Gerry & the Pacemakers were the second group be signed by manager Brian Epstein (after The Beatles). They were part of the Merseybeat sound emanating from Liverpool, England.
In the UK, the group's first three singles, all released in 1963, went to #1: ""How Do You Do It?", "I Like It" and "You'll Never Walk Alone." In America, "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" was their first hit. The group had a few more hits in 1964 and 1965, but their fortunes faded as The Beatles emerged.
Group leader Gerry Marsden wrote this song, in which he explains that it's best to save your tears for nighttime, as the light of day brings a new opportunity for joy and a chance to get over the heartbreak.
This was produced by Beatles producer George Martin. Another example of his lush, melancholy string arrangements can be found on the 1974 America album Holiday.
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Suggestion credit: Charles - Charlotte, NC
Gerry & the Pacemakers sang this when they made their US television debut on May 3, 1964 on The Ed Sullivan Show.
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Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm Gerry Marsden collapsed onstage at a Gerry & the Pacemakers concert in Newport, South Wales on Wednesday, March 15th, 2017). Gerry was helped offstage after telling the audience he was scheduled to undergo knee surgery next week. He did not return and a spokesperson said only that he was "ill". The group postponed a concert for Friday night in Weymouth. The 74 year-old underwent a heart bypass operation in 2003 and a valve replacement five years ago. Between 1964 and 1966 Gerry and the boys had eleven Billboard Hot Top 100 records; three made the Top 10; "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" {#4 in 1964}, "How Do You Do It?" {#9 in 1964}, and "Ferry Cross the Mercy" {#6 in 1965}.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: www.edsullivan.com On May 3, 1964 Gerry & the Pacemakers took the stage on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' to the screams of girls in the audience. Just like The Beatles, they all wore identical suits. Gerry Marsden, in his grinning, peppy style, opened with "I'm The One." Although the song was relatively unknown in the US, the Pacemakers gave an energetic and fun performance on a stage set trimmed with light bulbs. They followed up with the light string arrangements of "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying." At the close of the evening's show, Ed, to the audience's delight, asked Gerry to come back on stage to take a bow.
A week later on May 10, 1964, Gerry and The Pacemakers returned to 'The Ed Sullivan Show' and opened with their 1963 hit "I Like It." The lively rendition was driven by rhythm guitar and Marsden's chipper vocals. Then they performed another version of "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying."
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 20th 1965, Gerry and the Pacemakers performed "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!'... Eight months earlier on May 17th, 1964 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on June 28th, 1964 it peaked at #4 (for 2 weeks) and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100... Between 1964 and 1966 the group had eleven records on the Top 100; with three making the Top 10 (the other two were "How Do You Do It?, #9 in 1964, and "Ferry Across the Mersey", #6 in 1965)... R.I.P. Jimmy O'Neil (Shindig's host, 1940 - 2013) and Gerry Marsden celebrated his 71st birthday four months ago on September 24th (2013).
Rudy from Chicago, IlFred, Gerry and The Pacemakers' first hit was NOT "Ferry Cross The Mersey." It was "How Do You Do It," one that was turned down by The Beatles, though George Martin had them record it. John took the lead, and then the group forbade its release. Gerry's next was "I Like It." I don't know how you missed these, as the first was a number one smash, and the other respectable as well. Gerry and the Pacemakers released a film called FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY, and that was the title song.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyIn 1960 the great Ray Charles charted with a completely different record with the same title, it peaked at No. 95. For Fred in MD; "Don't let the Sun" entered the Top 100 in May of 1964 while "Ferry" entered in February 1965...
Peerless from Portland, OrHedy guy's, I love all of you for your comments and your appreciation for Gary and friends. Their songs struck a chord in my heart that I will never forget. How poignant! Love R.
Jim from Enid, Ok"Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" is listed as written by "Sean Patrick Sennett" on ASCAP. I've never heard it but it just goes to show the confusion regarding songs. BMI lists Gerrard Marsden, brother Fred, Leo Maguire and bass player Les Chadwick as the writers of the song that Gerry and The Pacemakers recorded. They offered the song to Louise Boisot who chose the stage name "Louise Cordet" and is the goddaughter of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. But she settled for the one song that made the charts and decided to work for Marianne Faithfull. The Ray Charles song with the same name sounds similar but the lyrics are different. Carol King said that when she and Gerry Goffin were working for Aldon Music in the Brill Building as a song- writing team, the songwriting team in the next room were composing a song that sounded very similar to the song that they were composing. George Harrison was sued for his song "My Sweet Lord" for allegedly infringing the copyright on the song "He's So Fine" composed by Ronald Mack and performed by The Chiffons.
