Wilder was one-half of the Greenwich Village folk group Matthew & Peter in the 1970s. In 1978 he moved to Los Angeles and sang for television commercials and backup for Rickie Lee Jones and Bette Midler.
Wilder's first album, I Don't Speak the Language (1983), reached number 49 on the Billboard chart, fueled by "Break My Stride", which reached number 5 on the singles chart. His second album, Bouncin' Off the Walls (1984), was a commercial failure.
Wilder continued his career as a songwriter and producer. His work includes producing the No Doubt's multi-platinum album Tragic Kingdom (1995). He lent his singing voice to the character of Ling and was nominated for an Academy Award for Original Music Score (along with David Zippel and Jerry Goldsmith) for his work on the Disney film Mulan (1998).
On Broadway, Wilder has once again paired with Zippel to provide the music and lyrics for Princesses, a musical comedy update of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel A Little Princess. The production opened on Broadway in November 2006.
Cry Just A Little
Matthew Wilder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still don't know how to treat her
If she were mine, I′d show her
How much I really know her
He's doin' it all wrong
I′m gonna make a prediction
Before this night is over
She′ll run to me for cover
All he has to do is make her
Cry just a little
Then just in time
I'll move straight up the middle
And I′ll make her mine
He just don't stand a chance
Check out those shoes and the earring
He′s so hung up on hisself
He'll put her heart on his shelf
She needs a real romance
She really needs some attention
But the guy is such a zero
I′ll have to play the hero
(Oh, oh)
All he has to do is make her
Cry just a little
Then just in time
I'll move straight up the middle
And I'll make her mine
You′re so sexy, child
Yeah, yeah
Oh yeah, cry just a little
I′ll move straight up the middle, yeah
Ooh, cry just a little
Then just in time, yeah
I'll move straight up the middle
And I′ll make her mine
Cry just a little
The song "Cry Just A Little" by Matthew Wilder tells the story of a man who has been observing a woman in a relationship that is not working out. He has had feelings for her for a long time but hasn't acted on them until now. The man believes that he knows what the woman needs and wants, and he is confident that he can be the one to give it to her. He believes that the current man in her life doesn't treat her right and that he would be a much better match for her. The man plans to wait for the opportunity to present itself, and he is convinced that when the woman cries, he will be there to pick up the pieces and offer her a better life.
The lyrics of the song depict the man as being more in tune with the woman's needs and feelings than the current man in her life. He feels that the woman needs more attention and romance than she is currently receiving. He is so convinced that he would be a better partner for her that he is willing to play the hero and show her a more fulfilling relationship. The song speaks to the idea that sometimes people end up with the wrong person, and it takes someone else to show them what they have been missing.
Line by Line Meaning
He’s had her for so long
He has been with her for a considerable period of time
Still don't know how to treat her
He is unaware of how to treat her properly
If she were mine, I’d show her
If she were with me, I’d demonstrate my knowledge of her
How much I really know her
I know her much better than her current partner
He's doin' it all wrong
He is doing everything the wrong way
I’m gonna make a prediction
I am going to make a forecast
Before this night is over
By the time this night ends
She’ll run to me for cover
She will seek refuge with me instead
All he has to do is make her
All he needs to do is cause her to
Cry just a little
Make her shed a few tears
Then just in time
At the most opportune moment
I'll move straight up the middle
I’ll make my move decisively
And I’ll make her mine
And I’ll win her affection
He just don't stand a chance
He has no chance of keeping her
Check out those shoes and the earring
Take a look at his shoes and earring
He's so hung up on hisself
He is obsessed with himself
He'll put her heart on his shelf
He will disregard her feelings
She needs a real romance
She requires a genuine love affair
She really needs some attention
She truly requires some attention
But the guy is such a zero
Her current partner is an utter failure
I’ll have to play the hero
I will need to assume the role of the savior
You're so sexy, child
You are very attractive
Yeah, yeah
An expression of agreement
Oh yeah, cry just a little
Oh yeah, make her shed a few tears
Ooh, cry just a little
Ooh, make her shed a few tears
Then just in time, yeah
At the most opportune moment, yeah
I'll move straight up the middle
I’ll make my move decisively
And I’ll make her mine
And I’ll win her affection
Writer(s): Matthew Wilder, Gregory Prestopino
Contributed by Nathan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.