Don't Cry for Me Argentina

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Patti LuPone, BBC Concert Orchestra

About Don't Cry for Me Argentina

"Don't Cry for Me Argentina" is a song recorded by Julie Covington for the 1976 concept album Evita, and was later included in the 1978 musical of the same name. The song was written and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice while they were researching the life of Argentinian leader Eva Perón. It appears at the opening and near the end of the show, initially as the spirit of the dead Eva exhorting the people of Argentina not to mourn her, and finally during Eva's speech from the balcony of the Casa Rosada. Covington was signed by the songwriters for the track, based on her previous work in musicals. The Evita album had taken 3–4 months to record, since Rice was not satisfied with the intensity of the initial recordings. The song had a number of different titles before "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was chosen as the final one. The song shares its melody with "Oh What a Circus" from the same show and lyrically consists of platitudes where Eva tries to win the favour of the people of Argentina. It was released in the United Kingdom on 12 November 1976 as the first single from the album, accompanied by national and trade advertising, full-colour posters, display sleeves as well as radio interviews. 


Year:
1999
4:47
68 
#2

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It won't be easy, you'll think it strange 
When I try to explain how I feel 
That I still need your love after all that I've done 
You won't believe me 

All you will see is a girl you once knew 
Although she's dressed up to the nines 
At sixes and sevens with you 
I had to let it happen, I had to change 

Couldn't stay all my life down at heel 
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom 
Running around trying everything new 

But nothing impressed me at all 
I never expected it to 
Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you 

All through my wild days
My mad existence 
I kept my promise 
Don't keep your distance 

And as for fortune, and as for fame 
I never invited them in 
Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired 
They are illusions 

They're not the solutions they promised to be 
The answer was here all the time 
I love you and hope you love me 
Don't cry for me Argentina...... 

Don't cry for me Argentina 
The truth is I never left you 
All through my wild days 
My mad existence 

I kept my promise 
Don't keep your distance 
Have I said too much? There's nothing more I can think of to say to you 
But all you have to do is look at me to know that every word is true

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Andrew Lloyd Webber

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber Kt. (born 22 March 1948) is an English composer and impresario of musical theatre. more »

10 fans

Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Composer and Conceptualization
"Don't Cry for Me Argentina" was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for the musical "Evita". The musical focuses on the life of Argentine political figure Eva Perón, and the song is used to express Eva's feelings towards the people of Argentina.
Original Singer
The song was first recorded and performed by Julie Covington for the concept album of "Evita" in 1976. Covington was invited to play the role in the stage production but turned it down.
Elaine Paige's Performance
Elaine Paige, who took on the role of Eva Perón in the original London production of "Evita" in 1978, made the song widely popular. Her rendition of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" is considered the definitive performance by many fans of the musical.
Olivia Newton-John's Version
One interesting aspect about "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" is that Olivia Newton-John recorded an entirely different version of the song in 1977, which also enjoyed considerable success, reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart.
Madonna's Rendition
In the 1996 film adaptation of "Evita", the song was performed by Madonna, who played Eva Perón. Her version of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" charted in several countries worldwide, peaking at number 1 on the Billboard's pop singles chart.
Rare Version by Sinead O'Connor
Sinead O'Connor released a unique interpretation of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" in 1992 as part of a compilation album dedicated to Tim Rice. This version of the song removed the political subtext and focused more on the emotional aspects.
Chart Success
The song became a global sensation and has been covered by various artists in different languages. It reached the top of the charts in many countries, including UK and Netherlands, and made the top 10 in United States, Canada, Australia and many other countries.
Emotional and Symbolic Meaning
The lyrics "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" can be seen as Eva Perón's attempt to form an emotional connection with the people of Argentina. It is considered the emotional high point of the musical and is a symbolic representation of the relationship between politicians and the public.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice Collaboration
"Don’t Cry For Me Argentina" is testament to the successful partnership of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice who have produced numerous successful musicals together, including "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", and of course, "Evita".

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