"Teardrops"
Lovestation-Teardrops.jpg
Single by Womack & Womack
from the album Conscience
Released5 August 1988
Length
  • 3:51 (radio version)
  • 5:04 (album version)
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Womack & Womack singles chronology
"(I Wanna) Make Love to You"
(1987)		 "Teardrops"
(1988)		 "Life's Just a Ballgame"
(1988)
Music video
"Teardrops" on YouTube

"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 Womack & 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.

Critical reception

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."[1] 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."[2] John McCready from NME stated that the song "stalks the same radical soul territory continuing Linda and Cecil's joy and pain public romance."[3] Kevin Rowland from Record Mirror said, "Nice vocal effects and interplay. Heartfelt song, good groove."[4] Michael Hochanadel from Schenectady Gazette felt the "spry dance-floor bounce" of the song "beautifully belies its desperation."[5]

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.[6]

Track listings

All tracks written by Cecil Womack and Linda Womack, and produced by Chris Blackwell.[7]

7" Single[7]
No.TitleLength
1."Teardrops" (Remix)3:51
2."Conscious of My Conscience"4:27

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Teardrops"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[22] Gold 35,000^
France (SNEP)[25] Silver 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[26] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[27] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[28] Platinum 600,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Lovestation version

"Teardrops"
Single by Lovestation
from the album Soulsation
Released31 July 1998
GenreUK garage[29]
Length3:50
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Cecil Womack
  • Linda Womack
Producer(s)Lovestation
Lovestation singles chronology
"Love Come Rescue Me"
(1997)		 "Teardrops"
(1998)		 "Sensuality"
(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.[30] 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".[29] Capital Xtra included the song in their list of "The Best Old-School Garage Anthems of All Time".[31] Gemtracks included the song in their list of the "top UK garage songs between 1995–2005".[32]

Track listings

  • CD maxi single
  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
  • UK CD single
  1. "Teardrops" (Flava Mix) - 3:46
  2. "Teardrops" (Lovestation Classic 12") - 6:33
  3. "Teardrops" (Wildcat Dub) - 8:22
  • UK 12" single
A. "Teardrops" (Lovestation Classic 12")
B1. "Teardrops" (Flava Mix 12")
B2. "Teardrops" (Banana Republic Vocal Mix)

Charts

Weekly charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Teardrops"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

No Angels version

"Teardrops"
Single by No Angels
from the album Destiny Reloaded
Released19 October 2007
Length3:08
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Cecil Womack
  • Linda Womack
Producer(s)
No Angels singles chronology
"Maybe"
(2007)		 "Teardrops" / "Amaze Me"
(2007)		 "Disappear"
(2008)

In June 2007, all-female German pop group No Angels recorded an uptempo version of "Teardrops".[43] 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."[43] Production on the Womack & Womack cover was overseen by Swedish musicians Tobias Gustafsson, Vincent Pontare, and Michel Zitron.[44] 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."[44]

Release and reception

"Teardrops" was first previewed on RTL's news programme Punkt 6 on 22 August 2007,[45] 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.[46] No Angels premiered the song on the television live show ZDF Fernsehgarten on 9 September 2007.[47] Physical and digital singles were released on 19 October 2007,[48] including remixes by Roland Spremberg, Boogieman, and Mozart & Friends as well as the previoulsy unreleased track "Ain't Gonna Look the Other Way," a re-recording of the 2004 Tracy Ackerman-penned song by Canadian singer Celine Dion.[49] 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.[48]

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.[50] 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.[45]

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.[51] Lucy Diakovska has described the plotless clip as a "funky disco-dance-energy-video," reflecting another facet of the band in music and style.[45] 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".[45]

