You’re driving late at night, or maybe you’re just scrolling through a "sad girl" playlist on Spotify, and this voice hits you. It’s raw. It’s heavy with grit and gospel-soaked pain. You hear that desperate refrain—don't you feel like crying?—and you immediately need to know whose soul just leaked out of your speakers. If you’ve been searching for who sings don't you feel like crying, the answer isn't just a name. It’s a legacy.
The primary artist behind the definitive version of "Cry To Me" (which contains that iconic lyric) is Solomon Burke.
Released in 1962, it didn't just climb the charts; it basically redefined what soul music could do. It wasn't just a song. It was an invitation to be vulnerable. Burke, often called the "King of Rock & Soul," had this way of singing that made you feel like he was reaching through the vinyl to pat you on the shoulder. But because the song has been covered by everyone from The Rolling Stones to Marc Broussard, the "who" can get a little muddy depending on which era you grew up in.
The King of Rock and Soul: Solomon Burke's Definitive Version
Solomon Burke was a giant. Literally. He was a preacher, a mortician, a father to twenty-one children, and a man who once performed from a literal throne. When he recorded "Cry To Me" for Atlantic Records, he brought a specific kind of sanctified energy to the studio.
The song was written by Bert Berns. Berns was a legendary songwriter who also gave us "Piece of My Heart" and "Twist and Shout." He had this knack for writing about desperation. In "Cry To Me," he wrote a lyric that didn't just ask a question; it offered a hand to hold. When Burke sings, "Don't you feel like crying? Come on, baby, cry to me," he isn't being mocking. He’s being a sanctuary.
Back in '62, the track hit number five on the R&B charts. It’s got that mid-tempo shuffle, a Latin-influenced "baion" beat that was huge at Atlantic at the time (think "Save the Last Dance for Me"). But the voice is the thing. Burke’s voice starts in a low, conversational growl and swells into a full-on shout. Honestly, if you haven't heard the original mono mix, you're missing the punch of the brass section that punctuates every line about loneliness.
Why Does This Song Keep Popping Up?
You might not have found this song through a vintage soul radio station. Most people under the age of forty know it because of Dirty Dancing.
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Remember the scene? Penny is teaching Johnny some steps, the basement is hot, and "Cry To Me" is playing on the record player. It’s the ultimate "mood" song. That 1987 film single-handedly resurrected Solomon Burke's career for a new generation. It’s funny how a movie about the 60s made a song from the 60s a hit again in the 80s, and then TikTok did it all over again in the 2020s.
Actually, the song is a favorite for sync licensing in TV and film because it bridges the gap between sadness and sexiness. It’s a hard line to walk. It’s "lonely," sure. But it’s also "come over here."
The Cover Versions: Who Else Sings It?
If the version you’re humming doesn’t sound like a 1960s soul singer, you might be hearing one of the dozens of covers.
The Rolling Stones tackled it in 1965 on Out of Our Heads. Mick Jagger’s version is much more of a rock-and-roll strut. It loses some of that gospel warmth but gains a lot of British Invasion swagger. It’s thinner. It’s more about the beat than the teardrops.
Then there’s Betty Harris. Her 1963 version is a masterpiece of New Orleans soul, produced by Allen Toussaint. If you want a female perspective on the lyrics, this is the one. Her voice has a sharper edge, a bit more of a "I've been there too" vibe rather than Burke's "I'll take care of you" vibe.
More recently, artists like Marc Broussard have kept the song alive. Broussard’s "S.O.S. Foundation" version is incredible. He’s got that "Bayou Soul" rasp that rivals Burke's power. If you’re a fan of modern blues-rock, that’s likely the version that’s been stuck in your head.
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- Solomon Burke (1962): The blueprint. Pure soul.
- The Rolling Stones (1965): Gritty, guitar-heavy, classic rock.
- Betty Harris (1963): Slow-burn New Orleans R&B.
- Duffy (2010): A more "retro-pop" take for the Pirate Radio soundtrack.
