Angels Cry (song)
Encyclopedia
"Angels Cry" is a song performed by American
R&B singer Mariah Carey
. Written by Carey, Christopher Stewart
, Crystal Johnson
, James Wright the song features on her twelfth studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
. It was remixed to feature fellow American R&B singer, Ne-Yo
and then released on February 23, 2010 as the intended second single from Carey's now cancelled thirteenth studio album and second remix album, Angels Advocate. "Angels Cry" was moderately successful having peaked at number 26 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart and its music video was produced by Carey and husband, Nick Cannon
. Soon after its release, Angels Advocate was cancelled as well as all subsequent promotion and release of the song.
"Angels Cry (remix)" featuring Ne-Yo
officially impacted Rhythmic, Urban and Urban AC radio on January 26, 2010. The track also impacted Mainstream Adult Contemporary radio in early February 2010, and was released to iTunes
on February 23, 2010. Apart from the U.S. it was released in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom as the lead single from Angels Advocate.
praised the song for bringing Carey back to her musical roots. In his review he says "A standout from last year's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel platter, it's about as close to 'classic' Mariah as 'new' Mariah gets. Her vocals sound classy and effortless as the song launches into a chorus that twinkles, before Ne-Yo swoops in, cranks up the emotional dial and duly adds an extra dimension to the solo original. Yes, it's a bit of a 'We Belong Together
' retread, but it's a thoroughly pleasant 'We Belong Together' retread that should help that rather tricky album to appeal beyond Carey's core fanbase."
. Both videos were co-directed by Carey and her husband Nick Cannon
. They premiered together on VEVO.com
on January 27, 2010. The video starts off with Carey walking in the rain, to meet up with Ne-Yo
in the studio. As the video progresses, scenes of Carey singing and sulking in the rain play, while other clips of her studio sessions continue. At the climax of the video, Carey is belting out the song in the studio with Ne-Yo
, and reminiscing of her sad moments alone in the rainy alley. The video ends with Carey and Ne-Yo exiting their recording session, and as they exit the studio, the rain has stopped, and both of them walk out into the sunny morning. The video has brought many comparisons to two of Carey's previous videos, primarily One Sweet Day
and Through The Rain
, for the studio sessions and rainy scenes.
making it the second time that Carey has had two songs from the same album (Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
and Angels Advocate are being treated as a linked project) appear on the chart with the other song being "I Want to Know What Love Is". The last time this happened was with the album Butterfly with the title song
and the "My All
" (1997/98). It is her 43rd U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart entry according to her Billboard discography.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B singer Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
. Written by Carey, Christopher Stewart
Christopher Stewart (music producer)
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million...
, Crystal Johnson
Cristyle
Crystal Nicole Johnson, better known by her stage name Cristyle or sometimes credited as Cri$tyle is an American Grammy Award winning songwriter signed with So So Def/EMI Music.-Career:...
, James Wright the song features on her twelfth studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is the twelfth studio album by American R&B singer Mariah Carey. It was released on September 29, 2009 through Island Records in the U.S. and November 23, 2009 with Mercury Records in the UK...
. It was remixed to feature fellow American R&B singer, Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
and then released on February 23, 2010 as the intended second single from Carey's now cancelled thirteenth studio album and second remix album, Angels Advocate. "Angels Cry" was moderately successful having peaked at number 26 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart and its music video was produced by Carey and husband, Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon
Nicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon is an American actor, comedian, rapper, entrepreneur, record producer, radio, and television personality. On television, Cannon began as a teenage sketch comedian on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'N Out, and America's Got Talent...
. Soon after its release, Angels Advocate was cancelled as well as all subsequent promotion and release of the song.
Background
The original version of the song had no guest vocals and was featured on Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. The newer version features vocals from Ne-Yo."Angels Cry (remix)" featuring Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
officially impacted Rhythmic, Urban and Urban AC radio on January 26, 2010. The track also impacted Mainstream Adult Contemporary radio in early February 2010, and was released to iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on February 23, 2010. Apart from the U.S. it was released in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom as the lead single from Angels Advocate.
