"I Cry" is a song by American singer-songwriter Usher. It was released as a standalone single on June 26, 2020 by Brand Usher and RCA Records. Originally a demo, the murder of George Floyd inspired Usher to finish recording the song.[1] Usher, a father to two sons, wanted to show men they could be emotional, especially during difficult times. Usher's proceeds from the record will be donated to The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which will help black-owned small businesses and black-led community organizations.[2]
| "I Cry" | ||||
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| Single by Usher | ||||
| Released | June 26, 2020 | |||
| Recorded | 2020 | |||
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| Length | 3:39 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Usher singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "I Cry" on YouTube | ||||
Background and release
editUsher began using his platform to speak out on social justices in 2016 with his record "Chains" featuring Nas and Bibi Bourelly. The song and video addressed racial injustices and police brutality using interactive media.
Following the murder of George Floyd, Usher and fellow R&B singer Trey Songz joined a Black Lives Matter protest in Los Angeles, California. On June 26, 2020, Usher shared a statement with the song release on his twitter and instagram platforms encouraging men to show their emotions, especially after the murder of George Floyd. He stated, "This song was inspired by wanting to teach my sons that it is ok for a man to feel emotions deeply and to cry. Like many men, I was raised to believe that we have to be 'tough' and not show our vulnerability, which I don't want to teach them". He continued: "While I was shut in during the [COVID-19] pandemic and watching the death of George Floyd, the ongoing slaughter of black men and women, the protests and the events that unfolded, I became very connected to the wider universal feeling of hopelessness".[3]
The music video on YouTube has received over 10 million views as of May 2024.[4]
Composition
edit"I Cry" has a length of three minutes and thirty-nine seconds. The song has been characterized by critics as a mid-tempo piano ballad pop soul track.[5]
Live performances
editOn June 27, 2020, Usher performed "I Cry" at the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future.[6]
Credits and personnel
editCredits adapted from Tidal.[7]
- Usher – lead artist, vocals, songwriting
- Jeff Gitelman – producer, songwriting, engineer
- Nasri Atweh – production, songwriting, composer
- Jeremie Inhaber – songwriting, assistant engineer
- Ashley Jacobson – assistant engineer
- Chris Galland – assistant engineer
- Robin Florent – assistant engineer
- Ben "Bengineer" Chang – engineer, vocal producer
- Emerson Mancini - mixing engineer
- Manny Marroquinerías - mixing engineer
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | June 26, 2020 |
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References
edit- ^ "Usher shares emotional song 'I Cry'". Rap-Up. June 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (June 26, 2020). "Usher embraces vulnerability on BLM-inspired song 'I Cry'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ "Usher Shares Emotional Song 'I Cry'". Rap-Up. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ Usher - I Cry (Official Video).YouTube
- ^ Blistein, Jon (June 26, 2020). "Usher Embraces Vulnerability on BLM-Inspired Song 'I Cry'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Here's who's performing in 'Global Goal: Unite for Our Future' to help everyone beat COVID-19". Global Citizen. June 22, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ "Don't Waste My Time". Tidal. June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.