The song was written by Kelly Clarkson, Jason Halbert and Mark Townsend. Production was done by Howard Benson, who was also responsible for providing keyboards and programming. Drums were played by Josh Freese, Paul Bushnell provided bass and guitar was played by Phil X. Mike Plotnikoff was responsible for recording, while digital editing was added by Paul Decarli, with additional engineering being done by Hatsukazu "Hatch" Inagaki. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Publishing Company, "Cry" was written in the key of B major, with a moderate tempo of 70 beats per minute. Clarkson's vocals span from the low note of B3 to the high note of F5. "Cry" is a power ballad, written as a "waltz" song, according to Clarkson, who also explained that it is "very much influenced by country." Lyrically, "Cry" talks about betrayal with Clarkson describing it as "the most personal song on the album." She also explained that the main inspiration behind the song was about a friendship that went wrong and she decided to write in the form of a relationship, because "usually people relate to those songs." She further added: "With that song, I went through a really shitty thing with someone who betrayed me. When I started writing the song I was like, 'I'm gonna write this like it's a guy and a relationship.'" In the chorus, she wonders, "Is it over yet? Can I open my eyes?."
Release and reception
Clarkson originally wanted "Cry" to be released as the third single from the album, but her record label RCA decided to release "Already Gone" instead. Later, "Cry" was released as the album's fourth single in Germany and Australia. It was released as a digital download in Germany on March 12, 2010, and was sent to Australian radio on March 15, 2010, where it became the second most-added song to radio that week.
Critical response
The song received positive reviews by music critics. Ann Powers of Los Angeles Times considered an "old-fashioned tear-jerker that Clarkson does so well." J. Freedom du Lack of The Washington Post agreed, also calling it a "big, bereft tear-jerker, a Clarkson specialty." Kerri Mason of Billboard noted that the song is "memorable", while Evan Davies of Now called it a "requisite ballad that make use of her impressive range." While analysing her vocal performance on the album, Daniel Brockman wrote for The Boston Phoenix that her "tone-deaf emotional bludgeoning tends to work in her favor on monstrous power ballads like 'Cry' and 'Already Gone,' which linger in your memory long after the Max Martin love hangover fades." Eric R. Danton of The Hartford Courant noted that she "shines brightest" on the album's ballads. Jon Dolan of Blender noted that, on "Cry", "breaking up triggers an eye-flood of biblical proportion." For Elle J Small of BBC Music, "'Cry' gleams from the rest of the pack with its beautiful guitar riffs and gushing melodies. Clarkson is the cherry on the cake of this future hit." Michael Cragg of musicOMH described it as "particularly dreary", whilst Jon Caramanica of The New York Times called it "a shouter of a breakup song." Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone agreed with Clarkson definition of the song, naming it "a big waltz-time ballad whose tune holds a hint of Nashville-pop twang. Clarkson grew up in Texas listening to country; 'Cry' serves notice that she could give Carrie Underwood a run for her money." Huffington Post's Mike Ragogna noted that her vocals on the track "blow away any comparisons to her youngish peers, such as those of the Disney variety." In a less favorable review, Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine stated that "the use of electronic vocal enhancement throughout the album strips the natural warmth of her voice on 'Cry', making her delivery sound distant and tinny".
Credits adapted from All I Ever Wanted booklet liner notes.
Release history
Glee version
The song was covered by actress Lea Michele in the Glee episode "Choke", which first aired on May 1, 2012. It was later available for digital download.
