South African Sensation Tyla Swaps Dance Floors for Tear Drops in “Tears”

A New Chapter in Tyla’s Discography

Global pop phenomenon Tyla has momentarily stepped away from her signature amapiano beats to deliver “Tears,” an intimate folk ballad released November 20, 2024, through FAX and Epic Records.

Co-written with industry heavyweights like Michael Pollack and Stargate, the song blends emotive lyrics with minimalist production, centering around love, empathy, and emotional connection.

The song premiered alongside an exclusive Coke Studio™ session video, amplifying its release with visuals that resonate deeply with its themes.

From Dance Queen to Emotional Anchor: The Sound Shift

While Tyla is celebrated for her vibrant amapiano and R&B tracks, “Tears” embraces a quieter, more introspective sound.

Gone are the infectious rhythms of “Water” and “Push 2 Start,” – instead, “Tears” opens with gentle acoustic guitar strums that set the stage for Tyla’s most vulnerable performance yet.

The production, handled by hit making duo Stargate, deliberately keeps things minimal, allowing Tyla’s voice to take centre stage over simple, affecting instrumentation.

The layered harmonies in the chorus add emotional depth, amplifying the song’s intimate atmosphere.

This musical shift has drawn comparisons to classic folk ballads, with critics describing it as “a tune for anyone needing a shoulder to cry on.”

It’s a bold move that cements Tyla’s ability to traverse genres effortlessly.

The Tears Lyrics: Empathy in Every Line

The song’s opening verse immediately establishes its emotional territory:

“When the mirror hurts your feelings / You believe in all its lies.”

It’s a direct address to someone struggling with self-doubt, but Tyla’s approach isn’t about fixing their pain – it’s about sharing it.

The chorus drives home this message of emotional support:

“Give all your tears to me / Give all your tears to me / If you try, and you try and nothing works / Baby, you don’t have to hurt.”

Speaking to Nylon, Tyla revealed the song’s essence isn’t actually about her own pain, explaining, “With the song, it’s not really for me. It’s me singing it to someone I love saying, ‘Come to me.'”

Perhaps the most striking imagery comes in the second verse:

“I’m a river you can float in / I would never let you drown.”

This aquatic metaphor (yes, even more water references than “Water”) perfectly captures the song’s message of unwavering support.

Tyla’s Tears Music Video: Visual Comfort

Premiered on the same day as the single, the Coke Studio™ session video complements the song’s narrative with soothing visuals.

Featuring Tyla surrounded by an ensemble of female vocalists, the video’s serene imagery enhances the track’s themes of empathy and support.

The intimate setting draws viewers into the heartfelt world Tyla has crafted, making it more than just a song—it’s an experience.

Josh Burke, Coca-Cola’s Global Head of Music and Culture Marketing, aptly summarised this evolution, stating, “Tyla’s vibrant and uplifting sound perfectly captures the essence of Coke Studio™.”

The Story Behind “Tears”

Interestingly, “Tears” wasn’t originally meant for release now. Tyla revealed the song was initially recorded for her self-titled debut album but didn’t quite fit the overall vibe.

The track came about organically when songwriter Michael Pollack started playing guitar during a studio session for a completely different song.

Sometimes the best art comes from those unplanned moments.

A New Side of Tyla

After a whirlwind year that included her viral hit “Water,” collaborations with Travis Scott and Becky G, and multiple awards at the EMAs, “Tears” shows Tyla isn’t afraid to switch things up.

The track proves she’s equally comfortable being vulnerable as she is commanding dance floors.

Fans can catch the first live performance of “Tears” at an intimate hometown show in Johannesburg on December 4, 2024, where Tyla will finally return home after six months on the road.

Something tells us there might be a few tears in the audience too – the good kind, of course.

Tyla Tears Lyrics

Verse 1
When the mirror hurts your feelings
You believe in all its lies
When you’re broken, need some healing
And there’s storm clouds in your eyes

Chorus
Give all your tears to me
Give all your tears to me
If you try, and you try and nothing works
Baby, you don’t have to hurt
Give all your tears to me
And I’ll cry them for you

Post-Chorus
Woah-oh
I’ll cry them for you
Woah-oh

Verse 2
I’m a river you can float in (Float in)
I would never let you drown (Let you drown)
When your eyes turn into oceans (Oceans)
I’ll be there before the first drop hits the ground

Chorus
Give all your tears to me
Give all your tears to me
If you try, and you try and nothing works
Baby, you don’t have to hurt
Give all your tears to me
And I’ll cry them for you

Post-Chorus
Woah-oh
And I’ll cry them for you
Woah-oh
Woah, I’ll cry them for you
Woah-oh
I’ll cry them for you
I’ll cry them for you