Cry Me A River

Album: Justified (2002)
Charted: 2 3
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  • You were my sun
    You were my earth
    But you didn't know all the ways I loved you, no
    So you took a chance
    And made other plans
    But I bet you didn't think that they would come crashing down, no

    You don't have to say, what you did
    I already know, I found out from him
    Now there's just no chance
    For you and me
    There'll never be
    And don't it make you sad about it?

    You told me you love me
    Why did you leave me all alone?
    Now you tell me you need me
    When you call me on the phone
    Girl, I refuse
    You must have me confused with some other guy
    The bridges were burned
    Now it's your turn, to cry

    Cry me a river
    Cry me a river
    Cry me a river
    Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)

    You know that they say that some things are better left unsaid
    And it wasn't like you only talked to him and you know it
    Don't act like you don't know it
    And all of these things people told me
    Keep messin' with my head (messin' with my head)
    Should've picked honesty
    Then you may not have blown it (yeah)

    You don't have to say (don't have to say)
    What you did (what you did)
    I already know (I already know)
    I found out from him (uh)
    Now there's just no chance (no chance)
    For you and me (you and me)
    There'll never be
    Don't it make you sad about it?

    You told me you love me
    Why did you leave me all alone (all alone)
    Now you tell me you need me
    When you call me on the phone (when you call me on the phone)
    Girl, I refuse
    You must have me confused with some other guy (I'm not like them baby)
    The bridges were burned
    Now it's your turn (it's your turn) to cry

    So cry me a river (go on and just)
    Cry me a river (go on and just)
    Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
    Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)

    Oh (oh!)
    The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
    Oh (oh!)
    The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
    Oh (oh!)
    The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
    Oh (oh!)
    The damage is done, so I guess I be, leaving

    You don't have to say (you don't have to say)
    What you did (what you did)
    I already know (I already know)
    I found out from him (uh)
    Now there's just no chance (no chance)
    For you and me (you and me)
    There'll never be
    Don't it make you sad about it?

    Cry me a river (go on and just)
    Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
    Cry me a river (you can go on and just)
    Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)

    Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
    Cry me a river (go on and just)
    Cry me a river (come on baby, cry)
    Cry me a river (I don't wanna cry no more, yeah yeah)

    Cry me a river
    Cry me a river, oh
    Cry me a river, oh
    Cry me a river, oh

    Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
    Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
    Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
    Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
    Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
    Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
    Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) Writer/s: Justin R. Timberlake, Scott Spencer Storch, Timothy Z. Mosley
    Publisher: Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 29

