Prince
| producer      = Prince
| chronology    = Prince US
| prev_title    = [[Automatic (Prince song)|Automatic]]
| prev_year     = 1983
| next_title    = [[Let's Go Crazy]]
| next_year     = 1984
| misc          = {{External music video|{{YouTube|UG3VcCAlUgE|"When Doves Cry"}}}}
}}
{{listen
|filename=When Doves Cry sample.ogg
|title="When Doves Cry"
|description=[[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s "When Doves Cry" from ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]''
|filetype=[[Ogg]]
}}
"'''When Doves Cry'''" is a song by American musician [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], and the lead single from his sixth studio album ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]''. According to the DVD commentary of the film ''[[Purple Rain (film)|Purple Rain]]'' (1984), Prince was asked by director [[Albert Magnoli]] to write a song to match the theme of a particular segment of the film that involved Prince's character The Kid's intermingled parental difficulties with his father Francis L. ([[Clarence Williams III]]) and mother ([[Olga Karlatos]]) and a love affair with Apollonia ([[Apollonia Kotero]]). The next morning, Prince had composed two songs, one of which was "When Doves Cry". According to Prince's biographer [[Per Nilsen]], the song was inspired by his relationship with [[Vanity 6]] member [[Susan Moonsie]].

"When Doves Cry" was Prince's first [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] No. 1 single, staying there for five weeks, and was also a worldwide hit. According to ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', it was the top-selling single of 1984. It is certified [[RIAA certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>{{Certification Cite|region=United States|type=single|title=When Doves Cry|artist=Prince}}</ref> It was the last single released by a solo artist to receive a Platinum certification before the certification requirements were lowered in 1989. "When Doves Cry" was ranked number one on the [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1984|''Billboard'' Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1984]]. Following Prince's death in 2016, the song re-charted on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart at number eight, its first appearance in the top 10 since the week ending September 1, 1984.

The music video, directed by Prince, premiered on [[MTV]] in June 1984. It opens with white doves emerging from double doors to reveal Prince in a bathtub, then shows him performing the song in various scenes. The video sparked controversy among network executives, who thought that its sexual nature was too explicit for television. "When Doves Cry" is ranked number 37 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<nowiki/>'s list of the [[500 Greatest Songs of All Time]] and is included in [[The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rockhall.com/exhibits/500-songs-that-shaped-rock-and/ |title=The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll |website=The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum |access-date=January 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317150057/http://rockhall.com/exhibits/500-songs-that-shaped-rock-and/ |archive-date=March 17, 2010 }}</ref>

== Background and composition ==
Prince wrote and composed "When Doves Cry" after all the other tracks were complete on ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]''. In addition to providing 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 an '80s [[Dance music|dance]] song; Prince said that there originally was a bass line but, after a conversation with singer [[Jill Jones]], he decided that the song was too conventional with it included.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://princetext.tripod.com/i_bass99.html |title=Prince In Print |publisher=Princetext.tripod.com |access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref> The song features a [[guitar solo]] intro and a [[Linn LM-1]] [[drum machine]], followed by a [[music loop|loop]]ed guttural vocal. After the lyrics, there is another, much longer, guitar and [[synthesizer]] solo. The song ends on a [[European classical music|classical music]]-inspired [[Keyboard instrument|keyboard]] piece backed by another synthesizer solo. Keyboardist [[Doctor Fink|Matt Fink]] revealed in 2014 that the [[Baroque music|baroque]] synthesizer solo was recorded by Prince at half speed and an octave lower against a half-speed backing track, then sped up to create the final version. Fink was then tasked to learn and perform the solo at the album's speed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2014/06/purple-rain-turns-30-revolutions-dr-fink-breaks-down-princes-classic-track-track/dr-fink-breaks-down-prince-purple-rain-track-by-track-2/ |title='Purple Rain' Turns 30: The Revolution's Dr. Fink Breaks Down Prince's Classic Track-by-Track |publisher=vibe.com |date=June 25, 2014 |access-date=December 28, 2017 |last=Murphy |first=Keith}}</ref>

On versions edited for radio, either the song fades out as the long guitar and synthesizer solo begins, or the solo is eliminated altogether and the song skips to the ending with Prince's harmonizing and classical finish.