Track listings

CD single ("Teardrops" edition)[49]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Amaze Me"
  • Roland Spremberg
  • Boogieman
3:48
2."Teardrops" (Single Version)
3:13
3."Teardrops" (Mozart & Friends Club Mix)
  • C. Womack
  • L. Womack
  • Gustafsson
  • Pontare
  • Zitron
  • J. Worthy[a]
  • Mark Mozart[a]
3:45
4."Teardrops" (Mozart & Friends House Mix)
  • C. Womack
  • L. Womack
  • Gustafsson
  • Pontare
  • Zitron
  • Worthy[a]
  • Mozart[a]
3:44
5."Teardrops" (Mozart & Friends House Mix)
  • C. Womack
  • L. Womack
  • Gustafsson
  • Pontare
  • Zitron
  • Manuel Loyo[a]
  • Alexander Gernert[a]
5:26
6."Teardrops" (Video)  3:13
Digital single[52]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Amaze Me" (Album Version)
  • Poole
  • Mac
  • Spremberg
  • Boogieman
3:47
2."Teardrops" (Single Version)
  • C. Womack
  • L. Womack
  • Gustafsson
  • Pontare
  • Zitron
3:13
3."Ain't Gonna Look the Other Way"
Harry Sommerdahl3:50
4."Amaze Me" (Remix)
  • Poole
  • Mac
  • Spremberg
  • Boogieman
3:47
5."Amaze Me" (Instrumental Version)
  • Poole
  • Mac
  • Spremberg
  • Boogieman
3:47
6."Teardrops" (Mozart & Friends Club Mix)
  • C. Womack
  • L. Womack
  • Gustafsson
  • Pontare
  • Zitron
  • Worthy[a]
  • Mozart[a]
3:45
7."Teardrops" (Mozart & Friends House Mix)
  • C. Womack
  • L. Womack
  • Gustafsson
  • Pontare
  • Zitron
  • Worthy[a]
  • Mozart[a]
3:44
8."Teardrops" (Mozart & Friends House Mix)
  • C. Womack
  • L. Womack
  • Gustafsson
  • Pontare
  • Zitron
  • Loyo[a]
  • Gernert[a]
5:26

Notes

  • ^a denotes additional producer

Credits and personnel

Credits taken from Destiny Reloaded liner notes.[44]

Charts

Chart performance for "Teardrops"
Chart (2007) Peak
position
Germany (Official German Charts)[48] 25

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Teardrops"
Region Date Format Label Ref
Various 19 October 2007 [48]

Kate Alexa version

"Teardrops"
Single by Kate Alexa featuring Baby Bash
B-side"It's Alright"
Released3 March 2008
Length4:16
LabelLiberation
Songwriter(s)
  • Cecil Womack
  • Linda Womack
Producer(s)Molly Meldrum
Kate Alexa singles chronology
"Better than You"
(2006)		 "Teardrops"
(2008)		 "Infatuation"
(2011)
Baby Bash singles chronology
"What Is It"
(2008)		 "Teardrops"
(2008)		 "Don't Stop"
(2008)

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.[53] The song was released to Australian radio on 1 February 2008, and peaked at number sixty-four on the airplay chart.[54]

The song's producer, Molly Meldrum, suggested that Alexa should cover the song.[53] 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."[53] 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.[53] 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."[53]

The song debuted on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart in early March 2008 at number twenty-eight.[55] 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.[56] "Teardrops" spent six weeks on the chart, five of which were in the top fifty.[55][56] The music video for the song was filmed on 14 January 2008, at the Love Machine in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.

Track listings

CD / digital single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Teardrops" (Meldrum Radio Edit, featuring Baby Bash)
Molly Meldrum3:17
2."Teardrops" (Album Edit, featuring Baby Bash)
  • C. Womack
  • L. Womack
Reed Vertelney4:16
3."It's Alright" (Mozart & Friends Club Mix)
  • Egizii
  • Musumeci
3:35
4."It's Alright" (Karaoke Version)
  • Alexa
  • Egizii
  • Musumeci
  • Egizii
  • Musumeci
3:36

Charts

Chart performance for "Teardrops"
Chart (2008) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[57] 26

