All I Could Do Was Cry

"All I Could Do Was Cry" is a doo-wop/rhythm and blues single recorded in 1960 and released that same year by singer Etta James. It written for James by Chess songwriter Billy Davis, Berry Gordy and his sister Gwen Gordy. The song was said to be inspired by James' former boyfriend Harvey Fuqua dating Davis' former girlfriend, who was Gwen. Gordy and Fuqua later married the same year the song was recorded, which likely added to the tension in James' bluesy vocals. The song eventually peaked at number 2 on the R&B charts and number 33 on the pop charts.[1] James would later re-record the song in the early nineties.

"All I Could Do Was Cry"
Single by Etta James
Released1960
Recorded1960
GenreDoo-wop, R&B, Blues
LabelChess
Songwriter(s)Billy Davis, Berry Gordy, Gwen Gordy

Cover versions

Ike & Tina Turner released a version of the song on their live album The Ike & Tina Turner Show - Vol. 2 in 1965.[2] They also included another live rendition on their 1969 live album In Person, and previously unissued studio version was released on the compilation album The Kent Years in 2000.[3]

Beyoncé Knowles covered the song while filming her role as James in the 2008 film, Cadillac Records.

Chart performance
Etta James version
Chart (1960) Peak
position
US Billboard 100 33
US Billboard R&B Singles 2

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 290.
  2. "Ike & Tina Turner – The Ike & Tina Turner Show - Vol. 2". Discogs.
  3. "The Kent Years - Ike & Tina Turner | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
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