# Cry for Help

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cry_for_Help.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cry_for_Help
> Source revision: 1346831531
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|1991 single by Rick Astley}}
{{About|a single by singer Rick Astley}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Cry for Help
| cover      = CryForHelpCover.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [Rick Astley](/source/Rick_Astley)
| album      = [Free](/source/Free_(Rick_Astley_album))
| B-side     = Behind the Smile
| released   = {{start date|1991|1|14|df=y}}
| recorded   =
| studio     =
| venue      =
| genre      = <!-- Do not add unsourced genres or a WP:NOTRSMUSIC source -->
| length     =
* 4:51 (album version)
* 4:17 (radio edit)
| label      = [RCA](/source/RCA_Records)
| writer     =
* Rick Astley
* [Rob Fisher](/source/Rob_Fisher_(British_musician))
| producer   =
* Gary Stevenson
* Rick Astley
| prev_title = [Ain't Too Proud to Beg](/source/Ain't_Too_Proud_to_Beg)
| prev_year  = 1989
| next_title = [Move Right Out](/source/Move_Right_Out)
| next_year  = 1991
| misc       = {{External music video|{{YouTube|C2xel6q0yao|"Cry for Help"}}}}
}}

"'''Cry for Help'''" is a song by English singer-songwriter [Rick Astley](/source/Rick_Astley), released as the first single from his third studio album, ''[Free](/source/Free_(Rick_Astley_album))'' (1991). It was written by Astley and [Rob Fisher](/source/Rob_Fisher_(British_musician)), formerly one half of the 1980s pop outfits [Naked Eyes](/source/Naked_Eyes) and [Climie Fisher](/source/Climie_Fisher). The [Andraé Crouch](/source/Andra%C3%A9_Crouch) Choir provided backing vocals. The song is a [ballad](/source/Sentimental_ballad), unlike Astley's earlier dance-oriented hit singles.

Released as a single on 14 January 1991 by [RCA Records](/source/RCA_Records), "Cry for Help" reached number seven on both the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart) and the US [''Billboard'' Hot 100](/source/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. Its accompanying music video received [heavy rotation](/source/Rotation_(music)) on [MTV Europe](/source/MTV_Europe) in February 1991.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=|last=|title=Station Reports > TV > MTV/London|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-02-23.pdf|magazine=[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)|date=23 February 1991|page=29|accessdate=12 December 2022}}</ref> "Cry for Help" was awarded one of [BMI](/source/Broadcast_Music%2C_Inc.)'s Pop Awards in 1993, honoring the songwriters, composers and music publishers of the song.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= BMI Congratulates The PRS Writers and Publishers of BMI's Most Performed Works of 1992: Million Performance Songs |magazine= [Music Week](/source/Music_Week) |page= 2 |date= 20 November 1993 |accessdate= 13 May 2023 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-11-20.pdf}}</ref>

