Don’t Cry Baby

James P. Johnson

PROFILE
Songwriters	James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, Stella Unger
Year Written	1929
About Don’t Cry Baby
“Don’t Cry Baby” was written by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

Lyrics

Don’t cry baby, don’t cry baby
Dry your eyes, and let’s be sweethearts again
You know I didn’t mean
To ever treat you so mean
Come on sweetheart
And let’s try it over again.And oh, don’t cry my litte baby
Don’t cry my baby
Dry your eyes, and let’s be sweethearts again

Session / Album Information

1950

“Don’t Cry Baby” was recorded on October 1, 1950 and released in 1950 as a single. It was arranged by Norman Leyden.

Don"t Cry Baby
Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

This recording released on:

1950: Columbia 78: 39060
1950: Columbia 45: 4-39060
2004: Sepia Records CD: SEPIA 1028 — The Young Tony Bennett
2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony
2011: Disc #3 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK3) The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1

2001

“Don’t Cry Baby” was recorded in May, 2001 and released that same year on Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The vocals were arranged by Rob Mathes.

Don"t Cry Baby
Tony Bennett · Playin" With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues · Song · 2001