One Last Cry

"One Last Cry" is a song co-written and co-produced by Brandon Barnes, Melanie Barnes and Brian McKnight.^[6] The song was performed by American contemporary R&B singer Brian McKnight, issued in May 1993, by Mercury Records, as the fourth single from his eponymous debut album (1992). It was McKnight's first solo hit on the US Billboard Hot 100^[7] and Cash Box Top 100, peaking at numbers 13 and 14.

"One Last Cry"
US cassette single and European CD single
Single by Brian McKnight
from the album Brian McKnight
B-side	"Goodbye My Love"[1]
Released	May 25, 1993 (1993-05-25)[2]
Recorded	1991 (1991)[3]
Genre	R&B pop quiet storm soul
Length	4:55 (album version) 4:26 (single edit)
Label	Mercury
Songwriter(s)	Brian McKnight Brandon Barnes Melanie Barnes[4]
Producer(s)	Brian McKnight Brandon Barnes[5]
Brian McKnight singles chronology
"Love Is" (1993) "One Last Cry" (1993) "After the Love" (1993)
Music video
"One Last Cry" on YouTube

Since its release, "One Last Cry" has been covered by several artists, including: Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Marina Elali, Martin Nievera, Billy Crawford, Nina, Sabrina, Heather Headley and Peck Palitchoke.^[8]

In 2025 Melinda Lindner's cover of the song reached number 30 the Adult Contemporary chart.^[9]

Personnel

• Clare Fischer – string arrangement
• Brian McKnight – keyboards
• John Willis – acoustic guitar

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by Leta Warner.^[10]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1993) Peak position Canada Retail Singles (The Record)[11] 19 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 53 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 13 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[14] 16 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 8 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[16] 19 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[17] 18 US Cash Box Top 100[18] 14

Year-end charts Chart (1993) Position US Billboard Hot 100[19] 54 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[20] 36