Mary J. Blige released “Not Gon’ Cry” in 1995. It was released as a single in 1996 from the soundtrack to Waiting to Exhale, which starred Angela Bassett and Whitney Houston.

In addition to being on the movie’s soundtrack, Blige released “Not Gon’ Cry” on her own 1997 album, Share My World.

Fun Facts: 

• Mary J. Blige was born in the Bronx, New York as Mary Jane Blige to a nurse and a jazz musician. She started singing in church and began pursuing a music career after dropping out of high school.
• Blige was discovered at a mall in 1989 while performing a cover of “Caught Up in the Rapture” by Anita Baker.
• “Not Gon’ Cry” hit # 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, and it peaked at # 2 on the Hot 100 chart.
• The song earned Blige her third Grammy nomination in 1997.
• It was written by Kenneth Edmonds, also known professionally as Babyface.
• The music video includes footage from Waiting to Exhale.
• The song sold over one million units and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.
• The Game sampled “Not Gon’ Cry” on his song “Don’t Need Your Love.” Bryson Tiller is another artist who has sampled the song.
• Mary J. Blige performed this song at the 39th Grammy Awards in 1997.
• Other top songs by Blige include “Family Affair,” “Be Without You,” and “Real Love.”

Lyrics 

While all the time that I was loving you

You were busy loving yourself

I would stop breathing if you told me to

Now you’re busy loving someone else

Eleven years out of my life

Besides the kids, I have nothing to show

Wasted my years, a fool of a wife

I should have left your ass long time ago

Well I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ shed no tears

No I’m not gon’ cry

It’s not the time

‘Cause you’re not worth my tears

I was your lover and your secretary

Working every day of the week

Was at the job when no one else was there

Helping you get on your feet

Eleven years of sacrifice

And you can leave me at the drop of a dime

Swallowed my fears, stood by your side

I should’ve left your ass a thousand times

Well I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ shed no tears

No I’m not gon’ cry

It’s not the time

‘Cause you’re not worth my tears

I know there are no guarantees

In love you take your chances

But somehow it seems unfair to me

Look at the circumstances

Through sickness and health

‘Til death do us part

Those were the words that we said from our heart

So now when you say that you’re leaving me

I don’t get that part

I was your lover and your secretary

Working every day of the week

Was at the job when no one else was there

Helping you get on your feet

Eleven years of sacrifice

And you can leave me at the drop of a dime

Swallowed my fears, stood by your side

I should’ve left your ass a thousand times

Well I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ shed no tears

No I’m not gon’ cry

It’s not the time

‘Cause you were never worth my tears

Well I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ shed no tears

No I’m not gon’ cry

It’s not the time

‘Cause you were never worth my tears

Well I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ cry

I’m not gon’ shed no tears…