- Marc Broussard (2016): Modern, heavy-hitting Southern soul.
The Confusion with "Don't You Feel Like Crying" vs. "Cry To Me"
A lot of the confusion about who sings don't you feel like crying comes from the title itself. The song is officially titled "Cry To Me." However, the hook is so strong that people often search for the lyric instead of the title.
This happens all the time in music history. People search for "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" instead of just "Satisfaction." Because the line "Don't you feel like crying?" is repeated so many times in the chorus, it’s become the de facto name of the song in the minds of millions of listeners.
There's also a smaller chance you might be thinking of a completely different song. Loleatta Holloway has a song called "Cry To Me," but it’s a different composition entirely—more of a disco-era powerhouse ballad. And then there’s The Preciousloves, who did a song titled "I Feel Like Crying." But if you’re looking for that specific, soulful, mid-tempo groove from Dirty Dancing, it’s definitely the Bert Berns composition.
The Emotional Resonance of the Lyrics
Why does this song still work?
Most pop songs about breakup are about "you left me" or "I’m over you." "Cry To Me" is different. It’s an observation of universal human loneliness. It talks about "walking the streets" and "looking for someone to talk to." It addresses the ego—the way we pretend we’re okay when we’re actually falling apart.
When Burke sings about the "lonely, lonely" nights, he’s validating the listener. It’s a very modern sentiment wrapped in a 60-year-old package. It’s basically the 1962 version of "it’s okay to not be okay."
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Bert Berns, the songwriter, lived his life with a severe heart condition caused by rheumatic fever as a child. He knew he was on borrowed time (he died at 38). You can hear that urgency in the writing. There’s no time for metaphors. Just: you’re lonely, I’m lonely, let’s stop pretending.
Identifying Your Specific Version
If you're trying to pin down exactly which recording you heard, listen to the instrumentation.
If it starts with a prominent, clicking percussion beat and a soulful sax—that’s Solomon Burke.
If it’s driven by a distorted electric guitar and a very young-sounding Mick Jagger—that’s The Stones.
If it’s a live recording with a huge, modern band and a singer with a very thick Southern accent—that’s Marc Broussard.
If it sounds like a classic 60s girl group but with a much sadder, slower tempo—you're likely listening to Betty Harris.
The song has also been used in countless commercials and background tracks on YouTube and TikTok. Often, these are "sound-alike" covers or royalty-free versions meant to mimic the Solomon Burke vibe without paying the high licensing fees for the original master recording. If the voice sounds a bit "cleaner" or more digital, it might be a modern studio musician's recreation.
How to Experience the Best of This Song
If you want to dive deeper into the world of the person who sings don't you feel like crying, don't stop at that one track.
Solomon Burke’s catalog is a goldmine. Check out his album Don't Give Up on Me from 2002. It was a massive "comeback" record where he worked with people like Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe. He won a Grammy for it, and it proves that his voice only got better with age. It turned from a smooth velvet into a rich, cracked leather.
You should also look into the work of Bert Berns. He’s the subject of a great documentary called BANG! The Bert Berns Story. It gives a lot of context to why these songs feel so desperate and vital.
Actionable Next Steps for Music Lovers
To truly appreciate the history of this track, try these steps:
- Listen to the "Cry To Me" evolution: Play the Solomon Burke original, then the Betty Harris cover, then the Marc Broussard version back-to-back. You’ll hear how soul music shifted from gospel-roots to New Orleans R&B to modern Americana.
- Check the credits: Next time you hear a soulful track you love, look for the "Songwriter" credit. If you see Bert Berns, you’ve found a rabbit hole of hits like "Hang On Sloopy" and "Under the Boardwalk."
- Explore the Atlantic Soul era: If Burke’s voice does it for you, look up the Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947–1974 box set. It’s the definitive guide to the sound that created "Cry To Me."
- Watch the performance: Search for footage of Solomon Burke performing late in his life. Even when he had to sit in his throne because he could no longer stand for long periods, his vocal power was staggering. It’s a masterclass in breath control and emotional delivery.