In Aaron Neville's song "Cry Me a River," the singer is addressing someone who has hurt them deeply. The other person is now claiming to be lonely and sorry for their past behavior, but the singer is not moved by these apologies. Instead, they tell the other person to cry them a river, to shed as many tears as they need to because the singer has already cried a river over them. The singer recounts how the other person's actions nearly drove them "out of [their] head," but they never shed a tear over the singer's pain. The other person also belittled the singer's love, saying that it was "too plebeian" and that they were through with them. Now that the other person claims to love the singer once again, the singer is not so easily convinced. They demand that the other person prove their love by crying a river, just as the singer has done.

The metaphor of crying a river is powerful for several reasons. First, it suggests overwhelming emotion - a river is a force of nature that is difficult to control, much like intense feelings of sadness or anger. Second, it implies a sense of catharsis - by crying a river, the other person may be able to release some of their guilt or regret, just as the singer has done. Finally, the metaphor also highlights the power dynamic between the two characters - the singer has already experienced and survived the flood of emotion that the other person is now facing. They are essentially saying, "You think you're in pain? I've been there, and I'm still standing."

Overall, "Cry Me a River" is a classic song about heartbreak and resilience. The singer is dealing with the aftermath of a painful experience, but they are not defeated. Instead, they are using their own emotional journey as a way to challenge and test the sincerity of their former partner's feelings. It's a powerful message about the importance of self-care and self-respect in the face of adversity.