Prince (June 13, 1984) "When Doves Cry" - Single 12" US

The late addition to the Purple Rain Soundtrack as released in the US as a maxi-single

RELEASE DETAILS 

Date: June 13, 1984

Catalogue: 0‑20228 (12" Maxi)

Format: 7" Single, 12" Maxi-Single, Promo

Country: United States (worldwide variants)

A-Side: “When Doves Cry” – 5:52 (full version)

B-Side: “17 Days” – 3:54 (first track officially credited to Prince and the Revolution)

THE STORY 

Released on June 13, 1984 as the lead single from the Purple Rain album and film, “When Doves Cry” was written, produced, arranged, and performed entirely by Prince. It arrived five weeks before the album, setting the tone for one of the most dominant cultural moments of the 1980s. The single became Prince’s first US No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, also topping the Black Singles Chart and the Dance/Disco Top 80. Billboard named it the No. 1 single of 1984, and it was certified platinum for two million units shipped.

CONTEXT & NOTES

 This release marked the true launch of the Purple Rain era. With no bassline, a haunting guitar intro, and Prince’s raw vocal intensity, the track shattered pop conventions and announced the arrival of a new musical era. The B-side “17 Days” introduced the first official credit for Prince and the Revolution, bridging Prince’s solo genius with his evolving band identity. Multiple formats were issued, including 12" maxi and promos, making it a staple for collectors and DJs

TRACK LIST

12" Maxi-Single (US) (0‑20228)

A. When Doves Cry – 5:52

B. 17 Days – 3:54

7" Single (US) 

A. When Doves Cry (Edit)

B. 17 Days (Edit)

CHART PERFORMANCE 

US Billboard Hot 100: Peak No. 1

US Billboard Black Singles: Peak No. 1

US Billboard Dance/Disco Top 80: Peak No. 1 Billboard’s No. 1 single of 1984 Certified platinum (2 million units shipped)

PERSONNEL

• Prince – vocals, all instruments, production

• (No additional musicians on the A-side)

PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS

• Standard Warner Bros. 12" sleeve

• Picture sleeve variants in multiple territories

• Promo editions with special stamps

• 
  

WHAT THE LABEL / SLEEVE SHOWS

Iconic Purple Rain-era imagery with dramatic purple tones and Prince’s intense portraiture on many sleeves. Labels feature the Warner Bros. shield and Purple Rain album reference.

RELATED MATERIAL

• Let’s Pretend We’re Married (1983)

• Delirious (1983)

• 1999 (1982 album)

  
  

For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.

SOURCES 

Prince Vault

Discogs

Billboard charts

All single artwork, photographs, logos, 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.