Prince – When Doves Cry – Verse 2
When Doves Cry < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘G’]
Chord Progression Analysis
The full chord names and their Roman numerals would look like this:
– A minor (i)
– G major (bVII)
– E minor (v)
– F major (bVI)
– G major (bVII)
Note that the “b” before the numerals represent borrowed chords (outside the original key). Thus:
“`F major is a borrowed chord from the parallel major key“`
“`G major is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key“`
Similar Chord Progressions
The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” employs a similar chord progression: Am, Am/G, Am/F#, Am/F. The use of parallel major chords as in Prince’s song introduces an unexpected brightness.
Another is Radiohead’s “Creep”, which uses a similar progression in its verse: G, B, C, Cm. Here, the major to minor transition at the end of the progression parallels Prince’s use of unexpected shifts to create tension and release.
Musical Analysis
The song follows a minor key, which gives it a somber, sensitive mood. The progression from Am to G (i to bVII) feels like a descending step, while the move from G to Em (bVII to v) creates downward motion. This leads us to the relatively unexpected F (bVI), a major chord, which temporarily lifts the mood and provides some tension, before resolving back to the G (bVII). This overall sequence creates an ebb and flow that’s nostalgic, yet hopeful.
Overall Analysis
“When Doves Cry” by Prince shows the artist’s flair for the unusual. While the song is primarily in A minor, Prince takes liberties with creating unexpected shifts in harmony, which gives the song its unique character. The song revolves around five chords: Am, G, Em, F, and G, repeated throughout the verse. This circular progression offers a sense of continuity, yet Prince’s interpretation and arrangement create a sense of unpredictability.
Style Analysis
The style of “When Doves Cry” is a blend of pop, rock, and funk music. Prince, through his unique writing and singing style, brings in a fresh approach to chord progressions. The continuous return to the home key (Am), interspersed with borrowed chords, enhances the song’s iconic melodic lines. As such, listeners experience the feelings of melancholy inherent in the minor key, tinged with brief moments of levity.
What are the chords in: Prince – When Doves Cry – Verse 2?
[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘F’, ‘G’]