  • Leadbelly Squirrel from Oak TreeDeez squirrel women are giving me the blues. Buncha mean mistreaters, I tell ya..
  • Sean from Austin, TxThe name of the hot, slinky brunette is Kiana Bessa.
  • Aria from Davie, FlAlright, for all you who lack knowledge (either due to your age or unwillingness to be "enlightened" by anyone who disagrees with you,) here are some facts: Musicians, not unlike poets, pour out their experiences on paper by way of lyrics. So, to say that J.T. or any other artist is immature for writing this song is to say that ALL poets, musicians and writers are immature as well. For DECADES, song writers have expressed their sentiments (pain, joy, love) via lyrics or poetry. Just to name a FEW...Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, Eminem, Elton John, Sting, Bono, John Lennon, etc. I could go on and on (the benefits of an education in pop-culture history) Would anyone label these artists losers or immature? I think not. People, the reason music touches us SO deeply is because it resonates with us at a certain time in our life or during a certain event. They express through music what we, who are not blessed with the gift of songwriting, feel and would put into words if we could. You can HATE the artist and still appreciate the talent. There is a distinct difference between an artist who sings a song written for them (I'm not saying that's a bad thing) and one who writes a song based on what he or she has experienced. I'm not choosing sides here but the best example would be the two artist who are referenced in this post. Brit's "Oops, I did it again" is a cute song, I'm not doggin' it but compared to "Cry Me a River" it doesn't measure up. Why? One was "produced" for the artist, the other was written by the artist based on what he actually FELT. The BEST advice I was ever given by my music history teacher was this: "Worship the music, not the musician!" This is not to say that you can't do both BUT, to dismiss a song based on your hatred of the artist is to limit yourself and miss out on some cool grooves! Peace
  • Elizabeth from Mobile, AlGlen Hansard does an amazing version of this song. I would even venture to say I like that version better.
  • Landon from Winchester, OhSucks for you, Brittany! Doesn't it? First, you lost the man of your dreams. Second, there's a song about you topping the charts. Third, you can't even sing your own songs anymore from all the drugs. Isn't it hard to be a celebrity?
  • Se7 from Pomona, Cahmmm.. Well, yes "rappers do rip off song titles... but "roccers" ripped off rocc... so.. *shrugs* what can you do... only rocc n roll artists do the EXACT same song and call it covers or tributes.. we at lease only steal the title... oh yeah, this is neither contemporary or pop... its R&B... your white so you probably cant find the R and the heart ache of the song makes up the B... get it right dips#!+. and YES this is repetitive but like the guy said, break ups are that way and lest we forget, when you want your child to get the message, what do you do?... if your the same peopel who are saying "rap is ruining or nation cuz rappers are bad role models" then you probably say it once and then go off to leave your tv to raise your kids... oh.. and i dont like justin or brit
  • Jessica from Broken Arrow, OkI really like this song also. If you havent heard the remix with 50 cent, then you need to listen to it, its freaking awesome. 50 also says "Brittany" some where in the song. LMAO
  • Bruiser from Murfreesboro, TnI like Joe Cocker's "Cry Me A River" better.
  • Destini from Evansville, Incould in just say to grachen that if she loves him so much try spelling his name right. anyway, i'd also like to confirm that Justin and Alyssa DID date the only rumor is that he was with Janet Jackson. all Justin Timberlake fans please come and join my site coming up soon-- www.justtimberlake.com--E-mail me!
  • Maryjoy from Manila, IsraelI think that this song is well written. I love the lyrics...it makes sense. When I first heard this song, I was amazed...i kept on listening to it. I love the tune and the organization of the song!! Justin, God bless you... keep on doing good...
  • Tom from Dosen't Matter, CtShaved his head and left *Nsync...A shade less masculine then Pink :-)
  • Jolene from Melbourne, AustraliaProbably Justin's best lyrics so far and much deeper than his other stuff which is understandable given it was about the biggest drama in his life.
  • Eric from New York, NyI think Justin is one of the uprising stars en' he proved that by coming out with "Cry me a River" which rocks like something else. Go Justin my boy.
  • Elson from Los Angeles, CaI know a lot of alternative/punk/garage bands that like to cover this song in their shows, not just for kicks, but the chord progression can lend itself to that kind of music easily.
  • Fredric from Melbourne, AustraliaThis song is quite deep. It strikes a chord in people who have been through something similar. I usually listen to alternative, light rock, some pop, but never J.T. This song though made alot of sense. To anyone that has been through something like a breakup like this, IT'S REPETATIVE! You are always thinking the same stupid thing over and over again, when someone means so much to you, and the things that happened 'keep messing with your head'. Why ask for someone back when the damage is already done?

    Don't it make you sad about it? - I love this line. You feel like it is such a waste. The time you spent was just a waste.

    I think the rap at the start and the finish is brilliant. Opens the story, and closes it with the pain in the middle.

    You can't write something like that without experiencing it. Who ever wrote it (If J.T. did write it, well done mate) they must have experienced something.

