Classic Pop Icons

Solomon Burke’s “Cry To Me” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Cry To Me” was released on single in January 1962, backed with “I Almost Lost My Mind.”

Solomon Burke had moderate success as a teenager recording for the Apollo label in the mid-1950s, but it was his move to Atlantic Records in 1960 that would be his real breakthrough. Atlantic Records bosses, Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun, had signed Burke partly with a view to filling the gap left by Ray Charles, who had signed with ABC-Paramount when his Atlantic contract expired the previous year. Atlantic’s decision to sign Burke was a wise one and they were rewarded quickly when Burke’s cover of the country standard “Just Out of Reach of My Arms” was a hit on both the R&B and pop charts. Some credit Burke’s hit with paving the way for Ray Charles’ “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music”.

The success of Burke’s “Just Out of Reach of My Arms” demanded a follow-up, and that was to be “Cry To Me.” In a 2008 interview with Mojo Magazine, Burke recalled his original negative reaction when “Cry To Me” was presented to him by songwriter Bert Berns:

The result of Burke’s intervention was an increased tempo and a very appealing Latin dance rhythm that redefined the song. As good as the arrangement is, it’s Burke’s brilliant vocal that brings the song to life, artfully communicating the tale of loneliness and romantic despair (“Well nothing could be sadder/Than a glass of wine alone”), before offering himself up as comforter and potential romantic prospect (“Oh come on, take my hand and baby won’t you walk with me?). Although it has its own narrative, from the outset the first-person lyric and universal theme also invites the listener to share the experience and reflect on their own romantic circumstances – “When your baby leaves you all alone/And nobody calls you on the phone/Don’t you feel like crying?”. The “Don’t you feel like crying?” line is resurrected throughout the song and is repeated over and over on the outro as the song fades.

Solomon Burke was one of the earliest artists to record the genre-merging music that would become known as soul music, and “Cry To Me” is a good early example. As noted by Burke in a 1984 interview:

Solomon Burke – “Cry To Me”

“Cry To Me” found a new audience in 1987 when it was featured on the soundtrack of the hit movie “Dirty Dancing”.

On New Year’s Eve 2002, Burke proved that he had lost none of his vocal power when he sang “Cry To Me” during his memorable appearance on UK television’s “Jools Holland’s Hootenanny”.

Solomon Burke – “Cry To Me” (live)

Authorship

“Cry To Me” was written and produced by Bert Russell Berns, who would be credited as both Bert Russell and Bert Berns. Berns was a highly talented songwriter and producer who wrote numerous classic songs, including “Here Comes the Night”, “Twist and Shout,” “Piece Of My Heart,” “Hang On Sloopy,” and “I Want Candy.” He became the staff producer at Atlantic Records after the departure of Leiber and Stoller, and would work with the label’s leading artists, including the Drifters, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Lavern Baker, Patti LaBelle and many more.

For Solomon Burke, Berns also wrote “The Price” and “If You Need Me,” and co-wrote “Down In The Valley” and “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love”.

Solomon Burke, Myrna Smith (of the Sweet Inspirations) and Bert Berns

Recording date/location

“Cry To Me” was recorded on December 6, 1961 at Atlantic Studios in New York City. The B-side “I Almost Lost My Mind” was also recorded that day, as was “A Tear Fell”.

Musicians

The following musicians played on the session at which “Cry To Me” was recorded:

• Solomon Burke – lead vocal
• Phil Kraus – vibrophone
• Hank Jones – piano
• Bob Mosley – organ
• Don Arnone, Everett Barksdale, Al Caiola, Bucky Pizzarelli – guitar
• Art Davis – bass
• Gary Chester – drums
• William Eaton, Noah Hopkins, Richard Kraus, Howard Roberts, Earl Rogers, Sherman Sneed, David Vogel – backing vocals.

Chart performance

“Cry To Me” reached number 44 on the Billboard pop chart and number five on the R&B chart.

Covers

Betty Harris – “Cry To Me”

Betty Harris’ 1963 recording of “Cry To Me” offers an insight into what Solomon Burke’s rendition might have sounded like if he had not intervened to up the tempo. Harris reportedly told Bert Berns that she would like to record the song, but felt that it would be at its best as a slower ballad. Harris does a fine job with her gospel-inspired rendition of the song, which was produced by Berns and featured the Sweet Inspirations on backing vocals. She was rewarded with a bigger hit than Burke achieved with his original.

The Rolling Stones – “Cry To Me”

The Rolling Stones were fans of Solomon Burke, featuring a cover of his “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” on their second LP “The Rolling Stones No. 2” in early 1965, before covering “Cry To Me” on the follow-up album “Out of Our Heads” later that year. Their cover of “Cry To Me” probably owes as much to Betty Harris as it does to Burke though. It begins in sedate fashion, with a 1950s doo-wop style arrangement, but builds in intensity as the song progresses, with Mick Jagger’s increasingly expressive vocals and the simple guitar arpeggios replaced by more frantic and bluesy guitar licks.

There will be a new Song of the Week on March 26.

Solomon Burkes’s “Cry To Me” is available on many compilations, including thet 2-CD “Solomon Burke – Definitive Soul Collection.”

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