During live performances of the song on the [[Purple Rain Tour]], Prince's bass player [[Brown Mark]] added bass lines to the song as well as to other songs without bass lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princelyrics.co.uk/viewarticle.asp?article=35 |title= His Highness Gets Down! |access-date=May 30, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040530153719/http://www.princelyrics.co.uk/viewarticle.asp?article=35 |archive-date=May 30, 2004|last=Coryat |first=Karl}}</ref>

The song is in the key of [[A minor]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Prince|last2=Prince|date=March 5, 2018|title=When Doves Cry|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0181226|access-date=June 8, 2021|website=Musicnotes}}</ref>

==Reception==
In its contemporary review of the song, ''[[Cash Box]]'' said that "featuring ethereal lyrics, a pounding backbeat and a sometimes ominous musical atmosphere, this single again proves Prince to be one of the most provocative and sophisticated artists in the business."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine|title=Reviews|magazine=Cash Box|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1984/CB-1984-05-26.pdf|date=May 26, 1984|access-date=July 23, 2022|page=7}}</ref>

"When Doves Cry" was No. 1 in the US for five weeks, from July 7, 1984, to August 4, 1984, keeping [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s "[[Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen song)|Dancing in the Dark]]" from reaching the top spot. Because of tabulation differences, the song was announced as the year's No. 2 single on the ''[[American Top 40]]'' year-end countdown (with [[Paul McCartney]] featuring [[Michael Jackson]]'s "[[Say Say Say]]" at No. 1).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oldradioshows.com/at100/1984.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414194338/http://www.oldradioshows.com/at100/1984.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2018|title=CASEY KASEM'S YEAR-END COUNTDOWN - 1984|date=April 14, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref> The song was voted as the best single of the year in ''[[The Village Voice]]'' [[Pazz & Jop]] critics' poll. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' ranked it as the [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1984|No. 1 year-end single of 1984]]. In 2016, after Prince's death, "When Doves Cry" re-entered the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at No. 20, peaking at No. 8. It also ranked No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Black Singles]] chart for eight weeks (from June 30, to August 18, 1984), preventing [[Tina Turner]]'s "[[What's Love Got to Do with It (song)|What's Love Got to Do With It]]" from reaching the top spot for five of those weeks.

The [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] was the cult fan favorite "[[17 Days (song)|17 Days]]", which was originally intended for [[Apollonia 6]]'s [[Apollonia 6 (album)|self-titled album]]. A [[12-inch single]] issued in the UK included "17 Days" and two tracks from Prince's previous album, ''[[1999 (Prince album)|1999]]:'' its [[1999 (Prince song)|title track]] and "D.M.S.R.". The entire title of "17 Days (the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose, if U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose)" is now the longest-titled flip side of a Hot 100 No. 1, with 85 letters and/or numbers.

"When Doves Cry" became one of Prince's [[signature song]]s. ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine ranked "When Doves Cry" the No. 6 song of all time.
{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} In 2021, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked "When Doves Cry" No. 37 on its list of "[[The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]".<ref name=rs>{{cite magazine|title=The 500 Best Songs Of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/|date=September 15, 2021|access-date=December 29, 2022|page=1}}</ref> In 2006, [[VH1]]'s "The 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s" ranked the song at No. 5. On October 13, 2008, the song was voted No. 2 on [[MTV Classic (Australia)|Australian VH1]]'s Top 10 Number One Pop Songs countdown. The "80 of the 80s" podcast ranks it as the No. 59 song of the decade.<ref>{{cite web|author2=AK-47|author1= CK1 |title= #59: Prince - When Doves Cry |url= http://80ofthe80s.com/59-prince-when-doves-cry |publisher= 80ofthe80s.libsyn.com |date= April 22, 2016 |access-date= April 23, 2016}}</ref> In 2016, ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' ranked the song number three on their list of the 50 greatest Prince songs,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/best-songs/the-50-best-songs-by-prince/#3-when-doves-cry-|title=The 50 Best Prince Songs|first=Robert|last=Ham|work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|date=April 27, 2016|access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref> and in 2022, ''[[American Songwriter]]'' ranked the song number two on their list of the 10 greatest Prince songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-top-10-prince-songs/|title=The Top 10 Prince Songs|first=Catherine|last=Walthall|work=[[American Songwriter]]|date=February 8, 2022|access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref>

"When Doves Cry" was [[Sampling (music)|sampled]] for use in [[MC Hammer]]'s 1990 hit song, "[[Pray (MC Hammer song)|Pray]]" from his album ''[[Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em]]'', one of the few samples of his songs legally sanctioned by Prince.

