Tears of Joy (song)
Tears of Joy is a track performed by American singer Faith Evans, with songwriting and production credits attributed to Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony. This piano-driven R&B ballad is featured on the 2012 compilation album R&B Divas, which was curated by Evans and includes contributions from artists showcased in the inaugural season of the TV One reality series. Serving as the album's primary single, the song attained a peak position of number 79 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and climbed to number 18 on the Billboard R&B Songs chart.
Background
The creation and production of "Tears of Joy" were handled by Kelly and Harmony. Evans characterized the song as "a timeless R&B classic," likening its style to a blend of "Gladys Knight meets Aretha Franklin." She revealed that their collaboration was sparked through social media, where Kelly expressed interest via Twitter, leading to a studio meeting during which he introduced the song. Regarding its recognition within the music industry, Evans conveyed optimism about its Grammy prospects, stating, "If I don’t receive a nomination, then songwriter Claude Kelly certainly should."
Critical reception
Mark Edward Nero from About.com commended "Tears of Joy" as "an uplifting contemplation on celebrating a positive and meaningful relationship," emphasizing Faith Evans' powerful vocal delivery. The publication SoulCulture lauded her rendition as both "soulful" and "emotionally charged," pointing out that the piano-centric arrangement significantly amplified the ballad’s emotional resonance.
Music video
Directed by Erik White, the music video for "Tears of Joy" was shot on September 25, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. The monochrome visuals set against an ocean backdrop showcase a variety of couples, with actor Lamman Rucker portraying Evans’ romantic partner. The video made its online debut on October 5, 2012.
Weekly charts
| Chart (2012–2013) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| South Korea International (Circle) | 95 |
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Year-end charts
| Chart (2012) | Position |
|---|---|
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Release history
| Territory | Release date | Format(s) | Record label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various regions | August 20, 2012 |