Apart from her acting she launched a music career in the fall of 2010 with the release of her single Whip My Hair and signing to Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation. The single peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In June 2010, Willow's mother Jada Pinkett Smith announced in an interview on Lopez Tonight that Willow would be releasing an album. Her first single, Whip My Hair leaked on September 7, 2010. She is now signed with Jay-Z's label, Roc Nation. Willow performed the song Whip My Hair on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest on December 31, 2010. On January 25, 2011, she released a 15-second preview of 21st Century Girl, her new single. It was later released in early March.
Why Don't You Cry
Willow Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why, why, why why don't you cry?
Stuck in the mirror
Never seeing clearer
So open your eyes now
It's getting cloudy
I see your words, they're tryna get out
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
So stuck in the mirror
Start getting clearer
When I close my eyes, I
I can see the sky at night
Past the blue and the ozone layer
Past the polluted atmosphere
Nothing is more important than our connection
Me and the mother
Singing the universal song
Calling each other
Why don't we all just sing along?
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you?
Why, why, why don't you cry?
Why, why, why don't you?
Why, why?
Why?
Cry!
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
In the song "Why Don't You Cry" by Willow Smith, the lyrics revolve around the idea of releasing emotions and letting go of inhibitions. The opening line of the chorus "Why, why, why, why, why, why, why don't you cry?" serves as a call to action, urging the listener to let out their emotions and not hold back. The metaphor of being "stuck in the mirror" is used to represent being trapped in one's own thoughts and not being able to see clearly. The message is that in order to move beyond this stage of feeling stagnant and trapped, one needs to "open their eyes" to what is happening around them and start seeing things more clearly.
Continuing on this theme of clarity, the lyrics suggest that by closing one's eyes, one can see beyond the surface level and start to connect with something deeper. This is represented through the image of seeing "the sky at night past the blue and the ozone layer / past the polluted atmosphere". Here, the sky serves as a metaphor for something beyond our immediate surroundings, a symbol of hope and possibility. The reference to "me and the mother" singing the universal song highlights the importance of connection, suggesting that we are all part of a bigger picture and can find solace and comfort in this realization.
Overall, "Why Don't You Cry" by Willow Smith is a song that speaks to our innermost feelings and urges us to let go of our inhibitions and connect with something deeper. It encourages us to see beyond the surface level and embrace our emotional selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't you?
Why don't you express your emotions and let out your feelings?
Why, why, why why don't you cry?
Why, oh why, don't you shed a tear and release those pent-up emotions?
Stuck in the mirror
Feeling trapped and unable to see a clear view of oneself.
Never seeing clearer
Having a foggy perception of oneself and surroundings.
So open your eyes now
Awaken your senses and awareness of the world.
It's getting cloudy
The mind is becoming overwhelmed and confused.
I see your words, they're tryna get out
The desire to express oneself and communicate is present but hindered.
So stuck in the mirror
Feeling so trapped in one's own image and identity.
Start getting clearer
Take steps towards gaining a better understanding of oneself and surroundings.
When I close my eyes, I
When I block out external distractions and focus inwardly,
I can see the sky at night
I can visualize a peaceful, serene scene of the night sky.
Past the blue and the ozone layer
Beyond the physical atmosphere and limits of the earth.
Past the polluted atmosphere
Ignoring the impurities and negativity of the world around us.
Nothing is more important than our connection
The connection and bond between humans and the universe is vital and significant.
Me and the mother
The singer and mother earth, a symbol of the natural world.
Singing the universal song
Harmonizing with the rhythms and energy of the universe.
Calling each other
Reaching out and connecting with mother earth and the universe.
Why don't we all just sing along?
Why don't we all embrace and join in the universal energy and spirit?
Why don't you?
Why don't you awaken to the beauty and energy of the world around you?
Why, why, why don't you cry?
Why, oh why, don't you embrace and express your emotions fully?
Why don't you?
Why don't you take action to connect with and appreciate the world around you?
Why, why?
