Prince (16 May 1984) When Doves Cry – 7" Single (US)

Prince’s groundbreaking, minimalist masterpiece and the lead single from Purple Rain, When Doves Cry became his first US number 1 and one of the defining singles of the 1980s.

Artist: Prince

Title: When Doves Cry

Release Date: 16 May 1984 (US 7" release)

Label: Warner Bros.

Format: 7" Vinyl

Catalogue Number: 7-29286

Country: United States

Length: 7:41 (combined A/B sides)

When Doves Cry was the first single from Purple Rain and was released five weeks before the album. Although credited only to Prince, the track was recorded entirely solo. Its B‑side, 17 Days, was previously unreleased and marked the first time a track was officially credited to Prince and the Revolution. The single became Prince’s first US number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the Black Singles chart and the Dance/Disco Top 80. Billboard later named it the number 1 single of 1984. It was certified platinum for two million units shipped, the last solo‑artist single to achieve this under the original RIAA rules.

TRACK LISTING

7" Vinyl – Warner Bros. – 1984

Side A

When Doves Cry (Edit) – 3:47

Side B

17 Days – 3:54

SLEEVE DETAILS

Sleeve Type: Standard US picture sleeve

Photography: Purple Rain era imagery

Design: Warner Bros. art department

Variants: Promo 7" with same track both sides

PRIMARY QUOTE

"When Doves Cry became Prince’s first US number 1 single, topping three Billboard charts in 1984."

THE STORY BEHIND IT

When Doves Cry was written at the request of director Albert Magnoli for a key emotional moment in Purple Rain. Prince recorded the track alone, famously removing the bass line to create its stark, experimental sound. Released in May 1984, it became a cultural phenomenon and the defining hit of the Purple Rain era. The B‑side, 17 Days, quickly became one of Prince’s most celebrated non‑album tracks. The single’s success helped propel Purple Rain into a global event.

PUBLICATION

Release Type: 7" Single

Date: 16 May 1984

Country: United States

Catalogue Number: 7-29286

Formats: 7", 12", Promo 7", Promo 12"

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

Event: US 7" release of When Doves Cry

Era: 1984

Tone: Minimalist, emotional, groundbreaking

Artwork: Purple Rain era photography

Audience: Pop listeners, rock audiences, collector

CONTEXT AND NOTES

When Doves Cry was the most successful single of Prince’s career at the time, topping the Hot 100 for five weeks. Its platinum certification marked a historic milestone. The 12" version featured the full 5:52 album version. Promo editions included long and short versions for radio. The single’s impact was central to the Purple Rain phenomenon.

OTHER FORMATS

12" Single — When Doves Cry (5:52) / 17 Days

7" Promo — When Doves Cry (Edit) / When Doves Cry (Edit)

12" Promo — Long Version / Short Version

2007 UK 12" Reissue — When Doves Cry / 17 Days

CHART PERFORMANCE

United States:

Billboard Hot 100 — #1 (5 weeks), 21 weeks total

Billboard Black Singles — #1 (8 weeks), 20 weeks total

Billboard Dance/Disco Top 80 — #1 (6 weeks) [listed with 17 Days]

International:

Strong worldwide performance; multiple top 10 placements

DISCOGRAPHY SIDEBAR

Let’s Pretend We’re Married — 1983

When Doves Cry — 1984

Let’s Go Crazy — 1984

ERA MINI-TIMELINE

Early 1984 — Purple Rain sessions completed

16 May 1984 — When Doves Cry US 7" released

June–July 1984 — Single reaches number 1

June 1984 — Purple Rain film and album released

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SOURCES

Prince Vault

Billboard chart archives

Warner Bros. Records documentation

RIAA certification records

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All artwork, photographs, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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