Or browse Music Database and Discography sections

Or browse Unreleased songs section

Or browse all the Remixes

Or browse MjTunes Vision section

Michael Jackson - Cry

"Cry" is a song written by R&B singer/songwriter R. Kelly, for singer Michael Jackson. It was the second single release from Invincible, but was only released in Europe and Australia and Canada. The song peaked at #25 on the UK single chart.

The second single from Jackson's 2001 album Invincible was also one of the bigger ballads of the album. The song is similar to Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" and "Heal the World," as in all three songs, Jackson has a full choir and an uplifting theme, another similarity between the three is how the main key of the song is lifted up a half-step. For example, in "Man in the Mirror," the main musical key of the song begins in G Major, but then towards the end of the song, where the message of the song is sent to the listener, "making a change", the musical key is then raised up a half step to G Sharp Major. The song protagonist is told that "You can change the world" however the author cries out "I can't do it by myself!" The backup vocals are done partially by R. Kelly. Though originally set to be released in the U.S., it was replaced by "Butterflies" when it began getting airplay in later 2001 and early 2002.

Credits

* Written by R. Kelly
* Produced by Michael Jackson and R. Kelly
* Lead vocals by Michael Jackson
* Choir arrangement by R. Kelly
* Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
* Keyboard programming by Michael Jackson and Brad Buxer
* Guitars by Michael Landau
* Recorded by Mike Ging, Brad Gilderman and Humberto Gatica
* Mixed by Michael Jackson and Mick Guzauski

Cry - Lyrics

Somebody shakes when the wind blows
Somebody’s missing a friend (Hold on)
Somebody’s lacking a hero
And they have not a clue when it’s all gonna end again

Stories buried and untold
Someone is hiding the truth (Hold on)
When will this mystery unfold
And will the sun ever shine
In the blind mans eyes when he cries

You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (Gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight

If people laugh when they’re feeling sad
Someone is taking a life (Hold on)
Respect to believe in your dreams
So tell me where were you
When your children cried last night

Faces filled with madness
Miracles unheard of (Hold on)
Faith is found in the winds
All we have to do is to reach for the truth, the truth

You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (It's gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight

And when that flag blows
There’ll be no more wars
And when all calls
I will answer all your prayers (Prayers)
Show the world

You can change the world (I can’t do it by myself)
You can touch the sky (Gonna take somebody’s help)
You’re the chosen one (I’m gonna need some kind of sign)
If we all cry at the same time tonight

All cry at the same time tonight
All cry at the same time tonight
Change the world

LoveMJ99

Spokesman
Posts: 625

2014/10/23 16:02

Personally I think that this song should have done better in the UK chart. It is such a lovely song with such a beautiful meaning.

Guest

2014/3/31 20:48

Cry, cry, cry .... I'm crying.. oooooo - We can change the world!!! Emblematical!!!

Guest

2013/9/29 18:17

Amazing song and lyrics

loveumoremj

Chorus Singer
Posts: 54

2013/8/22 0:02

GENIUS!!!!!

loveumoremj

Chorus Singer
Posts: 54

2013/8/21 23:56

Absolutely breathtaking vocals. Michael you kept me captivated from your first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show to the last song in the TII rehearsals. Thank you I love you I miss you

mj_darren

Who Is It ?
Posts: 1

2012/11/10 14:24

I love this song. It's so sweet.

Check out my blog bitly.com/S7X7qq

wendyluvsmj

Chorus Singer
Posts: 79

2012/11/3 5:01

You can change the world. I can't do it by myself. Gonna take somebody's help.

HOLD ON. I'm gonna need some kinda sign.

If we all cry at the same time tonight.

LoveMJ99

Spokesman
Posts: 625

2012/10/17 14:26

If we all cry at the same time tonight. Love it.

LoveMJ99

Spokesman
Posts: 625

2012/10/17 14:25

OMG I love this song.

mjloove

Spokesman
Posts: 452

2012/3/1 22:44

J'aime vraiment vraiment beaucoup cette chanson, le seul problème c'est le manque de recherche du clip bien qu'il ne soit pas catastrophique (Childhood est bien plus ennuyeux je trouve) c'est vraiment pas digne de Michael (dans Man In The Miroor on ne le voit pas et pourtant le clip est vraiment très bien réalisé).
Mais vu le contexte de la sortie de l'album Invincible...

Guest

2011/7/27 7:58

Haven't we all done enough cryin' already? How's this for a new and brighter sign of unity - what if we all SMILE at the same 2nite?? Wouldn't that be better? And not just to hide every trace of sadness, but a serene smile filled with hope and joy :)

I'm also pretty sure He didn't put it all on Michael, we ALL must share the burden and the task - CHANGE THE WORLD.

Guest

2011/7/20 2:06

this song is so beautiful..it makes me wanna cry, thank you Michael Joseph Jackson :')

Guest

2010/12/15 14:37

he is the best, we miss you

Vikjs

Who Is It ?
Posts: 14

2010/6/27 6:28

I love this song, thank you MJ!!

anna50

Who Is It ?
Posts: 16

2010/6/24 10:13

And the Whole world cried, 25 june 2009,

DiDi48

Chorus Singer
Posts: 38

2010/6/1 23:30

Can't wait to sing this at WorldCry 2010

DiDi48

Chorus Singer
Posts: 38

2010/5/28 22:23

Will be singing this on 25th June at WorldCry 2010. It's going to be a very emotional experience

Loismae

MjTunes Donator
Posts: 79

2010/4/13 3:45

Cry: Should have been the theme song for the Haiti Relief, not We are the World. This song truly represents the need to unite around the world. Thanks MJ for giving us your heart in music.

