Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying

"Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" is a song written by Gerry Marsden, Freddie Marsden, Les Chadwick and Les Maguire, the members of British beat group Gerry and the Pacemakers. It was first recorded and issued as a single by Louise Cordet in February 1964. Shortly after Cordet's version failed to chart, the song was recorded by Gerry and the Pacemakers themselves in April 1964. That version became an international hit and remains one of their best-known singles.

History The song was given, initially, to Louise Cordet, a singer who had previously toured with the group as well as with the Beatles. Her version was produced by Tony Meehan and released on Decca Records in February 1964. The group then decided to issue its own version. Biography of Louise Cordet by Bruce Eder, Allmusic.com. Accessed 14 November 2012 The record, like the group's earlier releases, was produced by George Martin.

It was released in April 1964 as Gerry and the Pacemakers' fifth single in Britain, and spent 11 weeks on the United Kingdom's Record Retailer chart, reaching No. 6.Gerry and the Pacemakers - Full Official Chart History, Official Charts Company. Accessed September 27, 2015 In the US, it was the breakthrough single for the group, spending 12 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 4.Gerry and the Pacemakers - Chart History - The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed September 27, 2015 The song debuted at No. 4 in the first issue of Canada's RPM Top Forty-5s chart,"Top Forty-5s", RPM Weekly, Volume 1, Ed. 18, June 22, 1964. Accessed September 27, 2015 while reaching No. 5 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade Chart No. 380. and No. 6 on New Zealand's Lever Hit Parade."Lever Hit Parade" 30-Jul-1964 , Flavour of New Zealand. Accessed October 16, 2015

Cash Box described it as "an extremely pretty soft Latin beat romancer that really grows on you with each listen."

Gerry and the Pacemakers performed the song on their first US television show, The Ed Sullivan Show on 3 May 1964. "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" at SongFacts.com. Accessed 14 November 2012 The group's earlier UK hit singles – "How Do You Do It?", "I Like It", "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "I'm the One" – were then reissued in the US to follow up its success, but "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" remained their biggest hit in the United States.

Chart history

Weekly charts Chart (1963–64)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)21Canada (RPM) Top Singles4New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)6UK6U.S. Billboard Hot 100 4

Year-end charts Chart (1964)RankUK84

Cover versions The song has been recorded by many other singers, including Steve Lawrence (1964), José Feliciano (1968), Rickie Lee Jones (1989), Gloria Estefan (1994), Robben Ford (1995), Canadian boyband B4-4 (2000), Paul Carrack (2010), Post Image with John Greaves (2011), Nellie McKay (2015), Ronnie Spector (2016), and Colin Hay (2021)."Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying", Secondhandsongs.com, Accessed 14 November 2012

References