Cry, Cry Lyrics - Mazzy Star

About “Cry, Cry”

Cry, Cry is a track by Mazzy Star from their 1996 album Among My Swan. The song's haunting melody and somber lyrics capture the feelings of emotional detachment and unresolved longing. Through melancholy expressions, the lyrics touch on themes of heartbreak, failed expectations, and an inability to connect deeply with someone, despite attempts to comfort them.

• Album: Among My Swan


• Release Date: October 29, 1996


• Producers: Hope Sandoval & David Roback


• Writers: Hope Sandoval & David Roback


• Genres: Dream Pop, Folk Rock, Slowcore

Song Meanings Explained.

The lyrics of Cry, Cry revolve around emotional complexity in relationships. The narrator seems distant, not responding in the way the other person might expect or want, while wrestling with their own feelings of emptiness.

[Chorus]

"Cry, cry for you / Just like you knew I wouldn't do" – The narrator is rejecting the expectation to cry or show sadness. Instead, there’s an element of defiance, as if refusing to give the other person the emotional reaction they desire.

"Just like a song in the last light" – This line suggests something fleeting, as the last light of day fades, much like how emotions or connections might wither over time. The song’s emotional depth lies in the idea that feelings don’t always align with expectations.

[Verse 1]

"Should I leave it all away? / Not like the kindness that you gave" – Here, the narrator questions whether to let go of everything, likely referencing a relationship that once had kindness, but now feels hollow. The connection has changed, leading to uncertainty about the future.

"That's why it never seems the same / Behind your eyes" – This suggests that something has shifted in the relationship, and what was once sincere now feels different or insincere. The phrase "behind your eyes" hints at hidden emotions or unspoken truths.

[Verse 2]

"I stood behind when no one asked me / And took you home after the fight" – The narrator seems to be in a supporting role, showing care by staying by the other person’s side. However, this might not have been appreciated, adding to the sense of emotional disconnection.

"I drove my car into city lights / Drove down the road that I am on" – These lines evoke a sense of loneliness. Driving into the city lights could symbolize searching for something or simply escaping, while "the road that I am on" hints at the narrator’s personal journey, independent of the relationship.

[Chorus]

"Cry, cry for you / That's what you think I want to be" – This line implies that the other person has misunderstood the narrator’s intentions. There's a sense of frustration at being seen as something they’re not.

"An empty heart that sees me through" – The narrator admits to feeling emotionally empty, yet they rely on that emptiness to navigate the relationship, suggesting they’ve grown detached over time.

Song Theme.

The central theme of Cry, Cry revolves around emotional disconnection and unfulfilled expectations in a relationship. The narrator feels distant, unable or unwilling to meet the emotional needs of the other person, and instead focuses on their own path. The song captures the feeling of being trapped in a relationship where the emotional depth has faded, leaving both parties unsatisfied. There’s an underlying sadness in realizing that even though the other person wants more, the narrator cannot provide it.

Technical Analysis.

Musically, Cry, Cry exemplifies Mazzy Star’s signature dream pop and slowcore sound, characterized by its haunting, ethereal atmosphere. Hope Sandoval’s soft, delicate vocals create a sense of emotional fragility, while David Roback’s subtle guitar work enhances the song’s melancholic tone. The minimalist arrangement allows the emotional weight of the song’s lyrics to come to the forefront, and the repetitive structure in both verses and choruses mirrors the cyclical nature of unresolved feelings. The use of atmospheric slide guitar adds to the dreamy quality, reinforcing the feeling of distance and introspection that runs throughout the song.