While We Cry

Album: Ledbetter Heights (1995)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The guitar chords for most of this Kenny Wayne Shepherd instrumental song are taken from the Pearl Jam song "Yellow Ledbetter." This is reflected in the album title, Ledbetter Heights. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brandon - Tuscaloosa, AL

Comments: 7

  • Tim from MiWhen I hear " While we cry" , it sounds like a twenty second intro followed by two different song choruses put together in a back to back order. Pearl Jam's Yellow Ledbetter being the first, followed by Soulshine from the Allman Brothers. It's confusing to figure out who wrote what first amongst those three bands, but it's pretty easy to see that jimi Hendricks little Wing was the inspiration, followed by Stevie Ray Vaughns Lennie. It's not surprising early 90s guitarists like Mike McCready, KWS and Warren Haynes were influenced by those two.
  • Ain't Right from Houston, TexasThe album title 'Ledbetter Heights' has nothing to do with Pearl Jam's song. Ledbetter Heights is an area of Shreveport, Louisiana, Kenny Wayne Shepherd's hometown.
  • Nicolas from Puerto Rico This song is so so similar to Lenny from Stevie Ray Vaughan. I thinks “criminal” how similar they are. But that’s just my first impression of this song. Haven’t read enough to see this artists fave musicians.
  • Manolo from DinamarcaWhere can I find this backing track? While we cry...Donde puedo conseguir el backing track de esta cancion While we cry? gracias or ayuda
  • Lane from Shreveport, LaThis, of course, is from Kenny's debut. I'm from Shreveport myself & I've seen Kenny live about 4 times. This was the first song I heard, when he was on a local telethon here. Still the most beautiful song I've heard. As others have said, you can hear Hendrix's influence. As stayed Kenny's dad was a DJ here, back in the day. Great station.
  • Tina from Shreveport, LaAs Adam said, Ledbetter Heights is an historic, low income neighborhood in Shreveport, named for Huddie Ledbetter. Kings Highway (another KWS song) is a street in Shreveport. KWS grew up in Shreveport where his father "Shotgun" Ken Shepherd was a well known DJ who took young Kenny Wayne to many concerts including Stevie Ray Vaughn where he first got his guitar "bug" while sitting on amps backstage. The song "While We Cry" was recorded long before the album Ledbetter Heights. It was recorded at the Red River Revel Arts Festival. While I cannot remember the actual date, I believe KWS was 16 at the time. And yes, it is pretty safe to assume both artists were inspired by Hendrix and SRV.
  • Adam from Breckenridge, CoThe guitar work on "Yellow Ledbetter" is all taken from Jimi Hedrix's "Little Wing". It's no secret that KWS is strongly influenced by Mr. Jimi. It's probably safe to say that KWS was mimicking Hendix and not Pearl Jam. Ledbetter heights are slums outside of Shreveport where KWS grew up. Named after Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, a 1930's blues man.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.