Teardrops (Womack & Womack song) explained

Teardrops
Cover:W&W Teardrops.jpg
Alt:Lovestation-Teardrops.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Womack & Womack
Album:Conscience
Released:5 August 1988
Length:
  • 5:04 (album version)
  • 3:51 (single version)
Label:Island
Prev Title:(I Wanna) Make Love to You
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:Life's Just a Ballgame
Next Year:1988

"Teardrops" is a song by American husband-and-wife duo Womack & Womack, released on 5 August 1988 by Island Records as the first single from their fourth studio album, Conscience (1988). The song was written by Cecil Womack and Linda Womack, while production was helmed by Chris Blackwell. Although the song was not a hit in their native United States, it charted highly in the United Kingdom and several European countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

In 1993, Elton John and K.D. Lang covered "Teardrops" for John's album Duets. In 1998, UK garage group Lovestation covered the song, and later, German pop band No Angels and Australian singer Kate Alexa released their own cover versions as singles in 2007 and 2008, respectively. In 2002, Lulu and Elton John covered the song for Lulu's album Together. In 2009, the Sugababes re-recorded the track for the 50 Years of Island Records compilation. It has also been covered by The xx in 2009, on a bonus disc with their debut album xx, as well as by British singer Joss Stone who included the track on her 2012 album The Soul Sessions Vol. 2. In 2011, the song was covered by Cliff Richard and Candi Staton for Richard's Soulicious album and by Roosevelt in 2016.

Chart performance

"Teardrops" was very successful on the charts in Europe, reaching number one in Belgium and the Netherlands for three and seven weeks,[1] as well as peaking at number two in Switzerland, the UK,[2] and West Germany. The song was a top-10 hit also in Austria (4), Denmark (4),[3] Finland (5),[4] France (4), Ireland (4),[5] and Spain (5).[6] In Sweden, it became a top-20 hit, peaking at number 14. Outside Europe, "Teardrops" also charted in Oceania, reaching number one in New Zealand and number two in Australia. It did not chart in the duo's native US.

Critical reception

Upon the release in August 1988, Bill Coleman from Billboard magazine wrote, "From one of this year's finest albums, Conscience, comes this musically refreshing and upbeat offering meriting multiformat exposure. Linda Womack's vocals radiate."[7] In 2023, Billboard ranked the song number 83 in their list of "The 100 Best Pop Songs Never to Hit the Hot 100", adding, "Few late-'80s hits were as relentless in their barrage of hooks as "Teardrops", one of the original crying-on-the-dancefloor classics."[8] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "You cannot resist this one: a sweet, supple and loosely arranged dance track featuring the wonderful vocals of Linda Womack."[9] Jerry Smith from Music Week complimented "Teardrops" as a "stylish and svelte soul number that sees Chris Blackwell back in the producer's chair as its irresistible rhythm ensures success."[10] John McCready from NME stated that the song "stalks the same radical soul territory continuing Linda and Cecil's joy and pain public romance."[11] Kevin Rowland from Record Mirror said, "Nice vocal effects and interplay. Heartfelt song, good groove."[12] Michael Hochanadel from Schenectady Gazette felt the "spry dance-floor bounce" of the song "beautifully belies its desperation."[13]

Music video

In the accompanying music video for "Teardrops", the band members, studio musicians and backing vocalists (Lyn Gerald and Dashiell Rae) are shown singing different parts of the song in a recording studio.[14]

Track listings

All tracks written by Cecil Womack and Linda Womack, and produced by Chris Blackwell.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1988)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Denmark (IFPI)4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)5
Ireland (IRMA)4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)1
Spain (AFYVE)5
UK Singles (OCC)3

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)!scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] 4
West Germany (Official German Charts)[17] 64

Lovestation version

Teardrops
Cover:Lovestation-Teardrops.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Lovestation
Album:Soulsation
Released:31 July 1998
Genre:UK garage
Length:3:50
Label:
  • Fresh
  • Jive
Producer:Lovestation
Prev Title:Love Come Rescue Me
Prev Year:1997
Next Title:Sensuality
Next Year:1998

In 1998, British group Lovestation released a version of "Teardrops" as both a CD single and 12" vinyl record. "Teardrops" became the group's biggest hit, reaching number 14 in the United Kingdom. In 2000, the group released another version of the 1998 cover, but it did not achieve the same degree of success in the British charts, peaking at number 24.[18] The 2000 release consisted of several remixes by producers such as Joey Negro, Eric Kupper and Jamie White.

