Title: Baby Don't You Cry A River
Length: 3:56
Genre(s): R&B, Neo Soul, Hip-Hop
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Written By: Melva Dixon
Produced By: Martin Moxley, MELVA, InJAM
Taken From The Album: This Doll Don't Play Nice Anymore
"Baby Don't You Cry A River" is the debut solo single by British-Filipino singer-songwriter and former The Dolls member Melva Dixon credited as simply MELVA. The single marks the first single to be lifted from her debut solo album which is due for release early next year and it rumoured to be title "This Doll Don't Play Nice Anymore". The release of "Baby Don't You Cry A River" also makes MELVA the first member of The Dolls to branch out solo, many reformation rumours for The Dolls have persisted over the years but the group hasn't dropped any music in over a decade now and with the release of this single and upcoming album this could ultimately mean that MELVA has no intention of reforming with the group. "Baby Don't You Cry A River" will be released independently worldwide, the track was written by the 30 year-old herself and lyrically talks about the breakdown of her marriage to fellow singer-songwriter Sammy Griffin with whom the star shares 2 children. "Baby Don't You Cry A River" was produced by Martin Moxley and the stars good friend InJAM the singer also lent her hand in the production of the track. The track has a total runtime of three minutes and fifty-six seconds, the track musically encompasses R&B, Neo Soul and Hip-Hop in a ballad format with the track having an old school early 00s production.
Critical reception to "Baby Don't You Cry A River" has been mostly positive with many noting the vocal delivery on the track. Aimee Jones of NME wrote in her review. "Well this track came out of nowhere and slapped me right in my face, I never thought I'd be reviewing a track from The Dolls let alone a solo offering but in my opinion Melva always was the vocal powerhouse and vocal backbone of her former group and this track definitely showcases that this girl can SANG!" Adam Richards wrote in his review. "Wow why has she been hiding away all these years with a voice like this, the way she delivers this track god Sammy must of done her dirty because you can hear the pain in her voice." Melanie Harris wrote in her review. "She has been away for what ten years and she comes back with this, now I may be a negative Nancy here because don't get me wrong this track is sung amazingly but if I was just coming back I maybe would of dropped something a bit more upbeat, I love a ballad but something upbeat and funky maybe would of been a smarter choice but who am I to talk." Alesha Jenson wrote in her review. "Vocals on point, production on point and lyrically so relatable this to me shows that Melva was being held back vocally in The Dolls sing it girl I am excited to see what else she's been cooking up." Jonny Mac wrote in his review. "This is a strong introduction to Melva for those who aren't familiar with her previous fore ray in the industry, vocally this is strong, production is strong I can't see this not being a hit, its only downside could be that its a ballad but many ballads over the years have been massive hits, I hope this is one of those such tracks." Ellie Wentworth wrote in her review. "I have always said Melva should of been a massive star after The Dolls seemingly disappeared a decade ago, now that might become a reality, I love this track its clear she has spent her time away keeping a low profile while working on music, this is a solid start and I am here for it!"
MELVA wrote:"SUPRISE! I honestly just as stunned as a lot of you probably are, I have been working on music ever since The Dolls ended and well now I have decided to share it after all these years. Honestly I put it off for years and years for a number of reason, absolute sheer fear and anxiety of going it alone, I am a naturally shy person so going it alone terrifies me but here we are I am actually doing it. "Baby Don't You Cry A River" is a deeply personal track for me, I entered this industry and met who I thought was the sweetest man at 18 years old and well after almost 10 year together he decided to play the field and be unfaithful and I stupidly forgave him once then he did it again and I finally got the courage to walk away so this track is for the girls and guys out there who have ever had their hearts broken by there partner being unfaithful to them!"
BABY DON'T YOU CRY A RIVERBaby I gave you the world
Put my career on hold for you
I always made sure you was cared for
Now you wanna play me for the fool
Thinking I wouldn't find out about Becky on the side
What does she got that I don't
I ain't sorry I keep it real
Not like that plastic tarted blow up barbie doll
Baby don't you cry a river
You did this to your damn self
Now you wanna cry wolf and boo-hoo
Maybe give that bimbo a call
Better yet why don't you cry her a river
Let her see what a hoodlum you really are
Baby don't you cry a river
Please don't cry a river over me
If anyone should be crying it should be me
So baby don't you cry a river
You don't get to cry a river over me
I gave you a decade of my love
Two kids and you just blew it up
All for that double D fake ass heffa
She's welcome to you now
I hope she makes you feel insecure
Because boo you got a below average D
Oh did that hurt, what a shame
You hurt me now I am just paying it back
I gave you my life now I am just using my return receipt
Baby don't you cry a river
You did this to your damn self
Now you wanna cry wolf and boo-hoo
Maybe give that bimbo a call
Better yet why don't you cry her a river
Let her see what a hoodlum you really are
Baby don't you cry a river
Please don't cry a river over me
If anyone should be crying it should be me
So baby don't you cry a river
You don't get to cry a river over me
If anyone should be crying it should be me
So baby don't you cry a river
You don't get to cry a river over me
Better yet why don't you cry her a river
Let her see what a hoodlum you really are
So baby don't you cry a river
You don't get to cry a river over me
I hope she makes you feel insecure
Because boo you got a below average D
I hope she makes you feel insecure
Because boo you got a below average D
Oh did that hurt, what a shame
Baby don't you cry a river
You did this to your damn self
Now you wanna cry wolf and boo-hoo
Maybe give that bimbo a call
Better yet why don't you cry her a river
Let her see what a hoodlum you really are
Baby don't you cry a river
Please don't cry a river over me
If anyone should be crying it should be me
So baby don't you cry a river
You don't get to cry a river over me
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