I Don't Wanna Cry

"I Don't Wanna Cry"
"I Don't Wanna Cry"
Single by Mariah Carey
from the album Mariah Carey
B-side	"You Need Me"
Released	April 25, 1991
Studio	Tarpan (San Rafael, California); The Plant (Los Angeles, California);
Genre	R&B
Length	4:47 (album); 4:25 (edit);
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Mariah Carey; Narada Michael Walden;
Producer(s)	Narada Michael Walden
Mariah Carey singles chronology
Music video
	"I Don't Wanna Cry" on YouTube

"I Don't Wanna Cry" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her eponymous debut album. Written by Carey and producer Narada Michael Walden, Columbia Records released it as the album's fourth single in April 25, 1991. It became her fourth number one hit single.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Mariah Carey.^[1]

A-side: "I Don't Wanna Cry"

Locations

Recorded and mixed at Tarpan Studios (San Rafael, California) and The Plant Studios (Los Angeles, California)
Mastered at Masterdisk (New York)

Personnel

Walter Afanasieff – keys/synths, synth bass and rhythm programming
Chris Camozzi – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Mariah Carey – background vocals, lead vocals, songwriter
Ren Klyce – Fairlight rhythm programming
Bob Ludwig – mastering
Narada Michael Walden – arranger, drums, producer, songwriter

Publishing

Vision of Love Songs, Inc. (BMI)
Gratitude Sky Music (ASCAP)

B-side: "You Need Me"

Locations

Recorded and mixed at Skyline Studios (New York), The Hit Factory (New York), and Oakshire Recorders (Los Angeles, California)
Mastered at Masterdisk (New York)

Personnel

Mariah Carey – background vocals, lead vocals, songwriter
Pat Dillett – engineering, mixing
Omar Hakim – drums
Rhett Lawrence – arranger, keyboards/Fairlight, producer, songwriter
Bob Ludwig – mastering
Nile Rodgers – guitar
David Williams – guitar

Publishing

Vision of Love Songs, Inc. (BMI)
Rhettrhyme Music and BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP)

Charts and certifications

1991 weekly chart performance
Region – Chart (Publisher)	Peak position
Australia – Singles (ARIA)^[2]	49
Canada – Retail Singles (The Record)^[3]	7
Canada – Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)^[3]	2
Canada – Hit Tracks (RPM)^[4]	2
Canada – Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[5]	2
New Zealand – Singles (RIANZ)^[2]	13
US – Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)^[6]	1
US – Hot Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[7]	1
US – Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)^[8]	2
US – Top 40 Radio Monitor (Billboard)^[9]	4
US – Top 100 Singles (Cash Box)^[10]	1
US – Top R&B Singles (Cash Box)^[11]	4
US – Adult Contemporary (Gavin Report)^[12]	2
US – Top 40 (Gavin Report)^[13]	1
US – Top 40/Urban Crossover (Gavin Report)^[14]	1
US – Urban Contemporary (Gavin Report)^[15]	3
US – Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)^[16]	1
US – Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records)^[16]	1
US – Urban Contemporary (Radio & Records)^[16]	1

1991 year-end chart performance
Region – Chart (Publisher)	Position
Canada – Retail Singles (The Record)^[17]	58
Canada – Hit Tracks (RPM)^[18]	21
Canada – Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[19]	15
US – Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)^[20]	26
US – Hot Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[21]	10
US – Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)^[22]	72
US – Top 100 Singles (Cash Box)^[23]	14
US – Top R&B Singles (Cash Box)^[24]	37
US – Adult Contemporary (Gavin Report)^[25]	15
US – Top 40 (Gavin Report)^[26]	7
US – Urban Contemporary (Gavin Report)^[27]	33
US – Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records)^[28]	8
US – Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records)^[29]	7
US – Urban (Radio & Records)^[30]	31

List of certifications
Region (Organization)	Units (Certification)
United States (RIAA)^[31]	500,000 (Gold)

