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