Cry Me A River
Natalie Cole Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now you say you're lonely
You cried the long night through
Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river
I've cried a river over you

Now you say you're sorry
For being so untrue
Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river

I've cried a river over you

You drove me, nearly drove me out of my head
While you never shed a tear
Remember, I remember all that you said

Told me love was to 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've cried a river over you

Well, you told me love was to plebeian
Told me you were through with me
And now you say you love me

Well, just to prove that you do
Come on and cry me a river, I wanna see a river
'Cause I've cried a river over you

I've cried a river over you, I've cried a river over you

I've cried a river over you, I've cried a river over you
I've cried a river over you, I've cried a river over you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Natalie Cole's song Cry Me A River is a classic tale of heartbreak, betrayal, and revenge. The song describes the singer's former lover who has just realized the gravity of her mistake of being unfaithful and dishonest, showing remorse and trying to reconcile with the singer. The singer, however, has already endured the pain caused by their past relationship and is channeling their anger and hurt into empowering emotion by inviting the former lover to "cry me a river."

Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes that they have already cried a river over their former lover and can now take pleasure in seeing their ex-partner equally upset. The line "I've cried a river over you" is repeated throughout the song and serves as a reminder to the former lover that their actions resulted in the singer's pain. Additionally, the singer recalls how their former lover "drove [them], nearly drove [them] out of [their] head" but never shed a tear for the pain caused, which justifies the singer's desire to see the former lover equally hurt.

In conclusion, the lyrics to Cry Me A River by Natalie Cole are a passionate and raw expression of the pain caused by a former lover's betrayal. The song shows that it's possible to use heartbreak as a motivator to become a stronger and more empowered person.

Line by Line Meaning

Now you say you're lonely
You are expressing your loneliness to me now

You cried the long night through
You spent the entire night crying

Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river
You can express your emotions to me the same way I expressed mine

I've cried a river over you
I have experienced intense emotions because of my relationship with you

Now you say you're sorry
You are expressing your regret to me now

For being so untrue
You are acknowledging that you were dishonest with me

You drove me, nearly drove me out of my head
Your behavior almost made me lose my mind

While you never shed a tear
You did not show remorse for the pain you caused me

Remember, I remember all that you said
I have not forgotten the hurtful things you said to me

Told me love was to plebeian
You said that love was only for the common people

Told me you were through with me
You told me that our relationship was over

And now you say you love me
You are expressing love to me now

Well, just to prove you do
You want to show me that your feelings are genuine

Come on and cry me a river, cry me a river
You want to express your emotions towards me in the same way that I did

I've cried a river over you
I have experienced intense emotions because of my relationship with you

Well, you told me love was to plebeian
You said that love was only for the common people

Told me you were through with me
You told me that our relationship was over

And now you say you love me
You are expressing love to me now

Well, just to prove that you do
You want to show me that your feelings are genuine

Come on and cry me a river, I wanna see a river
You want to express your emotions towards me in the same way that I did and want me to see it

'Cause I've cried a river over you
I have experienced intense emotions because of my relationship with you

I've cried a river over you
I have experienced intense emotions because of my relationship with you

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Hamilton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@Swoop2565

3y↑3

Natalie’s pitch and phrasing is so reminiscent of her Dad 🏆

@1512592011

5y↑8

I am...lost for words. I love...this song, and this version. Natalie Cole just kick my heart...and tears are rolling..

@spark_6710

5y↑10

What a pretty voice ! She is one of very few amongth some famous singer's daughters/ sons who really could sing & lived up to it's name ! Maybe the only !