==Music video==
The [[music video]] (directed by Prince himself) was released on [[MTV]] in June 1984. It opens with white [[dove]]s emerging from double doors to reveal Prince in a [[bathtub]]. It also includes scenes from the ''Purple Rain'' film interspersed with shots of [[The Revolution (band)|The Revolution]] performing and dancing in a white room. The final portion of the video incorporates a mirrored frame of the left half of the picture, creating a doubling effect. The video was nominated for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]] at the [[1985 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=22396 |title=Prince & the Revolution - "When doves cry" |publisher=mvdbase.com |access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref> The video sparked controversy among network executives, who thought that its sexual nature was too explicit for television.

==Awards and nominations==
* [[American Music Awards]] – [[American Music Awards of 1985|1985]] – [[American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Song|Favorite Black Single]] (won)<ref>{{YouTube|N8eYLS3YzeQ}}{{dead link|date=January 2012}}</ref>
* [[Pazz & Jop]] critics' poll: best single of the year, 1984 (won)

==Track listings==
* '''7-inch single: Paisley Park / 0-20170 (US)'''
# "When Doves Cry" – 3:47
# "[[17 Days (song)|17 Days]] (The rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose.)" – 3:54

* '''12-inch single: Warner Bros. / W9286T (UK)'''
# "When Doves Cry" – 5:52
# "17 Days (The rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose.)" – 3:54

# "[[1999 (Prince song)|1999]]" – 6:22
# "D.M.S.R." – 8:05

* '''2×12-inch pack'''
* '''CD single 1989'''
# "When Doves Cry"
# "[[Purple Rain (song)|Purple Rain]]" (album version)

==Personnel==
Credits are adapted from Duane Tudahl, Benoît Clerc and Guitarcloud.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tudahl |first=Duane |date=2018 |title=Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=9781538116432 |edition=Expanded }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Clerc |first=Benoît |date=October 2022 |title=Prince: All the Songs |publisher=Octopus |isbn=9781784728816}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Purple Rain|url=http://guitarcloud.org/era/purple-rain|access-date=April 10, 2023|website=guitarcloud.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=What is the When Doves Cry synth sound?|url=http://guitarcloud.org/faq/what-when-doves-cry-synth-sound|access-date=April 10, 2023|website=guitarcloud.org}}</ref>
* [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] – lead and backing vocals, electric guitar, [[Yamaha DX7]], [[Oberheim OB-Xa]], [[Linn LM-1]]

