Jump to content

Big Girls Don't Cry (Fergie song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by InternetArchiveBot (talk | contribs) at 01:10, 2 November 2016 (Rescuing 3 sources and tagging 0 as dead. #IABot (v1.2.6)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Big Girls Don't Cry"
Song
B-side"Pedestal"

"Big Girls Don't Cry" (also known as "Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)") is a song recorded by American singer and rapper Fergie for her debut studio album, The Dutchess (2006). It was written by Fergie and Toby Gad while the production was helmed by will.i.am. The song was released as the fourth single from the album on May 22, 2007. "Big Girls Don't Cry" deviates from the hip-hop and urban music of Fergie's previous singles and opts for a more simplistic pop sound that incorporates acoustic and classical elements. It features credits from about thirty instrumentalists, many of which play the violins, violas and celli on the track. Lyrically, the song talks about moving on from the pain of divorce.

The critical reception of "Big Girls Don't Cry" was positive, with many praising the maturity and simplicity displayed on the single as well as the message. The song was a commercial success domestically, attaining the top position on the Billboard Hot 100. It became her third single to do so and earned her the accolade of being the first female artist with three number one singles from one album since 2000 with Christina Aguilera's first three number one singles. "Big Girls Don't Cry" also became Fergie's highest selling single in the country with 3,833,000 units sold as of August 2012,[1] and her longest charting with nearly fifty weeks logged on the Hot 100 between May 2007 and March 2008. The song peaked at number one in Canada and was present for fifty-three weeks on the chart. The song also reached number one in various international territories including Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and Australia, where it spent nine weeks at the top position. Besides France and Hungary, "Big Girls Don't Cry" reached the top ten in all other international markets like the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It was used in an episode of Pretty Little Liars, "Father Knows Best".

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Anthony Mandler and released in May 2007. It depicts Fergie and her love interest, portrayed by actor Milo Ventimiglia, in their turbulent relationship that ultimately ends with Fergie packing up her belongings and driving away in her car. The music video featured Fergie in apparel designed by Candie's and was used by the brand to promote their clothing line.

Background

"Big Girls Don't Cry" was written by Fergie (credited as Stacy Ferguson) and Toby Gad.[2] The song was recorded at the Metropolis Recording Studio in London, England.[2] will.i.am produced the song as well as playing the bass, supervising in programming the drums and engineering the song. In discussing the album with Clover Hope of Billboard, Adams described the production of this song to be his most challenging yet, saying that "I did an Edie Brickell type of production."[3] He was aided by Neil Tucker and Tal Herzberg, who also provided additional editing with the use of Pro Tools technology.[2] The song features a large number of instrumentalists on the song.[2] On the basses are Trey Henry and Mike Valerio while Keith Harris plays the drums, keyboard bass and keys.[2] George Pajon Jr. plays the guitar. "Big Girls Don't Cry" features eighteen violinists, four people on the violas and four people on the celli.[2] The strings were arranged and conducted by Ron Fair, who also produced the additional vocals on the song.[2] They were recorded by Allen Sides at the Signet Sound.[2] The song was mixed at Ocean Way Recordings in Hollywood, California by Jack Joseph Puig and Dean Nelson.[2] A&M Records, in association with will.i.am Music Group and Interscope Records, sent the song to contemporary hit radio on May 20, 2007 in the United States.[4]

Composition

"Big Girls Don't Cry" has a length of 4 minutes and 28 seconds. It incorporates elements from different genres such as acoustic folk and is composed by simple drums, synthesizers, violins, strings, viola, and celli.[5] The song is written in the key of G major and is set in time signature of common time with a moderate pop tempo of 113 beats per minute. Fergie's vocal range spans from the high-tone of C5 to the lower register of G3. The song has a basic sequence of G–Csus2–D5 as its chord progression.[6] The song is a ballad about the end of a relationship and dealing with personal issues.[2][7][8] James Simon of CHARTattack describes the song as "[an] emotive acoustic sentimentalism"[9] while Dan Gennoe compared the song to Pink's style of music, calling it and Voodoo Doll "pure Pink!".[10]

