"When Doves Cry" is a song by American musician Prince, and the lead single from his sixth studio album "Purple Rain". According to the DVD commentary of the film "Purple Rain" (1984), Prince was asked by director Albert Magnoli to write a song to match the theme of a particular segment of the film that involved intermingled parental difficulties and a love affair. The next morning, Prince had composed two songs, one of which was "When Doves Cry". According to Prince's biographer Per Nilsen, the song was inspired by his relationship with Vanity 6 member Susan Moonsie.