"Cry" is a song by Ashnikko featuring Grimes that was released on June 17, 2020 as the lead single of Ashnikko's debut mixtape, DEMIDEVIL, being the seventh track on the project.
Background[]
On September 4, 2019, Ashnikko posted on her stories that she was in the studio with FAANGS and Ebenezer Fabiyi.[1] In this session she would record the song's solo demo, the unreleased song "5 Star" and co-write "HUH" by FAANGS.
Ashnikko originally wrote "Cry" out of a desire to write a song reminiscent of American rock band Evanescence as a joke, but came to like the sound of the track and decided to expand upon it. After Grimes followed Ashnikko on Instagram, Ashnikko sent her a direct message asking her to appear as a featured artist on one of her songs, to which Grimes agreed.[2]
Theme[]
Ashnikko explained the context and meaning of the song in an interview with Apple Music[3]:
“ | The context of this song is that I had a really heartbreaking moment when I was 19, when my best friend and boyfriend got together behind my back. I had just moved to London and they were my two family members. I was so sad—more with her because she was my best friend, and there’s a certain code in friendship that shouldn’t be breached. With my boyfriend, it was like, “You’re a shithead, but that’s to be expected, I guess.” I recognise that was a very problematic way of dealing with it. But I was so mad at her, to a point where I was just like, “We could have fought.” I was broken. | ” |
– Ashnikko via Apple Music |
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1: Ashnikko]
I'm a tough bitch, but I'm sensitive
Could a, could a, could a quick fuck be a sedative?
It's relative 'cause you were pushing me out to the fucking edge
I'm about to rip all of my hair out
'Cause I'm madder than I've ever been
[Pre-Chorus]
I just wanna call you, but I know I can't
Fuck a fuckin' fuck boy fuckin' up my plans
Lay another finger on me, you could lose a hand
You could lose a hand, you could lose a
[Chorus: Ashnikko]
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
[Verse 2: Grimes]
This is the winter of my discontent
Everything else is irrelevant
Are you trying to make me cry? (Cry)
This is the winter of my discontent
This is the winter of my discontent
It'll be fine if you just repent, ooh (Oh)
[Chorus: Ashnikko]
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
[Outro: Ashnikko & Grimes]
Careful with me, I'm volatile (This could get gruesome)
Careful with me, I'm homicidal (This could get, this could get)
Careful with me, I'm volatile (This could get gruesome)
Careful with me, I'm homicidal (This could get, this could get)
[Verse 1: Ashnikko]
I'm a tough bitch, but I'm sensitive
Could a, could a, could a quick fuck be a sedative?
It's relative 'cause you've pushing me out to the fucking edge
I'm about to rip all of my hair out
'Cause I'm madder than I've ever been
[Pre-Chorus]
I just wanna call you, but I know I can't
Fuck a fuckin' fuck boy fuckin' up my plans
Tie you to the bed, boy, you can watch me dance
You can watch me dance, you can watch me
[Chorus: Ashnikko]
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
[Verse 2: Grimes]
This is the winter of our discontent
Everything else is irrelevant
Are you trying to make me cry? (Cry)
This is the winter of our discontent
This is the winter of our discontent
It'll be fine if you just repent, ooh (Oh)
[Chorus: Ashnikko]
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
[Bridge: Ashnikko]
Careful with me, I'm volatile
Careful with me, I'm homicidal
Careful with me, I'm volatile
Careful with me, I'm homicidal
[Chorus: Ashnikko]
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
Bitch, are you tryna make me cry?
Are you tryna make me lose it?
You win some and lose some
This could get gruesome
[Outro: Ashnikko & Grimes]
Careful with me, I'm volatile
Careful with me, I'm homicidal (This could get, this could get)
Careful with me, I'm volatile (This could get gruesome)
Careful with me, I'm homicidal (This could get, this could get)
Official versions[]
Final | DEMIDEVIL | March 20, 2020 | Ebenezer Fabiyi | 2019-2020 | 2:06 |
Instrumental | Unreleased | 2020-2021 (leaked) | Ebenezer Fabiyi | September 3/4, 2019 | 2:07 |
Demos | |||||
Solo demo | Unreleased | Unleaked | Ebenezer Fabiyi | September 3/4, 2019 | Unknown |
Demo | Unreleased | December 26, 2024 (leaked) | Ebenezer Fabiyi | 2019-2020 | 2:46 |
Trivia[]
- NPR named "Cry" the 84th best song of 2020.
- "Cry" was originally the second track on the mixtape.
- The demo version has lyrics changes.
- The CGI-animated music video was nominated for Best Pop Video – UK at the 2020 UK Music Video Awards.
- The line "I'm a tough bitch, but I'm sensitive" is also used in the song "Narcissus".
- Ashnikko revealed that this is the hardest song on DEMIDEVIL to sing.
References[]
[]
v • e | |
---|---|
Featured Tracks | Daisy • Toxic • Deal With It • Slumber Party • Drunk With My Friendz • Little Boy • Cry • L8r Boi • Good While It Lasted • Clitoris! The Musical |
Deluxe Edition | Tantrum • Daisy 2.0 |
Outtakes | Acne • Bad For You • Bet You Would • Boo Hoo • Break My Heart • Coming • Creepy • Dumpling • Frequency • Future Crazy Ex • Girlfriend • Karmas • Magic • Narcissus • Piggyback • Romcom • Unblock • Villain • Wifey • Wild • y0yOy0 |
Related | Bo$$ Bitch • Power |
Artists | Ashnikko • Kelis • Princess Nokia • Grimes |
Tours | DEMIDEVIL: The Livestream • The DEMIDEVIL Tour 2021 |