<P> `` All I Could Do Was Cry '' is a doo - wop / rhythm and blues single recorded in 1960 and released that same year by singer Etta James and was written for James by Chess songwriter Billy Davis , Berry Gordy and his sister Gwen Gordy . The song was said to be inspired by James ' former boyfriend Harvey Fuqua dating Davis ' former girlfriend , who was Gwen . Gordy and Fuqua later married the same year the song was recorded , which likely added to the tension in James ' bluesy vocals . The song eventually peaked at number two on the R&B charts and number 33 on the pop charts . James would later re-record the song in the early nineties . Beyoncé Knowles later covered the song while filming her role as James in the 2008 film , Cadillac Records . </P>
<P> `` All I Could Do Was Cry '' is a doo - wop / rhythm and blues single recorded in 1960 and released that same year by singer Etta James and was written for James by Chess songwriter Billy Davis , Berry Gordy and his sister Gwen Gordy . The song was said to be inspired by James ' former boyfriend Harvey Fuqua dating Davis ' former girlfriend , who was Gwen . Gordy and Fuqua later married the same year the song was recorded , which likely added to the tension in James ' bluesy vocals . The song eventually peaked at number two on the R&B charts and number 33 on the pop charts . James would later re-record the song in the early nineties . Beyoncé Knowles later covered the song while filming her role as James in the 2008 film , Cadillac Records . </P>
who sings all i could do was cry
who sings all i could do was cry
Etta James Beyoncé Knowles
Etta James Beyoncé Knowles