When Doves Cry
Janelle Monáe feat. Prince Lyrics
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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 (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)
Don't cry (Don't Cry)
When doves cry
When doves cry
When doves cry
When doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry, doves cry
Don't cry
Darling don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't don't cry
The song “When Doves Cry” by Janelle Monáe featuring Prince opens with a vivid picture of an intimate moment between the singer and the listener, described as “the sweat of your body covers me.” The lyrics then conjure up a dreamlike vision of a courtyard with an ocean of violets in bloom, where animals pose curiously “feeling the heat” between the two people. The chorus, which is repeated throughout the song, questions how the singer can be left standing alone in a cold and unforgiving world, wondering if their demands are too much or if they are like their bold and demanding father or unsatisfied mother. The final lines repeat the chorus with the iconic line “This is what it sounds like when doves cry.”
The lyrics of “When Doves Cry” explore themes of love, intimacy, and conflict. The opening lines suggest a passionate physical connection between the two lovers, while the chorus indicates a sense of abandonment and confusion. The reference to doves crying is thought to represent the idea that something beautiful or pure has been disturbed, tainted, or broken.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig if you will the picture
Imagine a situation with me
Of you and I engaged in a kiss
Where we share a passionate kiss
The sweat of your body covers me
Your sweat embraces me
Can you my darling
Can you see it too?
Can you picture this?
Can you imagine the scenario we're in?
Dream if you can a courtyard
Imagine a garden
An ocean of violets in bloom
Full of blooming violet flowers all around us
Animals strike curious poses
Animals around us watch us curiously
They feel the heat
They sense the sexual tension
The heat between me and you
The chemistry between you and me
How can you just leave me standing?
How can you abandon me like this?
Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)
Leaving me to face this cruel world alone?
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Perhaps I'm asking for too much
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe I'm like my dad, too assertive
Maybe you're just like my mother
Maybe you resemble my mom
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
She's never content with anything
Why do we scream at each other
Why do we yell at each other like this?
This is what it sounds like
This is how it feels
When doves cry
When a love so pure and heavenly eventually fails
Touch if you will my stomach
Touch my stomach if you dare
Feel how it trembles inside
Notice how I'm nervous
You've got the butterflies all tied up
You make me feel so nervous, it's like my butterflies are trapped
Don't make me chase you
Don't make me have to pursue you
Even doves have pride
Even gentle creatures have some dignity
A world that's so cold
A world that's so unforgiving
Maybe, maybe I'm like my father
I might be similar to my dad
Ya know he's too bold
He's too assertive
Maybe you're just like my mother
Maybe you have qualities similar to my mom's
She's never, never satisfied
She never finds contentment
Why do we scream, why
What is the reason we raise our voices at each other?
When doves cry
When love fails to meet expectations and becomes painful
Doves cry, doves cry
Love can turn sorrowful
Darling don't cry
Sweetheart, please don't weep
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dal-x4637
RIP TO DALLAS OWN, You deserved so much more and I hope you get justice for what they done to you!!
@eyeknownow5756
I'm 46 and here in 2024 now, and this movie was fire and still...and the kid nailed it
@gloriatobias6216
As an adult, I'm squashing everything before my kid thinks they can't be in love with whoever and choose death over themselves. But this movie definitely holds.
@michalagoss7625
I love prince, but when this child sings this it just feels so right....
@slideshowcinema2316
I agree 💯
@danacarter9147
Same here.
@marilynsanchez1048
I get chills every time I hear his voice. In the movie u seen the talent it's beautiful
@fvnaticbychoice
It’s crazy how well this song meshes with the thematic elements of the work
@MrEanes0424
Teacher made me sing this song in high school when we watched this movie.. thought I was killing it 😂😂😂😂 good times
@GoddessB888
I used to watch this movie just to hear this song 😂