Don’t make me chase you/
Even doves have pride.
In “When Doves Cry”, Prince is talking to his lover about what is not working in their relationship. And a bit about what is working. We get the feeling that the passion and physical side of the relationship is fine. Prince asks his girl to picture them entwined together, kissing dripping wet with sweat. Everything seems fine. Then he asks her to imagine them screaming at each other in a courtyard. Even the animals feel uncomfortable around them. Why are things this way?
We then get to the classic chorus where he questions if it has something to do with the relationship his parents had. He is not sure. It just feels like there is something about him that feels beyond his control. She is turned off by his actions and that leaves him feeling alone. But he feels too prideful to chase her, so where does that leave their relationship. He asks her (in a roundabout way) to put aside her hurt and reach out to him and restore their love. Will this be a love that lasts? We’re not sure.
There are so many great individual pieces of music in this song, from the introductory guitar riff, to the great chorus, to the unique “dove crying” sounds Prince makes. The keyboard work is also outstanding. It is very tangential to the song. That is, you couldn’t play the keyboard and sing along and have it sound right. A lot of the keyboard work adds flavor—kind of like a lead guitar rather than a rhythm guitar. “When Doves Cry” is one of the best produced songs you’ll hear.
When Doves Cry Lyrics
Dig if you will the picture
Of you and I engaged in a kiss.
The sweat of your body covers me,
Can you my darling-
Can you picture this?
Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom.
Animals strike curious poses.
They feel the heat
The heat between me and you.
How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that’s so cold? (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.
Touch if you will my stomach,
Feel how it trembles inside.
You’ve got the butterflies all tied up.
Don’t make me chase you
Even doves have pride.
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.
How can you just leave me standing
Alone in a world that’s so cold? (A world that’s so cold)
Maybe I’m just too demanding (maybe, maybe I’m like my father),
Maybe I’m just like my father too bold (you know he’s too bold).
Maybe you’re just like my mother (maybe you’re just like my mother)
She’s never satisfied (she’s never, never satisfied).
Why do we scream at each other? (Why do we scream? Why?)
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry.
When doves cry (doves cry, doves cry)
When doves cry (doves cry, doves cry)
Written by Prince