Tears Dry on Their Own
Encyclopedia
"Tears Dry on Their Own" is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse
for her second studio album, Back to Black
(2006). It was released as the album's fourth single
on 31 July 2007. While the melody and lyrics are composed by Winehouse, the music behind her voice is a sample
interpolation
of Marvin Gaye
and Tammi Terrell
's 1967 Motown
classic hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough
", penned by the married duo of Ashford & Simpson
.
was shot in Los Angeles
, and was directed by David LaChapelle
on 22 May 2007. The clip features footage of Winehouse making her way through Echo Park
and in a dim motel room. The hotel is the Grand Motel at 1479 S La Cienega Blvd, in Los Angeles. The video for this song was the second to last filmed prior to Winehouse's death on 23 July 2011.
, when it entered at number thirty-seven on 5 August 2007. It also became her eighth UK R&B
top forty hit. The single spent four weeks at number one on the UK Airplay Chart during August. After the song's physical release, the single climbed into the top twenty, peaking at number sixteen. Therefore, "Tears Dry on Their Own" is Winehouse's second highest-charting single behind "Rehab" and the fourth consecutive top thirty hit from her second album. To date, it has spent nineteen non-consecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart, making it her fourth longest-running hit behind "Rehab" (fifty-seven weeks), her collaboration with Mark Ronson
, "Valerie
" (thirty-nine weeks), and "Back to Black
" (thirty-four weeks).
With sales of 84,750, "Tears Dry on Their Own" went on to become the UK's ninety-third best-selling single of 2007.
On 31 July, 2011, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart
at 27 after Winehouse's death.
UK limited edition clear 7" single
UK 12" single
"You're Wondering Now"
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
for her second studio album, Back to Black
Back to Black
Back to Black is the second studio album by English recording artist Amy Winehouse, released on 27 October 2006 by Island Records. It is the last album released in her lifetime. The album incorporates 1960s soul music styles and modern R&B production, with subjective lyrics that concern...
(2006). It was released as the album's fourth single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on 31 July 2007. While the melody and lyrics are composed by Winehouse, the music behind her voice is a sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
interpolation
Interpolation (music)
Interpolation in music refers to an abrupt change in musical elements from the main theme.-In classical music:In music and musical composition, especially 20th century and later, interpolation is an abrupt change of elements, with continuation of the first idea...
of Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
and Tammi Terrell
Tammi Terrell
Thomasina Winifred Montgomery, known as Tammi Terrell was an American singer-songwriter most notable for her association with Motown and her duets with Marvin Gaye. As a teenager she recorded for the Scepter–Wand, Try Me and Checker record labels. She signed with Motown in April 1965 and enjoyed...
's 1967 Motown
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
classic hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is an R&B/soul song written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson in 1966 for the Tamla Motown label. The composition was first successful as a 1967 hit single recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, becoming a hit again in 1970 when recorded by former Supremes...
", penned by the married duo of Ashford & Simpson
Ashford & Simpson
Nickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
.
Music video
The song's music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was shot in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and was directed by David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle is a photographer and director who works in the fields of fashion, advertising, and fine art photography, and is noted for his surreal, unique, sexualized, and often humorous style.-Early life:...
on 22 May 2007. The clip features footage of Winehouse making her way through Echo Park
Echo Park, Los Angeles, California
Echo Park is a hilly neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, northwest of Downtown Los Angeles and southeast of Hollywood.-History:At the end of the 19th century, when the hills were still covered with native vegetation, a horse-drawn streetcar line served the dirt road that is now Echo Park Avenue...
and in a dim motel room. The hotel is the Grand Motel at 1479 S La Cienega Blvd, in Los Angeles. The video for this song was the second to last filmed prior to Winehouse's death on 23 July 2011.
Chart performance
"Tears Dry on Their Own" became Winehouse's fourth consecutive single to chart inside the top forty of the UK Singles ChartUK 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 ...
