This is probably well-documented somewhere, but I've never seen it...

I've always been surprised how often Prince plays the Purple Rain songs PR, BIAS, TBO, and TMWY live, but almost never includes When Doves Cry. Seeing the Grammy performance brought the question back up. (Surprising that a song that was so popular during his commercial height is seldom brought out in the live set, especially in a setting such as Sundays', knowing the masses would've connected strongly - It's not as though he never throws hits in the set!

Has he mentioned the issue of that song before? Appreciate the info...

Peace!

People tend to laugh when they hear "When doves cry", well the younger generations, I guess prince just felt like it would be good to leave it out and not remind everyone, people know it was a kick ass song.

I think Prince was also appealling to the younger audience at the grammy's just to show them he's not what they think he is.

WDC doesn't translate nearly as well live as some of the other PR era tunes.

I think the song (that really kicks ass in the studio version) doesn't really lend itself for live gigs. It's just too sparse and the production leans too heavy on the drumtrack, which cannot be done justice by a live drummer in my opinion.

Universaluv said:

CO-SIGN

Jem said:

Really?

funkaholic1972 said:

I agree with this, it totally kicks ass studi version but I would think it would lack some punch live.
The song is mostly focused on the drums.

WDC is a very iconic song and the sound of it is very difficult to replicate live it would seem.

I think he does right in not playing it live.

Universaluv said:

I agreed with your statement until I heard it live at the U.S. Air Arena in D.C. in August 1997. Best live version ever.

donnyenglish said:

You may be right about that one particular live version of WDC... I don't know, can't say that I've heard it. But for the most part every live version I've ever heard was very weak. It's "okay" live, but there's something about it that just doesn't feel right in a live setting and I think that's one of the reasons why Prince has stayed away from it. It's a classic studio track, but that's where it's greatness seems to stop (in my opinion).

Totally disagree. Heard it live on many tours and live, it is a great tune. Great melody and a very passionate. Reminds us how amazing the original version is. Stripped down rare rhythmic funk full of passion and in a way I think it defines all that is the MLPS sound.

I think the reason it was perhaps left off this particular (very short) set was because although instantly recognisable, it perhaps is difficult to translate the energy of the track in such a short window. The tracks lends itself more a full version rather than being part of a purple medley. That kind of has the effect of deflating the energy of the track.

The only thing I have ever heard Prince diss about his work, was Parade (except Kiss) once, years ago. But back to Doves Cry, I just wanted to make the point: apparently it was performed and recorded, mixed all in one marathon session in LA in 83 or early 84 (has to get my bible out later to check) and the track gave Prince a chance to use all of his studio genius with vocal track layering, weaving it ingeniuously with an infectious drum loop with the MLPS signature...AND reportedly he did it all alone in that historic studio session. It was apparently quite late and one of the final tracks to be added to PR. He must have finished the recording and walked away going FUCK ME, that was some of the best work I have ever done (and will ever) and THAT is a number 1 hit record...

Anyway...I LOVE that track and I LOVE it live and i even love the video and how it fits into the film and whole thing... it was Prince's first step into a pyschodelic space with his music i think as well...that would resurface after the PR tour a year and a bit later...

OK, i will shut up with my rant now!

Jem said:

Who the hell laughs when they hear WDC retards?

righteous1 said:

It was kinda thin live but he beefed up the outro. It was slammin'.

Maybe he just doesn't want to be misconstrued as dissing his parents, now that they're both dead. It might be a respect thing, I suppose.

BinaryJustin said:

Naarrr, i think those lyrics were always just fantasy..

funkaholic1972 said:

True that this in it's studio form makes a weak live song, it is such an internal song. But, he did perform a great version in his live video from the era with some funky ass bass parts. I think as good as it is, it would have been a poor choice in the grammy setting. But i'm sure depressing,dark songs have been sung there before.

That's funny, I've only noticed that everyone universally feels that the song is amazing.

What morons have you been hanging around?

crazyhorse said:

Didn't he get a grammy for that song??

He said during an interview...(I'll look up which one) that he was never happy with how When Doves Cry sounded live.
Emancipation era methinks for now...

---

When Doves Cry, is a very beautiful song.

Has anyone ever heard the version with the bass line?

locoarts said:

see the 85 live video. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis plagiarized parts of his extra arrangement in Janet's first album with them.

I always wondered the same thing, also. It sucks he never plays it live, probably my all time favorite song by him. I was never crazy about the live versions I heard from 1984-1988, but I have a Nude Tour Live In Japan 1990 cd and that live version is just fucking awesome. I'm sure most of you guys have heard it. He played it on those Australian shows he did recently, I heard a boot of it and it came off very good, pretty much sounded just like the studio version.

As you guys said, it's a very drum heavy track, and I don't think it's a coincidence that the Nude Tour version is so awesome with Michael B playing it (who IMO was his best drummer). Now, he has John and I think he is Prince's strongest drummer since Michael B, and the Australian version sounded great so hopefully he starts bringing it out more often.

He sang it at the recent concert in Honolulu. It was arranged a little differently.
I personally wouldn't mind hearing him perform it acoustically with a guitar.

i heard him do this on the hit n run tour and he sang along to a track. it changed the flow of the show because during the rest of the show, he played with the band. it was almost like karaoke. i still enjoyed it though, because i think it is an incredible song and he hardly ever performs it live.

I agree with many here that mastery of WDC (studio version) doesnt really translate well to a live setting. However, i have always dreamt of hearing prince sing this song alone by the piano accompanyied only by a string quartet. Perhaps even a very sparse drum machine track in certain points.

locoarts said:

yeah, I heard MC Hammer's 'We Pray'!

XtrueX said:

TOTALLY!!!

JAMIESTARR said:

I didn't say these people said the song was bad, in fact everyone knows the lyrics and has fun with the song.

I'm saying, in general, people i have found that hear it, whether if its mentioned and such, tend to laugh unlike other songs, It maybe because it reminds them of the video or something.
Remember these people are younger generation, immature.
[This message was edited Thu Feb 12 14:31:44 PST 2004 by Jem]