Tears Always Win

Last updated
"Tears Always Win"
Alicia Keys - Tears Always Win.jpg
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album Girl on Fire
ReleasedMay 7, 2013 (2013-05-07)
Studio Oven Studios (New York, New York)
Genre
Length
  • 3:59(Album Version)
  • 3:38(Single Version)
Label RCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jeff Bhasker
  • Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Fire We Make"
(2013)		"Tears Always Win"
(2013)		"Better You, Better Me"
(2013)
Music video
"Tears Always Win" on YouTube

"Tears Always Win" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her fifth studio album, Girl on Fire (2012). It was written by Keys, along with Bruno Mars, Jeff Bhasker and Phillip Lawrence, and produced by Keys and Bhasker. It was digitally released on May 7, 2013, as the fifth single from Girl on Fire. Keys debuted the single during a performance on American Idol on May 9, 2013. The song had positive critical reaction. Keys included the song in the setlist for her fifth concert tour, the Set the World on Fire Tour. It is being released as the second Top 40/Mainstream single following the lead single "Girl on Fire". Keys also performed the song on the May 9, 2013 episode of American Idol . [1]

Contents

Background and release

Girl on Fire is Keys' fifth studio album and a follow-up to The Element of Freedom (2009). [2] It is her first release under RCA Records, after a re-organization at parent company Sony Music Entertainment led to her previous label J Records roster being absorbed into RCA. [3] After 2009, Keys married record producer and rapper Swizz Beatz, became a mother, began co-managing her own career, produced and directed both a Broadway Play and short film, in addition to designing a line of trainers for Reebok. [3] Keys revealed the inspiration behind the song during one of her live performances while on tour, stating, "Some things don't always work out the way that you wish that they would, but [...] you have to give it a try, and at the very least, I have a song for that too." [4] It was digitally released on May 7, 2013, through the iTunes Store and serves as the fifth single from Girl on Fire. [5] Keys officially debuted the single during her performance of the song on American Idol on May 9, 2013. [6] The single was supposed to impact Top 40/Mainstream radio in the U.S. on July 1, 2013, however, its release was scrapped at the last minute. [7] This is the third push back of the song to radio, it previously had two impact dates: May 21, 2013 and June 11, 2013.

Critical reception

The song was met with general critical acclaim. While Allmusic did not name it one of the standout tracks on the album, they reacted positively to it. [8] Billboard said of the song, "In Keys' hands alone, this missing-my-baby ballad might have fallen victim to overly sappy platitudes about life on the road without her man by her side. But with a little help from Bhasker and songwriting partners Bruno Mars and The Smeezingtons, "Tears Always Win" becomes an anthemic, soaring winner worthy of Keys' heroes Prince and Stevie Wonder." [9] Rap-Up also reacted positively to the track and deemed it a highlight of the album. [10] The co-writing credits shared partially by Bruno Mars and Philip Lawrence was met positively, with some critics, BET in particular, saying, "this song has a nice doo-wop touch, a welcome turn with the album sometimes threatening to veer towards Alicia's middle-of-the-road R&B comfort zone." [11]

Chart performance

Upon release the album Girl on Fire, "Tears Always Win" debuted at the top of the South Korean Gaon Chart for international singles with 56,340 sold. [12] That same week, every song on the album charted in South Korea. [13] The following week it remained at number one with 62,799 units sold. [14] In its third week, it dropped to number two with 46,212 sold [15] and to number three in its fourth week with sales of 40,825. [16] In 2013, "Tears Always Win" charted for a further 24 weeks on the South Korean Gaon International Download chart, [17] selling 285,213 units. [18] Between 2012 and 2013, "Tears Always Win" sold 531,161 units in South Korea. [19] Following Keys' announcement that the song would be a single and its debut live performance on season twelve of American Idol , "Tears Always Win" sold 15,000 copies in the United States. [20]

Music video

The official video for "Tears Always Win" was filmed in May 2013 by director Robert Hales. [21] The video was released June 13, 2013.

