What's been reported concerning the investigation into Prince's death is a reminder, for those of us who require one, that it's a fiction to suppose that somewhere, if not in penthouse apartments then certainly at the pinnacle of worldwide super stardom, extravagantly gifted people are enjoying extravagant happiness. It appears that Prince was living alone at Paisley Park--his . . . what? not exactly "home"--self-medicating with opioids to which he had likely been introduced after undergoing a medical procedure for a bad hip. It was a longstanding problem with which his few intimates were quite familiar. He knew it was a problem himself and had taken steps to get help. Too late.
Because of its title, "When Doves Cry" has become a standard in the musical tributes to him. It's probably more appropriate than people tend to realize. Prince had many moods, and an almost-end-of-the-road broken heartedness was one of them. It's there in maybe his most famous recording, the dirge-like "Purple Rain," and it's certainly there in the lyric to "When Doves Cry":
How can you just leave me standing?
Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry.
Here it is, covered by Patti Smith.
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