"Let a Boy Cry" is a song written and recorded by the Brooklyn-based Italian singer-songwriter Gala. It was released in January 1997 as the second single from her first album, Come into My Life. The song reached number one in Belgium, France, Israel[1] and Italy. "Let A Boy Cry" achieved success in Europe, South America, Russia and Middle East and received a platinum record in France and Benelux. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Let a Boy Cry" reached number 3.
The song was written and composed by Gala, and produced by Filippo Andrea Carmeni and Maurizio Molella. According to Gala, it talks about how in a society where men would not be ridiculed for their sensitivity, women could be freer.[2]
Music video
The music video for "Let a Boy Cry" was directed by director Philippe Antonello, Luca Bigazzi and Gala. It was shot in Venice in San Mark’s square during the Carnival.[3] The video is in black-and-white. In a 2014 interview with DNA Magazine, Gala said about the video:
It’s also funny now when I watch my video for Let A Boy Cry. At the time it was a real problem with Vatican City in Italy because there were two boys kissing in it in a really sweet way. They were actually brothers, the two guys, and I asked them to kiss each other, as I was also co-director. They look like a couple, which was my intention, and people were bothered by it. Now it’s the Same Love era and no one would blink! Yes, but there are still many things to change. For me they are not gay or lesbian issues but human rights issues.[4]
^1997 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved July 1, 2008)
^"Single top 100 over 1997"(PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Archived from the original(pdf) on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)