Richie from Omaha, NeThumped out bass to this song in 1969-71 with The Balkan Crisis Combo at various gigs in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. Always one of my favorite "slow songs" on our play list between the Hendrix/Butterfly/Doors covers. Since then I've mastered it on guitar. The original has much more texture (strings and woodwinds) than I recall. Studio production values triumph & memory blurs.
John from Newcastle-under-lyme, United KingdomDLTSCYC is, quite simply, a beautifully put-together and performed song. I have always loved it, even as a teenager. In recent years, I have been fortunate enough to meet Gerry and his wife, Pauline, through his charity golf tournaments. One day, at the bar, I said to Gerry "Never ever forget that you wrote Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying because it is right up there with the very best of songs". Gerry was quite touched by this and we discussed the song for some time. Later that evening, he sang the song on stage with his band and as he sang the final few notes he extended his arm out to me in the audience and gave me a huge smile. An unforgettable memory. I'm playing at Gerry's golf day again this year (2009) and really looking forward to seeing him again.
Ed from Canton, OhThis song was covered by Paul McCartney on his 1990 Trippin the Live Fantastic Album. This was mostly a live album with a few studio tracks such as DLTSCYC. This album is where I first heard the song but now I see the connection from G&PM to Paul. BTW Paul did a great job on this track.
Trevor from Barbados W I, BarbadosFirst heard the song by Gerry & The Pacemakers;Later by A singer out of Barbados by the name of Richard Stoute,a soulful balledeer who was performing at coney island show/1966.Stoute is the CEO OF The The Richard Stoute teen talent show.Beautiful song, still like it, entertaining.
Fred from Laurel, MdGerry & The Pacemakers' first hit, BTW, was "Ferry, Cross the Mersey" -- that song and this are simple, beautiful, tremendous songs! I love hearing and performing both -- both of them work quite well on either guitar or piano. If the Joe Greene song of this title is even better, I've just got to hear that, too! *** And who will add Ferry, Cross the Mersey to this site? No Gerry & The Pacemakers song list is complete without it!!
Doug from Conway, ArThe other song (recorded by Ray Charles and Louis Jordan) was also recorded by Steve Alaimo. I heard his version before I heard Ray Charles do it and always considered it the better version (and a better song than this one... ;-)
Gary from Phoenix, AzThanks for sending me that info.
Gary from Phoenix, AzThere's a guy named Bruce Woodcock in Phoenix Arizona who says he wrote this sing for his sister and sold it - then Gerry made it a hit and put his own name on it.
Dave from Scottsdale, AzDr. John also recorded the Joe Green version.
Asef from Silkeborg, DenmarkIt was my personal pleasure to interview Gerry Marsden way back in 1987 for Radio HHR. Gerry and the pacemakers were performing at the Gymnastrada sports-event in Herning. He was nice fat relaxed-Uncle type a guy to talk and I asked him if He would play "Don´t let the sun catch you crying" and He said i will play it specially for You. I (Asif Rehman)will allways remember You for that thanks Gerry.
Greg from Victoria, CanadaLoved it then. Like it now.
Teresa from Mechelen, BelgiumThe sun can catch your crying because your eyes become dry and the others don't see your tears anymore. Long live Gerry and the Pacemarkers!
Annabelle from Eugene, OrHow does the sun actually catch you crying?
Johnny from Los Angeles, CaI know about this book from a large Beatles Biography I am currently reading.
Teresa from Mechelen, BelgiumGerry and the Pacemakers" a very good group, I like this song, but their VERY BEST is a beautiful, wonderful song called "You never walk alone", one of the best slows ever made.
Peter from Melbourne, AustraliaGerry did write "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" in 1964 - as is the case with quite a number of songs, another by the same title was written in 1946 by Joe Greene - a hit for Louis Jordan & the Tympany Five - they are totally different Songs both in lyric & music - just as "Stuck On You" by Elvis & "Stuck On You" by Lionel Richie are totally different. Pete T, Melbourne, Australia
Joe from San Diego, CaGerry recorded "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying," but he didn't write it. The song was a #2 R&B hit for Louis Jordan in 1946 (Decca 18818). Likely, the version that influenced Gerry was Ray Charles' 1960 rendition (Atlantic 2047). It is also contained on his 1960 album, "The Genius Of Ray Charles" (Atlantic 1312)
Neville from Perth, Western Australia, AustraliaGerry always says [in jest after thirty odd years of marriage] "that he wishes he never wrote the bloody song now".. : Neville - Perth, Western Australia
Nick from Sa, Txanother good download by them is "youll never walk alone"
Shawn from Boston, MaGerry wrote the song to his then girlfriend who today is still his wife.
