Don't Shed a Tear
Encyclopedia
"Don't Shed a Tear" is a song by English singer-musician, Paul Carrack
, from his third solo album, One Good Reason
. It was released as a single in 1987 and became his biggest U.S. hit, peaking at number nine on the pop chart.
/guitarist
Eddie Schwartz
, along with fellow songwriter Rob Friedman. Schwartz, who was fresh off of writing "Hit Me with Your Best Shot
" for Pat Benatar
, later decided to record the song with a new band he had formed with Lenny Zakatek
and Dave Tyson
. However, the entire project was ultimately scrapped after failed negotiations with potential manager Tommy Mottola
. Several years later, the song reached the hands of Paul Carrack
's producer, and Carrack ultimately recorded the song.
at number 72 in November 1987.
It peaked at number nine in February 1988, becoming Carrack's biggest U.S. hit as a solo artist.
It spent 23 weeks on the Hot 100, including thirteen weeks inside the top 40 section of the chart. It also reached number five on the Album Rock Tracks chart,
and number six on the Singles Sales
chart.
Elsewhere, the song peaked at number 20 in the Netherlands,
but was not as successful in the UK, reaching number 60 in March 1989.
Mike DeGagne of Allmusic called "Don't Shed a Tear" a highlight of the One Good Reason album, and said the song is "bolstered by its subtle, laid-back groove with a start-and-stop tempo."
7" Vinyl (Japan)
12" Vinyl (UK, Germany, The Netherlands)
Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Carrack has been a member of several bands including Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, and Roxy Music, been a session and touring musician for several others including Nick Lowe, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well...
, from his third solo album, One Good Reason
One Good Reason (Paul Carrack album)
One Good Reason is the third solo record by British singer-songwriter and Mike + The Mechanics singer Paul Carrack. It features 10 songs, one of which, "Don't Shed a Tear", became a Top 10 hit in America, peaking at number 9.-Reception:...
. It was released as a single in 1987 and became his biggest U.S. hit, peaking at number nine on the pop chart.
Background
The tune was written by Canadian singer-songwriterSinger-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
/guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Eddie Schwartz
Eddie Schwartz
Eddie Schwartz is a Canadian musician and Juno Award winner who had moderate success as a recording artist in the early 1980s, before becoming a successful songwriter, and record producer in the late 1980s and the 1990s....
, along with fellow songwriter Rob Friedman. Schwartz, who was fresh off of writing "Hit Me with Your Best Shot
Hit Me with Your Best Shot
"Hit Me with Your Best Shot" is a song written by Canadian singer/songwriter Eddie Schwartz and recorded by American singer Pat Benatar in 1979. It was released as the second single from her second album Crimes of Passion, and reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first top 10 hit...
" for Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar is an American singer and four-time Grammy winner. She had considerable commercial success particularly in the United States...
, later decided to record the song with a new band he had formed with Lenny Zakatek
Lenny Zakatek
Lenny Zakatek also known as "The Voice" is a pop and rock singer and musician who has lived in London since the age of thirteen...
and Dave Tyson
David Tyson
David Tyson is a Canadian rock music producer and songwriter. He is best known for co-writing Alannah Myles' 1990 #1 hit "Black Velvet" and producing her debut album. He also co-wrote 3 hit songs from Amanda Marshall's self-titled 1995 debut album.Tyson has won 3 Juno Awards for his work,...
. However, the entire project was ultimately scrapped after failed negotiations with potential manager Tommy Mottola
Tommy Mottola
Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola is an American music executive, co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. He is the ex-husband of Mariah Carey and is married to Mexican singer Thalía...
. Several years later, the song reached the hands of Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Carrack has been a member of several bands including Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, and Roxy Music, been a session and touring musician for several others including Nick Lowe, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well...
's producer, and Carrack ultimately recorded the song.
Release and reception
"Don't Shed a Tear" entered the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 72 in November 1987.
It peaked at number nine in February 1988, becoming Carrack's biggest U.S. hit as a solo artist.
It spent 23 weeks on the Hot 100, including thirteen weeks inside the top 40 section of the chart. It also reached number five on the Album Rock Tracks chart,
and number six on the Singles Sales
Hot 100 Singles Sales
The Hot Singles Sales chart is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It measures sales of commercial singles and is one of three component charts, along with the Hot 100 Airplay and the Hot Digital Songs, that determine the chart positions of singles on the...
chart.
Elsewhere, the song peaked at number 20 in the Netherlands,
but was not as successful in the UK, reaching number 60 in March 1989.
Mike DeGagne of Allmusic called "Don't Shed a Tear" a highlight of the One Good Reason album, and said the song is "bolstered by its subtle, laid-back groove with a start-and-stop tempo."
Track listing
7" Vinyl (U.S., U.K.)- "Don't Shed a Tear" — 3:42
- "Merrilee" — 3:52
7" Vinyl (Japan)
- "Don't Shed a Tear" — 3:42
- "When You Walk in the RoomWhen You Walk In The Room"When You Walk in the Room" is a song written and recorded by Jackie DeShannon, first released by her in 1963 but covered by many artists. The lyrics of the song attempt to detail the singer's emotions when in the presence of the person he or she loves...
" — 3:31
12" Vinyl (UK, Germany, The Netherlands)
- "Don't Shed a Tear" — 4:14
- "Merrilee" — 3:52
- "All Your Love Is in Vain" — 3:34
Chart performance
| Chart (1988/1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 9 |
| U.S. Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 5 |
| U.S. Cashbox Top 40 | 9 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
20 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
60 |