Notes

References

↑ Mariah Carey (CD liner notes). Columbia Records. 1990. 466815 2.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 "Mariah Carey - 'I Don't Wanna Cry'". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Lwin 2000, p. 59
↑ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them". RPM. June 22, 1991. p. 6. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.
↑ "RPM 40AC (Adult Contemporary)". RPM. June 22, 1991. p. 14. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023 – via Library and Archives Canada.
↑ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022.
↑ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022.
↑ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023.
↑ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022.
↑ "Top 100 Singles". Cash Box. June 1, 1991. p. 4 – via Internet Archive.
↑ "Top R&B Singles". Cash Box. June 1, 1991. p. 9 – via Internet Archive.
↑ "Adult Contemporary". Gavin Report. May 24, 1991. p. 8.
↑ "Top 40". Gavin Report. May 24, 1991. p. 8.
↑ "Crossover Chart". Gavin Report. May 31, 1991. p. 29.
↑ "Urban Contemporary". Gavin Report. June 7, 1991. p. 26.
↑ ^16.0 ^16.1 ^16.2 "National Airplay Overview". Radio & Records. June 7, 1991. p. 96. ProQuest 1017253318.
↑ Lwin 1997, p. 107
↑ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. p. 8. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.
↑ "RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. p. 10. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.
↑ "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. December 21, 1991. p. YE-14. ProQuest 1286414097.
↑ "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. December 21, 1991. p. YE-36. ProQuest 1286415000.
↑ "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. December 21, 1991. p. YE-18. ProQuest 1286414287.
↑ "Top 50 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 28, 1991. p. 8 – via Internet Archive.
↑ "Top 50 R&B Singles". Cash Box. December 28, 1991. p. 36 – via Internet Archive.
↑ "Adult Contemporary Top 100". Gavin Report. December 13, 1991. p. 27.
↑ "Top 40 Top 100". Gavin Report. December 13, 1991. p. 24.
↑ "Urban Top 100". Gavin Report. December 13, 1991. p. 26.
↑ "Top 91 of '91". Radio & Records. December 13, 1991. p. 67. ProQuest 1017254722.
↑ "Top 91 of '91". Radio & Records. December 13, 1991. p. 45. ProQuest 1017249395.
↑ "Top 91 of '91". Radio & Records. December 13, 1991. p. 48. ProQuest 1017251946.
↑ "Gold & Platinum – 'I Don't Wanna Cry'". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022.

Books

Bronson, Fred (1997). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (4th ed.). Billboard Books. ISBN 0-8230-7641-5. OL 8118566M.
Carey, Mariah (2007). Mariah Carey: Original Keys for Singers. Hal Leonard. ISBN 978-1-4234-1996-9.
Josefs, Jai (1996). Writing Music for Hit Songs: Including Songs from the '90s (2nd ed.). Schirmer Books. ISBN 0-02-864678-9. OL 2187385M.
Lwin, Nanda (1997). Canada's Top Hits of the Year 1975–1996. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-10-7.
Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
Mall, Andrew (2021). God Rock, Inc.: The Business of Niche Music. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520343429.

Marcic, Dorothy (2002). Respect: Women and Popular Music. Texere. ISBN 1-58799-083-0. OL 3956472M.
Mottola, Tommy; Fussman, Cal (2013). Hitmaker: The Man and His Music. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 978-0-446-58518-7. OL 16308267W.
Nickson, Chris (1998). Mariah Carey Revisited: Her Story. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-19512-5. OL 363685M.
Pastorek, Whitney (2008). "Whitney Houston vs. Mariah Carey". In Manning, Sean (ed.). Rock and Roll Cage Match: Music's Greatest Rivalries, Decided. Three Rivers Press. ISBN 978-0-307-39627-3.
Shapiro, Marc (2001). Mariah Carey: The Unauthorized Biography. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-444-3.

[Notes-1] Mariah Carey (CD liner notes). Columbia Records. 1990. 466815 2.

[AUS-2] 2.0 ^2.1 "Mariah Carey - 'I Don't Wanna Cry'". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023.

[Lwin-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Lwin 2000, p. 59

[RPM-4] "RPM 100 Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them". RPM. June 22, 1991. p. 6. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[5] "RPM 40AC (Adult Contemporary)". RPM. June 22, 1991. p. 14. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[Hot_100-6] "Mariah Carey Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022.

[AC-7] "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022.

[8] "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023.

[9] "Mariah Carey Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022.

[10] "Top 100 Singles". Cash Box. June 1, 1991. p. 4 – via Internet Archive.

[11] "Top R&B Singles". Cash Box. June 1, 1991. p. 9 – via Internet Archive.

[12] "Adult Contemporary". Gavin Report. May 24, 1991. p. 8.

[Gavin-13] "Top 40". Gavin Report. May 24, 1991. p. 8.

[14] "Crossover Chart". Gavin Report. May 31, 1991. p. 29.

[15] "Urban Contemporary". Gavin Report. June 7, 1991. p. 26.

[R&R-16] 16.0 ^16.1 ^16.2 "National Airplay Overview". Radio & Records. June 7, 1991. p. 96. ProQuest 1017253318.

[17] Lwin 1997, p. 107

[18] "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. p. 8. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[19] "RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. p. 10. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[20] "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. December 21, 1991. p. YE-14. ProQuest 1286414097.

[21] "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. December 21, 1991. p. YE-36. ProQuest 1286415000.

[22] "The Year in Music 1991". Billboard. December 21, 1991. p. YE-18. ProQuest 1286414287.

