Big Girls Don't Cry
Various Artists Lyrics


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

Big girls don't cry-yi-yi (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)
My girl said goodbye-yi-yi (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-yi-yi (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (that's just an alibi)

(Maybe) I was cru-u-uel (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 a lie
Big girls do cry

Big girls don't cry-yi-yi (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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics "Big girls don't cry" is a song about a guy who got dumped after being told off by his girl. The girl refuses to cry because she's a big girl and believed that crying was a sign of weakness. The guy is hurt and wonders why his girl didn't cry. He laments on being cruel to her while calling himself a fool. The guy goes on to wonder whether big girls don't cry due to societal pressure or whether it's just an alibi. The girl's mother scolds her daughter for crying and tells her she's a big girl now and shouldn't be crying. The singer then realizes that big girls do cry and the idea that they don't is just an alibi.


Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons originally recorded Big Girls Don't Cry in 1962, and it became their third consecutive number-one hit. However, the song's themes have remained relevant and have led to numerous covers by other artists, including Fergie and Glee.


The lyrics were written by Bob Crewe, and the melody was composed by Bob Gaudio.


The song had a significant impact on the Beatles, who were then playing in Liverpool. The group performed a cover version called "Cry Baby Cry" during their early years.


The song was included in the movie ‘Dirty Dancing,’ in a scene where Baby and Johnny are practicing their dance moves.


In the 2000 film ‘High Fidelity,’ the main character, Rob, discusses the song with his ex-girlfriend Laura, saying that he associates it with “the type of girl who doesn’t go to bed with you when you first meet her.”


Big Girls Don't Cry has been spoofed numerous times, including on ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Family Guy,' and 'South Park.'


Fergie's cover of "Big Girls Don't Cry" has won two ASCAP awards for pop music and earned a Grammy nomination.


The Four Seasons originally recorded the song in a key of B-flat major and it has a moderate tempo with a 4/4 time signature.


The song has been covered by various artists in different genres, including rock, jazz, and even reggae.


Chords: Bb, F, Gm, Eb, F7


Line by Line Meaning

Big girls don't cry
Women are supposed to be strong and not show sadness or vulnerability


Big girls don't cry-yi-yi (they don't cry)
Society expects women to always be composed and hide their emotions


My girl said goodbye-yi-yi (my oh my)
The singer's significant other ended their relationship


My girl didn't cry (I wonder why)
The singer is surprised that their partner didn't show any emotion when they broke up


(Silly boy) told my girl we had to break up
The person who ended the relationship is seen as foolish


(Silly boy) hoped that she would call my bluff
The person who ended the relationship didn't really want it to end and hoped their partner would try to stay together


(Silly boy) then she said to my surprise
The person who ended the relationship is surprised by their partner's reaction


Big girls don't cry (that's just an alibi)
The statement 'big girls don't cry' is just an excuse to hide one's true emotions


(Maybe) I was cru-u-uel (I was cruel)
The singer acknowledges that they may have been harsh or heartless in the relationship


Baby I'm a fool (I'm such a fool)
The singer admits to being naive or foolish in the relationship


(Silly girl) 'Shame on you' your mama said
The singer's mother disapproves of their behavior or choices


(Silly girl) 'Shame on you, you're cryin' in bed'
The singer is being criticized for showing emotion or vulnerability


(Silly girl) Shame on you, you told a lie
The singer is being called out for being dishonest in some aspect of the relationship


Big girls do cry
Women are human and have emotions, and it's okay to express them




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@marykandhai-douglas6899

Damn this song hits different when you're a full-grown adult now.

@randanaim9586

I was just thinking the same thing! It just sounded great as a kid, but now I understand the meaning.

@shylahutchins6985

i’m a child and i actually understand….

@randanaim9586

@@shylahutchins6985 You think you do, but you'll really get it when you're grown up and have had life experiences.

@missbridjety

@@randanaim9586 what they are saying is you might understand the song but as they are saying it hits different when you're an adult they mean you'll have a different understanding of and a feeling of what the song is saying/meaning.

@nosoupforyouakadelbocavist2632

Don't it? I'm in my 40s now. More relatable than ever.

39 More Replies...

@kdovedesigns

2024 now and this song still slaps hard. Such a talented singer.

@viniciusdeoliveiramiranda9407

It's true, a song of seventeen years ago

@melaniechristinee

Has always!!!❤

@traceybriscuso4333

This winter of O6 anthem... OR 07? Furtado?

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