Critical reception

"Big Girls Don't Cry" received general acclaim. Spence D. of IGN writes that the album's aura diminishes as "Big Girls Don't Cry" plays and comments "Listening to this song it begins to dawn on you that by this juncture the album has strategically delivered a song tailor made for each of the varying commercial radio formats."[11] Mike Joseph of PopMatters praised the song for permitting her vocal ability to shine.[12] Bill Lamb of About.com rated the song four out of five stars, praising the mood, lyrics and vocals as "mellow, still sexy", "intelligent" and "strong". He noted however that there could be a moment in the song where it all catches fire. Lamb further added that the simple, gentle back lets the track unfolds on its own and that the song represents artistic growth on Fergie and will.i.am's part after time off from the Black Eyed Peas.[7] Kelly Smith of The Maneater felt differently about the song, finding it disappointing and the lyrics.[8] Alex MacGregor of UKMix.org compared the single to Gwen Stefani's "4 in the Morning", stating that they both have a timeless, Cyndi Lauper feel to them; he gave a four-star rating to "Big Girls Don't Cry".[13]

Chart performance

On May 5, 2007, "Big Girls Don't Cry" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number forty-one, becoming the week's highest debut, and the Hot Digital Songs chart at number twenty-one.[14] In its sixth week on the chart, it entered the top ten tier at number eight.[15] The following week it moved up four places to number four. After twelve weeks of fluctuating in the top five, the song reached the summit of the Hot 100 on the week of September 8, 2007, replacing Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls".[16] The song became Fergie's third number one single in the United States as a solo artist as well as the fourth top five single from The Dutchess album. The song earned her the accolade of being the first female artist to attain three number one US singles from an album since 2000, when Christina Aguilera did so with her third single, "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)", from her eponymous debut album.[17]

"Big Girls Don't Cry" became Fergie's third solo single to attain the top position on the Billboard Hot 100, following "London Bridge" and "Glamorous".

The song also charted at number one on the Radio Songs chart, the Pop Songs chart and the Adult Contemporary chart.[18] The song was certified platinum on December 6, 2007 by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[19] Its digital download sales stand at 3,549,000, becoming her first single to surpass sales of three million downloads.[20] "Big Girls Don't Cry" is Fergie's most downloaded song, ahead of "Fergalicious", "Glamorous", "Clumsy", and "London Bridge".[20] In Canada, the song debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 at number seventeen on the issue dated June 2, 2007.[21] "Big Girls Don't Cry" entered the top five in its third week and reached number one in its seventh week on the chart.[22] It logged three consecutive weeks at the summit and a total of fifty-three weeks on the chart.[22]

In Australia, "Big Girls Don't Cry" debuted and peaked at number one on the issue dated July 22, 2007.[23] It ended Rihanna's six-week hold at the top position with "Umbrella" and barred the song from entering the position for three weeks.[24] The song logged nine weeks at the top position, from July 22 to September 16, 2007, and continued to chart for thirty-two weeks.[23] It became her highest charting single in the country as well as her longest charting and highest selling single there, beating out her previous single "Glamorous".[23][25] The song has been certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales of 140,000 units.[25] On May 28, 2007, the song entered the chart in New Zealand at number twenty-eight.[26] The song entered the top three in its fourth week on the chart.[26] "Big Girls Don't Cry" reached number one on the issue dated July 23, 2007 and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) for sales of 15,000 units.[26][27]

The song also achieved chart success in the European market. "Big Girls Don't Cry" first entered the UK Singles Chart on June 17, 2007 at number sixty.[28] It quickly rose into the top ten region and peaked at number two in its fifth week on the chart.[22] The song reached number three in Switzerland in its eleventh week and logged thirty-four weeks on the chart.[22] In Sweden, the song entered the top twenty of the Singles chart on July 19, 2007, rising from number fifty-four the previous week.[29] On August 23, 2007, the song peaked on the chart at number four and maintained that position for two non-consecutive weeks.[30] It was later certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (Sweden).[31] The song was also certified gold in Norway and reached the top position of the chart on the issue dated September 11, 2007, lasting three consecutive weeks at its peak position.[22][32][33]

Music video

Fergie in the music video

The music video was directed by Anthony Mandler and began production on March 30, 2007. The video had a 'First Look' on MTV's TRL on May 16, 2007 and peaked at #5 on May 24, 2007. The video topped VH1's Top 40 Videos of 2007 list. Milo Ventimiglia plays Fergie's love interest. The video begins with Fergie getting out of her car (a red 1969 Mustang fastback) and going inside a warehouse where she meets her band and practices. Meanwhile, she is seen singing next to her boyfriend, who is sleeping. She starts walking through the house, and is then watching herself and her boyfriend from a different point of view getting out of her car. They go into the house, and her boyfriend gets out a guitar and starts playing, while Fergie is singing. Later on, she sees her boyfriend out the window with several guys, one of whom passes him a small package, which is presumably drugs, and it upsets her. Fergie then starts singing the chorus while she is taking her clothes off a clothes line and putting them into a suitcase. As the third verse begins, Fergie is walking around a warehouse singing while wearing a tan-gray baby doll dress. At the end of the song, she is seen getting into her car and driving down the road.

