Looking back at the run of hits that came out in 1984 is an interesting exercise.
Like the old saying goes; “the hits just keep on coming.”
Have you ever thought back on your life and tried to identify your favourite summer? For me, the summer of 1984 is right up there in the top three. Everyone’s experience is different, and so is the soundtrack that accompanies the memories, but as I think back, the summer of 1984 was awesome.
From May through September, I saw David Gilmour, Grateful Dead, Blue Oyster Cult, a drug addled shell of Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Waters with a wasted Eric Clapton, Neil Young and Rush (twice). That’s just off the top of my head. I may be forgetting some shows.
As a means of introducing today’s feature and what it means to me, I need to put it in context. Stay with me, and together we will bring it back to where we started.
There is a line in a David Gilmour song called ‘All Lovers Are Deranged’ that states “you don’t really fall in love until your seventeen”
You know that you don’t really fall in love
Unless you’re seventeen
The break of day will make your spirits fly
But you can’t know what it means
Unless you’re seventeen.”
It’s an interesting premise. This song was written by Pete Townshend and he loaned it to Gilmour for his ‘About Face album. It’s raw, edgy and cynical. Classic Townshend and David Gilmour delivered it with hurricane force.
Here it is.
What does this have to do with ‘When Doves Cry’ by Prince? Stay with me.
In the summer of 1984 I was 17, and as I reflect back on this time it is likely the beginning of the stage in my life that most closely resembles the person I am today. That summer I spent a lot of time hanging out with my friends Nick and Heather. Together we reflected on the present and thought about the future. It was a period of transition for each of us and I slowly began to realize that much like Pete Townshend suggested, I was falling in love.
As was so often the case, many of our conversations were accompanied by music playing in the background. The conversation turned to Prince. I approached with trepidation. Heather loved the message inherent in the lyrics of ‘When Doves Cry’ and she pointed out the remarkable symbolism in Prince’s poetry beginning with the title itself.
There is an emotional quality in Prince’s use of personification of doves, which exist as a symbol of peace. To give them a human quality linked to obvious despair inspires a sense of sadness. If we extrapolate this theme ‘When Doves Cry’ becomes a song about empathy. We can look into this relationship and identify triggers that we can all relate to. Once again, the power of music and the capacity for lyrics to be so evocative comes to the forefront.
I should have been more accepting, but I was wary of the commercialism. Not only was the song everywhere, but ‘Purple Rain’ was also in theatres, so naturally I resisted. That was the 17- year-old me.
As I recall, Heather convinced Nick to go and see ‘Purple Rain’ and he admitted that it was alright. I raised an eyebrow, and secretly looked deeper into the Prince mystique, while maintaining my anti-mainstream stance.
It has been exactly forty years since Prince released ‘Purple Rain’. ‘When Doves Cry’ was released as the album’s lead single in May of 1984. The album featured The Revolution as his backing band and it also exists as the soundtrack for the film of the same name. Prince was everywhere and one could only ignore his brilliance at their own peril. This may sound hyperbolic, but when it comes to the musical journey, it is difficult to write Prince off, and still be taken seriously, even as an amateur blogger.
As always, I came around on my own time.
Truth be told, it was through the lyrics, upon Heather’s advisement, that I gravitated to Prince. Over the years I really began to explore the genius of Prince as a once in a lifetime generational artist.
Here are the lyrics that woke me up. The literary devices literally explode on the page.
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 you’re just too demanding (Maybe, maybe I’m like my father)
Maybe I’m just like my father, too bold (Ya 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)
Poetry alone is never enough. Prince’s qualities go far beyond his quality of being a great song writer. His versatility as a musician, borders on legendary. On ‘When Doves Cry’, he played all the instruments. In a time where programmable drum machines were being tested as a means to drive the rhythm section of a song, Prince seemed to have it mastered almost on instinct. Further to his almost spooky ability to understand the esthetics of a song that will ultimately sell, he took the bass line out of ‘When Doves Cry’ at the last minute. This was unconventional practice, but it worked.
“Sometimes your brain kind of splits in two – your ego tells you one thing, and the rest of you says something else. You have to go with what you know is right.”
That was a bold decision. It took guts. Here is Prince’s studio engineer Peggy McCreary reflecting on the recording process that led to ‘When Doves Cry’.
There’s nobody that’s going to have the guts to do this.’ And he was smiling from ear to ear. He felt this was the best and he knew he had a hit song… so he decided to do something really daring. That’s what Prince was all about.”
Although these decisions were seen as spontaneous, they were also very calculated; like Prince was a poker player going all in with his chips.
He would run through [a song] with just a piano and a vocal. And sometimes he’d do the drums and then the bass… The room was always set up and you had to be ready to do whatever he felt like doing. It was really spontaneous. You had to be there with him, which was the hard part and the exciting part. But when you’re exhausted, it’s hard to be excited. It was the longest I ever worked with anybody in my life. I worked around the clock, 24 hours. He said sometimes the only reason he went home was so I could sleep.”
Prince knew the song had hit potential, but if one decision would put it over the top, he was willing to take a chance. Everyone who joined him in the studio was swept up in the process. It bordered on manic, but it seems as though the emotional power inherent in the creative process came through in the final product.
This is when it becomes art, both in the music and in the film where Prince brought the story to life.
The prevailing thought is that Prince wrote ‘When Doves Cry’ in part based on his relationship with Vanity 6 member Susan Moonsie, and his troubled relationship with his parents. How much of this is true becomes a matter of conjecture because Prince was somewhat of an enigma. He rarely gave interviews.
Music was his emotional outlet and the studio was his refuge. Few if any could escape and deliver with such accessible results.