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+1984 weekly chart performance for "When Doves Cry"
! scope="col"| Chart (1984)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|first=David|last=Kent|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970-1992|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|edition=illustrated|page=239|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{single chart|Austria|19|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|6|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"| Belgium ([[VRT Top 30]] Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio2.be/top-30/1984/09/22|title=Radio2 top 30: 22 september 1984|language=nl|publisher=[[Top 30]]|access-date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328142119/http://www.radio2.be/top-30/1984/09/22|archive-date=March 28, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 7
|-
!scope="row"| Canada ([[CHUM Chart|''CHUM'']])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1050chum.com/index_chumcharts.aspx?chart=1439 |title=CHART NUMBER 1439 – Saturday, July 28, 1984 |access-date=June 12, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107202749/http://www.1050chum.com/index_chumcharts.aspx?chart=1439 |archive-date=November 7, 2006 }}. [[CHUM (AM)|CHUM]]. Retrieved May 2, 2016.</ref>
| 1
|-
!scope="row"| Canada Top Singles ([[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6797&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6797.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6797|title=Top Singles - Volume 40, No. 22, Aug 04, 1984|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|date=July 17, 2013|access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref>
| 1
|-
!scope="row"| Canada ([[The Record (magazine)|''The Record'']])<ref>{{cite book|author=Nanda Lwin|author-link=Nanda Lwin|title=Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide|publisher=Music Data Canada|year=1999|isbn= 1-896594-13-1}}</ref>
| 1
|-
!scope="row"| Finland ([[Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=204|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=Prince|page=204|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=July 3, 2022|language=fi}}</ref>
| 4
|-
{{single chart|France|32|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|2|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|5|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|6|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Norway|10|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref name="safrica">{{cite web|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(W-Z).html|title=SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs W-Z|access-date=April 25, 2023}}</ref>
| 6
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|18|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|17|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|4|artist=Prince|artistid=17019|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"| US [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]<ref name="awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/prince-mn0000361393/awards|title=Prince – Awards|publisher=[[AllMusic]]. [[All Media Network]]|access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref>
| 1
|-
! scope="row"|US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Black Singles]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/prince/chart-history/bsi/|title=Prince Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 10, 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Prince|rowheader=true|access-date=January 10, 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"| US [[Cashbox (magazine)|''Cash Box'']]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19840714.html|title=CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JULY 14, 1984|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box magazine]]|access-date=May 2, 2016|archive-date=October 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001103639/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19840714.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|16|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|songid=1143|access-date=February 13, 2019|rowheader=true}}
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+2016 weekly chart performance for "When Doves Cry"
! scope="col"| Chart (2016)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|11|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Austria|59|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"| Belgium ([[Ultratop|Back Catalogue Singles]] Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/back-catalogue/2016/20160430|title=50 Back Catalogue Singles – 30/04/16|publisher=[[Ultratop]]. Hung Medien|access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref>
| 2
|-
{{single chart|Canada|29|artist=Prince|access-date=May 4, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|France|11|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Germany|49|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|songid=1143|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true|refname=2016 rechart}}
|-
{{single chart|Ireland3|69|artist=Prince|access-date=January 29, 2020|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|35|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|10|date=20160505|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Spain|35|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 9, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|34|artist=Prince|song=When Doves Cry|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|26|date=20160505|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|8|artist=Prince|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|5|artist=Prince|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|2|artist=Prince|access-date=May 2, 2016|rowheader=true}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+1984 year-end chart performance for "When Doves Cry"
! scope="col"| Chart (1984)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
!scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref name="aus84">{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/MyookoA.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984|publisher=[[Kent Music Report]]|via=Imgur.com|access-date=January 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=40275 |title= Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s |author= BigKev |publisher= Hung Medien |work= Australian-charts.com |access-date= April 25, 2014}}</ref>
| 14
|-
!scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1984&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 1984|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref>
| 39
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|10|chartid=9638|rowheader=true|access-date=December 8, 2024|refname=CA_YE}}
|-
!scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1984|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref>
| 27
|-
!scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1984&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1984|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref>
| 35
|-
!scope="row"| New Zealand (RIANZ)<ref>{{cite web|title=New Zealand End of Year Chart 1984|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1984-12-31|website=THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART|access-date=February 14, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
| 15
|-
!scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 22, 1984 |title=Talent Almanac 1985: Top Pop Singles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA5 |page=TA-19 |magazine=Billboard |volume=96 |issue=51 }}</ref>
| 1
|-
!scope="row"| US Hot Black Singles (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1984/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1984|magazine=Billboard|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=January 10, 2021}}</ref>
| 1
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2016 year-end chart performance for "When Doves Cry"
!Chart (2016)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2016/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref>
| 24
|}

===All-time charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+All-time chart performance for "When Doves Cry"
! Chart (2018)
! Position
|-
!scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary|title=Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 10, 2018}}</ref>
| 123
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "When Doves Cry"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1984|certyear=2021|artist=Prince and the Revolution|source=radioscope|access-date=February 27, 2025|title=When Doves Cry}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|artist=Prince & The Revolution|title=When Doves Cry|id=8179-3843-1|access-date=May 12, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1984|certyear=1984|artist=Prince|title=When Doves Cry|note=1984 sales|access-date=April 30, 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|nocert=true|salesamount=1,752,251|note=digital sales|salesref=<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-7-06-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 7/6/2017|publisher=[[Nielsen SoundScan]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808081251/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-7-06-17.pdf|archive-date=August 8, 2017|access-date=June 17, 2021}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

==Quindon Tarver version==
{{Infobox song
| name          = When Dove's Cry
| cover         = When Doves Cry Quindon Tarver cover.png
| alt           = 
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Quindon Tarver]]
| album         = [[Romeo + Juliet (soundtrack)#Volume 2|William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music from the Motion Picture, Volume 2]]
| released      = {{start date|1997|6|29}}<ref name="ausqt"/>
| recorded      =
| genre         =
| studio        = 
| length        = 4:09
| label         = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| writer        = Prince
| producer      = [[Nellee Hooper]]
| prev_title    = [[Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)|Everybody's Free]]
| prev_year     = 1997
| next_title    = [[Wear Sunscreen#Baz Luhrmann version|Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)]]
| next_year     = 1998
| misc          = {{External music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|wmsCUy-NmEo|"When Dove's Cry"}}}}
}}
American singer [[Quindon Tarver]] recorded a version of "When Doves Cry" (formatted as '''"When Dove's Cry'''") for the [[Romeo + Juliet (soundtrack)#Volume 2|second volume of the ''Romeo + Juliet'' soundtrack]]. Released as a single in June 1997, Tarver's version became a top-three hit in Australia, reaching number three on the [[ARIA Singles Chart]] that July. It also charted in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 34 on the [[RIANZ Singles Chart]] the following month.

