Judy's Turn to Cry

Lesley Gore

About Judy's Turn to Cry

"Judy's Turn to Cry" is a song written by Beverly Ross and Edna Lewis that was originally released by Lesley Gore in 1963. The song was produced by Quincy Jones, who also produced Gore's prior hit "It's My Party". It was released on Gore's first album I'll Cry If I Want To and also as a single which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #10 on the Billboard R&B singles chart. The single earned a gold record. When "It's My Party" entered the Billboard Hot 100 on May 11, 1963, Gore's label, Mercury Records rushed to record a sequel. The sequel, "Judy's Turn to Cry," was recorded on May 14, 1963. In "It's My Party," the singer was in tears because her boyfriend Johnny left with her best friend Judy. In "Judy's Turn to Cry," the singer kisses another boy at another party in order to make Johnny jealous and Johnny hits the other boy and returns to her. In the chorus, which also opens the song, the triumphant singer gloats that "Well now it's Judy's turn to cry, Judy's turn to cry, Judy's turn to cry; 'cause Johnny's come back to me." Until then the singer's "tears just fell like rain drops" because "Judy's smile was so mean." With its emphasis on crying—in this case Judy rather than the singer—the song fit in with the theme of the album I'll Cry If I Want To, in which most of the songs involved someone crying. The song's instrumentation includes drums and horns. Allmusic critic Joe Viglione describes "Judy's Turn to Cry" as having "a monstrous hook as valuable as 'It's My Party' with violence that may have been inspired by The Crystals pushing the envelope with their withdrawn classic 'He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss)'". Viglione also notes that because both "It's My Party" and "Judy's Turn to Cry" are short, both at just under 2:20, and both songs are different from each other, and each starts off with its own identifiable hook, and the choruses are different but the verses tell one continuous story, the two songs could be played on the radio back to back, allowing Gore to sing the entire "soap opera." This song is in the key of D Major, while "It's my Party" is in the key of A Major. Connie Landers sang the two songs back to back on the 2008 album Girls Girls Girls: 1960's Rock N Roll. Author Maury Dean notes that Gore's "crisp soprano uses very sophisticated jazz progressions." Music journalist Lillian Roxon commented that "you could savor every bitchy second of Lesley's triumph with her sequel 'Judy's Turn to Cry.'"Subsequent to initial release as a single and on I'll Cry If I Want To, "Judy's Turn to Cry" has been released on numerous Lesley Gore compilation albums. These include The Golden Hits of Lesley Gore in 1965, It's My Party: The Mercury Anthology in 1996, Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows: The Best of Lesley Gore in 1998, 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection in 2000 and The Ultimate Collection 1963–1968: Start the Party Again in 2005. It has also been included on a number of multi-artist compilations of 1960s songs. 


Year:
2000
2:12
69 
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

'Cause now it's Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
'Cause Johnny's come back
To me

Aww when Judy left with Johnny at my party (my party)
And came back wearing his ring
I sat down and cried my eyes out
Now that was a foolish thing

'Cause now it's Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
'Cause Johnny's come back
To me

Well it hurt me so to see them dance together
I felt like making a scene
Then my tears just felt like rain drops
'Cause Judy's smile was so mean

But now it's Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
'Cause Johnny's come back
To me

Oh one night I saw them kissing at a party
So I kissed some other guy
Johnny jumped up and he hit him
'Cause he still loved me that's why

So now it's Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
'Cause Johnny's come back
To me

So now it's Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
Judy's turn to cry
'Cause Johnny's come back

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Lesley Gore

Lesley Gore (born May 2, 1946) is an American singer. She is perhaps best known for her 1963 pop hit "It's My Party", which she recorded at the age of 16. more »

6 fans

Written by: BEVERLY ROSS, EDNA LEWIS

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Song singer
Lesley Gore, the singer of "Judy's Turn to Cry", was only 17 years old when she recorded the song.
Song release
"Judy's Turn to Cry" was released in 1963, a few months after Gore's hit single "It's My Party".
Follow-up
The song is considered a sequel or a follow-up to "It's My Party," with the lyrics of "Judy's Turn to Cry" carrying on the narrative from the previous song.
Chart success
The song enjoyed commercial success, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Producer
It was produced by one of the most renowned producers of the era, Quincy Jones.
Songwriters
"Judy's Turn to Cry" was written by Beverly Ross and Edna Lewis.
Genre
Classed under the pop genre, the song is characteristic of the early music era of the 1960s, particularly the teen-oriented pop music.
Song theme
The song deals with themes of teenage love, jealousy, and revenge.
Film appearance
"Judy's Turn to Cry" was featured in the 1996 movie 'Grace of My Heart', which was loosely based on the story of Carole King and other female singer-songwriters of the '60s.
Cultural impact
This song, along with "It's My Party," became anthems representing youthful female empowerment in the early 60s.
Live performances
Gore performed "Judy's Turn to Cry" on popular television programs of the time such as American Bandstand and The T.A.M.I. Show.
Re-recordings
Lesley Gore recorded a new version of "Judy's Turn to Cry" for her 2005 album, "Ever Since".
Place in discography
The song was included in her debut album "I'll Cry If I Want To", which reflected the heartbroken teenager persona Gore embraced at this phase of her career.
Vinyl release
"Judy's Turn to Cry" was also released as a 45 rpm single, with "Just Let Me Cry" as the B-side.

Discuss the Judy's Turn to Cry Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Judy's Turn to Cry Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5797652/Lesley+Gore/Judy%27s+Turn+to+Cry>.

    Missing lyrics by Lesley Gore?

    Know any other songs by Lesley Gore? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Judy's Turn to Cry

    39,469
    600     20

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1963

    Billboard #5


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    What is Camila Cabello's actual first name?
    A Maria
    B Camila
    C Rosa
    D Karla

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Lesley Gore tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!