The Avant-Garde Pop Masterpiece
"When Doves Cry" is the lead single from Prince's 1984 album Purple Rain. Famous for its complete lack of a bass line, the song relies entirely on the Linn LM-1 drum machine, a synthesizer hook, and Prince's incredible vocal dexterity to drive the groove. It’s a masterclass in minimalism and emotional expression.
To sing this correctly, you must be comfortable switching between a dry, spoken-word style in the verses and soaring falsetto improvisation in the outro. The key is confidence and rhythm.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Timing
Without a bass guitar to guide you, it is easy to rush the beat. Listen closely to the "knock" of the drum machine kick. Keep your verses staccato and punchy.
Phase 1: The Verse (0:33 - 1:20)
The verses ("Dig if you will the picture...") are sung in a mid-range chest voice (E3-A4). Prince uses a very dry, almost detached delivery here. The notes are short and rhythmic.
The Trap: Many singers try to add too much vibrato or "prettiness" to the verses. Don't. Keep it raw and conversational. The emotion comes from the lyrics, not vocal gymnastics—yet.
Phase 2: The Chorus (1:20 - 1:45)
The chorus melody is simple but relies heavily on the harmony. The lead vocal sits right in the pocket of the mix. You want to aim for a brighter tone here to cut through the synthesizer wash.
- Rhythm: The phrasing on "This is what it sounds like" is syncopated. Don't drag the words out.
- Pitch: The melody centers firmly around A Minor. Use the Singing Coach AI pitch tracker to ensure you aren't sliding flat on the descending notes.
Phase 3: The Outro & Screams (3:30 - End)
This is where the song becomes legendary. As the track progresses, Prince unleashes a series of falsetto screams and runs, hitting notes up to A5.
To achieve this, do not push your chest voice up. You must flip into a reinforced head voice. Engage your diaphragm for support, but keep the throat feeling open and light. If you feel a tickle or scratch, you are squeezing too hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prince hits a piercing A5 during the falsetto ad-libs in the outro section. The main melody stays mostly within the fourth octave.
Yes. The verses are very comfortable for Baritones. For the high screams, you can either develop your falsetto or opt to sing the lower harmony lines, which add great texture.
The song has no bass line, which usually anchors a singer. You have to lock your internal metronome to the drum machine kick and snare.
