Boys Don't Cry (band)

Biography

Origin of name

Recent times

References

2020–present: Greatest Hits collection, catalog reissues, and fresh releases

Albums

Singles and EPs

Compilations

Other Releases

Boys Don't Cry
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1983
Founder	Nick Richards
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Products	Music albums, singles, EPs

Boys Don't Cry is a British new wave group primarily recognized for their 1986 single "I Wanna Be a Cowboy", which climbed to No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved international chart success.

Established in 1983 by lead singer and keyboardist Nick Richards, who owned Maison Rouge Recording Studios in London, the band originally consisted of Richards, guitarist Richard Taee, and drummer Steve Creese, with additional support from session players. That same year, they released their first EP Don't Talk to Strangers through the UK independent label Legacy Records. By the mid-1980s, the lineup had stabilized to include Richards and keyboardist Brian Chatton, along with Jeff Seopardi on drums, Nico Ramsden on guitar, and Mark Smith handling bass duties. Chatton was formerly associated with the 1970s progressive rock group Jackson Heights.

Their introduction to the US market was facilitated by talent scout Paul Oakenfold during his tenure at Profile Records in London. Profile Records managed their American releases, Legacy Records retained rights within the UK, Mercury Records took charge of Canadian distribution, and Intercord Tonträger GmbH handled releases in Germany.

Richards remarked:

Released in 1986, "I Wanna Be a Cowboy" featured a blend of deadpan wit and campy Spaghetti Western motifs. It reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 13 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, while securing top 10 rankings in Australia and South Africa. The accompanying music video was shot at Hampstead Heath and included a cameo by Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister.

The band produced two albums: their self-titled debut in 1986 containing "I Wanna Be a Cowboy," followed by Who the Am Dam Do You Think We Am in 1987. The latter was released in the US under the simpler title Boys Don't Cry, which led to some market confusion. Their next single, "Cities On Fire," a synth-driven rock track that received MTV airplay, did not match the commercial impact of their breakout hit.

In 1991, "I Wanna Be a Cowboy" was featured during a nightclub sequence in the film The Last Boy Scout.

Despite common misconceptions, the band's name "Boys Don't Cry" is not taken from The Cure's song or album bearing that title. Instead, it originates from softly spoken lyrics in British band 10cc's hit "I'm Not in Love" ("be quiet... big boys don't cry"). To acknowledge this frequent confusion, the band included an almost instrumental bonus track titled "The Cure" on their second album as a humorous nod.

In 2009, original members Nick Richards and Brian Chatton reunited in Los Angeles to collaborate on a new album. The lead single "Don't Call Me a Country Singer" achieved a peak position of No. 7 on FMQB's adult contemporary radio charts. Richards assembled a refreshed Boys Don't Cry lineup featuring Doug Gild (bass), Mike Licata (drums), Aaron McClain and James Richards (guitars), along with Teddy Rae Richards providing backing vocals; management was overseen by Barbara Baker. This ensemble planned an "Eighties Retro" tour organized with Red Entertainment.

On 2 November 2009, former bassist Mark Smith passed away at age 49; he had been scheduled to participate in the band's forthcoming tour.

The group performed a New Year's Eve concert in Hollywood with guest appearances from Roy Hay of Culture Club and Nina Hagen. They released a six-track EP titled Blow Me, which was available exclusively as a digital download.

On 14 August 2014, Boys Don't Cry issued Hear It Is!, an album featuring compositions by original members Richards and Chatton, released through Richards' label Microrich, Inc.

In April 2020, Boys Don't Cry unveiled a compilation album titled All the Very Best, which encompasses selections from across their entire musical journey, including both early and more recent tracks.

Soon after, Richards announced intentions to reissue the band's complete back catalogue. This includes the 1983 debut EP Don't Talk to Strangers, both albums from the 1980s, and Hear It Is!, alongside a new collection of outtakes and previously unreleased songs named Odds and Sods. It is important to note that the early single "Who Said It?" was not part of these re-releases.

In 2025, Richards introduced his own digital label called HEADGAMES. Through this platform, the band aims to distribute both new works and archival recordings. The initial release under HEADGAMES is "4PLAY," a four-track EP commemorating the 40th anniversary of "I Wanna Be A Cowboy," featuring mixes that had not been previously available.


Year	Album	Highest Chart Position
Year	Album	AUS	US
1986	Boys Don't Cry	Template:Center	Template:Center
1987	Who the Am Dam Do You Think We Am (Second self-titled album for U.S. market)	Template:Center	Template:Center
2014	Hear It Is!	Template:Center	Template:Center

White Punks on Rap: A History of Boys Don't Cry 1983–1999 (2008)
All the Very Best (2020)

Odds and Sods (2020)


Year	Single or EP	Peak Chart Positions
Year	Single or EP	AUS	US	US Dance	UK	Canada RPM
1983	"Heart's Bin Broken"	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1983	"Don't Talk to Strangers" (UK release only)	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1984	"Turn Over"	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
1985	"Cities on Fire"	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
	"Lipstick"	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center
	"I Wanna Be a Cowboy"	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center	Template:Center

"Josephine"

"Who the Am Dam Do You Think You Am"

"We Got the Magic"

"I Wanna Be a Cowboy 86–96"

"Harem Shuffle"