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Cry for Help

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Cry for Help

| cover = CryForHelpCover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Rick Astley

| album = Free

| released =

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length =

| label = RCA

| writer =

| producer =

| prev_title = Ain't Too Proud to Beg

| prev_year = 1989

| next_title = Move Right Out

| next_year = 1991

| misc =

}}

"'Cry for Help'" is the first single taken from British dance-pop singer Rick Astley's third studio album, 'Free'. It was written by Rick Astley and Rob Fisher. The Andra Crouch Choir provided backing vocals. The song is a ballad, unlike Astley's other more dance-oriented hit singles such as "Never Gonna Give You Up" (1987). It was co-written by British singer Rob Fisher, formerly one half of the 1980s pop outfits Naked Eyes and Climie Fisher.

Released as a single on 14 January 1991, "Cry for Help" reached number seven on both the UK Singles Chart and the US 'Billboard' Hot 100, becoming Astley's last top-10 hit in either country. It also reached number four in Canada and was a number-one hit on both the US and Canadian Adult Contemporary charts. The song's number-seven UK chart placing meant that Astley became the first male solo artist to have his first eight singles reach the British top 10.

The song has been sung by Rick Astley in duet with Sren Sko and covered by Thomas Anders (ex-Modern Talking). In 2019, Astley recorded and released a "Reimagined" version of the song for his album 'The Best of Me'. On 27 April 2021, the original music video was upgraded to 1080p HD to celebrate 30 years of the song reaching number seven on the 'Billboard' Hot 100.

Critical reception



Eleanor Levy from 'Record Mirror' described the song as "a Michael McDonald style ballad that, rather than shocking the world, cuddles it instead."

Track listings



* '12-inch single'

# "Cry for Help" 6:26

# "Behind The Smile" 4:33

# "Cry for Help" (Album version) 4:50

* 'CD single'

# "Cry for Help" (7" version) 4:20

# "Behind The Smile" 4:37

# "Cry for Help" (12" version) 6:27

* '7-inch and cassette single'

# "Cry for Help" (Edit) 4:03

# "Behind The Smile" 4:33

Personnel



* Rick Astley lead vocals

* Dave West acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, organ, synthesizers

* Hywel Maggs guitars

* Vinnie Colaiuta drums

* Anne Dudley string arrangements and conductor

* The Andra Crouch Choir backing vocals

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



References




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