Tears Dry on Their Own

"Tears Dry on Their Own" is a song by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse from her second and final studio album, Back to Black (2006). It was released on 13 August 2007 as the album's fourth single. While the melody and lyrics are composed by Winehouse, the music behind her voice is an interpolation of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1967 song "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", penned by Ashford & Simpson. The original ballad version of the track is featured on the posthumous album Lioness: Hidden Treasures (2011). The song was featured in the documentary film based on the life and death of Winehouse, Amy (2015) and was also included on the film's soundtrack.

"Tears Dry on Their Own"
Single by Amy Winehouse
from the album Back to Black
B-side	"You're Wondering Now"
Released	13 August 2007 (2007-08-13)
Studio	Instrument Zoo, Miami
Genre	Pop soul
Length	3:05
Label	Island
Songwriter(s)	Amy Winehouse Nickolas Ashford Valerie Simpson
Producer(s)	Salaam Remi
Amy Winehouse singles chronology
"Back to Black" (2007) "Tears Dry on Their Own" (2007) "Valerie" (2007)
Amy Winehouse U.S. singles chronology
"Rehab" (2007) "Tears Dry on Their Own" (2007) "Back to Black" (2007)
Music video
"Tears Dry on Their Own" on YouTube

In October 2023, Skepta released "Can't Play Myself (A Tribute to Amy)", which samples "Tears Dry on Their Own".^[1]

Composition

"Tears Dry on Their Own" has been described by NME as a "Motown-influenced pop song",^[2] while Billy Hamilton of Drowned in Sound believed the song to be a soul song.^[3] The song was originally written in the key of E major.

Music video

Tears Dry on Their Own's music video was shot in Los Angeles,^[4] and directed by David LaChapelle on 22 May 2007.^[5] Featuring Winehouse making her way down Hollywood Blvd and in a dim motel room, the video features the Grand Motel at 1479 S La Cienega Blvd, in Los Angeles. The hotel room is a nod to the ones she would stay in while waiting for her to-be-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil to arrive. The music video for this song was the second to last filmed before Winehouse's death on 23 July 2011.

Chart performance

"Tears Dry on Their Own" became Winehouse's fourth consecutive single to chart inside the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, when it entered at number 37 on 5 August 2007. It also became her eighth UK R&B top 40 hit. The single spent four weeks at number one on the UK Airplay Chart during August. After the song's physical release, the single climbed into the top 20, peaking at number 16. Therefore, "Tears Dry on Their Own" is Winehouse's second highest-charting single behind "Rehab" and the fourth consecutive top 30 hit from her second album. To date, it has spent 19 non-consecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart, making it her fourth longest-running hit behind "Rehab" (57 weeks), "Valerie" (39 weeks), and "Back to Black" (34 weeks).

With sales of 84,750,^{[citation needed]} "Tears Dry on Their Own" went on to become the UK's 93rd best-selling single of 2007.^[6]

On 31 July 2011, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at 27 after Winehouse's death.

Track listings and formats

UK CD single "Tears Dry on Their Own" – 3:09 "You're Wondering Now" – 2:31 "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Alix Alvarez Sole Channel Mix) – 6:42 "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Al Usher Remix) – 7:00 "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Video) UK limited edition clear 7" single Side A: "Tears Dry on Their Own" – 3:05 Side B: "Tears Dry on Their Own" (NYPC's Fucked Mix) – 4:39

UK 12" single Side A: "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Alix Alvarez Sole Channel Mix) – 6:42 Side B: "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Al Usher Remix) – 7:00 "Tears Dry on Their Own" – 3:05

Digital download – Remixes & B-Sides EP (2015)^[7]

1. "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Vodafone Live at TBA) – 3:23
2. "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Alix Alvarez Sole Channel Mix) – 5:35
3. "Tears Dry on Their Own" (NYPC's Fucked Mix) – 4:39
4. "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Al Usher Remix) – 6:59
5. "Tears Dry on Their Own" (Kardinal Beats Remix) – 3:21

Official versions and remixes

• Album Version – 3:05
• Al Usher Remix – 7:00
• Alix Alvarez Sole Channel Mix – 6:42
• Kardinal Beats Remix – 3:20
• NYPC's Fucked Mix – 4:39
• Original Version – 4:09

Personnel

"Tears Dry on Their Own"

• Recorded by Franklin Socorro
• Mixed by Tom Elmhirst
• Producer – Salaam Remi
• Recorded by Gleyder "Gee" Disla, Shomari "Sho" Dillon
• Bass, piano, guitar – Salaam Remi
• Written by Amy Winehouse
• Drums, tambourine – Troy Auxilly-Wilson
• Mixed by Matt Paul
• Trumpet (bass), trumpet, flugelhorn – Bruce Purse
• Saxophone (baritone, tenor and alto), flute, clarinet, piano, celesta (celeste), guitar – Vincent Henry
• Backing vocals – Amy Winehouse^[8]

"You're Wondering Now"

• Recorded by Jon Moon
• Featuring – Ade*, Zalon*
• Written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson*, Clement Dodd^[8]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2007–08) Peak position Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[9] 3 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[10] 15 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[11] 49 Germany (Official German Charts)[12] 56 Hungary (Dance Top 40)[13] 38 Ireland (IRMA)[14] 26 Netherlands (Tipparade)[15] 14 Scotland (OCC)[16] 17 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[17] 24 UK Singles (OCC)[18] 16 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[19] 6 US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[20] 40 Chart (2011) Peak position Belgium Back Catalogue Singles (Ultratop Flanders)[9] 8 Belgium Back Catalogue Singles (Ultratop Wallonia)[10] 23 France (SNEP)[21] 87 Germany (Official German Charts)[12] 81 Ireland (IRMA)[22] 44 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 100 Scotland (OCC)[24] 32 UK Singles (OCC)[25] 27 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[26] 11 Chart (2016) Peak position UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[27] 84 Chart (2024) Peak position UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[28] 93 UK Singles (OCC)[29] 49

Year-end charts Chart (2007) Position UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[30] 93

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[31]	Diamond	250,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[32]	Gold	45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[33]	Gold	50,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[34]	Gold	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[35]	2× Platinum	1,200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Skepta pays tribute to Amy Winehouse on new single 'Can't Play Myself'". Rolling Stone. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
2. Wright, Lisa (10 July 2015). "Amy Winehouse: Her 10 Best Tracks". NME. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
3. Hamilton, Billy (13 August 2007). "Single Review: Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
4. "Amy Winehouse Sports New Beehive On The Set Of "Tears Dry On Their Own" Music Video - PopCrunch". 23 May 2007. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
5. "Flickr".
6. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2007". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
7. "iTunes - Music - Tears Dry On the Own (Remixes & B Sides) - EP by Amy Winehouse". iTunes Store (GB). 23 July 2007.
8. "Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own". Discogs. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
9. "Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
10. "Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
11. "European Hot 100 Singles – Chart Listing For The Week Of Sep 08 2007". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2008.
12. "Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
13. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Tears Dry on Their Own". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
15. "Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry On Their Own" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
16. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
17. "Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
19. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
20. "Amy Winehouse Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
21. "Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
22. "Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 28 July 2011". Chart-Track. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
23. "Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
24. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
25. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
26. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
27. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
28. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
29. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
30. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2007". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
31. "Brazilian single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
32. "Danish single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
33. "Italian single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
34. "Spanish single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
35. "British single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry on Their Own". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

External links

• Behind-the-scenes photos of the music video