Tag: Cry Me A River

I wanted to post something by Joe Cocker from the now legendary Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. I have a Joe Cocker 1980s song in my drafts but I wanted to do another song from that tour.

I was lucky enough to see him one time. He was opening up for Tina Turner on October 20, 2000, in Gaylord Arena. It was a hell of a double feature with those two performers. Cocker still had that voice and he sounded excellent.

This song was written in 1953 by Arthur Hamilton. The first release of this song was by Julie London in 1955. London was Jack Webb’s wife at the time and she is probably best known for her role in Emergency.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen kicked off on March 20, 1970, and ended on May 16, 1970. Cocker’s manager, Dee Anthony, saw an opportunity to capitalize on Cocker’s rising fame and organized a new tour. A band was quickly put together by musical director Leon Russell. It included an eclectic mix of musicians, backup singers (such as Rita Coolidge), and even a dog mascot.

The tour was immortalized in the live album Mad Dogs & Englishmen, released in August 1970. It became a critical and commercial success. It is still considered one of the great live albums in rock.

The album peaked at #95 on the Billboard 100, #46 in Canada, and #2 in New Zealand. Looks like New Zealand is the only country that got it right.

The song peaked at #11 on the Billboard 100 and #15 in Canada in 1970.

Arthur Hamilton:  “I had never heard the phrase. I just liked the combination of words… Instead of ‘Eat your heart out’ or ‘I’ll get even with you,’ it sounded like a good, smart retort to somebody who had hurt your feelings or broken your heart.” 

I Will See You Next Weekend!

Cry Me A River

Why don’t you, why don’t you
Why don’t you cry me a river?

Now you say that you’re lonely
After being so untrue

I want you to cry (cry me a river)
Want you to cry (cry me a river)
All over me (cry me a river)
I want you to cry (cry me a river)
Yeah, over me (cry me a river)
Hey, yeah, cry (cry me a river)
Yeah, I cried a river over you

Now you say that you’re sorry
Oh, for being so unkind

I want you to cry (cry me a river)
Cry for me (cry me a river)
Oh! (cry me a river)
Over me (cry me a river)
Want you to cry (cry me a river)
Right on me, yeah (cry me a river)
Oh, I cried a river over you

You drove me, nearly drove me out of my head
Never shed a tear
Remember, I remember all that you said
Told me love was a stupid thing
You were through with me

Cry me a river
Come on love (cry me a river)
Won’t you cry? (cry me a river)
Oh, yeah (cry me a river)
Oh, cry (cry me a river)
Cry me a river (cry me a river)
Oh, I cried a river over you

You drove me, nearly drove me out of my head
Ooh, never shed a tear
Remember, I remember all that you said
Told me love was a stupid thing
You were through with me

Cry me a river
Yes, cry (cry me a river)
I want you to cry (cry me a river)
Cry me a river (cry me a river)
Ah (cry me a river)
Cry me (cry me a river)
Oh, I cried a river over you

Yeah, I cried a river over you
(I cried a river over you)
Over you (I cried a river over you)
Over you (I cried a river over you)

I, I cried (I cried a river over you)
Let me (I cried a river over you)
I cried a river (I cried a river over you)
Cry me a river (I cried a river over you)
Over the mountain (I cried a river over you)
(I cried a river over you)
Baby, I cried a river over you

One, two, three, four
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
Yeah (cry me a river, cry me a river)
Cry, cry a river over you

Thanks again
Thank you very much