Written by Bert Berns (also known as “Bert Russell”), “Cry to Me” was first performed by American soul singer Solomon Burke in 1961.
It was Burke’s second record to reach both the Hot R&B Sides and Hot 100 singles charts after its 1962 release.
Burke sang “Cry to Me” on American Bandstand on March 20, 1962. “Cry to Me,” was conducted and orchestrated by Klaus Ogermann, and produced by Bert Berns.
Burke frequently disparaged the young producer and “distressed him,” but later praised Berns as “a genius,” “a brilliant writer, and a terrific man.”
Burke altered his attitude about Bert as soon as Sol started working with him in the studio, according to Cissy Houston, who sang background vocals on several of Burke’s songs that were produced by Berns.
When did Solomon Burke record cry to me?
“Cry to Me,” “an ode to loneliness and desire,” “one of the first songs to integrate country, gospel, and R&B in one package,” and “the prototype for Southern soul ballads,” was one of Burke’s best-known songs when it was recorded on December 6, 1961.