    Just remember guys/girls. We know the sour, it helps us to appreciate the sweet.
  • Elly from Melbourne, AustraliaI love Justin Timberlake. He is sooo talented and HOT!! I love all his song's sooo much and am completely obsessed. This Song in paticular is great cuz it caused such a stir. Its rocks my world!!!
  • Grechen from Mobile, AlI love this song with my heart.After me and my boyfriend broke up I would listen to it all the time.I told him about the song and said he had never heard of it.I let him borrow the cd and after listening to it he cried about it.He told the next day he was sorry about hurting me.Two days later we go back together.The song was not only a fav. song of mine but the reason why we're dating.JUSTINE TIMBERLAKE LOOKS EXTRA FINE IN THAT VIDEO.WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
  • Audrey from Los Angeles,ca, United StatesI actually agree with that. Justin seems really repeatetive with the chorus and the song is really pathetic. No matter what happened between he and britney you shouldn't mock anyone in creativity. He doesn't know an ounce of that if it bit him in his arse. He's a retard. A hot retard. But dummy reguardless. Also, Pharrell and Chad prevented the white boy sound aka nsync part 2 from leaking through. That didn't hurt his arse neither. They made his album sound minutly tolerable. God I am so sick of his nasil voice! Even though JC's album didnt do as well as JTs, I'd still pick JC over Justin any day. JC can really sing, Justin struggles. That's not singing. Madonna does that too.
  • Shay from Key West, FlI wish people could here songs about actually issues...and that those would win grammys...I think this song doesn't have a whole lot of talent to be grammy worthy. He says cry me a river about 30 times in a row. Thats not very creative. Bands that write the song,lyrics, and then play them with their instruments to me are true artists.
  • Jo from Newcastle, AustraliaNot defending either one of 'em (they're both silly in my opinion) But the way I heard it, Wade Robson is an Aussie who allegedly likes other guys...music.
  • Shawna from San Diego, CaAll I've got to say is "Go Justin!" She is trash who will never be happy with what she got from sheer luck. I'm not in love with you, just proud of you. In my eyes, she was always selfish and not good enough for you because she hasn't a hint of humbleness. You are a down to earth person who deserves better.
  • Tiffany from Dover, FlOne of my uncles can sing this song in falsetto and bug me with it!
  • Britney from Calabasas, CaIn my opinion, I think Justin is very gutsy to write this kind of song (serious or not). The beat is off the hook and the lyrics are hilarious. Justin rocks! He's very talented in that. The fact that you beat down a silly song that was indeed, supposed to follow a silly connotation is jus kind of well... futle. Just like an Eminem song (who I have tremenddous respect for as an artist), everyone is thinking very ambiguously. All and all, its jus a cool song. So chill. I hope Justin's music will be around for a while. :)
  • Brett from Edmonton, CanadaUgh. First of all, this was incredibly childish. Justin thought Britney was cheating on him; she denied it, and he mocked her with this video. And what was his justification for it? He thought she was cheating. Ooh.. how mature. (BTW, I'm not defending Britney, she's an idiot and her music sucks; but regardless of who this happened to, it was still stupid and juevenille.) Second of all, the music is some of the most grating noise I've ever heard. Sounds like someone remixing N'Sync while drunk/stoned. Finally, only rappers rip off song titles from others (eg: "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark, "Dig It" from the movie "Holes", etc) and surprise, surprise, this song has a rap in it! Wow! Contemporary pop AND rap! The single worst musical styles ever, all rolled into one! Ah, well. At least Justin admitted that "Hurt" blew this useless torture out of the water.
  • Holly from Newcastle, EnglandThis is definatly Justin's best song. He is so fit in the video, but there is no change 'cause he's always looking fit!
  • Myles from Belfast, IrelandI think that it is a wicked song for a male performer and that he burns Britney Spears in the song and its funny...good for you Justin!
  • Audrey from La, CaJustin will definitely go far in his solo career he is very talented and he can write his music. Go Justin, you rock dude! :-)
  • Stacey from Bradford, EnglandThe song Rocks So does Justin I love you Justin
  • Virnalisa from Santo Domingo, OtherThis song isn't that bad but the only thing that i don't like about it is that it repeats the same thing over and over again .It's the kind of song that really gets u tired of it quickly.
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