Cry Me A River
Dinah Washington & Dinah Washington Lyrics
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You cried the whole night through
Well, you can cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you
Now you say you're sorry
For being so untrue
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you
You drove me
Nearly drove me out off my head
While you never shed a tear
Remember, I remember
All that you said
Told me love was too plebeian
Told me you were through with me
And now you say you love me
Well, just to prove you do
Come on and cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you
I cried a river over you
I cried a river over you
The song "Cry Me a River," originally performed by Ella Fitzgerald but made most famous by Dinah Washington, is a jazzy blues ballad that captures the essence of heartbreak and betrayal. The song is directed towards a former lover who lied, cheated and mistreated their significant other leading to the demise of the relationship. The lyrics evoke a sense of sadness and longing for the love that was lost.
The first verse begins with the singer acknowledging that their ex-partner is feeling lonely and has been crying all night. However, the singer suggests that they can "cry me a river," a phrase that implies that the singer has no sympathy for the ex's misery. The chorus, "I cried a river over you," reinforces the fact that the singer has already shed enough tears to last a lifetime over their former flame.
The second verse continues with the singer's bitterness towards their ex-partner and their apology for being "so untrue." However, this apology is too little too late, and the singer once again suggests that the former partner can "cry me a river," as they have already moved on with their lives. The bridge of the song reveals that the former partner had been gaslighting the singer, driving them almost to insanity. The final verse brings a surprise twist, with the former lover declaring their love for the singer, but it is too little too late. The song ends on the same note it began, with the singer reiterating the fact that they have already shed all of their tears over the breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you say you're lonely
You claim that you are lonely and in need of companionship
You cried the whole night through
You were devastated and cried the entire night due to being alone
Well, you can cry me a river
I am willing to listen to your problems but I am not sympathetic to your situation
Cry me a river
Express your emotions, although I am not going to be affected by them
I cried a river over you
I was heartbroken and suffered intensely because of you
Now you say you're sorry
You are expressing remorse for your actions
For being so untrue
You are apologizing for being deceptive and unfaithful
You drove me
Your behavior pushed me to the negative brink
Nearly drove me out off my head
Your actions affected my emotional and mental state, bringing me to a point of insanity
While you never shed a tear
You showed no emotion or care for the pain you caused
Remember, I remember
I have not forgotten what happened between us
All that you said
I recall every word you spoke to me or about me
Told me love was too plebeian
You told me that love was only for the common people and beneath someone of your status
Told me you were through with me
You informed me that you had broken up with me and we were finished
And now you say you love me
You are now claiming to have feelings of love towards me
Well, just to prove you do
You need to show me some form of tangible proof of your affection
Come on and cry me a river
Show me that you are truly sorry and regretful for hurting me
I cried a river over you
I am not easily forgiving and letting go of the pain you caused me
Lyrics © DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Hamilton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind