Tears of Joy (song)

Last updated
"Tears of Joy"
Tears of Joy.jpg
Single by Faith Evans
from the album R&B Divas
ReleasedAugust 20, 2012
Length3:53
Label
  • Prolific
  • E1
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Chuck Harmony
  • Claude Kelly
Faith Evans singles chronology
"Gone Already"
(2010)
"Tears of Joy"
(2012)
"Dumb"
(2012)

"Tears of Joy" is a song by American recording artist Faith Evans. It was written and produced by Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony and recorded by Evans for R&B Divas (2012), a compilation album led by the singer which featured the first season stars of the same-titled TV One reality series. An emotional piano-led R&B ballad, the song was released as the album's first single and peaked at 79 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 18 on Billboard's R&B Songs chart.

Contents

Background

"Tears of Joy" was composed and produced by Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony. [1] Evans described the song as "a great timeless R&B record" which puts her "in the mind of Gladys Knight meets Aretha Franklin.” [2] In an interview with CBS Local, she further elaborated that it took social networking service Twitter for her to arrange a collaboration with Kelly. In fact, it was "Kelly who tweeted months ago: ‘Somebody tell Faith Evans I love her I want to work with her’,” she explained. “Two weeks later, we were in the studio and he played me this song and I’m like, 'Oh my god this is amazing I need this record'.” [3] Speaking of its Grammy appeal, Evans commented, "Normally I wouldn’t say this, but I think I should be nominated. It feels funny saying that about myself. But my first single is just one of those songs. If I’m not nominated, the song writer Claude Kelly should be." [2]

Critical reception

Mark Edward Nero from About.com was impressed with the song. He wrote that "Tears of Joy" was "a soaring reflection on how a good, positive relationship is truly something to be celebrated. The song [...] is a reminder of how great a singer Faith can be when she's fully engaged in her work and not just going through the motions, like she's done at times in the past!. [4] SoulCulture found that Evans' "voice sounds pretty damn divine on “Tears of Joy” – a soul-filled, emotional piano-led ballad." [5]

Music video

The music video for "Tears of Joy" was directed by Erik White and filmed on September 25, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. [6] Shot by the ocean, the black-and-white clip portrsys lovers of all ages and races. [7] The video premiered online on October 5, 2012. [7] Actor Lamman Rucker appeared in the video as Evans' love interest.

Charts

Release history

"Tears of Joy" release history
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
VariousAugust 20, 2012 [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faith Evans</span> American singer

Faith Renée Evans is an American R&B singer, songwriter and actress known as "The First Lady of R&B". Born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in New Jersey, she relocated to Los Angeles in 1991 for a career in the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B. Sure! and Christopher Williams, she became the first female artist to contract with Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records in 1994 at age 20. On the label, she featured on records with several label mates such as 112 and Carl Thomas, and released three platinum-certified studio albums between 1995 and 2001: Faith (1995) and Keep the Faith (1998), and Faithfully (2001).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamia</span> Canadian singer and songwriter (born 1975)

Tamia Marilyn Washington Hill is a Canadian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Tamia performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. In 1994, after signing a development deal with Warner Bros. Records, she was asked by veteran producer Quincy Jones to appear on his album Q's Jook Joint (1995), earning her Grammy Award nominations for their collaboration on "You Put a Move on My Heart" and "Slow Jams". Her self-titled debut album was released in 1998 and followed by a series of successful albums with Elektra Records, including A Nu Day (2000) and More (2004). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including "So Into You", "Stranger in My House", and "Imagination", as well as her collaborations "Into You", "Missing You", and "Spend My Life with You".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jody Watley</span> American singer

Jody Vanessa Watley is an American singer whose music crosses genres including pop, R&B, jazz, dance and electronic soul. During the late 1970s and early 1980s she was a member of the R&B/funk band Shalamar, who scored many hits, notably in the UK. In 1988, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and has been nominated for three Grammy awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Price</span> American singer

Kelly Cherelle Price is an American R&B and gospel singer. Beginning her career in 1992, Price originally performed backing vocals for Mariah Carey on multiple songs, including her Billboard Hot 100 number one singles "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and "Fantasy." In addition, she rose to wider prominence in 1997 following her uncredited guest appearances on the Hot 100 number-one single "Mo Money Mo Problems" by The Notorious B.I.G., as well as "Feel So Good" by Mase, prompting her to perform as a lead artist. Her debut album, Soul of a Woman (1998) was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album's lead single, "Friend of Mine" reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Faith</i> (Faith Evans album) 1995 studio album by Faith Evans

Faith is the debut studio album by American singer Faith Evans. It was released by Bad Boy Records on August 29, 1995, in the United States. A collaboration with the label's main producers The Hitmen, including members Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and Chucky Thompson, as well as Mark Ledford, Herb Middleton, and Jean-Claude Olivier, among others.