In reference to the opening line of today’s post, think about the monster songs that were flooding the airwaves, and the television screens on MTV or Much Music in the summer of 1984. ‘When Doves Cry’ was at the top of that mountain. Prince’s vision alone is what prevented ‘Dancing in the Dark’ by Bruce Springsteen from the peak.
True to his character The Boss took it all in stride. He admired Prince for his creative genius and showmanship.
Whenever I would catch one of his shows, I would always leave humbled.”
High praise indeed.
There are many ways of measuring the quality of a song. A primary contention of Ted Tocks Covers is that the way an artist is perceived by their peers can often be understood through the cover versions of the songs they offer as a tribute. Here is an eclectic array of cover versions that present ‘When Doves Cry’ through the eyes and ears of many talented musicians.
Prince had left an indelible mark on 1984, and toward the end of that year, The Flying Pickets released this quality acapella version on their album, ‘The Original Flying Pickets Vol. 1’.
In 1996, Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes starred in an adaptation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. A famous scene in this movie features the choir doing a unique rendition of ‘When Doves Cry’.
One year later in 1997, Ginuwime released what is likely the most commercially successful cover of ‘When Doves Cry. This version was released on the album ‘The Bachelor’ and featured dove sound effects to create a layer of authenticity to the dove imagery.
Prince was not a fan.
I was just busting on him to bust him, but I was a little serious: Have some respect, man. If anyone tried to cover ‘Respect,’ by Aretha? I would shoot them myself!”
Throughout his career, Prince was not big on other musicians covering his work. He was much more supportive of their original offerings.
In 2001 the Barenaked Ladies released this quality cover on the album ‘‘Andrew Denton’s Musical Challenge 2’. This is a nice combination of their unique vocal arrangements and musicianship.
One year later in 2002, Patti Smith released an album called ‘Land (1975 – 2002)’. This comes across as a cry for help or a reflection on a life that consisted of some ups and downs. It is emotional but it presents a reality we all share. Life is never a straight line or an easy journey.
Here is something special from Gov’t Mule featuring Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals. He shares his take on ‘When Doves Cry’ which turns into a desperate appeal before concluding with the equally evocative ‘Beautifully Broken’.
Now let’s head to Massey Hall in Toronto in 2016 and a stunning collective known as Choir Choir Choir. This features 1999 people singing ‘When Doves Cry’. Proceeds from this recording went to the Regent Park School of Music which pledged to bring music to underprivileged children.
Care! Create! Collaborate!”
Still in 2016, here is a talented singer known as Felin offering her tribute to Prince. If Sinead O’Connor heard this cover, she would have likely shed a tear. This is a strong cover which also captures the emotion of the original.
The tributes for Price came pouring in, during 2016 following his sudden death in April. Here is Greensky Bluegrass. This talented act is currently touring with the Tedeschi Trucks Band as a supporting act. Here is 8 minutes of bluegrass psychedelia. Sometimes it goes as long as 15. I could listen to this forever.
One year later in 2017 here is The Revolution featuring members who were in the studio when Prince was composing this celebrated material. This live version of ‘When Doves Cry’ from BB King’s in New York City. On stage during this performance is Wendy Melvoin on guitar. Watch as she channels Prince in the live setting (see ‘Come On Get Happy’, ‘Angel’, ‘Purple Rain’ and ‘Raspberry Beret’). You also get Lisa Coleman and Matt Fink sharing keyboards and synthesizer, and Bobby Z, on drums and percussion.
Finally, the bass guitar duties are being fulfilled by Brown Mark who as we recall was not part of the original recording. This quote speaks volumes about Brown Mark as a musician and as a team player.
He let me hear it because he and I had been bumping heads, and he didn’t want me to think he took the bass out as an insult! He explained that when he was writing it, he put a bass line on but then took it out and liked the feel. I thought it was phenomenal.”
This is an important performance.
During the 2017 Grammys, Lenny Kravitz was invited to perform. He takes the crowd to church. It could be described as funky gospel? Watch and listen as he blends ‘When Doves Cry’ with ‘The Cross’
Black day, stormy night
No love, no hope in sight
Don’t cry, he is coming
Don’t die without knowing the cross
Ghettos 2 the left of us
Flowers 2 the right
There’ll be bread 4 all of us
If we can just bear the cross”
Calling this a tribute is an understatement. This is energizing. In this moment hope springs eternal.
Now for my favourite cover. Here is Sarah Jarosz in 2017. Jarosz first caught my attention with her part in ‘Fairytale of New York’ and a tribute show for Shane MacGowan. Just Sarah’s vocals accompanied by a stand-up bass and a mandolin. It is a bold expression of talent that leaves the audience speechless. Sarah steals this Ted Tocks feature.
This is fun. Here is Rob Trujillo and Kirk Hammett of Metallica in Prince’s home town of Minneapolis in 2018. Do what you love and love what you do.
During the early days of COVID in late April of 2020, here is Neil Finn. Never mind that he was alone in a world that’s so cold, Finn manages to bring people together by sharing his love of music.
With the benefit of forty years of hindsight the pure romanticism of ‘When Doves Cry’ hangs like a Da Vinci painting in the Louvre. It casts the human spirit in its most naked form. Drawing on animal instinct, hanging on the edge of regret. Introspective and contemplative, pondering the proper approach. Striking curious poses. It is not about casting blame. It is more about understanding the root cause of an issue and aiming to solve it together.
Wondering how to get there, because true love takes two.
We have all been there.
Prince was left in the unenviable position of having to say “don’t make me chase.”
Even doves have pride. Such a profound phrase. It is not as dynamic as the image of a dove crying, but it draws on the personification that flows through this lyrical triumph; delivered on a pair of wings.
Poetry set to music and then projected onto the silver screen
The images are forever etched in our mind. Somewhere a guitar gently weeps.
Ted Tocks Covers 