Big Girls Don't Cry
Frank Valli and the Four Season Lyrics


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Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry

Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)
My girl said goodbye (my, oh, my)
My girl didn't cry (I wonder why)
(Silly boy) told my girl we had to break up
(Silly boy) hoped that she would call my bluff
(Silly boy) then she said to my surprise
"Big girls don't cry"

Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)

(Maybe) I was cruel (I was cruel)
Baby I'm a fool (I'm such a fool)

(Silly girl) "Shame on you" your mama said
(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you're cryin' in bed"
(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you told me lies"
Big girls do cry

Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (that's just an alibi)

Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry




Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry

Overall Meaning

"Big Girls Don't Cry" is a song by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, released in 1962. The song addresses the notion that women should not express sadness, as they are expected to be strong and brave in difficult situations. The song is a tribute to women who face tough times but never show their vulnerability. The lyrics suggest that it's acceptable for women to cry, but they should only do it in private. The song encourages women to take a stand against the societal pressure to hide their emotions and to embrace the fact that sometimes it's okay to cry.


The song begins with the statement, "Big girls don't cry," which is repeated throughout the song. The idea that women should not cry in front of others is reinforced in the chorus, where it is suggested that women should be stoic and unemotional. The verses describe the singer's confusion and heartbreak when his girlfriend breaks up with him. He is surprised when she doesn't cry, and he is left to wonder if this is because she is a "big girl" who is strong enough to handle the situation. In the second verse, the singer realizes that he was cruel to his girlfriend and now feels like a fool. He acknowledges that men can also be sensitive and cry, contrary to the societal stereotype.


Line by Line Meaning

Big girls don't cry
Mature people don't let their emotions get the best of them


Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Repeated reminder that mature people don't cry


Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)
Questioning the validity of the previous statement


My girl said goodbye (my, oh, my)
The singer's girlfriend broke up with him


My girl didn't cry (I wonder why)
Wondering why the girlfriend didn't cry when breaking up with him


(Silly boy) told my girl we had to break up
The singer characterizes the boy who broke up with him as foolish


(Silly boy) hoped that she would call my bluff
The boy who broke up with the singer thought he was bluffing


(Silly boy) then she said to my surprise
The boy's girlfriend surprised him by not crying


"Big girls don't cry"
The girlfriend's response to the silly boy


(Maybe) I was cruel (I was cruel)
The singer acknowledges he may have been cruel in the relationship


Baby I'm a fool (I'm such a fool)
The singer admits he may have made mistakes in the relationship


(Silly girl) "Shame on you" your mama said
The singer characterizes his girlfriend as silly and her mom shamed her for crying


(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you're cryin' in bed"
The girlfriend is shamed for crying in bed


(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you told me lies"
The singer accuses his girlfriend of lying


Big girls do cry
Even mature people are capable of crying


Big girls don't cry (that's just an alibi)
The repeated statement that mature people don't cry is just an excuse




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tobias Gad, Stacy Ferguson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@-TheExposition-

Back in the early 90's right during my preteens I was riding in the car w/ my dad, stepmom and older teenage step sister. My step sister had been being such a brat and was now crying in protest at her mother snapping at her.
The radio was on but all attention was focused on her throwing a tantrum.
That all changed when this song starting playing out of nowhere.

My dad, step mom and myself lost it. Her mom was trying to so hard to muffle her own laughter but couldn't. My dad and I just freely cracked up. It was so fitting!
Step sister was so salty. It was as if the universe was saying "give it a rest already". She got the message too. Didn't say a word the rest of the car ride home. That was the first time I ever this song.

@anthonycolatrella2438

Great Story!

@jwream

You gotta love that lead tenor sound. As a tenor 2, I could never dream of having a range that high be that comfortable. Props to a legend

@hayal8526

💋❤

@garybooth4270

My fiancee and I just saw them last Friday in Lancaster Pennsylvania at the American Music Theatre....Frankie Valli just as good as he was in the sixties....

@matthewrandell5055

they don't make them like Frankie Valli anymore. glad to hear he's still at it too!

@teddybearcupcake6616

I love the part where they go yaiyaiyai

@choomummmaa4527

It's more * cryaiai

@teddybearcupcake6616

@@choomummmaa4527 I know but at first when I listened to this song and didn’t know the song name or anything I thought it was yaiyaiyai

@geeem5408

Hahahaha meee toooo

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