Guess Who Sings All Cried Out With Allure-You'll Be Surprised
- 01. Who Sings All Cried Out with Allure?
- 02. Breakdown of the Vocalists
- 03. Historical and Chart Context
- 04. Lineup and Group Background
- 05. Original Version vs. Allure's Cover
- 06. Production and Collaborations
- 07. Commercial Impact and Legacy
- 08. Illustrative Artist and Chart Snapshot
- 09. Relationship Between Allure and 112
- 10. Table: Key Data Points for Allure's "All Cried Out"
- 11. Frequent Questions About the Song
Who Sings All Cried Out with Allure?
The lead vocals on Allure's "All Cried Out" are performed by the group Allure, a New York-based R&B girl group, with additional featured vocals from the R&B quartet 112. The song was released in 1997 as the lead single from Allure's self-titled debut album and became their signature track. Allure's version is a cover of the original 1985 hit by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, but the 1997 remake is the one most closely associated with the "Allure ft. 112" branding.
Breakdown of the Vocalists
In the 1997 recording, Allure's lead singer carries the main verses and chorus, layering smooth, emotive R&B runs over the beat, while the group's harmonies frame the track. The male R&B group 112 provides the featured verse and backing ad-libs, creating a classic late-1990s duet dynamic reminiscent of other cross-group collaborations of the era. Producers Cory Rooney, Walter Afanasieff, and Mariah Carey shaped the final mix, which helped the track stand out in an increasingly competitive R&B marketplace.
Historical and Chart Context
Allure's "All Cried Out" was released on August 12, 1997, via Epic Records under Mariah Carey's Crave imprint, leveraging Carey's production savvy and industry connections. The single climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of November 22, 1997, outperforming the original Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam version on the pop chart. It was certified gold by the RIAA for shipments exceeding 500,000 units and ultimately sold more than 800,000 copies, according to post-release estimates. The track also charted on Billboard's Year-End lists for two consecutive years, ranking at No. 43 in 1997 and No. 84 in 1998.
Lineup and Group Background
Allure emerged from the New York R&B scene in the mid-1990s as a quartet, with an original lineup consisting of Alia Davis, Lalisha Sanders, Akissa Mendez, and Linnie Belcher. Belcher later departed the group in 2001, leaving Allure as a trio, but she is the voice you hear on the 1997 recording of "All Cried Out." The group was signed to Mariah Carey's Crave label, which positioned them as a vehicle for polished, radio-ready R&B with mainstream crossover appeal.
Original Version vs. Allure's Cover
The song "All Cried Out" was first recorded by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam and released in 1985 on their debut album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force. Their version reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986 and No. 3 on the R&B chart, becoming a staple of freestyle and dance-pop radio. Allure's cover, while faithful to the harmonic structure and emotional tone, modernized the production with late-1990s vocal layering and 112's feature, helping it age particularly well among younger listeners discovering the track in later decades.
Production and Collaborations
The 1997 remake was produced by the powerhouse trio of Cory Rooney, Walter Afanasieff, and Mariah Carey, who had previously worked together on several of Carey's own hits. Their production wrapped Allure's vocals in lush reverb, subtle synth pads, and crisp percussion, giving the track a polished, radio-friendly feel that helped it cross over from R&B charts to mainstream Top 40 playlists. The strategic inclusion of 112's verse-which came from the same era as their own chart-topping singles-added commercial credibility and helped the collaboration feel like a genuine "event" single.
Commercial Impact and Legacy
- The single reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1997, becoming Allure's highest-charting song.
- It was certified gold for shipments of 500,000 units and ultimately sold over 800,000 copies, according to post-release industry estimates.
- The track appeared on Billboard's Year-End Hot 100 charts for both 1997 (No. 43) and 1998 (No. 84), signaling sustained popularity rather than a flash-in-the-pan hit.
- The music video, which emphasizes the Allure-112 dynamic, has been viewed tens of millions of times across streaming and video platforms, cementing the song's "throwback" status.
Illustrative Artist and Chart Snapshot
- Identify the original artist: Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, first hit in 1985-1986.
- Pinpoint the remake artist: Allure, featuring 112, released August 12, 1997.
- Confirm the lead vocalist on the remake: Linnie Belcher (Allure) as primary voice, with group harmonies from Alia Davis, Lalisha Sanders, and Akissa Mendez.
- Check the chart peak: No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, week of November 22, 1997.
- Verify the awards/certifications: Gold certification by the RIAA, ≈800,000 copies sold.
Relationship Between Allure and 112
Allure's collaboration with 112 on "All Cried Out" typifies the late-1990s trend of R&B groups teaming up for crossover singles, echoing partnerships such as Monica and Usher or Destiny's Child and other act-featuring records. Producers Cory Rooney and Walter Afanasieff specifically sought a male counterpart with a smooth, falsetto-leaning style, which 112 delivered with their signature harmonized verse and ad-libs. The pairing helped both acts expand their fanbases, as Allure leaned into softer, ballad-oriented R&B and 112 brought their new-jack swing-influenced cadence into the mix.
Table: Key Data Points for Allure's "All Cried Out"
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Artist | Allure featuring 112 |
| Original artist | Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam (1985 version) |
| Release date | August 12, 1997 |
| Billboard Hot 100 peak | No. 4 (week of November 22, 1997) |
| Certification | Gold (500,000+ shipments), ≈800,000 copies sold |
| Year-end chart placements | No. 43 (1997), No. 84 (1998) |
| Label | Epic Records / Crave Records (Mariah Carey imprint) |
Frequent Questions About the Song
Helpful tips and tricks for Guess Who Sings All Cried Out With Allure Youll Be Surprised
Who are the lead singers on Allure's "All Cried Out"?
On the Allure version, the lead vocals are handled primarily by group member Linnie Belcher, with harmonies and supporting lines from Alia Davis, Lalisha Sanders, and Akissa Mendez; the featured verse is performed by the R&B group 112.
Is "All Cried Out" an original song by Allure?
No, Allure's "All Cried Out" is a cover of the 1985 hit by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, which appeared on their debut album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force and reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.
Why does the song credit 112 with Allure?
112 is credited as a featured act because they perform the male verse and backing ad-libs on Allure's remake; their inclusion was a deliberate production choice to give the track a duet-style dynamic and broaden its appeal across both male and female R&B audiences.
How did Mariah Carey influence "All Cried Out"?
Mariah Carey co-produced the remake alongside Cory Rooney and Walter Afanasieff through her short-lived Crave Records imprint, contributing to the vocal arrangements and overall sonic polish that helped the song climb the Billboard charts.
What is the legacy of Allure's "All Cried Out" today?
Today, Allure's "All Cried Out" is regarded as a late-1990s R&B classic, frequently appearing on "throwback" playlists and streaming playlists themed around "90s R&B duets," with its feature by 112 cementing its status as a crossover ballad staple.