The song has been sung by Rick Astley in duet with [Søren Sko](/source/S%C3%B8ren_Sko) and covered by [Thomas Anders](/source/Thomas_Anders) (ex-[Modern Talking](/source/Modern_Talking)). In 2019, Astley recorded and released a "reimagined" version of the song for his album ''[The Best of Me](/source/The_Best_of_Me_(Rick_Astley_album))''.<ref>{{cite web |first= Leah |last= Brungardt |title= An Interview with 'Never Gonna Give You Up' Singer Rick Astley on His Iconic Hit Song, His Newest Album and Much More! |website= All Access Music |date= 12 November 2019 |access-date= 20 November 2019 |url= https://music.allaccess.com/an-interview-with-never-gonna-give-you-up-singer-rick-astley-on-his-iconic-hit-song-his-newest-album-and-much-more/ |archive-date= 12 November 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191112214600/https://music.allaccess.com/an-interview-with-never-gonna-give-you-up-singer-rick-astley-on-his-iconic-hit-song-his-newest-album-and-much-more/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> On 27 April 2021, the original music video was upgraded to 1080p HD to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the song reaching number seven on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/post/UgxE0GyYocoYKWH2Bix4AaABCQ|title=On this day in 1991 'Cry For Help' reached number 7 in the US Billboard Charts. To celebrate the song, the official music video has been upgraded to HD!|publisher=[YouTube](/source/YouTube)|url-status=live|archive-date=8 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408170636/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU1EmTA4J60|access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref> On 18 July 2024, the original music video was upgraded again to 4K to celebrate the reissue of ''Free''.<ref>{{cite web|title=
Cry For Help - Head over to my YouTube to watch the upgraded video in 4K 🙌|publisher= [Facebook](/source/Facebook) |access-date= 3 November 2024 |url= https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1863590570792711}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
Dave Obee from ''[Calgary Herald](/source/Calgary_Herald)'' felt the "finest moments" on the song come from [Andrae Crouch](/source/Andrae_Crouch)'s choir arrangement, adding that it's what makes "Cry for Help" "worth hearing".<ref>Obee, Dave (17 March 1991). "Recent Releases". ''[Calgary Herald](/source/Calgary_Herald)''.</ref> [David Quantick](/source/David_Quantick) from ''[NME](/source/New_Musical_Express)'' wrote, "Rick still sings like God, and 'Cry for Help' is pretty good in a [Wet Wet Wet](/source/Wet_Wet_Wet) sort of way, especially when the Proper Choir comes in".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Quantick|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52276140757/|title=Singles|work=[NME](/source/New_Musical_Express)|date=19 January 1991|page=19|access-date=3 April 2023|author-link=David Quantick}}</ref> Eleanor Levy from ''[Record Mirror](/source/Record_Mirror)'' described it as "a [Michael McDonald](/source/Michael_McDonald_(musician)) style ballad that, rather than shocking the world, cuddles it instead."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/51222086041/in/album-72157719331435173/lightbox/|first=Eleanor|last=Levy|title=Singles|magazine=[Record Mirror](/source/Record_Mirror)|date=12 January 1991|page=14|accessdate=10 August 2021}}</ref> Retrospectively, in 2025, Thomas Edward of [Smooth Radio](/source/Smooth_Radio_(2014)) ranked the song number three in his list of "Rick Astley's 10 greatest songs, ever".<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Astley's 10 greatest songs, ever |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/features/top-songs/rick-astley-best-music-ever/ |first=Thomas |last=Edward |publisher=[Smooth Radio](/source/Smooth_Radio_(2014)) |date=5 November 2025 |access-date=19 February 2026}}</ref>

==Track listing==
* '''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](/source/Fender_Rhodes), [organ](/source/Electric_organ), synthesizers 
* Hywel Maggs – guitars 
* [Vinnie Colaiuta](/source/Vinnie_Colaiuta) – drums 
* [Anne Dudley](/source/Anne_Dudley) – string arrangements and conductor 
* [The Andraé Crouch Choir](/source/Andra%C3%A9_Crouch) – backing vocals

