Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Lyrics
It won't be easy
You'll think it's strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love after all that I've done
You won't believe me
All you will see is a girl you once knew
Although she's dressed up to the nines
At sixes and sevens with you
I had to let it happen
I had to change
Couldn't stay all my life down at hill
Looking out of the window
Staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom
Running around, trying everything new
But nothing impressed me at all
I never expected it to
Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
And as for fortune
And as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired
They are illusions
They're not the solutions they promise to be
The answer was here all the time
I love you and hope you love me
Don't cry for me Argentina
Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
Have I said too much?
There's nothing more I can think of to say to you
But all you have to do is look at me to know
That every word is true
Credits
Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
Produced by Nigel Wright, Alan Parker, Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Caddick
Vocals by Madonna
Album
Single
As second single from the Evita soundtrack, Warner released Don't Cry For Me Argentina on February 4, 1997. It was a big #1 hit in France, Japan, Canada and peaked at #3 in the UK and Germany. US radio stations had received the promotional Miami Mix (remixed by Madonna, Pablo Flores and Javier Garza) in December 1996 already. With the single coming two months later, the airplay was already fading, causing it to peak at #8 in the Billboard Hot 100. It did climb to the top of Hot Dance / Club Play chart though. Madonna's rendition hit the charts 20 years after Julie Covington got a UK #1 with the very first recording, but it was also covered by numerous other artists, being the most famous song of the musical.
Video
There was no video made for this song. Instead the original scene from the movie, with Evita singing on the balcony of the Casa Rosada, was used.
Tour
On the Drowned World Tour a beautiful instrumental version of this song is used as an interlude, setting the tone for the Spanish-Latino part of the show. With burning candles in the corners of the stage, three couples dance a fantastic Argentinian tango.
Madonna surprised her fans when she performed part of this song live at the Buenos Aires shows of the Sticky & Sweet Tour after You Must Love Me. She did not disappoint and she gave her all while playing her acoustic guitar, delivering a heartfelt rendition.
On the MDNA Tour, Madonna again treated Argentinian fans to this Evita song, which temporarily replaced Like A Virgin in the setlist during the shows in Buenos Aires.
Don't Cry For Me Argentina was also performed on both Miami shows of the Rebel Heart Tour, during the Latin / Gypsy Segment.