"When Doves Cry" was No. 1 in the US for five weeks, from July 7, 1984 to August 4, 1984, keeping Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" from reaching the top spot. Because of tabulation differences, the song was announced as the year's No. 2 single on the "American Top 40" year-end countdown (with "Say Say Say" at No. 1). The song was voted as the best single of the year in "The Village Voice" Pazz & Jop critics' poll. "Billboard" ranked it as the No. 1 year-end single of 1984. In 2016, after Prince's death, "When Doves Cry" re-entered the "Billboard" Hot 100 at No. 20, peaking at No. 8.