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Cry for Help"
!scope="col"|Chart (1991)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|13|artist=Rick Astley|song=Cry for Help|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
{{single chart|Austria|22|artist=Rick Astley|song=Cry for Help|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|5|artist=Rick Astley|song=Cry for Help|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|4|chartid=1510|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|1|chartid=1507|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([Eurochart Hot 100](/source/European_Hot_100_Singles))<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-02-16.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)|volume=8|issue=7|page=31|date=16 February 1991|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref>
| 16
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([European Hit Radio](/source/European_Hit_Radio_(chart)))<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-03-02.pdf|title=European Hit Radio|magazine=[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)|issue=9|volume=8|date=2 March 1991|page=26|access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref>
| 1
|-
!scope="row"|Finland ([Suomen virallinen lista](/source/The_Official_Finnish_Charts))<ref>{{cite book|first=Jake|last=Nyman|year=2005|title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja|edition=1st|publisher=Tammi|location=Helsinki|isbn=951-31-2503-3|language=fi}}</ref>
| 11
|-
{{single chart|Germany|14|artist=Rick Astley|song=Cry for Help|songid=10170|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
!scope="row"|Greece ([IFPI](/source/IFPI_Greece))<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-03-09.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=8|issue=10|page=42|date=9 March 1991|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref>
| 3
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|9|song=Cry for Help|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
!scope="row"|Italy (''[Musica e dischi](/source/Musica_e_dischi)'')<ref name="Italy">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[Musica e Dischi](/source/Musica_e_Dischi)|language=it|access-date=18 November 2025}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Rick Astley".</ref>
| 10
|-
!scope="row"|Luxembourg ([Radio Luxembourg](/source/Radio_Luxembourg))<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=F&ChDay=&ChMonth=&ChYear=&ChBand=Rick+Astley&ChSong= |title=Radio Luxembourg Singles |publisher=umdmusic.com|access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref>
| 5
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|11|year=1991|week=9|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|11|artist=Rick Astley|song=Cry for Help|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
!scope="row"|Portugal ([AFP](/source/Associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Fonogr%C3%A1fica_Portuguesa))<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-02-23.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=8|issue=8|page=30|date=23 February 1991|access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref>
| 9
|-
!scope="row"|Quebec ([ADISQ](/source/ADISQ))<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Franco/Franco-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf |title=Compilation des succès par ordre alphabétique d'interprètes |publisher=[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec](/source/Biblioth%C3%A8que_et_Archives_nationales_du_Qu%C3%A9bec) |author=Michel Gignac |website=banq.qc.ca |page=38 |language=French |accessdate=3 April 2025}}</ref>
| 1
|-
!scope="row"|Spain ([AFYVE](/source/Productores_de_M%C3%BAsica_de_Espa%C3%B1a))<ref>{{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref> 
| 11
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|17|artist=Rick Astley|song=Cry for Help|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|7|date=19910202|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
!scope="row"|UK Airplay (''[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-02-09.pdf|title=Playlist Chart|magazine=[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)|date=9 February 1991|page=iii|access-date=21 September 2025}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|7|artist=Rick Astley|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=Rick Astley|rowheader=true|access-date=2 April 2018}}
|-
!scope="row"|US [''Cash Box'' Top 100](/source/Cash_Box_Top_100_Pop_Singles)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmusichistory.co.uk/_files/ugd/b4848d_4f9128176360450ba51be67a0468e9fa.pdf|title=Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996|website=popmusichistory.co.uk|access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>
| 7
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Annual chart rankings for "Cry for Help"
!scope="col"|Chart (1991)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref name=aus2>{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}</ref>
|85
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1991|title=Jaaroverzichten 1991|publisher=[Ultratop](/source/Ultratop)|language=nl|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
|53
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2024&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2024.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2024|title=RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991|magazine=[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))|publisher=[Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada)|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>
|39
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Adult Contemporary (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.1706&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.1706.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.1706|title=RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991|magazine=RPM|publisher=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>
|14
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1991|magazine=Music & Media|via=World Radio History|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=21|date=21 December 1991|access-date=17 January 2020}}</ref>
|94
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (European Hit Radio)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=EHR Year-End Top 100|magazine=[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=20|date=21 December 1991|access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref>
|22
|-
!scope="row"|Germany (Media Control)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991|publisher=[GfK Entertainment](/source/GfK_Entertainment)|language=de|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
|59
|-
!scope="row"|Italy (''Musica e dischi'')<ref>{{cite book|last=Racca|first=Guido|title=musica e dischi Top 100 Year-End 1960 - 2018|language=it|isbn=9781980329121|chapter=1991|pp=89–92}}</ref>
|54
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/pdf/Top%20100/top%20100%20-%201991.pdf|title=Dutch Single Top 100 – 1991|access-date=15 September 2009}}</ref>
|76
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1991&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991|publisher=[MegaCharts](/source/Dutch_Charts)|language=nl|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref>
|77
|-
!scope="row"|Sweden (Topplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grammotex.se/topp91singlar.htm|title=Årstopplistan 1991, Singlar|publisher=Grammotex|language=sv|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010225020647/http://www.grammotex.se/topp91singlar.htm|archive-date=25 February 2001|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref>
|93
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1991 Top 100 Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=20|date=11 January 1992}}</ref>
|95
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1991|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1991|access-date=15 September 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707155835/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1991|archive-date=7 July 2009}}</ref>
|70
|-
!scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/854606|title=Top Adult Contemporary Singles 1991|access-date=8 November 2011|archive-date=8 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008124525/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/854606|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|4
|}
{{col-end}}

==Release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Street dates for "Cry for Help"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|14 January 1991
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}
|rowspan="3"|[RCA](/source/RCA_Records)
|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-01-12.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)|page=vi|date=12 January 1991|access-date=7 July 2021}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Australia
|21 January 1991
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|cassette}}
|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary: Singles|magazine=[The ARIA Report](/source/The_ARIA_Report)|issue=52|page=19|date=20 January 1991}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Japan
|30 January 1991
|Mini-CD
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/178093/products/58752/1/|title=リック・アストリー {{!}} クライ・フォー・ヘルプ|trans-title=Rick Astley {{!}} Cry for Help|publisher=[Oricon](/source/Oricon)|language=ja|access-date=26 March 2025}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Discogs master|96579|type=single}}

{{Rick Astley}}
{{Authority control}}

Category:1991 songs
Category:1991 singles
Category:1990s ballads
Category:RCA Records singles
Category:Rick Astley songs
Category:Songs written by Rick Astley
Category:Songs written by Rob Fisher (British musician)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cry for Help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cry_for_Help) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cry_for_Help?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.