Ke'Tara Shavon "Keke" Wyatt is an American singer-songwriter and television personality. After performing in a number of girl bands and working as a songwriter during her teenage years, in 2000 she garnered national attention after her successful collaboration with fellow R&B singer Avant, In 2001 her rendition of "Nothing in This World" led to a nomination for the Best New R&B/Soul/Rap Artist award at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. After a number of charting collaborations and solo releases, in 2012 she starred as a cast member in TV One's R&B Divas: Atlanta, which featured the lives of five 1990s chart-topping R&B singers. She was featured in all 3 seasons of the show. She also performed with the group at events such as Essence Music Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leela James</span> American singer-songwriter from California

Alechia Janeice Campbell known professionally as Leela James, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston song)</span> 1998 single by Whitney Houston featuring Faith Evans and Kelly Price

"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston. Originally written for inclusion on TLC's third studio album FanMail, it was later recorded by Houston after TLC rejected the song. The song was written by Carsten Schack, Kenneth Karlin and Tamara Savage, and produced by Soulshock & Karlin. It was released on December 15, 1998, by Arista Records, as the second single from Houston's 1998 album My Love Is Your Love. The song prominently features R&B singers Faith Evans and Kelly Price during the choruses and bridge.

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

This is a comprehensive listing of official releases by Faith Evans, an American R&B, hip hop and soul singer. As of January 2023, she has released eight studio albums, and thirty singles on Bad Boy Entertainment and Capitol Records.

Nichole "Nicci" Gilbert is an American R&B singer. She is mainly known for being the lead vocalist of an American female R&B girl-group Brownstone who rose to fame in the mid 1990s best known for their 1995 hit single "If You Love Me", which was nominated for a Best R&B Performance Grammy Award. "Grapevyne" and "Pass the Lovin'" also brought them some success, as well as their rendition of "I Can't Tell You Why", a song originally recorded by The Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghetto (Kelly Rowland song)</span> 2007 single by Kelly Rowland featuring Snoop Dogg

"Ghetto" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland, featuring vocals by rapper Snoop Dogg. It was written by Durrell "Tank" Babbs, Calvin Broadus, Lonny Bereal and Rowland, and produced by the former for Rowland's second solo album Ms. Kelly (2007). A mid-paced R&B ballad which was originally recorded for her shelved My Story album, "Ghetto" is influenced by the Crunk&B subgenre. Its instrumentation consists essentially of synthesizers and a drum machine rhythm and lyrically, finds Rowland, as the protagonist, singing sensually in her whistle register about becoming attracted to dangerous men.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claude Kelly</span> American singer-songwriter

Claude Kelly is an American singer, songwriter and music producer. He is a four-time Grammy Award nominee, and has written or co-written songs for Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Christina Aguilera, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, Kesha, Brandy, Keke Wyatt, and One Direction. He and Chuck Harmony make up the R&B duo Louis York, and founded the music collective Weirdo Workshop.

<i>Something About Faith</i> 2010 studio album by Faith Evans

Something About Faith is the sixth studio album by American singer Faith Evans. It was released on Prolific Music Group on October 5, 2010, in the United States. Distributed by E1 Music, the album marked Evans' first independent release, following her departure from Bad Boy in 2003 and her subsequent but short-lived engagement with Capitol Records in 2005. Evans who co-wrote and produced on the majority of Something About Faith, consulted a variety of collaborators to work with her on the album, including duo Carvin & Ivan, Chucky Thompson, Mike City, and Salaam Remi, as well as singer Keyshia Cole, and rappers Redman, Snoop Dogg and Raekwon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gone Already</span> 2010 single by Faith Evans

"Gone Already" is a song by American recording artist Faith Evans. It was written by Evans, Ryan Toby, Corey "Latif" Williams, Johnathan Smith, Carvin Haggins, and Ivan Barias for her sixth studio album, Something About Faith (2010), while production helmed by Haggins and Barias under their production moniker Carvin & Ivan. Smith is credited as an additional producer on the piano-led R&B ballad, on which Evans sings about letting go of past pain and moving forward into a brighter future

