Don't Cry Baby

"Don't Cry Baby" is a song written by Saul Bernie, James P. Johnson, and Stella Unger. The song was originally performed in 1929 by Bessie Smith.

Cover versions

• In 1943, Erskine Hawkins recorded his version, with vocals by Jimmy Mitchell. This version went to number one on the Harlem Hit Parade and number fifteen on the pop chart.^[1] With fourteen non consecutive weeks at number one, the Erskine Hawkins version was the most successful song on the Harlem Hit Parade for 1943.^[2]
• In 1961, Etta James, recorded her version which reached number six on the R&B chart and number thirty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100.^[3]
• In 2004 it was recorded by American jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux, in her Careless Love album.

Appearances in popular culture

• The Erskine Hawkins recording of "Don't Cry Baby" is on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's 1992 film Malcolm X.

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 248.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 798.
3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 290.