Song Cry
| "Song Cry" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Jay-Z | ||||
| from the album The Blueprint | ||||
| Released | May 8, 2002 | |||
| Format | 12-inch single, CD single | |||
| Recorded | 2001 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 5:03 | |||
| Label | Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam | |||
| Writer(s) | Shawn Carter, Douglas Gibbs, Randolph Johnson, Justin Smith | |||
| Producer(s) | Just Blaze | |||
| Jay-Z singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Song Cry" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z and produced by Just Blaze. It was the fourth and final single from his sixth studio album The Blueprint and also appears on the 2001 live album Jay-Z: Unplugged.
"Song Cry" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance but lost to "Hot in Herre" by Nelly.
Background and content
In an interview with Bill Maher, Jay-Z stated that this song was actually inspired by three different relationships he had in the past, and he wrote about his different experiences all together in different verses.
The song is a slow and quiet melodic rap ballad in which Jay-Z laments the break-up of an earlier relationship due to his own neglect and infidelity. Admitting that he is too prideful to publicly display his emotions ("I can't see 'em coming down my eyes"), Jay-Z forces the song to "cry" instead.[1] This allows Jay-Z to mourn the break-up free of any damage to his masculine image as a street hustler. This furthers the notion that emotional vulnerability is a sign of weakness, especially within the Black community, as Black men in particular suppress vulnerability "in order to survive."[2]
"Song Cry" features female vocalist Jaguar Wright singing a sample of "Sounds Like a Love Song" by Bobby Glenn, though Wright is not identified in the liner notes of the album.
Notable live performances
During his 2006 Water for Life Tour, Jay-Z performed "Song Cry" at the Royal Albert Hall, the venue's first ever hip hop show. American actress Gwyneth Paltrow did the chorus.[3][4][5]
Sampled by other artists
- By Ghostface Killah in his song "Back Like That"
- By Mila J in her song "Complete"
- By LeToya in her song "When I Get Around Him"
- By Keyshia Cole in her song "You've Changed"
- By Deemi in her song "Wasn't Surprised"
- By Rihanna in her song "Good Girl Gone Bad"
- By Stat Quo in his song "I Am Hip Hop"
- By Gagong Rapper in his song "Mahal Kita"
- By Lloyd featuring Lil Wayne in the song "You"
- By Sleepy Malo "Even Players Get Played"
- By Rey King "Geezy"
- By LaTrell C. in his song "Quishea"
- By Young Sam- "Fell in love"
- By Joey Bada$$ in his song "Pennyroyal"
- By D-Pryde in his song "Got a Story to Tell"
Charts
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 45 |
See also
References
- ↑ Chaney, Cassandra (Spring 2014). "Typologies of Black Male Sensitivity in R&B and Hip Hop" (PDF). Journal of Hip Hop Studies.
- ↑ hooks, bell (2004). We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity. New York, NY: Routledge. p. 115. ISBN 0-415-96927-1.
- ↑ "Jay-Z joined by onstage by Chris and Gwynnie at London show". www.nme.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
- ↑ "Jay-Z - Jay-Z. Albert Hall, London; Wednesday, September 27 - Live Reviews - NME.COM". www.nme.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
- ↑ Myrie, Russell (2006-10-09). "Jay-Z, Royal Albert Hall, London - Reviews, Music - The Independent". www.independent.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
By Conejo - Song Cry
