"Crying Out for Me" is an R&B song by American singer Mario. It was written by Jasper Cameron and Polow da Don for his third studio album Go (2007), while production was helmed by the latter. Released as the album's second
official single on October 31, 2007, it peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the album's highest-charting single in the United States.
Background
"Crying Out for Me" was written by Jasper Cameron and Polow da Don for Mario's third studio album Go (2007).[2] Production on the track was overseen by the latter,[2] while Cameron also served as a vocal producer.[2] Mario elaborated on "Crying Out for Me" in an interview with hhnlive.com in 2007: "This record is special because when Polow was making the track, it's a very musical, layered track. There's sounds that come in towards the end of the song that's not really in the top of the song, so it just helps to tell the story. The record talks about how you could be with somebody or know somebody for so long that it gets to a certain point in the relationship where y'all start feeling for each other. I talk about how I can hear her heart crying out for me."[3]
Critical reception
Drum described "Crying Out for Me" as "a beautifully produced track that showcases [Mario's] voice,"[4] while Mark Edward Nero from About.com called the song an "Usher sound-alike jam."[5] Aaron Fields from KSTW.com wrote: "I really like this track produced by Polow da Don. It's a smooth track about the classic subject [...] woman is being done wrong in her current relationship in which Mario sings to her, "I can hear your heart, crying out for me." Great vocals, great beat and definitely a great choice for the second single."[6]AllMusic editor Andy Kellman ranked the song among his highlights on parent album Go.[7]
Commercial performance
"Crying Out for Me" became the album's highest-charting single in the United States.[8] It spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 33, where it stayed for one week.[8] Elsewhere, it reached the top five on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Mario's highest-charting single since "Let Me Love You" (2005).[9] The magazine ranked the song 12th on its 2008 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song year-end chart.[10] On July 30, 2008, "Crying Out for Me" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[11]
Music video
"Crying Out for Me" was filmed in various locations, including the Starkman Building in Downtown Los Angeles.[12]
A music video for "Crying Out for Me was directed by R. Malcom Jones and filmed in Los Angeles.[12] Costume designed by June Ambrose, it premiered on BET's Access Granted on September 17, 2007. In the video, the song has some alternate changes. In the beginning, Mario arrives at some place in his Porsche 911 Turbo. He sees his female friend having an argument with her boyfriend. When her boyfriend walks off, Mario walks over to greet her. Her boyfriend jealously snatches her away from him and gets in his face. The girl, bruised, calls Mario from a payphone. They then go to a club. He picks her up later and she looking over her shoulder, leaves. After they embrace, Mario drives off. They get a surprise when they notice that they are being followed by the girl's boyfriend. He tries to run them off the road but ends up crashing, killing himself. They get out to investigate and see that he is dead. The girl tearfully turns to Mario and he comforts her.
Remix
The official remix of "Crying Out for Me" features rapper Lil Wayne, while another one features rapper Busta Rhymes. None of the remixed were included on the physical single of "Crying Out for Me" or parent album Go.[13] In 2019, Canadian singer Tory Lanez sampled "Crying Out for Me" in his song "The Cry" from his fourth studio album Chixtape 5. Mario appeares as a guest vocalist on the song.[14]
