Don't Cry Baby

"Don't Cry Baby" is a song written by Saul Bernie, James P. Johnson, and Stella Unger. The song was originally performed in 1929 by Bessie Smith.

Cover versions

• In 1943, Erskine Hawkins recorded his version, with vocals by Jimmy Miitchelle. This version went to number one on the Harlem Hit Parade and number fifteen on the pop chart. ^[1]. With fourteen non consecutive weeks at number one, the Erskine Hawkins version was the most successful song on the Harlem Hit Parade for 1943 ^[2]

• In 1961, Etta James, recorded her version which reached number six on the R&B chart and number thirty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100.^[3]

• In 2004 it was recorded by American jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux, in her Careless Love album.

Appearances in popular culture

• The Erskine Hawkins recording of "Don't Cry Baby" is on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's, 1992 film, Malcolm X.

References

1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 248. 
2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 798. 
3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 290. 

Preceded by "You'll Never Know" by Dick Haymes

Billboard Harlem Hit Parade number-one single (Erskine Hawkins version) August 14, 1943 October 9, 1943 December 4, 1943

Succeeded by "A Slip of the Lip (Can Sink a Ship)" by Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra "All for You" by The King Cole Trio Shoo Shoo Baby by Ella Mae Morse