Critical reception
Robert Copsey of British entertainment website Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
praised the song for bringing Carey back to her musical roots. In his review he says "A standout from last year's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel platter, it's about as close to 'classic' Mariah as 'new' Mariah gets. Her vocals sound classy and effortless as the song launches into a chorus that twinkles, before Ne-Yo swoops in, cranks up the emotional dial and duly adds an extra dimension to the solo original. Yes, it's a bit of a 'We Belong Together
We Belong Together
"We Belong Together" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi . The song was released on March 29, 2005, through Island Records as the second single from the album. "We Belong Together" was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel...
' retread, but it's a thoroughly pleasant 'We Belong Together' retread that should help that rather tricky album to appeal beyond Carey's core fanbase."
Music video
A music video was shot in December 2009, along with the video for "Up Out My Face (Remix)" featuring Nicki MinajNicki Minaj
Onika Tanya Maraj , better known by her stage name Nicki Minaj; ), is a Trinidadian-born American recording artist...
. Both videos were co-directed by Carey and her husband Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon
Nicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon is an American actor, comedian, rapper, entrepreneur, record producer, radio, and television personality. On television, Cannon began as a teenage sketch comedian on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'N Out, and America's Got Talent...
. They premiered together on VEVO.com
Vevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
on January 27, 2010. The video starts off with Carey walking in the rain, to meet up with Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
in the studio. As the video progresses, scenes of Carey singing and sulking in the rain play, while other clips of her studio sessions continue. At the climax of the video, Carey is belting out the song in the studio with Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, and reminiscing of her sad moments alone in the rainy alley. The video ends with Carey and Ne-Yo exiting their recording session, and as they exit the studio, the rain has stopped, and both of them walk out into the sunny morning. The video has brought many comparisons to two of Carey's previous videos, primarily One Sweet Day
One Sweet Day
"One Sweet Day" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey and R&B group Boyz II Men. The song was written by Carey, Walter Afanasieff and the members of Boyz II Men: Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, and Michael McCary. "One Sweet Day" was produced by Carey and Afanasieff for...
and Through The Rain
Through the Rain
"Through the Rain" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, taken from her ninth studio album, Charmbracelet . It was written by Carey and Lionel Cole, and produced by the former and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The song was released as the album's lead single on October 17, 2002...
, for the studio sessions and rainy scenes.
Chart performance
On March 10, 2010 it was revealed that "Angels Cry" (featuring Ne-Yo) had debuted and peaked at number 30 on the Hot AC SongsHot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
making it the second time that Carey has had two songs from the same album (Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is the twelfth studio album by American R&B singer Mariah Carey. It was released on September 29, 2009 through Island Records in the U.S. and November 23, 2009 with Mercury Records in the UK...
and Angels Advocate are being treated as a linked project) appear on the chart with the other song being "I Want to Know What Love Is". The last time this happened was with the album Butterfly with the title song
Butterfly (Mariah Carey song)
"Butterfly" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly. It was released as the second single from the album on December 1, 1997 by Columbia Records. The song was written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff; both of them producing and arranging the song as...
and the "My All
My All
"My All" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly . It was released as the album's fourth and second commercial single on April 21, 1998 by Columbia Records. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff...
" (1997/98). It is her 43rd U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart entry according to her Billboard discography.
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korea (Gaon Chart Digital Chart (Gaon Chart) The Gaon Single Chart are a set national charts that ranks the best-selling songs in South Korea, provided by the Korea Music Content Industry Association. The charts are made up of charts tracking streaming content, downloads, background music, ringtones, karaoke and a combine overall singles... ) |
72 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
90 |
Radio adds
| Country | Date |
|---|---|
| Europe | January 18, 2010 |
| United States | January 26, 2010 |
Purchasable release
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | February 23, 2010 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
| Japan | |||
| New Zealand | |||
| Spain | |||
| Canada | |||
| United States | Island Records Island Records Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group... |
||