Charts

Chart (2012–13)Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [22] 67
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) [23] 26
South Korean International Singles (Gaon) [13] 1
U.S. Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop ( Billboard ) [24] 3
U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs ( Billboard ) [24] 28

See also

Release history

RegionDateFormat
United StatesMay 7, 2013 [5] Digital download
ItalyJune 14, 2013 [25] Contemporary hit radio

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As One (musical duo)</span> South Korean R&B girl group

As One (Korean: 애즈원) is a South Korean R&B girl group consisting of Korean-American singers Lee Min and Crystal. The group debuted in 1999 with the album Day by Day, and released five more albums before announcing their hiatus from the music industry in 2017 with the single, "Goodbye for Now".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunny Hill</span> South Korean girl group

Sunny Hill is a South Korean girl group formed in 2007 by For Everyone Media. The group consists of Bitna, Kota, Eunju and Geonhee. Janghyun left the group in 2014 and Jubi and Misung left the group in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2NE1 discography</span>

2NE1 were a South Korean girl group signed to YG Entertainment, with members CL, Bom, Dara, and Minzy making up the quartet. Their discography consists of two studio albums, two extended plays, eighteen singles and two promotional singles. The group established themselves in the Korean music scene in March 2009, with the release of the LG Cyon promotional single "Lollipop", a collaboration with label mates Big Bang. It brought the group instant recognition in South Korea and would receive over 3,000,000 downloads in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonder Girls discography</span>

The discography of South Korean girl group Wonder Girls, consists of three studio albums, four extended plays, one single album, two greatest hits albums and eighteen singles.

<i>A Class</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Miss A

A Class is the debut studio album by South Korean-Chinese girl group Miss A. The album was released on July 18, 2011, and contains thirteen songs. It contained six singles, including the award-winning "Bad Girl Good Girl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Led Apple</span> South Korean band

Led Apple was a South Korean rock band formed by Starkim Entertainment in 2010. The band's final lineup consisted of Seo Youngjun (Jun), Lee Kyumin (Kei) and Kim Hyoseok (AKi)

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spica (group)</span> South Korean girl group

Spica was a South Korean girl group formed in 2012 under B2M Entertainment. The group consists of Kim Boa, Park Sihyun, Park Narae, Yang Jiwon and Kim Bohyung. Their pre-debut single "Doggedly" was released on January 10, 2012, followed by their debut mini-album, Russian Roulette, on February 8, 2012. They officially disbanded on February 6, 2017, though Bohyung has confirmed a possible reunion in the future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JeA</span> South Korean singer

Kim Hyo-jin better known by her stage name JeA is a South Korean singer and songwriter. She is best known as the leader of South Korean girl group Brown Eyed Girls. As a solo artist, she has contributed numerous songs to various soundtracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apink discography</span>

South Korean girl group Apink have released seven studio albums, nine extended plays, three compilation albums, one single album, and thirty-one singles. Formed by A Cube Entertainment, they debuted on April 19, 2011, with the extended play Seven Springs of Apink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baek A-yeon</span> South Korean singer

Baek A-yeon is a South Korean singer and songwriter signed under Eden Entertainment. She is best known as the second runner-up contestant of K-pop Star.

The SeeYa was a South Korean R&B girl group that consisted of Minkyung, Youngjoo, Yoojin and Yeonkyung. They debuted on November 12, 2012 with the single album Good To Seeya featuring the title track "Be With You". They had their debut stage on November 15, 2012 at M! Countdown. In the last part of 2015, their profile page was removed and many speculated the group disbanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soyou</span> South Korean singer

Kang Ji-hyun, known professionally as Soyou, is a South Korean singer. She is best known as a former member of the South Korean girl group Sistar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NC.A</span> South Korean singer

Im So-eun, better known as NC.A, is a South Korean singer and actress, She debuted in August 2013 with "My Student Teacher". She was last active as a member of South Korean girl group Uni.T, until their disbandment in September 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elly (rapper)</span> South Korean rapper and producer (born 1991)

