These 2 hits are for sure Prince's most famous , popular, and coolest hits . But which is more famous , popular , and cooler ?

damanwithdaplan said:

Purple Rain is more popular simply because it refers more to the movie "Purple Rain" which everyone knows and is 90% of the time the first thing that any Average Joe could think up if you say 'Prince'..."When Doves Cry" is more popular however because of it's 5 week run at #1 and was the first song to kick off Prince's huge "Purple Rain" era and the rest of his historical career...Which song is cooler? IMO "When Doves Cry" gets that only because you could constantly listen to it over and over again without it's listening value fading. "Purple Rain" on the other hand, well, you kinda seem to notice what it lacks more than what it gains over time. Still though, they are both in [my] Top 10 of Prince Songs...

But Purple Rain is more famous , right ?

damanwithdaplan said:

Well I guess popular and famous are about equal in meaning...but I guess I would say "Purple Rain" is more famous than "When Doves Cry," yes...

\\EDIT// I just realized I said that "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry" were both most popular...I can see where that'd get confusing...I meant "Purple Rain" was more famous and "When Doves Cry" was more popular...
[Edited 12/9/05 22:01pm]

Any other suggestions ?

Purple Rain is beter.

Purple Rain - because it is a defining moment not only in musical culture, but also in the career of an artist - as well as marking when he truly broke through culturally, and commercially to the masses. When Doves Cry is many things, but it can't carry the weight of that kind of historical context on it's back.

Purple Rain is the most famous. People tend to lump everything on that album under the Purple Rain. The movie pretty much superceded everything else. When Doves Cry was more popular. It spent more weeks on the charts. We're really talking semantics here. Famous and popular can be used synonymously. But I referring to fame as just being well known and widely recognized and popularity as what people liked enough to purchase.

Which is cooler? Thats purely a matter of opinion. I tend to favor When Doves Cry..it has that haunting sound that distinguished Prince from all the other artists at the time. Back in the day when the song was dropped, everyone was expecting Michael Jackson or Bruce Springstreen to rule the charts -- Then When Doves Cry came out of nowhere to establish Prince as a force to be reckoned with. Purple Rain followed after Doves and Lets Go Crazy had already paved the way. But I like both songs though..

when doves cry!

**For me, it's When Doves Cry. I never was a big fan of Purple Rain,the song.The only part of that song I liked was the Prince howling and guitar at the end.**

Purple Rain is THE greatest song ever written IMO.

GoldenGlove said:

Y'know Howard Stern is in agreement with you. Though he's had some unflattering things to say about Prince in the past, he has gone on record for saying Purple Rain was his favorite song of all time.

When Doves Cry

PURPLE RAIN !!!!!

anyone else think "when doves cry" owes a little to "billy jean"?

sosgemini said:

sosgemini said:

NO.

That's HERESY! Plain and simple.

PurpleJedi said:

actually..its hershey..

That's comparing fast with slow and fast wins with me every time. "When Doves Cry" seems to more popular also, considering that it was the number one single for the year 1984.

"When Doves Cry" had the biggest impact with me because it has this fine balance of having a very good rhyme in the lyrics and also a lot of meaning.

I find it a song that just makes me go WOW.

The song tells a story, talks in terms of how Prince feels but it also looks at the tale from the perspective of the woman.

For me this is what makes Prince so truly 3-dimensional as a writer and musician.

"Purple Rain" is still a great song though. I'm never sure though what Purple Rain means exactly though!!!

But saying that it still works brilliantly and I think all non-Prince fans seem to love this song aswell.

He always seems to really enjoy playing it live because I think he knows it's popular and well-liked.

When Doves Cry simply because it was the only Prince song and video I knew or cared about before I became a fan.