Big Girls Don't Cry
Valli Frankie 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

In Valli Frankie's song "Big Girls Don't Cry," the artist communicates the idea of gender stereotypes by saying that boys may cry when they break up with their loved ones, but girls do not cry. The song addresses toxic masculinity, where boys are expected to hide their emotions and not show vulnerability, while girls are expected to be emotional and vulnerable. He sings about a situation where he breaks up with his girlfriend and hopes that she would come back to him, but she did not, and he wonders why she didn't cry.


The lyrics also portray the idea that the singer was trying to be strong by not crying when his girlfriend left him, which is often the narrative for boys in relationships. The song also has a chorus that repeats the line "Big girls don't cry" to drive home the idea of gender stereotypes and expectations.


Overall, the song is a commentary on societal expectations of gender and how they can be harmful to individuals. It challenges the idea that girls are emotional and boys are not and encourages people to express their emotions freely.


Line by Line Meaning

Big girls don't cry
It is believed that strong women don't show emotions by crying.


Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
The refrain emphasizing the notion that strong women don't cry.


Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)
Questioning the idea that women shouldn't cry and asserting that it is a false stereotype.


My girl said goodbye (my, oh, my)
Expressing disbelief and sadness over the loss of a romantic partner.


My girl didn't cry (I wonder why)
Noticing that the artist's female partner did not display any emotions after their breakup.


(Silly boy) told my girl we had to break up
Describing a man who ended a relationship.


(Silly boy) hoped that she would call my bluff
Suggesting that the man underestimated the singer's female partner, hoping she would not accept the breakup and would try to reconcile.


(Silly boy) then she said to my surprise
Revealing the unexpected response of the artist's female partner after the breakup.


"Big girls don't cry"
The artist's female partner's stoic response to the breakup, conforming to the stereotype of strong women not crying.


(Maybe) I was cruel (I was cruel)
Admitting to possibly being the cause of the breakup due to unkind behavior or actions.


Baby I'm a fool (I'm such a fool)
Acknowledging that the singer may have made a mistake in the relationship that led to the breakup.


(Silly girl) "Shame on you" your mama said
Recounting a parental scolding after the breakup, implying the artist's mother disapproves of crying.


(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you're cryin' in bed"
Repeating the parental scolding with the added detail that the singer was crying in bed.


(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you told me lies"
Adding another element to the parental scolding, this time involving dishonesty.


Big girls do cry
Directly contradicting the refrain and stereotype that strong women don't show emotions by crying.


Big girls don't cry (that's just an alibi)
Rejecting the idea that women who don't cry are stronger than those who do, and instead attributing the avoidance of tears to an excuse or defense mechanism.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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

đŸ’‹â€

@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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