It's Time to Cry

"It's Time to Cry" is a song written and performed by singer-songwriter Paul Anka. It was released in October 1959.

Content and composition[edit]

The song, at two minutes and twenty-four seconds long, is in the key of D sharp / E flat major, with a tempo of 74 beats per minute. Its lyrical content is about how a partner ending their relationship with you leads to heartbreak, loneliness and sadness, with Anka writing that such an occasion would be "the time to cry" for both people involved.^[1]

Reception and chart performance[edit]

A Billboard writer called the song and its B-side, "strong ballad efforts, read in hit style, nicely chanted over lush chorus and orchestra backing,"^[2] while Cashbox wrote of the song, "It's Time to Cry should easily follow in the footsteps of 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder,' for the talented singer-cleffer, who keeps turning out one rock-a-ballad chart smash after another. Chorus and orchestra superbly assist Anka as he waxes this emotional romancer with heartfelt sincerity."^[3]

"It's Time to Cry" debuted at number 8 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart for the week of November 23, 1959. The following week, it debuted at number 74 on the main Hot 100, peaking at number 4 and charting there for a total of 15 weeks.^[4] It was also ranked by Billboard as the 66th biggest song of 1960, and by Cashbox as their 46th biggest song of 1960.^[5] In addition, the song reached 28 in the United Kingdom,^[6] 5 in Canada, 18 in Australia, and 2 in Italy.

The song was covered by The Lettermen for their 1964 album, She Cried.

References[edit]