Not Gon' Cry

" Not Gon' Cry" is a 1996 single by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige, from the soundtrack to the film Waiting to Exhale; the song is also featured on Blige's 1997 album, Share My World. The song was written and produced by Babyface and became a major hit for Blige in the US, where it peaked at number one and two on the Billboard's R&B Singles and Hot 100charts respectively. The single was certified Platinum by the RIAA where it has sold at 1.5 million copies in the United States.

<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">Background
<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">The lyrics of the song are inspired by a storyline in the movie <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Waiting to Exhale<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">revolving around one of the films main characters, Bernadine (portrayed by actress <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Angela Bassett<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">), who gets abandoned by her philandering husband. The music video, which incorporates clips from Waiting to Exhale<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, was directed by <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Wayne Maser<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">and <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Elizabeth Bailey<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">The song was later sampled in 2004 by rapper The Game for his own song "Don't Need Your Love" from his album The Documentary. In 2009, R&B singer Monica covered the song at "The BET Honors 2009" as dedication to Blige, who was one of the honorees at the program.

Lyrics
[Verse 1:] While all the time that I was loving you You were busy loving yourself I would stop breathing if you told me to Now you're busy loving someone else Eleven years out of my life Besides the kids I have nothing to show Wasted my years a fool of a wife I shoulda have left your ass long time ago

[Chorus:] Well I'm not gon cry, I'm not gon cry, I'm not gon shed no tears No, I'm not gon cry, it's not the time cuz you're not worth my tears Well I'm not gon cry, I'm not gon cry, I'm not gon shed no tears No, I'm not gon cry, it's not the time, cuz you're not worth my tears

[Verse 2:] I was your lover and your secretary Working every day of the week Was at the job when no one else was there Helping you get on your feet Eleven years of sacrifice And you can leave me at the drop of a dime Swallowed my fears, stood by your side I shoulda left your ass a thousand times

[Chorus]

I know there are no guarantees In love you take your chances But somehow it seems unfair to me Look at the circumstances Through sickness and health 'till death do us part Those were the words that we said from our hearts So now when you say that you're leaving me I don't get that part

[Repeat Verse 2]

[Chorus]