"When the Children Cry" is a

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performed by Danish-American glam metal band White Lion. It is the third single and 10th and final track on their 1987 album, ''

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''. It peaked at number three on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, number two in Canada, and number 88 in the United Kingdom.

Background

The song was written immediately after Live Aid, and was partly influenced by singer Mike Tramp's childhood. He said, "“I was around five or six when my father left us. My mom was left with three boys. So without a doubt my own story is in that song." He also said,

Versions

The song was re-recorded in 1999 on the album '' Remembering White Lion'' (also released as "Last Roar" in 2004) and a live version was released on the White Lion live album '' Rocking the USA''. The re-recorded and live versions were both released as promo singles and later as iTunes singles. In 2004, an acoustic version of "When the Children Cry" was included on the '' VH1 Classic Metal Mania: Stripped'' compilation.

Track listing

7-inch single # "When the Children Cry" – 4:04 # "Lady of the Valley" – 6:38

Personnel

Mike Tramp Michael Trempenau (born 14 January 1961), better known as Mike Tramp, is a Danish singer best known for his work with the glam metal band White Lion. Since 1998, he has also released several solo albums. In 2012, Tramp went on a solo acoustic to ...

– lead vocals *

Vito Bratta Vito Bratta (born July 1, 1961) is an American guitarist and the former main songwriter for the glam metal band White Lion. He co-founded White Lion with lead singer Mike Tramp in 1983 and played with the band until 1992. Bratta was influenced b ...

– lead guitar * James LoMenzo – bass guitar * Greg D'Angelo – drums

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

{{Authority control 1980s ballads 1987 songs 1988 singles Anti-war songs Atlantic Records singles Glam metal ballads Songs written by Mike Tramp Songs written by Vito Bratta White Lion songs