Critical reception

Mixmag included "Teardrops" in their list of "40 of the best UK garage tracks released from 1995 to 2005".[19] Capital Xtra included the song in their list of "The Best Old-School Garage Anthems of All Time".[20] Gemtracks included the song in their list of the "top UK garage songs between 1995–2005".[21]

Track listings

  1. "Teardrops" (Perky Park Radio) – 3:47
  2. "Teardrops" (Original 7" Mix) – 4:00
  3. "Teardrops" (Hip Hop Mix) – 6:30
  4. "Teardrops" (Perky Park Summer Experience Mix) – 6:15
  5. "Teardrops" (Serious Danger Mix) – 7:10
  1. "Teardrops" (Flava Mix) - 3:46
  2. "Teardrops" (Lovestation Classic 12") - 6:33
  3. "Teardrops" (Wildcat Dub) - 8:22

A. "Teardrops" (Lovestation Classic 12")

B1. "Teardrops" (Flava Mix 12")

B2. "Teardrops" (Banana Republic Vocal Mix)

Charts

Chart (1998–99)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[22] 16
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[23] 6
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[24] 33
UK Singles (OCC)14
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)10
Chart (2000)!align="center"
Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)24

Certifications

No Angels version

Teardrops
Cover:Teardrops cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:No Angels
Album:Destiny Reloaded
Released:19 October 2007
Length:3:08
Prev Title:Maybe
Prev Year:2007
Title2:Amaze Me
Next Title:Disappear
Next Year:2008

In June 2007, all-female German pop group No Angels recorded an uptempo version of "Teardrops".[25] While the ballad "Amaze Me" was initially planned to be released as the third single from their fourth studio album, Destiny (2007), Universal Records persuaded the band to record additional material for a double A-single consisting of "Amaze Me" and "Teardrops."[25] Production on the Womack & Womack cover was overseen by Swedish musicians Tobias Gustafsson, Vincent Pontare, and Michel Zitron. Built upon a synth-heavy, beat driven instrumentation, their version omits the opening verse's second line "I break down and cry, next time I'll be true, yeah."

Release and reception

"Teardrops" was first previewed on RTL's news programme Punkt 6 on 22 August 2007,[26] and by 27 August 2007, a thirty-seconds clip of the song had leaked onto the internet – the same week "Teardrops" was serviced to radio stations.[27] No Angels premiered the song on the television live show ZDF Fernsehgarten on 9 September 2007.[28] Physical and digital singles were released on 19 October 2007, including remixes by Roland Spremberg, Boogieman, and Mozart & Friends as well as the previously unreleased track "Ain't Gonna Look the Other Way," a re-recording of the 2004 Tracy Ackerman-penned song by Canadian singer Celine Dion. On 2 November 2007, "Amaze Me"/"Teardrops" debuted and peaked at number 25 on the German Singles Chart, the band's second-lowest peak by then.

Music video

The music video for "Teardrops" was directed by Marcus Sternberg and shot in a filming studio between 20–22 August 2007 in Berlin, Germany.[29] Shot over twenty hours back-to-back with the video for "Amaze Me", the edited clip premiered on 29 September 2007 on the Universal Music Group website. The clip received its first official airing in the week of 29 September 2007, on German music network iMusic1.[26]

The group has declared the filming of the "mammoth shoot" as "extremely exhausting," referring to its extraordinary length and a delay of several hours, caused by various technical defects.[30] Lucy Diakovska has described the plotless clip as a "funky disco-dance-energy-video," reflecting another facet of the band in music and style. Inspired by a concept developed by all four members and based on Sternberg's treatment, the music video was conceived as a stylistic counterpart to "Amaze Me".

Track listings

Notes

Credits and personnel

Credits taken from Destiny Reloaded liner notes.[31]

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabelRef
Various19 October 2007

Kate Alexa version

Teardrops
Cover:Teardrops.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Kate Alexa featuring Baby Bash
B-Side:It's Alright
Released:3 March 2008
Length:4:16
Label:Liberation
Producer:Molly Meldrum
Chronology:Kate Alexa
Prev Title:Better than You
Prev Year:2006
Next Title:Infatuation
Next Year:2011

In early 2008, Australian singer Kate Alexa covered the song for her second studio album. It was produced by Molly Meldrum and features American rapper Baby Bash. It was released as the album's first single in Australia on 3 March 2008 as a CD single and digital download. Alexa has stated that she has always been a massive fan of the song, which was originally released the same year she was born.[32] The song was released to Australian radio on 1 February 2008, and peaked at number sixty-four on the airplay chart.[33]

The song's producer, Molly Meldrum, suggested that Alexa should cover the song.[32] Alexa states "I was looking to do a single between albums, and Molly came up with the idea of doing "Teardrops". At first, I was a little sceptical because the original is such a classic and I love it so much. But then Molly and I spoke about how we could do it."[32] American rapper, Baby Bash, heard what Alexa was doing with the song through a friend of Alexa's manager and decided to take part in the song.[32] Alexa states "He's a very cool guy. He came in and did the rap in one take, and it fitted perfectly. It's got such an incredible feel and groove and we wanted to keep that vibe. But we also wanted to do something different, and the rap takes the track to a whole new place."[32]

The song debuted on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart in early March 2008 at number twenty-eight.[34] It went to peak at number twenty-six the following week. It also charted at number seven on the Physical Singles chart and number eight on the Australian Artists Chart. "Teardrops" spent six weeks on the chart, five of which were in the top fifty.[34] [35] The music video for the song was filmed on 14 January 2008, at the Love Machine in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.