===Charts===
====Weekly charts====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "When Dove's Cry" by Quindon Tarver
! scope="col"| Chart (1997)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|3|artist=Quindon Tarver|song=When Doves Cry|rowheader=true|access-date=May 13, 2025|refname="ausqt"}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|34|artist=Quindon Tarver|song=When Doves Cry|rowheader=true|access-date=May 13, 2025}}
|}

====Year-end charts====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for "When Dove's Cry" by Quindon Tarver
! scope="col"| Chart (1997)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1997/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref>
|38
|}

===Certifications===
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "When Dove's Cry" by Quindon Tarver}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|certyear=1997|access-date=May 13, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

==Ginuwine version==
{{Infobox song
| name          = When Doves Cry
| cover         = Ginuwine When Doves Cry.jpg
| alt           = 
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Ginuwine]]
| album         = [[Ginuwine... the Bachelor]]
| released      = July 25, 1997
| recorded      =
| genre         = [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| studio        = 
| length        = 5:09
| label         = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| writer        = Prince
| producer      = [[Timbaland]]
| prev_title    = [[Tell Me Do U Wanna]]
| prev_year     = 1997
| next_title    = I'll Do Anything/I'm Sorry
| next_year     = 1997
| misc          = 
}}

A cover version by American singer [[Ginuwine]] was produced by [[Timbaland]] and released a month after Tarver's version, on July 25, 1997, for Ginuwine's album ''[[Ginuwine...the Bachelor|The Bachelor]]''; Ginuwine's cover uses actual dove sound effects as texture for the song. The official [[music video]] for this version was directed by [[Michael Lucero]].<ref name="mvdbase">{{cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/person.php?id=C696|title=mvdbase.com - Michael Lucero technician videography|work=Music Video DataBase|access-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref>

===Charts===
====Weekly charts====
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "When Doves Cry" by Ginuwine
! scope="col"| Chart (1997)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|16|artist=Ginuwine|song=When Doves Cry|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Germany|15|artist=Ginuwine|song=When Doves Cry|songid=3506|access-date=February 13, 2019|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|15|year=1997|week=34|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|13|artist=Ginuwine|song=When Doves Cry|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|7|artist=Ginuwine|song=When Doves Cry|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|33|date=19970831|access-date=January 14, 2023|refname=Scot2|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|24|artist=Ginuwine|song=When Doves Cry|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|42|artist=Ginuwine|song=When Doves Cry|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|10|date=19970831|access-date=January 14, 2023|refname=UK2|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|UKrandb|3|date=19970831|access-date=January 14, 2023|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|16|artist=Ginuwine|rowheader=true|access-date=January 14, 2023}}
|}

====Year-end charts====
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for "When Doves Cry" by Ginuwine
!scope="col"|Chart (1997)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Germany (Media Control)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1997|title=Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|language=de|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
|80
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1997|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997|publisher=Dutch Top 40|language=nl|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref>
|64
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1997&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997|website=dutchcharts.nl|language=nl|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref>
|48
|}

==See also==
*[[List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1984|List of ''Billboard'' Hot 100 number-one singles of 1984]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
* Uptown: ''The Vault – The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince'': Nilsen Publishing 2004, {{ISBN|91-631-5482-X}}

{{Prince singles}}
{{Purple Rain (album)}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Song}}
{{Billboard Year-End number one singles 1980–1999}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1984 singles]]
[[Category:1984 songs]]
[[Category:1997 singles]]
[[Category:Prince (musician) songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Prince (musician)]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Prince (musician)]]
[[Category:Ginuwine songs]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles]]
[[Category:Cashbox number-one singles]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Michael Lucero]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Australia]]
[[Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Timbaland]]
[[Category:Warner Records singles]]
[[Category:Capitol Records singles]]
[[Category:Epic Records singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Prince (musician)]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Nellee Hooper]]
[[Category:Songs written for films]]
[[Category:Songs about fathers]]
[[Category:Music video controversies]]
[[Category:Experimental pop songs]]
[[Category:Neo-psychedelia songs]]
[[Category:Avant-pop songs]]