Don't Shed a Tear

Updated on Dec 04, 2023

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Released 1987 Label Chrysalis		Format 7" single 12" maxi
Genre Blue-eyed soul, pop rock Length 4:57 (full-length album version) 3:42 (single version) Writer(s) Rob Friedman, Eddie Schwartz

"Don't Shed a Tear" is a song by English singer-musician Paul Carrack from his third solo album, One Good Reason. It was released as a single in 1987 and became his biggest U.S. hit, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

Background

The tune was written by Canadian singer-songwriter/guitarist Eddie Schwartz, along with fellow songwriter Rob Friedman. Schwartz, who was fresh off of writing "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" for Pat Benatar, later decided to record the song with a new band he had formed with Lenny Zakatek and Dave Tyson. However, the entire project was ultimately scrapped after failed negotiations with potential manager Tommy Mottola. Some years later, the song reached the hands of Paul Carrack's producer, and Carrack ultimately recorded the song.

Release and reception

"Don't Shed a Tear" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 72 on the chart dated November 14,1987. It was the highest new entry that week. It peaked at number nine for three weeks in February 1988, becoming Carrack's biggest U.S. hit as a solo artist. It spent 23 weeks on the Hot 100, including thirteen weeks inside the top 40 section of the chart. It also reached number five on the Album Rock Tracks chart, and number six on the Singles Sales chart.

Elsewhere, the song peaked at number 20 in the Netherlands, but was not successful in the UK, reaching number 60 in March 1989. Mike DeGagne of Allmusic called "Don't Shed a Tear" a highlight of the One Good Reason album, and said the song is "bolstered by its subtle, laid-back groove with a start-and-stop tempo."