“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
When I first heard Eden Kane’s “Boys Cry,” I was struck by how boldly it challenged the masculine stereotypes of its era. Released in 1964, this gem arrived during a fascinating transition period in music history—the Beatles were exploding onto the international scene, but the sincere, polished pop sound of the early ’60s hadn’t yet disappeared.
Eden Kane, born Richard Graham Sarstedt, wasn’t just another pretty face in the British pop landscape. He had already scored hits with songs like “Well I Ask You” and “Forget Me Not” before “Boys Cry” became his emotional statement piece. What makes this song special, beyond its catchy melody, is its surprisingly progressive message for 1964—the radical notion that men have feelings too, and that expressing emotion isn’t something to be ashamed of.
The song’s arrangement perfectly complements its theme. The lush orchestration provides a sophisticated backdrop while Kane’s earnest vocal delivery carries a vulnerability that makes the message all the more powerful. There’s something incredibly authentic about the way he navigates the emotional terrain of the song—you can hear the sincerity in every note.
What I find most fascinating about “Boys Cry” is how it stood somewhat apart from the dominant sounds of 1964. While the British Invasion was bringing a rawer, more rock-oriented sound to the airwaves, Kane’s track maintained elements of the pre-Beatles pop era while addressing themes that felt surprisingly modern.
The song reached #8 on the UK charts—not Kane’s biggest hit, but perhaps his most enduring in terms of its message. It showcased his ability to convey genuine emotion while staying firmly within the pop framework that made his music so accessible.
When you listen to “Boys Cry” today, it’s impossible not to appreciate how it gently pushed against the strict gender norms of its day. In an era when men were typically expected to maintain a stoic exterior, Kane’s song offered a refreshing counterpoint—a reminder that emotional honesty knows no gender.
For fans of early ’60s British pop, Eden Kane’s “Boys Cry” represents a beautiful bridge between the polished production values of the pre-Beatles era and the more emotionally expressive direction pop music would take as the decade progressed.
Video
Lyrics
Boys cry when no one can see them
When no one can see them cry
No one can see them cry
Boys cry when their hearts are broken
When their hearts are broken by
Someone who says, “Goodbye”
When a boy gets hurt by a girl
His feelin’s he will hide
When he acts tough, sure enough
It’s a sign he’s soft inside
Boys cry when no one is near them
When no one can hear them cry
No one can hear them cry
Don’t you know how it hurt when you let me go
Did you think I’d forget that I loved you so
Didn’t you know that
Boys cry when no one can see them
When no one can see them cry
No one can see them cry
When a boy gets hurt by a girl
His feelin’s he will hide
When he acts tough, sure enough
It’s a sign he’s soft inside
Ooh, boys cry when no one is near them
When no one can hear them cry
No one can hear them cry
Boys cry when their hearts are broken
When their hearts are broken by
Someone who says, “Goodbye”