Charts

Sugababes version

On 1 June 2009, English girl group Sugababes' record label Island Records released the album Island Life – 50 Years of Island Records for which the Sugababes covered the track "Teardrops". The song debuted on the Romanian Top 100 at number 63 and charted 3 weeks later at number 40.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Womack & Womack – Teardrops . 2021-07-10.
  2. Web site: Archive Search. everyHit.com. 2007-09-09.
  3. Danish Singles Chart. 11 November 1988.
  4. Book: Pennanen, Timo. Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021. 2021. Womack & Womack. 284. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. Helsinki. 11 July 2022. Finnish.
  5. Web site: Search. The Irish Charts. 2007-09-09.
  6. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st . September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
  7. Bill. Coleman. Single Reviews. Billboard. 23 July 1988. 65. 14 June 2024.
  8. Katie. Atkinson. Kyle. Denis. Paul. Grein. Jason. Lipshutz. Joe. Lynch. Rebecca. Milzoff. Andrew. Unterberger. The 100 Best Pop Songs Never to Hit the Hot 100: Staff List. Billboard. 24 October 2023. 25 May 2024.
  9. Previews: Singles. Music & Media. 5. 37. 10 September 1988. 19. 20 July 2022.
  10. Jerry. Smith. Singles. Music Week. 6 August 1988. 23. 13 March 2023.
  11. John. McCready. Groove Check. NME. 30 July 1988. 35. 30 October 2023.
  12. Kevin. Rowland. 45. Record Mirror. 6 August 1988. 30. 12 March 2023.
  13. Michael. Hochanadel. Womack & Womack Incorporate Tales of Their Roots in New Album. Schenectady Gazette. 14 October 1988. 23. 29 March 2023.
  14. Web site: Womack And Womack - Teardrops.mpg. YouTube. 3 June 2012. TupazTube. 16 January 2011.
  15. Web site: De Nederlandse Top 40, week 43, 1988 . 2013-08-01.
  16. Web site: Ultratop: Jaaroverzichten 1988. Ultratop. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115553/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1988. 17 June 2018. live. 12 March 2011.
  17. Web site: Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts (1988). GfK Entertainment. March 10, 2023.
  18. Web site: LOVESTATION - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company. www.officialcharts.com.
  19. Web site: 40 of the best UK garage tracks released from 1995 to 2005. Mixmag.
  20. Web site: The Best Old-School Garage Anthems Of All Time. Capital XTRA.
  21. Web site: Top UK Garage Songs Between 1995 - 2005 | Music Rank. Gemtracks Beats.
  22. Web site: Íslenski Listinn NR. 293 vikuna 8.10. - 15.10. 1998. Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. 24 January 2020.
  23. Web site: Lovestation - Teardrops. nl. top40.nl. 24 January 2020.
  24. Web site: Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 26 July 1998 - 01 August 1998. Official Charts Company. 24 January 2020.
  25. Web site: No Angels @ SWR New Pop Festival 2007. Nela Lee. 21 June 2012 . YouTube. 7 October 2022.
  26. Web site: Fallende Engel. RTLakutell.de. 2007-08-22. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071106011411/http://www.rtl.de/news/rtl_aktuell_videoplayer.php?article=12586. 2007-11-06.
  27. Web site: Official Preview. Radio Ohr. 2007-08-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928024856/http://www.hitradio-ohr.de/playlist/mp3/0174-77.mp3 . 28 September 2007.
  28. Web site: No Angels (Fernsehgarten ZDF 09.09.07). Summerjulchen. 9 September 2007 . YouTube. 7 October 2022.
  29. Web site: Neue Single!!. Sandy.tv. 2007-08-19. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070817231926/http://www.sandy.tv/fs_browser_neu.html. 2007-08-17.
  30. Web site: Interview. ZDF Mediathek. 2007-10-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012023813/http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/content/278438?inPopup=true . 12 October 2007.
  31. Destiny Reloaded. No Angels. 2008. liner notes. Universal Music.
  32. http://www.liberation.com.au/artists.cfm?id=44 "KATE ALEXA LATEST NEWS"
  33. http://www.aumreport.com/amr100.html "Australian Music Report Hot 100"
  34. http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Kate+Alexa&titel=Teardrops&cat=s "Teardrops - Australian chart run"
  35. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080419140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20080420-0000/issue947.pdf "ARIA Top 100 Singles - Week Commencing 21st April 2008"