There are other music videos for this song as well. The one described above is the so-called "Personal" version; it is approximately 5 minutes in length and the song is played once. There is also the so-called "Extended" version; it is approximately 9 minutes in length and the song is played twice. It begins with Fergie driving to the warehouse, then uses flashbacks which include the plot scenes run in sequence. At the conclusion of this first playing of the song, Fergie has arrived at the warehouse and, with her band, the song is played again, this time with all of the warehouse scenes run in sequence.

Credits and personnel

Recording and sample
  • Recorded at the Metropolis Recording Studio in London, England.
  • Strings recorded at Signet Sound
  • Mixed Ocean Way Recordings in Hollywood, California.
Personnel
  • Songwriting - Stacy Ferguson, Toby Gad
  • Production - will.i.am
  • Bass and drum programming - will.i.am
  • Basses - Trey Henry, Mike Valerio
  • Drums, keyboard bass, keys - Keith Harris
  • String arrangement and conductor - Ron Fair
  • Violins - Bruce Dukov, Natalie Leggett, Charlie Bisharat, Sarah Thornblade, Julie Gigante, Josefina Vergara, Sid Page, Roberto Cani, Anatoly Rosinsky, Liane Mautner, Barbra Porter, Darius Campo, Helen Nigthengale, Tiffany, Hu. Becky Bunnell, Shoshana Claman, Lisa Sutton, Armen Annasian
  • Violas - Brian Dembo, Matt Funes, Thomas Diener, Andrew Duckles
  • Celli - Cecilia Tsan, Larry Corbett, David Low, Suzie Katayma
  • Engineering - will.i.am, Neil Tucker, Tal Herzberg
  • Pro Tools - Tal Herzberg
  • Guitars - George Pajon Jr.
  • Mixing - Jack Joseph Puig, Dean Nelson (assistant)

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Dutchess, A&M Records, Will.i.am Music Group, Interscope Records.[2]

Track listing

  • US CD and download single
  1. "Big Girls Don't Cry" (Personal) [Remix featuring Sean Kingston] - 3:53
  • UK CD single
  1. "Big Girls Don't Cry" - 4:28
  2. "Pedestal" - 3:23
  • Australian CD single
  1. "Big Girls Don't Cry" - 4:28
  2. "Pedestal" - 3:22
  3. "Finally" (Live) - 3:50
  4. "Big Girls Don't Cry" (Music Video) - 5:08

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[70] 5× Platinum 350,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[71] Platinum 100,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[72] Platinum 7,500^
Japan (RIAJ)[73] Gold 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[75] Platinum 0[74]
Norway (IFPI Norway)[76] Gold 5,000*
Sweden (GLF)[77] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[78] Gold 400,000^
United States (RIAA)[79] 4× Platinum 4,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format
United States[80] May 22, 2007 Top 40/Mainstream radio
Worldwide[81] July 6, 2007 Digital EP
Germany[82] July 6, 2007 CD single
United Kingdom[83] July 9, 2007
France[84] October 8, 2007

