# Crying Time

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This article is about the song. For the Ray Charles' album, see [Crying Time (album)](/source/Crying_Time_(album)). For the album by Otis Spann, see [Cryin' Time](/source/Cryin'_Time).

1965 single by Ray Charles

"Crying Time" Single by Ray Charles from the album Crying Time B-side "When My Dreamboat Comes Home" Released November 1965[1] Genre Country soul blues[2] Length 2:53 Label ABC-Paramount Songwriter Buck Owens Producer Joe Adams Ray Charles singles chronology "The Cincinnati Kid" (1965) "Crying Time" (1965) "Together Again" (1966)

"**Crying Time**" is a song from 1964 written and originally recorded by the American [country music](/source/Country_music) artist [Buck Owens](/source/Buck_Owens).[3] It gained greater success in the version recorded by American singer, songwriter, and pianist [Ray Charles](/source/Ray_Charles), which won two [Grammy Awards](/source/Grammy_Award) in 1967. Numerous other cover versions have been performed and recorded over the intervening years.

Original release by Buck Owens, Capitol 5336, 1964.

## History

Owens recorded the original version of his song and released it as the B side to the 45 single "[I've Got a Tiger By the Tail](/source/I've_Got_a_Tiger_By_the_Tail)" in 1964, Capitol 5336, but it failed to reach the music charts. A cover version of "Crying Time" was then recorded by [R&B](/source/Rhythm_and_blues) singer [Ray Charles](/source/Ray_Charles), and his version proved to be a hit. Featuring backing vocals by the [Jack Halloran](/source/Jack_Halloran) Singers and [The Raelettes](/source/The_Raelettes), the song reached number six on the US [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100) chart in February 1966.[3][4] Charles' version of the song also peaked at number five on the [R&B chart](/source/Hot_R%26B%2FHip-Hop_Songs) and spent three weeks at number one on the [easy listening chart](/source/Adult_Contemporary_(chart)).[5] In the United Kingdom, the song reached number 50 on the UK Singles Chart.[6] In addition, Charles' version of "Crying Time" won two [Grammy Awards](/source/Grammy_Award) in 1967, in the categories [Best R&B Recording](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Rhythm_%26_Blues_Recording) and [Best R&B Solo Performance](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_R%26B_Solo_Vocal_Performance%2C_Male_or_Female).[3]

## Style

Charles intended his version of Owens' song to be a tribute to the country music style he appreciated (Charles had successfully covered other country music songs in the past, such as "[I Can't Stop Loving You](/source/I_Can't_Stop_Loving_You)"). He was quoted as saying that he did not record "Crying Time", and other country songs written by Owens, "out of disrespect for Buck. I'm crazy about Buck. But I heard something that fit my style. The key was keeping my style while watching my style work in different ways."[5]

## Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1965–66) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 4 UK Singles (OCC)[8] 50 US Billboard Hot 100[9] 6 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 1 US Hot R&B (Billboard) 5 US Cash Box Top 100[10] 6 Year-end charts Chart (1966) Rank US Easy Listening[1] 6 US Billboard Hot 100[11] 52 US Cash Box Top 100[12] 47

## Notable cover versions

- [Lorrie Morgan](/source/Lorrie_Morgan) recorded a cover of the song for the soundtrack to the 1993 film *[The Beverly Hillbillies](/source/The_Beverly_Hillbillies_(film))*. Her version peaked at number 59 on the US *Billboard* [Hot Country Singles & Tracks](/source/Hot_Country_Songs) chart.[13]

- [Bill Medley](/source/Bill_Medley) recorded a cover of the song along with [Michael McDonald](/source/Michael_McDonald_(musician)) for his 2025 album *Straight From the Heart*.[14]

- 2021 - [John Greene](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Greene_(musician)&action=edit&redlink=1), *Crying Time Again*

- [Dean Martin](/source/Dean_Martin) Recorded a version of the song for his 1969 album ‘’I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am’’

- [Nancy Sinatra](/source/Nancy_Sinatra) Also recorded a version titled ‘’Cryin’ Time’’ for her album ‘’How Does That Grab You?’’

## See also

- [List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1966 (U.S.)](/source/List_of_number-one_adult_contemporary_singles_of_1966_(U.S.))

