Meaning of "Cry Me a River" by Lesley Gore

"Cry Me a River" is a song that captures the emotions of heartbreak, betrayal, and resentment. The lyrics express the narrator's frustration and hurt towards someone who has treated them poorly. The repeated line "cry me a river" serves as a sarcastic response to the person's current state of loneliness and remorse, implying that the narrator has already experienced immense pain because of their actions.

The first verse sets the tone by highlighting the person's loneliness and tears, as the narrator sarcastically invites them to "cry me a river." The repetition of this phrase throughout the song emphasizes the narrator's desire to see the person suffer and feel the same pain they caused. The second verse further adds to the resentment, with the narrator expressing how close they were to losing their sanity because of this person's actions while they never shed a tear.

The bridge of the song delves into the memories and promises made by the person, revealing how they had belittled the narrator's feelings, considering love to be plebeian (lowly or common), and claiming to be done with the narrator. The narrator recalls these hurtful words and uses them to fuel their bitterness and skepticism when the person suddenly claims to love them.

Ultimately, the song captures the narrator's refusal to be fooled by the person's sudden change of heart. The plea to "cry me a river" becomes a symbol of the narrator's unwillingness to forgive or forget the pain inflicted upon them. It is a cathartic expression of their own healing and an assertion of their own strength.