Ahn Hyo-jin, professionally known as Elly and formerly known as LE, is a South Korean rapper, producer and songwriter. She has been a member of K-pop girl group EXID since 2012. She was also previously a member of the underground hip hop group, Jiggy Fellaz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyolyn discography</span>

South Korean singer Hyolyn has released one studio album, three extended plays, and sixteen singles. She was a member of the girl group Sistar until their disbandment in 2017. Since leaving Starship Entertainment, Hyolyn has established her own production company, bridʒ, and released a digital single titled "To Do List" on February 6, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crush (singer)</span> South Korean singer

Shin Hyo-seob, professionally known as Crush (크러쉬), is a South Korean R&B and hip hop singer-songwriter and producer. Crush often uses Jazz musical instruments in his style of music, implementing modern tunes. He debuted on April 1, 2014, with the single "Sometimes" and released his first album Crush on You on June 5, 2014.

Vromance, is a South Korean vocal group formed by RBW in 2016. The group debuted in July 2016 with their extended play The Action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheein</span> South Korean singer

Jung Whee-in, known professionally as Wheein, is a South Korean singer under The L1ve. She is best known as a member and vocalist of South Korean girl group Mamamoo. In April 2018, Wheein made her debut as a solo artist with her digital single "Easy." In September 2019, she released her first single album, Soar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weki Meki</span> South Korean girl group

Weki Meki is a South Korean girl group formed by Fantagio in 2017. The group consists of eight members: Suyeon, Elly, Yoojung, Doyeon, Sei, Lua, Rina, and Lucy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTS singles discography</span>

South Korean boy band BTS have released 42 singles as lead artist—three of which are soundtrack appearances, nine singles as a featured artist, two promotional singles, and over 100 other non-single songs. In Japan, according to Oricon and the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), several of the band's singles are among the most-streamed songs of all time in the country and have set various other streaming and certification records that no other artist or group act in the history of either organization has. In the United States, per Billboard, they have sold over 3.1 million tracks as of 2021, and hold the record for the most number-one singles in the 2020s decade, with six.

References

  1. ↑ "Alicia Keys Performs 'Tears Always Win' on 'American Idol'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  2. ↑ Martinovic, Paul (August 15, 2012). "Alicia Keys reveals new album title 'Girl on Fire' in message to fans". Digital Spy . Hachette Filipacchi UK . Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  3. 1 2 Mitchell, Gail (November 2, 2012). "Alicia Keys' 'Girl on Fire': The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Alicia Keys-tears always win live". YouTube. March 15, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  5. 1 2 "iTunes – Music – Tears Always Win – Single by Alicia Keys". Itunes.apple.com. May 7, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ Loading... (May 7, 2013). "Mariah Carey To Unveil Her Brand New Video '#Beautiful' Featuring Miguel During This Weeks American Idol – Celebrity Gossip, News & Photos, Movie Reviews, Competitions". Entertainmentwise. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Tears Always Win – Alicia Keys : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. November 26, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Alicia Keys, 'Girl On Fire': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. November 26, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Review Roundup: Alicia Keys – 'Girl on Fire'". Rap-Up.com. November 27, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  11. ↑ "The Rundown: Alicia Keys, Girl on Fire | Music". BET. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  12. ↑ "2012년 49주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart . Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: November 25, 2012 to December 1, 2012". Gaon Chart. November 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  14. ↑ "2012년 50주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart . Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  15. ↑ "2012년 51주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart . Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  16. ↑ "2012년 52주차 Download Chart". Gaon Chart . Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  17. ↑
  18. ↑ "2013년 Download Chart". Gaon Chart . Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  19. ↑
  20. ↑ "'Idol' sales: Seven singers in the Billboard 200". Usatoday.com. May 15, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Alicia Keys "Tears Always Win" (Robert Hales, dir.)". VideoStatic. June 18, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Tears Always Win" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  23. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Tears Always Win" (in French). Ultratip.
  24. 1 2 [ dead link ]
  25. ↑ "ALICIA KEYS - Tears Only Win (Sony) | Radio Date 14/06/2013". www.radioairplay.fm. Archived from the original on 2014-04-14.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.