Said production was based on a previous U.K. miners' strike. "Only You", their debut single, was the British Christmas number one in 1983, spending a total of five weeks at the top, and it also did well around Europe. Ironically enough, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, fighting an acrimonious political battle with unions at the time, said that the single was one of her favorite songs. A second single, a cover of the soul classic "When You're Young and in Love" by Van McCoy, reached number seven, but their third, a cover of the Eurythmics' track "Who's That Girl?", barely charted at all.
Joining Hibbard in the Flying Pickets were Rick Lloyd, Gareth Williams, David Brett, Ken Gregson, and Red Stripe (real name David Gittins). They were internationally renowned for their appearances: Hibbard's huge sideburns, Stripes thick eyeliner, and four others showing off flamboyant suits and large hats. A group like the Pickets were very lucky to get into the charts at all, let alone a Christmas number one and a pleasing number seven afterwards.
Hibbard and Gittins tried desperately to stay in the music business, and they formed their own act called 'Brian and Stripe'. Unfortunately, their first and only single failed, and they returned to their separate acting careers. Other group members drifted into various careers.
Since the original Flying Pickets split, a new team of five ambitious men have tried to follow in the original's footsteps. Yet they have had no chart success. Still, they've toured around Europe in lots of small venues all year round, trying to at least touch the giddy heights of their predecessors.
When Doves Cry
Flying Pickets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The heat between me and you
How can you just leave me standing
Alone in a world that's 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
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When the 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?
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
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?
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
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like when doves cry
When doves cry, when doves cry
When doves cry don't cry
Oh yeah all right, oh yeah oh yeah
Oh yeah oh yeah, oh yeah oh yeah
Oh yeah oh yeah, oh yeah oh yeah
When doves cry, when doves cry
When doves cry
Ah, ah, ah, ooo ah, ah, ah, ah, ooo
When doves cry, don't cry darling don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry, don't, don't cry
The lyrics of the Flying Pickets' version of "When Doves Cry" convey a sense of passion, pain and confusion in a relationship. The opening lines "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?" paint an intimate image of two lovers in the midst of a passionate moment. The second verse projects a dreamy tone with references to a violets-covered courtyard and curious animals, while still alluding to the intense attraction or "heat" between the two.
However, the third verse reveals the turmoil in the relationship with the lines "How can you just leave me standing? / Alone in a world that's so cold / Maybe I'm just too demanding / Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold / Maybe you're just like my mother". The singer is left feeling deserted and confused, wondering if their own flaws are contributing to the breakdown of the relationship. They also mirror their partner's behavior with references to their parents, suggesting that it's an entrenched pattern of behavior that's causing the rift. The song closes with a repetition of the phrase "This is what it sounds like when doves cry", alluding to the sense of loss and sadness.
Overall, the Flying Pickets' version of "When Doves Cry" combines Prince's original lyrics with their distinctive a cappella style. The harmonies and vocal arrangements bring new depth to the original while still retaining its themes of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig if you will the picture
Imagine the scenario which I am about to describe.
Of you and I engaged in a kiss
Visualize us kissing each other.
The sweat of your body covers me
Your perspiration drenches me.
Can you my darling
Do you have the capacity, my beloved?
Can you picture this?
Are you able to envision this situation in your mind?
Dream, if you can, a courtyard
Imagine a beautiful garden in your mind.
An ocean of violets in bloom
The violet flowers are in full bloom and it looks like an ocean of them.
Animals strike curious poses
The animals around are looking at us in a curious manner.
They feel the heat
They sense the passion between us.
The heat between me and you
The intense attraction between us.
How can you just leave me standing?
Why did you abandon me and left me alone at this moment?
Alone in a world that's so cold (so cold)
I am by myself in a frigid world.
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Perhaps I am too commanding of you.
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
I might possess traits similar to my father, being too audacious.
Maybe you're just like my mother
Possibly, you share some qualities with my mother.
She's never satisfied (she's never satisfied)
My mother always has dissatisfaction with things.
Why do we scream at each other?
What is the reason for us to shout and argue?
This is what it sounds like When doves cry
This is how it feels like when a peaceful moment transforms into an acrimonious one.
Touch if you will my stomach
If you wish, put your hands on my belly.
Feel how it trembles inside
Notice the way it shakes within me.
You've got the butterflies all tied up
You make me feel very nervous and excited at the same time.
Don't make me chase you
Do not force me to pursue you.
Even doves have pride
Even the gentlest creatures have self-respect.
When doves cry (doves cry, doves cry)
When peace is disrupted and conflict arises.
Don't cry (don't cry)
Do not weep.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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