, when it entered at number thirty-seven on 5 August 2007. It also became her eighth UK R&B
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
top forty hit. The single spent four weeks at number one on the UK Airplay Chart during August. After the song's physical release, the single climbed into the top twenty, peaking at number sixteen. Therefore, "Tears Dry on Their Own" is Winehouse's second highest-charting single behind "Rehab" and the fourth consecutive top thirty hit from her second album. To date, it has spent nineteen non-consecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart, making it her fourth longest-running hit behind "Rehab" (fifty-seven weeks), her collaboration with Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
, "Valerie
Valerie (The Zutons song)
"Valerie" is a song by the English indie rock band The Zutons from the band's second studio album, Tired of Hanging Around . Released as the album's second single on 19 June 2006 in the United Kingdom, along with their previous single "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?", it gave The Zutons their...
" (thirty-nine weeks), and "Back to Black
Back to Black (song)
"Back to Black" is a song by English recording artist Amy Winehouse. It was released on April 30, 2007 as the third single from her second studio album, Back to Black. It was written by Winehouse and Mark Ronson...
" (thirty-four weeks).
With sales of 84,750, "Tears Dry on Their Own" went on to become the UK's ninety-third best-selling single of 2007.
On 31 July, 2011, the song re-entered the 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 ...
at 27 after Winehouse's death.
Track listings and formats
UK CD single- "Tears Dry on Their Own" – 3:06
- "You're Wondering Now" – 2:31
- "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Alix Alvarez Sole Channel Mix) – 6:42
- "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Al Usher Remix) – 7:00
- "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Video)
UK limited edition clear 7" single
- Side A:
- "Tears Dry on Their Own" – 3:06
- Side B:
- "Tears Dry on Their Own" (NYPCNew Young Pony ClubNew Young Pony Club are an English electronic band from London, consisting of members from London, Hereford, Cambridge and Bromley. Their influences are prominently from post-punk and New Wave....
's Fucked Mix) – 4:39
UK 12" single
- Side A:
- "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Alix Alvarez Sole Channel Mix) – 6:42
- Side B:
- "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Al Usher Remix) – 7:00
- "Tears Dry on Their Own" – 3:06
Official versions and remixes
- Album Version – 3:06
- Radio Edit – 3:08
- Al Usher Remix – 7:00
- Alix Alvarez Sole Channel Mix – 6:42
- Kardinal Beats Remix – 3:20
- NYPCNew Young Pony ClubNew Young Pony Club are an English electronic band from London, consisting of members from London, Hereford, Cambridge and Bromley. Their influences are prominently from post-punk and New Wave....
's Fucked Mix – 4:39
Weekly-charts
| Chart (2007-2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Singles Chart | 100 |
| European Hot 100 Singles Eurochart Hot 100 Singles The European Hot 100 Singles has been compiled by Billboard and Music & Media magazine since March, 1984. The chart is based on national singles sales charts in 15 European countries: Austria, Belgium , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,... |
49 |
| French Singles Chart | 87 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
56 |
| Hungarian Dance Chart Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... |
38 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
26 |
| Romanian Top 100 Romanian Top 100 The Romanian Top 100 is the national airplay-based singles chart of Romania. It is weekly and it started running in 1996. It is recognized as an official chart by the European division of Billboard, Music & Media.... |
70 |
| Swedish Singles Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
24 |
| 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 ... |
16 |
| UK R&B Singles Chart UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
6 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult R&B Airplay | 40 |
Personnel
"Tears Dry on Their Own"- Recorded by Franklin Socorro
- Mixed by Tom Elmhirst
- Producer – Salaamremi.com*
- Recorded by Gleyder "Gee" Disla, Shomari "Sho" Dillon
- Bass, piano, guitar – Salaam Remi
- Written by Amy Winehouse
- Drums, tambourine – Troy Auxilly-Wilson
- Mixed by Matt Paul
- Trumpet (bass), trumpet, flugelhorn – Bruce Purse
- Saxophone (baritone, tenor & alto), flute, clarinet, piano, celesta (celeste), guitar – Vincent Henry
- Backing vocals – Amy Winehouse
"You're Wondering Now"
- Recorded by Jon Moon
- Featuring – Ade*, Zalon*
- Written by Nickolas Asford and Valerie Simpson*, Clement Dodd