[23] "Top 50 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 28, 1991. p. 8 – via Internet Archive.

[24] "Top 50 R&B Singles". Cash Box. December 28, 1991. p. 36 – via Internet Archive.

[25] "Adult Contemporary Top 100". Gavin Report. December 13, 1991. p. 27.

[26] "Top 40 Top 100". Gavin Report. December 13, 1991. p. 24.

[27] "Urban Top 100". Gavin Report. December 13, 1991. p. 26.

[28] "Top 91 of '91". Radio & Records. December 13, 1991. p. 67. ProQuest 1017254722.

[29] "Top 91 of '91". Radio & Records. December 13, 1991. p. 45. ProQuest 1017249395.

[30] "Top 91 of '91". Radio & Records. December 13, 1991. p. 48. ProQuest 1017251946.

[RIAA-31] "Gold & Platinum – 'I Don't Wanna Cry'". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on November 17, 2022.

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v t e Mariah Carey
Studio albums	Mariah Carey (1990) · Emotions (1991) · Music Box (1993) · Merry Christmas (1994) · Daydream (1995) · Butterfly (1997) · Rainbow (1999) · Glitter (2001) · Charmbracelet (2002) · The Emancipation of Mimi (2005) · E=MC² (2008) · Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009) · Merry Christmas II You (2010) · Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse (2014) · Caution (2018)
Compilation albums	#1's (1998) · Valentines (2000) · Greatest Hits (2001) · The Remixes (2003) · The Ballads (2008) · The Essential Mariah Carey (2011) · #1 to Infinity (2015)
Live albums	MTV Unplugged (1992)
Video compilations	The First Vision (1991) · MTV Unplugged +3 (1992) · Here Is Mariah Carey (1993) · Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden (1996) · Around the World (1998) · #1's (1999) · The Adventures of Mimi (2007)
Concert tours	Music Box Tour (1993) · Daydream World Tour (1996) · Butterfly World Tour (1998) · Rainbow World Tour (2000) · Charmbracelet World Tour (2003-2004) · The Adventures of Mimi Tour (2006) · Live at the Pearl (2009) · World Tour (2009/2010)
Selected filmography	The Bachelor (1999) · Glitter (2001) · WiseGirls (2002) · Ally McBeal (2002) · State Property 2 (2005) · You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008) · Tennessee (2008) · Precious (2009)
Charities	Fresh Air Fund · Make-a-Wish Foundation · Save the Music Foundation
Related articles	Discography · Videography · Tours · Awards · Crave Records · MonarC Entertainment · Mariah Carey Wish Icon Award

v t e Mariah Carey songs
Singles discography Songs recorded
1990s songs	"Vision of Love" "There's Got to Be a Way" "I Don't Wanna Cry" "Someday" "Love Takes Time" "Emotions" "Can't Let Go" "Make It Happen" "If It's Over" "I'll Be There" "Dreamlover" "Hero" "Anytime You Need a Friend" "Without You" "Never Forget You" "Endless Love" "All I Want for Christmas Is You" "O Holy Night" "Joy to the World" "Fantasy" "Underneath the Stars" "One Sweet Day" "Open Arms" "Always Be My Baby" "Forever" "Honey" "My All" "Butterfly" "The Roof" "Breakdown" "Close My Eyes" "The Beautiful Ones" "Sweetheart" "When You Believe" "I Still Believe" "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" "Heartbreaker" "Thank God I Found You" "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)" "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" "Crybaby"
2000s songs	"Loverboy" "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" "Reflections (Care Enough)" "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" "Never Too Far" "Never Too Far/Hero Medley" "Through the Rain" "Boy (I Need You)" "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" "I Know What You Want" "It's Like That" "We Belong Together" "Shake It Off" "Mine Again" "Say Somethin'" "Get Your Number" "Fly Like a Bird" "Don't Forget About Us" "So Lonely" "Migrate" "Touch My Body" "I Stay in Love" "Side Effects" "I'm That Chick" "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" "Bye Bye" "Hero" (2008 version) "Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" "Obsessed" "I Want to Know What Love Is" "H.A.T.E.U."
2010s songs	"Up Out My Face" "Angels Cry" "Oh Santa!" "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again" "When Christmas Comes" "One Child" "Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)" "#Beautiful" "Thirsty" "You're Mine (Eternal)" "You Don't Know What to Do" "Meteorite" "The Art of Letting Go" "Infinity" "I Don't"
Other releases	"100%" "Almost Home" "Everybody Hurts" "Every Time I Close My Eyes" "Just Stand Up!" "Lil' L.O.V.E." "My Love" "Right to Dream" "So Lonely" "Things That U Do" "Triumphant (Get 'Em)" "U Make Me Wanna" "What More Can I Give"
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