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-45cat.com_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-45cat.com_1-1) ["Top 50 Adult Contemporary Hits of 1966"](http://www.45cat.com/45_list_view_record.php?li=2130). *45cat.com*. Retrieved 18 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Marsh_1989_2-0)** Marsh, Dave (1989). [*The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made*](https://books.google.com/books?id=5t5DYDniSHEC). [Plume](/source/Plume_(publisher)). p. 231. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-452-26305-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-452-26305-0).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AMG_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AMG_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-AMG_3-2) ["Crying Time - Ray Charles - Song Info - AllMusic"](https://www.allmusic.com/song/crying-time-mt0000376384). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved 4 June 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Whitburn, Joel](/source/Joel_Whitburn) (1996). *The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits*, 6th Edition (Billboard Publications)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hyatt_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hyatt_5-1) Hyatt, Wesley (1999). *The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits* (Billboard Publications)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Official Charts Company - Ray Charles - Cryin' Time"](https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Cryin%27%20Time). *Archive.is*. 2012-05-27. Retrieved 2015-12-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada"](https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5656&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5656.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5656). *Collectionscanada.gc.ca*. 1966-02-14. Retrieved 2020-04-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Cryin' Time | full Official Chart History"](https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/cryin%27-time/). *Officialcharts.com*. Retrieved 18 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** *Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990* - [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-89820-089-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-89820-089-X)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Contact Support"](http://cashboxmagazine.com/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi). *Cashboxmagazine.com*. Retrieved 18 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Top 100 Hits of 1966/Top 100 Songs of 1966 | Music Outfitters"](https://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1966.htm). *Musicoutfitters.com*. Retrieved 18 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1966"](https://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/1966YESP.html). *Tropicalglen.com*. Retrieved 18 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-whitburn2013_13-0)** Whitburn, Joel (2013). *Hot Country Songs 1944–2012*. Record Research, Inc. p. 231. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-89820-203-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-89820-203-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Rizik, Chris (2025-01-10). ["Michael McDonald teams with music legend Bill Medley for "Crying Time""](https://soultracks.com/first-listen-michael-mcdonald-bill-medley-crying-time/). *SoulTracks*. Retrieved 2025-03-13.

v t e Buck Owens Studio albums Buck Owens Buck Owens Buck Owens Sings Harlan Howard You're for Me On the Bandstand Buck Owens Sings Tommy Collins Together Again I Don't Care I've Got a Tiger by the Tail Before You Go Roll Out the Red Carpet Dust on Mother's Bible Open Up Your Heart Your Tender Loving Care It Takes People Like You Sweet Rosie Jones Hot Dog! Holiday albums Christmas with Buck Owens and his Buckaroos Christmas Shopping Live albums Carnegie Hall Concert In Japan! Compilation albums The Fabulous Country Music Sound of Buck Owens The Best of Buck Owens Best of Buck Owens, Vol. 2 21 #1 Hits: The Ultimate Collection Notable singles "Hot Dog" "Under Your Spell Again" "Above and Beyond" "Excuse Me (I Think I've Got a Heartache)" "Foolin' Around" "Save the Last Dance for Me" "Act Naturally" "Love's Gonna Live Here" "My Heart Skips a Beat" "Together Again" "I Don't Care (Just as Long as You Love Me)" "I've Got a Tiger By the Tail" "Before You Go" "Only You (Can Break My Heart)" "Buckaroo" "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" "Think of Me" "Open Up Your Heart" "Where Does the Good Times Go" "Sam's Place" "Your Tender Loving Care" "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone" "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass" "Johnny B. Goode" "Tall Dark Stranger" "Big in Vegas" "Bridge over Troubled Water" "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms" "Made in Japan" Collaboration singles "Love Is Strange" Guest singles "Streets of Bakersfield" B-side singles "Loose Talk" "Together Again" "Crying Time" Related articles Discography The Buckaroos Dwight Sings Buck "Lookin' out My Back Door" KUVI-DT

v t e Ray Charles Studio albums Atlantic Ray Charles (Hallelujah, I Love Her So) The Great Ray Charles Yes Indeed! Soul Brothers What'd I Say The Genius of Ray Charles The Genius Sings the Blues Soul Meeting The Genius After Hours True to Life Love & Peace ABC The Genius Hits the Road Dedicated to You Ray Charles and Betty Carter Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Vol. 2 Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul Sweet & Sour Tears Have a Smile with Me Together Again / Country and Western Meets Rhythm and Blues Crying Time Ray's Moods Ray Charles Invites You to Listen A Portrait of Ray I'm All Yours Baby! Doing His Thing My Kind of Jazz Love Country Style Volcanic Action of My Soul Jazz Number II A Message from the People Through the Eyes of Love Crossover My Kind of Jazz Part 3 Columbia Wish You Were Here Tonight Friendship From the Pages of My Mind Just Between Us Warner Bros. Would You Believe? My World Strong Love Affair Other labels Genius + Soul = Jazz Porgy and Bess Genius Loves Company Posthumous studio creations Genius & Friends Ray Sings, Basie Swings Rare Genius Live albums Ray Charles at Newport Ray Charles in Person Live in Concert Ray Charles Live Notable compilations Do the Twist! with Ray Charles Ray Charles Greatest Hits A Man and His Soul The Best of Ray Charles Anthology The Birth of Soul Ray Charles in Concert True Genius Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles "What'd I Say" "Georgia on My Mind" "Hit the Road Jack" "One Mint Julep" "Unchain My Heart" "I Can't Stop Loving You " (c/w "Born to Lose") "You Don't Know Me" "You Are My Sunshine" "Busted" "Take These Chains from My Heart" "Crying Time" Other Billboard Charts #1 singles "I Got a Woman" "A Fool for You" "Mary Ann" "Drown in My Own Tears" "Together Again" "Let's Go Get Stoned" "Seven Spanish Angels" "I'll Be Good to You" Grammy Awarded Works (not included above) "Let The Good Times Roll" "Living for the City" "A Song for You" "Heaven Help Us All" "Here We Go Again" See also Discography Tangerine Records David "Fathead" Newman Fathead / Ray Charles Sextet Hank Crawford The Raelettes Ray soundtrack Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles Tribute to Uncle Ray "Confession Blues" Category

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