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 10 September 1988. p. 19. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  2. ↑ Smith, Jerry (6 August 1988). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 23. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  3. ↑ McCready, John (30 July 1988). "Groove Check". NME. p. 35. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  4. ↑ Rowland, Kevin (6 August 1988). "45". Record Mirror. p. 30. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  5. ↑ Hochanadel, Michael (14 October 1988). "Womack & Womack Incorporate Tales of Their Roots in New Album". Schenectady Gazette: 23. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  6. ↑ TupazTube (16 January 2011). "Womack And Womack - Teardrops.mpg". YouTube. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 "Womack & Womack – Teardrops" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Womack & Womack – Teardrops". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Womack & Womack – Teardrops" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  10. ↑ Danish Singles Chart. 11 November 1988.
  11. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Womack & Womack". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 284. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  12. ↑ "Womack & Womack – Teardrops" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Search". The Irish Charts. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
  14. ↑ "De Nederlandse Top 40, week 43, 1988". Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  15. ↑ "Womack & Womack – Teardrops". Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  16. ↑ "Womack & Womack – Teardrops". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  17. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  18. ↑ "Womack & Womack – Teardrops". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Womack & Womack – Teardrops". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Archive Search". everyHit.com. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
  21. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Womack & Womack – Teardrops" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  22. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 305.
  23. ↑ "Ultratop: Jaaroverzichten 1988". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  24. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts (1988)". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  25. ↑ "French single certifications – Womack & Womack – Teardrops" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved July 16, 2022. Select WOMACK & WOMACK and click OK. 
  26. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Womack & Womack; 'Teardrops')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Dutch single certifications – Womack & Womack – Teardrops" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 16, 2022. Enter Teardrops in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1988 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  28. ↑ "British single certifications – Womack & Womack – Teardrops". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  29. 1 2 "40 of the best UK garage tracks released from 1995 to 2005". Mixmag.
  30. ↑ "LOVESTATION - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  31. ↑ "The Best Old-School Garage Anthems Of All Time". Capital XTRA.
  32. ↑ "Top UK Garage Songs Between 1995 - 2005 | Music Rank". Gemtracks Beats.
  33. ↑ "Lovestation – Teardrops". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Lovestation – Teardrops" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn NR. 293 vikuna 8.10. - 15.10. 1998". Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  36. ↑ "Lovestation - Teardrops" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  37. ↑ "Lovestation – Teardrops" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 26 July 1998 - 01 August 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  39. ↑ "Lovestation – Teardrops". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  42. ↑ "British single certifications – Lovestation – Teardrops". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  43. 1 2 "No Angels @ SWR New Pop Festival 2007". Nela Lee. Retrieved 7 October 2022 – via YouTube.
  44. 1 2 3 Destiny Reloaded (liner notes). No Angels. Universal Music. 2008.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  45. 1 2 3 4 "Fallende Engel". RTLakutell.de. Archived from the original on 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  46. ↑ "Official Preview". Radio Ohr. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
  47. ↑ "No Angels (Fernsehgarten ZDF 09.09.07)". Summerjulchen. Retrieved 7 October 2022 – via YouTube.
  48. 1 2 3 4 "No Angels – Teardrops" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  49. 1 2 "No Angels – Amaze Me/Teardrops (Amaze Me" edition)" (in German). Amazon.com.de. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  50. ↑ "Neue Single!!". Sandy.tv. Archived from the original on 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  51. ↑ "Interview". ZDF Mediathek. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-01.
  52. ↑ "No Angels – Amaze Me/Teardrops - Digital Version" (in German). Musicload.de. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 "KATE ALEXA LATEST NEWS" Archived 2008-07-20 at the Wayback Machine. Liberation Music. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  54. ↑ "Australian Music Report Hot 100". Australian Music Report. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  55. 1 2 "Teardrops - Australian chart run". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  56. 1 2 "ARIA Top 100 Singles - Week Commencing 21st April 2008". ARIA Charts. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  57. ↑ "Kate Alexa – Teardrops". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
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