Random Cover of the Week: Two Takes on “When Doves Cry”

A great song can take on many different interpretations and still hold up. So this week’s random cover focuses on two very different versions of Prince’s classic “When Doves Cry”.

The song was the first single off of the Purple Rain soundtrack, and held the top spot on the charts for five weeks in 1984. Prince’s version is an mid-tempo dance number. The two versions I’ve got here are not. I don’t really see anyone getting up to dance to these, but the song still works.

This version, by The Be Good Tanyas, is about as close to the original as a country version can get. It keeps the same basic drum line and the tempo, but adds a bass line and switches up the guitar part.
The Be Good Tanyas - When Doves Cry

Damien Rice, on the other hand, pretty much disposes of everything from the original except the melody. It’s just him and an acoustic guitar, and that’s all he needs.
Damien Rice - When Doves Cry