When Doves Cry was the first single to be released from the album Purple Rain, by Prince and the Revolution (the single was credited only to Prince, as he recorded the track alone).
It was released five weeks prior to the album, and received a release around the world. The b-side, 17 Days, was previously-unreleased and not included on the album. 17 Days was credited to Prince and the Revolution, marking the first time a track was released with that credit.
The single became Prince’s first US number 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It also reached number 1 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart and on the Dance Disco Top 80 Chart. Billboard also ranked it as the #1 single of 1984.
When Doves Cry was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, indicated two-million units shipping in the United States. It was the last single released by a solo artist to receive such certification before the certification requirements were lowered in 1989.
USA The Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B and Hip-Hop Hits by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-8230-8283-0), Top R&B Singles 1942 - 1999 by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-89820-136-5), Billboard Hot 100 Charts - The Eighties by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-89820-079-2), Hot Dance/Disco 1974-2003 by Joel Withburn (ISBN 0-89820-156-X)
1983: Let’s Pretend We’re Married ◄