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thank You (Estelle song)</span> 2011 single by Estelle

"Thank You" is a song from English R&B singer and rapper Estelle, released as the second single of her third studio album All of Me. The R&B ballad was co-written by the American hip-hop singer Akon and was produced by Jerry Wonda. It was released in the United States on 4 October 2011. On the track, she finds herself expressing gratitude to the man who's helped her, because the experience has helped make her both smarter and stronger. It has charted on the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and it is already her most successful single on the R&B chart. It also debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Beautiful Surprise</i> 2012 studio album by Tamia

Beautiful Surprise is the fifth studio album by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was released by her own label, Plus One Music Group on August 28, 2012 in the United States, with distribution handled by EMI and Capitol Records. Her first release since 2006's Between Friends following a longer hiatus during which she gave birth and raised her second daughter with husband Grant Hill, much of Beautiful Surprise was produced in the eight months leading up to the release of the album. A breakaway from her previous effort, Tamia consulted a wider range of musicians to work with her, including Claude Kelly, The Runners, duo Carvin & Ivan, Salaam Remi, and frequent collaborator Shep Crawford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Surprise (song)</span> 2012 single by Tamia

"Beautiful Surprise" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was written by Claude Kelly, Salaam Remi and the singer herself for her same-titled fifth album (2012), while production was overseen by Remi. The last song to be recorded for Beautiful Surprise, the R&B song has a breezy mid-tempo groove that is structured around a smooth synth. Lyrically, the song is an ode to her family, husband Grant Hill and her two daughters Myla and Lael, on which she sings about how happy she is to have experienced an unexpected but fulfilling love with a man.

<i>R&B Divas</i> (album) 2012 compilation album by Faith Evans

R&B Divas is a compilation album led by American singer Faith Evans. The album was released Prolific Music and E1 Music on October 2, 2012 and features previously unreleased content from Evans and fellow female R&B singers Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson, and KeKe Wyatt, the first season stars of the same-titled TV One reality series, as well as contribution from Kelly Price and Fantasia. While the compilation is credited as an Evans album, she is performing only on seven of the twelve tracks on R&B Divas, though she compiled and executive produced the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dumb (Faith Evans song)</span> 2012 single by Faith Evans

"Dumb" is a song by American R&B recording artist Faith Evans, recorded for R&B Divas (2012), a compilation album led by Evans which featured the first season stars of the same-titled TV One reality series. It was written by Evans along with Chris "Brody" Brown, Toni Coleman, Achia Dixon, Larrance Dopson, Lamar Edwards, Camille Hooper, and Jaila Simms, incorporating a sample from the composition "Broadway Combination", penned by Christian Arlester for his band Dyke and the Blazers. Production on "Dumb" was handled by music production team 1500 or Nothin', featuring additional production by Evans.

<i>Incomparable</i> (Faith Evans album) 2014 studio album by Faith Evans

Incomparable is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Faith Evans. It was released by Prolific Music Group, with distribution through BMG Chrysalis, on November 24, 2014 in the United States. Her third independent projects under her own label, following her sixth album Something About Faith (2010) and the compilation album R&B Divas (2012), Evans worked a diverse roster of collaborators on the album, including Lamar "Mars" Edwards, Chucky Thompson, Mike City, and Ben Briggs III, among others. A concept album, Incomparable chronicles Evans' post-divorce life, using preludes, interludes, postludes, transitions and segues to the songs together.

References

  1. R&B Divas (Media notes). Faith Evans. Prolific Music, E1 Music. 2012.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 "Faith Evans Nominates Her "Tears Of Joy" For A GRAMMY". CBS Local . Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  3. "Faith Evans Confesses "Tears Of Joy" Hook-up". CBS Local . Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  4. Nero, Mark Edward. "New Music: Faith Evans - 'Tears of Joy'". About.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  5. Gosho Oakes, M. "New Music: Faith Evans - 'Tears of Joy'". SoulCulture.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  6. "IN PRODUCTION: Faith Evans - Erik White, dir". Videostatic.com. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  7. 1 2 "Video: Faith Evans – 'Tears of Joy'". Rap-Up . Rap-Up.com. 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  8. 1 2 "Faith Evans Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  9. "Faith Evans Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  10. "Faith Evans – Tears of Joy – Single". iTunes Store . Apple. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-22.