Let a Boy Cry

"Let a Boy Cry" is a song written and recorded by Italian singer-songwriter Gala. It was released in January 1997 as the second single from her debut album, Come into My Life (1997). The song achieved success in Europe, receiving a platinum record in France and Belgium. It peaked at number one in Belgium, France, Israel and Italy. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Let a Boy Cry" reached number three. The song was written and composed by Gala, and produced by Filippo Andrea Carmeni and Maurizio Molella. According to Gala, it talks about how in a society where men would not be ridiculed for their sensitivity, women could be freer.[1]

"Let a Boy Cry"
Single by Gala
from the album Come into My Life
ReleasedJanuary 1997
GenreDance
Length3:20
LabelNitelite
Songwriter(s)
  • Filippo Andrea Carmeni
  • Gala Rizzatto
  • Maurizio Molella
Producer(s)
  • Phil Jay
  • Maurizio Molella
Gala singles chronology
"Freed from Desire"
(1996)		 "Let a Boy Cry"
(1997)		 "Come into My Life"
(1997)
Music video
"Let a Boy Cry" on YouTube

Critical reception

British magazine Music Week gave the song five out of five, adding, "Already a massive hit in Europe, Gala's second single is easily as catchy as the platinum "Freed From Desire". A broad range of mixes should guarantee strong radio airplay."[2] Chris Finan from their RM Dance Update rated it four out of five, commenting that "[it's] needless to say [that] UK demand will be as vigorous on its impending release."[3] Pop Rescue felt that the track "has a sense of dance about it. At times Gala's vocals sound a bit flat and not unlike those of Divine. However, musically this song definitely lifts the tempo and sound up somewhat, and Gala's vocals fit perfectly in the chorus."[4]

Chart performance

"Let a Boy Cry" was a major hit in several countries and successful on the charts in Europe. It peaked at number-one in Belgium, France, Italy and Spain. The single also made it to a very respectable number three on the Eurochart Hot 100, and number 11 in the United Kingdom. In the latter, it reached that position in its first week on the UK Singles Chart on 30 November 1997.[5] But on the UK Indie Chart, it was a even bigger hit, peaking at number-one. Additionally, it was a top 20 hit also in Ireland and Scotland, and a top 30 hit in Switzerland. "Let a Boy Cry" was awarded with a platinum record in France.[6]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Let a Boy Cry" was directed by director Philippe Antonello, Luca Bigazzi and Gala. It was shot in Venice in San Mark's square during the Carnival.[7] The video is in black-and-white.[8] In a 2014 interview with DNA Magazine, Gala said about the video:

It's also funny now when I watch my video for Let A Boy Cry. At the time it was a real problem with Vatican City in Italy because there were two boys kissing in it in a really sweet way. They were actually brothers, the two guys, and I asked them to kiss each other, as I was also co-director. They look like a couple, which was my intention, and people were bothered by it. Now it's the Same Love era and no one would blink! Yes, but there are still many things to change. For me they are not gay or lesbian issues but human rights issues.[9]

Track listings
  • 12-inch single
  1. "Let a Boy Cry" (Full Vocals mix) – 5:06
  2. "Let a Boy Cry" (edit mix) – 3:20
  3. "Let a Boy Cry" (the Glittering mix) – 7:16
  • CD single
  1. "Let a Boy Cry" (edit mix) – 3:20
  2. "Let a Boy Cry" (Full Vocals mix) – 5:06
  • CD maxi
  1. "Let a Boy Cry" (edit mix) – 3:20
  2. "Let a Boy Cry" (Full Vocals mix) – 5:06
  3. "Let a Boy Cry" (the Glittering mix) – 7:16

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[32] Platinum 50,000*
France (SNEP)[6] Platinum 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Let A Boy Cry". Facebook. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  2. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 15 November 1997. p. 10. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  3. Finan, Chris (8 November 1997). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 8. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  4. "Review: "Come Into My Life" By Gala (CD, 1997)". Pop Rescue. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 30 November 1997 – 06 December 1997". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  6. "French single certifications – Gala – Let a Boy Cry" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  7. "NOTES FROM GALA". galasound.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  8. "GALA – Let a boy cry [Official video HD]". YouTube. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  9. "21st Century Gala". DNA Magazine. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  10. "Gala – Let a Boy Cry" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  11. "Gala – Let a Boy Cry" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  12. "Ultratop Dance 01/03/1997". ultratop.be. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  13. Eurochart peak
  14. "Gala – Let a Boy Cry" (in French). Les classement single.
  15. "Irish Singles Chart – Search for song". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  16. 3 weeks at No. 1 (11 March 1997, 18 March 1997 & 25 March 1997)
  17. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 7. 15 February 1997. p. 18. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  18. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  19. "Gala – Let a Boy Cry" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  20. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  21. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  22. "Gala – Let a Boy Cry". Swiss Singles Chart.
  23. UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved 1 July 2008)
  24. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  25. 1997 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived 26 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 1 July 2008)
  26. 1997 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 1 July 2008)
  27. "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 December 1997. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  28. 1997 French Singles Chart disqueenfrance.com Archived 27 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 1 July 2008)
  29. "Single top 100 over 1997" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  30. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  31. "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1997". Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 September 2005.
  32. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1997". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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