ElDjazairia

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 110

2010/2/1 9:26

CRY....an amazing song writing byR.Kelly....(incredible artist)...and a heavenly voice decided to sing it.... AT THE END...a magnificent song has been made... THE LYRICS ARE SO MOVING THKX TO YOU BOTH GUYS CRY....It's what i do since you left us and when i listen to your songs or just think of you....I LOVE YOU SO MUCH You'll always be another part of me JUST RIP cuz' u deserve it

blaxiegirl

Chorus Singer
Posts: 44

2010/1/23 17:42

Oh my...

Every song of Michael is in fact a love message for all of us!L.O.V.E.pure and simple like he allways try so hard to reveal -and he succeded! For ever and ever

nanas_972

Chorus Singer
Posts: 45

2009/11/8 11:10

J'adore pleins d'émotions

Guest

2009/11/7 22:22

Et vous ne trouvez pas que depuis quelque temps, le clip soutient d'autant plus le message? Même si nous ne voyons pas MJ..Il est toujours là et les mots de cette chanson deviennent éternels.. et la musique qui les accompagne... Miette (j'ai oublié de loge in)

mjstinkerbell

Who Is It ?
Posts: 5

2009/9/23 10:05

since his passing this song makes me

really bad

LiberianGirl-Indra

Chorus Singer
Posts: 32

2008/6/26 18:49

This song is very calm,lyrical and so cute

. Lyrics of this song are very beautiful...I remember how this song made me calm down when I had a big stress.It was in the dark night when I was lying in the bed.I couldn't fall asleep.I was worried about one thing...

.So I turned on my MP3 player and listened to this song

.When I heard MJ's voice,I began to feel better and better.MJ in this song made me so calm that I forgot that stress and I slept well

. The rhythm of this song,musical instruments sounds very touching.I never forget this song.

gsummers

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 278

2007/11/21 14:31

Love this track, its like man in the mirror part 2. MJ goes from asking himself to make a change to asking help to make a difference in Cry. Great track, shame sony never promoted the way it should of been done. Saying that this theme of song has been overdone a little now by MJ. Still love it.

daffy89

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 101

2007/9/28 22:49

merveilleuse chnason merci encore michael pour toutes ces emotions...

DjTunes

Webmaster
Posts: 494

2007/8/1 15:57

gone too soon is dedicated to Ryan White... not CRY.

Michaela

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 226

2007/8/1 14:49

too sad, poor Ryan White

.....however beautiful voice and song 10/10

estela4mj

Human Beat-Box
Posts: 146

2007/7/24 1:01

beautiful song, wonderful message. i noticed the key does change in the song and the others mentioned above, it does give it a lifting feel. it's brilliant. xoxoxo, estela

PORTISHEAD

MjTunes Official DJ
Posts: 415

2007/6/27 12:30

Zdecydowanie ‚’Cry’’ to mój ulubiony utworu z LP ‘’INVINCIBLE’’, gdy s³ucha³em po raz pierwszy ca³ego albumu od razu wpad³ mi w ucho. Potrafi go s³uchaæ ca³y dzieñ, bez przerwy mam w sobie magie która przyci±ga mnie z tak wielka si³±. 10/10

satrohraj

Spokesman
Posts: 369

2007/5/1 5:44

This Song is great, great voice, lyrics... Video is very touching, but boring

miXscape

MjTunes Official DJ
Posts: 260

2007/1/25 9:55

Cool song..cool clip with a great message again..But my favourite R.Kelly's song stay One More chance. 7/10

Guest

2007/1/23 20:07

le problème de cette chanson , c'est son clip...trop raccoleur avec les twins towers fumante et une invisibilité totale de mike!! Le côté R.kelly super reconnaissable qui commençait vraiment à lasser à l'époque car R kelly était le producteur qui avait vraiment été entendu partout dans divers productions.Dommage car au plus je l'écoute, au plus c'est une belle chanson

Yoann

Partner DJ
Posts: 40

2007/1/12 21:24

Cry a souvent eu de mauvaises critiques de la part des fans. Je ne comprends pas pourquoi, personnellement j'apprécie beaucoup cette chanson. Le seul défaut est que j'ai toujours eu l'impression que le niveau sonore était inférieur au reste de l'album, mais c'est anecdotique. Je me souviens avoir eu les frissons lors de la première écoute à la radio, et je trouve dommage que la promo d'Invincible commençait déjà à vaciller dès ce deuxième single (un clip minable, et une pochette ridicule), elle aurait certainement eu de bonnes places dans les charts, vu la période de sortie (avant les fetes de Noel, un peu comme Heal The World en 1992). Beau gospel final, et un petit clin d'oeil à Man In The Mirror pour finir (Change The World). 7/10

Discography

Michael Jackson - Farewell My Summer Love (Album)

The Best Of Michael Jackson (Anthology Series)

Michael Jackson - Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition

Jackson 5 - Goin' Back To Indiana (Album)

Michael Jackson - Got To Be There (Album)

More...

MjTV