Released 8 October 1996 Genre Rock, country rock Label A&M | Format CD single Length 4:00 Writer(s) Sting | |
"I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying" is a song written and recorded by English rock singer Sting. It was released from his 1996 album Mercury Falling. The song was also released as a single, and reached number 94 and number 54 on the U.S. and UK singles charts, respectively. Sting also recorded the song as a duet with country music artist Toby Keith on Keith's 1997 Dream Walkin' album. This version reached number 2 on the US Hot Country Songs charts and number 84 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts, and gave Sting his only country hit.
Contents
Content
Sting started composing the song as a rock song, but the lyrical content pushed the song in a country direction, and it evolved into a country-rock shuffle. The song begins in the key of E-flat major, before modulating a semitone upward to E major in the final verse. Its lyrics concern a father whose wife has left him for another man and taken their two children. After a cynical beginning, he has a revelation about the connectedness of life and the universe, and finishes the song truly "so happy he can't stop crying." The music video for the song was directed by Lol Creme. During the Mercury Falling tour, Sting would often invite audience members up onto stage to sing the song along with him.
B sides
US Edition
- This Was Never Meant to Be
- Giacomo's Blues
- Beneath a Desert Moon
German edition
- Moonlight
- La Belle Dame Sans Regrets
Toby Keith version
In 1997, country music singer Toby Keith recorded a cover version for his fourth studio album, 1997's Dream Walkin'. This version, a duet with Sting, was released in late 1997 as the album's second single. It out-peaked the original version on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 84. In addition, it reached number two on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, becoming Sting's only entry on that chart.
Background
According to Keith, Sting agreed to let Keith record the song to give it a second chance at radio, as long as Sting could play bass guitar and sing duet vocals on it. The two also performed the song at the 1997 Country Music Association awards.
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that Sting and Keith's voices "complement each other extremely well." She goes on to say that a great songwriter can write words and music that transcend any genre and Sting's "poignant lyrics and strong melody on this song are perfect evidence."
Chart performance (Toby Keith version)
"I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying" debuted at number 53 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of 11 October 1997.