When Doves Cry

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Written by: Prince
Produced by: Prince
Released: June '84 on Warner Bros.
Charts: 21 weeks
http:// Top spot: No. 1

The "Purple Rain" soundtrack album was completed, and so was the movie. But Prince just couldn't stop making music. And at the very last minute, he added a brand-new song: "When Doves Cry." Even by Prince standards, it's eccentric; after recording it single-handed in the studio, he decided to erase the bass track from the final mix. According to the engineer, Prince said, "Nobody would have the balls to do this. You just wait -- they'll be freaking." He was right. Prince fit the song into the movie by omitting most of "Computer Blue" -- and 1984's most avant-garde pop record became the year's biggest single.

Appears on: Purple Rain (Warner Bros.)

Next: Anarchy in the U.K.

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