See also

References

  1. ^ Paul Grein (August 8, 2012). "Week Ending Aug. 5, 2012. Songs: Phillip Phillips Is "Home"". Chart Watch. Yahoo Music. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k The Dutchess (inlay cover). Fergie. A&M Records, Will.i.am Music Group , Interscope Records. 2006.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ Hope, Clover (30 September 2006). "Fergielicious!". Billboard. 118 (39): 68. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  4. ^ "R&R :: Going for Adds :: CHR/Top 40". Going for Adds. Radio and Records. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  5. ^ French, Matthew D. "Fergie - The Dutchess". Sputnikmusic. Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry - Digital Sheet Music". Music Notes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Retrieved 2010-02-06.
  7. ^ a b Lamb, Bill. "Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry". About.com. New York Times Company. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  8. ^ a b Smith, Kelly. "Fergie's a little too Fergalicious". The Maneater. The Maneater Student Newspaper. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  9. ^ Simon, James. "Fergie - The Dutchess". CHARTattack. andPOP Inc. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  10. ^ Gennoe, Dan. "Fergie - The Dutchess Album review". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo Incorporated. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ D., Spence. "Fergie - The Dutchess". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  12. ^ Joseph, Mike. "Fergie: The Dutchess". PopMatters. PopMatters. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  13. ^ MacGregor, Alex. "Reviews - Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry". UKMix. UKMIX. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Hot 100 - Biggest Jumps". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  15. ^ "Hot 100 - June 9, 2007". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  16. ^ "Hot 100 - September 8, 2007". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  17. ^ "Fergie Scores Third Solo No. 1 On Hot 100". Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 18 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Big Girls Don't Cry - Billboard Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  19. ^ "Gold & Platinum - Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  20. ^ a b Grein, Paul (2010-07-23). "Chart Watch Extra: Gaga's Nice Round Number". Yahoo! Blog. Yahoo, Inc. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  21. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 - June 2, 2007". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  22. ^ a b c d e "Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry - Music Charts". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  23. ^ a b c "australian-charts.com - Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  24. ^ "RIhanna & Jay-Z - Umbrella". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  25. ^ a b "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2007 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-03-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ a b c "charts.org.nz - Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  27. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles - December 16, 2007 - RadioScope New Zealand". RadioScope. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2010-12-17.[dead link]
  28. ^ "UK Singles Chart - June 17, 2007". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  29. ^ "Swedish Singles Chart". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  30. ^ "Swedish Singles Chart - August 23, 2007". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  31. ^ "Sweden Charts - Sweden's Official Charts". Sverigetopplistan. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. Retrieved 2010-07-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Norway Singles Top 20 - September 11, 2007". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  34. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  35. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  36. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  37. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  38. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  39. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 42. týden 2007 in the date selector.
  40. ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry" (in Danish). Tracklisten.
  41. ^ "Fergie: Big Girls Don't Cry" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  42. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry" (in French). Les classement single.
  43. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  44. ^ "Chart Track: Week 29, 2007". Irish Singles Chart.
  45. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Fergie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  46. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry". Top 40 Singles.
  47. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry". VG-lista.
  48. ^ "Nielsen Music Control". Archived from the original on 2007-08-27.
  49. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  50. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200735 into search.
  51. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry". Singles Top 100.
  52. ^ "Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry". Swiss Singles Chart.
  53. ^ "Fergie: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  54. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  55. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  56. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  57. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  58. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  59. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  60. ^ "Pop Rock" (in Spanish). Record Report. 2007-11-17. Archived from the original on 2007-07-02.
  61. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2007". ARIA. Archived from the original on 31 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  62. ^ Fergie Videos - Alle Clips, News und Musikvideos von Fergie - MTV.de
  63. ^ http://members.chello.nl/m.jans1/2007.html
  64. ^ "Annual Top 50 Singles Chart 2007". RIANZ. Archived from the original on 22 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  65. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2007" (PDF). UK ChartsPlus. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  66. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Singles 2007". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  67. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Singles 2008". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2010. Retrieved 2015-07-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  68. ^ http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/2000sDecadeChartssingles.pdf
  69. ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/hot-100-songs?year=2009&begin=11&order=position
  70. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  71. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  72. ^ "Danish single certifications – Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry". IFPI Danmark. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2007 to obtain certification.
  73. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved January 27, 2016. Select 2014年9月 on the drop-down menu
  74. ^ "Top 40 Singles". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) Note: The reader must select Chart #1603 - Monday 11 February 2008 to show the certification
  75. ^ THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
  76. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  77. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2007" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
  78. ^ "British single certifications – Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Big Girls Don't Cry in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  79. ^ "American single certifications – Fergie – Big Girls Don't Cry". Recording Industry Association of America.
  80. ^ FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!
  81. ^ iTunes - Music - Big Girls Don't Cry - EP by Fergie
  82. ^ Big Girls Don't Cry: Amazon.de: Musik
  83. ^ Big Girls Don't Cry: Amazon.co.uk: Music
  84. ^ Big Girls Don'T Cry: Fergie, Ron Fair: Amazon.fr: Musique
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Big_Girls_Don%27t_Cry_(Fergie_song)&oldid=747376294"