Why is it so difficult to fully embrace and express our emotions and connection to the world?
Why?
Questioning the reasons behind our emotional barriers and disconnect from the world.
Cry!
Encouraging the listener to release and express their deepest emotions and feelings.
Contributed by Kaylee K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ellenhotdog24
Why don't you?
Why, why, why why don't you cry?
Stuck in the mirror
Never seeing clearer
So open your eyes now
It's getting cloudy
I see your words, they're tryna get out
Tryna get out
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
So stuck in the mirror
Start getting clearer
When I close my eyes, I
I can see the sky at night
Past the blue and the ozone layer
Past the polluted atmosphere
Nothing is more important than our connection
Me and the mother
Singing the universal song
Calling each other
Why don't we all just sing along?
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you?
Why, why, why don't you cry?
Why, why, why don't you?
Why, why?
Why?
Cry!!!
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why, why, why, why, why, why
Why don't you cry?
Why don't you cry?
@anthonynunyabizness9989
+Talina I disagree for the most. If I may point out you yourself said the idea is crying makes you vulnerable and open AND simultaneously makes you strong. Crying is a human emotion and an important one, but that doesnt mean it makes you stronger. In fact, have a cry here and there (and try not to make an event about it, just go to a corner or your room and get it out of your system) but for the majority of life, crying about shit isn't going to make anything better whatsoever other than the relief you feel when done. In my opinion, crying in many situations means the emotions a person is feeling becomes too much to handle and the spirit has to break down and spew all your emotion it can out of your eye holes and slobbery mouth.
Of course it CAN be beneficial but in just the same way any drug can be. It can definetly take the edge off but making a habit out of it, or giving people the idea that its okay to cry about everything or that it makes things better or you somehow stronger is just irresponsible. I would argue that it would make life just that much more of a pain in the ass.
What I feel really would make people stronger is having more insight in the world and of the people in it., Using your heart and mind for understanding that we humans make" mistakes", have differences in views of our lives, and that most importantly, shit happens. This world is not a paradise or a tropical island weve been sent on vacation to. Its a tough and ugly world at times because it HAS to be. I think its unwise to promote this kind of weak-mindedness (in my opinion)
mental and emotional strength should be glorified over crying. Your insecurities are your insecurities, dont forget that its sometimes the price that comes with having it very easy in the world, but nevertheless we should remember and respect the real hardships that many people have to face every day all over the world. If you were to make a graph plotting the severity of hardships people must endure in the world or even just our country, your insecurities would be way near the bottom.
Summary: Crying is fine but dammit just learn to get over shit sometimes ya know?
Sorry for all this bullshit im spewing, I know I sound like a heartless douche but this is my opinion and I hardly ever post comments. Feel free to respond and of course no disrespect to +Talina
@zafylo
Took my breath away, her art expressionism is beyond anything I've ever seen, people underestimate both Jaden & Willow, they're opening new doors that have never been opened before... Amazing
@richardtyson100
+Pablo E Chavez beyond anything you have ever seen, really? she's cool, but are you really being serious?
@zafylo
Perspective son, it's all about it, & for a 14 year old, yeah, I've never seen anything like it
@eusebiuslopez1912
+Pablo E Chavez You haven't seen much then
@zafylo
+Eusebius Lopez It's interesting & amazingly stupid how people over the internet think they know someone, you don't know anything son
@eusebiuslopez1912
+Pablo E Chavez I'm sorry man man but i don't see how this can be "beyond anything you've ever seen" or "opening new doors" while it's been heard 1000 times. And yeah she's 14 but you know, she didn't do it by herself. Don't take it too personal though, it's just the YT comment section...son.
@howoriginal1986
I'm just thinking "this was her voice at 14." Incredible.
@Krf312
2021?
@mai1962jp2000
I am a Japanese. I am a fan of jaden smith.
But I am convinced that Willow Smith is a true singer.
Her song is wonderful. Her voice is beautiful.
@Hugo-uj1sv
I agree! 😃