When Doves Cry
Prince_______ Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 (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

Overall Meaning

"When Doves Cry" by Prince & Revolution is a song about a tumultuous relationship that is falling apart despite the passion and love that once existed between the two individuals. The first verse describes a heated physical moment between the two lovers, with the sweat of the body representing their intense connection. The second verse paints a dreamy picture of a courtyard and blooming violets, but animals curious of the couple's spark disturb their moment of peace.


The chorus then asks how the other person could leave them standing alone in a cold world. The singer then contemplates whether their own demanding nature or their parents' attitudes and behavior are the cause of their conflicts. The bridge shifts the focus back to the physical and emotional connection, with the singer begging not to be chased and invoking the image of even doves with pride. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the pain of being left alone and adding pleading exclamations from the singer to not cry.


The lyrics of "When Doves Cry" are notable for their vivid imagery and raw emotions, drawing on physical sensations and dreamlike settings to explore the heartbreak of a failed relationship. The song's popularity also helped cement Prince's status as a musical icon and symbol of individualism and artistic freedom.


Line by Line Meaning

Dig if you will the picture
Imagine with me for a moment


Of you and I engaged in a kiss
Two of us who are romantically involved, kissing each other passionately


The sweat of your body covers me
Your exertion makes me feel warm all around me


Can you my darling
Are you able to


Can you picture this?
Can you imagine what I just described?


Dream if you can a courtyard
Visualize an open yard


An ocean of violets in bloom
A beautiful garden of violet flowers in full bloom


Animals strike curious poses
The creatures around us have interesting, almost captivating behaviors


They feel the heat
These animals experience the intensity of the situation


The heat between me and you
Our own internal passion and romance are intense and palpable


How can you just leave me standing?
Why did you abandon me?


Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)
I am all alone in a world that is harsh and unforgiving


Maybe I'm just too demanding
Perhaps I'm asking for too much


Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
I might be like my dad, who is overly confident in his ways


Maybe you're just like my mother
Perhaps you're similar to my mother in some ways


She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
My mom is always wanting more, never content with what she has


Why do we scream at each other
Why do we always end up yelling like this?


This is what it sounds like When doves cry
This is what our relationship sounds like when it's falling apart


Touch if you will my stomach
If you can, rest your hand on my tummy


Feel how it trembles inside
You will sense the tremors within me


You've got the butterflies all tied up
You have me so nervous that my stomach is in knots


Don't make me chase you
I don't want to have to pursue you for our relationship to work


Even doves have pride
Even the gentlest creatures have dignity and self-worth


When doves cry
This is how it seems when things go wrong in our bond


Don't cry
No need to shed tears over this


Darling don't cry
Honey, please don't cry


When doves cry
This is how it seems when things go wrong in our bond


When doves cry
This is how it seems when things go wrong in our bond


When doves cry
This is how it seems when things go wrong in our bond


Don't cry
No need to shed tears over this


Don't cry
No need to shed tears over this


Don't don't cry
Please don't cry, baby




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PRINCE ROGERS NELSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@chaudcola

I know everyone is talking about purple rain but, for me, this is my favorite song from Prince

@tbinus7857

Without a doubt.

@user-sw2se7pf2s

By far

@cdoc1388

My Favorit is kiss =D

@ThogDontCare

Purple rain is one of my least favorite prince songs.

@sillyguy9828

Me too

299 More Replies...

@bassreeves2410

fun fact: prince not only played every instrument in the song,he also arranged, produced and completed it in 12 hours. Genius

@markkavanagh7377

What happened to Minneapolis since they lost their Mozart? :(

@batman1169

mark kavanagh looting and shooting!

@milkshakemainz7361

Genius, talented af

More Comments

More Versions