The Mavericks’ “What a Crying Shame” pairs a wounded heart with a melody that refuses to sit still. Written by Raul Malo and Kostas and produced by Don Cook, the song became the band’s first Top 40 hit on the U.S. country singles chart. Its blend of romantic regret, bright guitars, and Malo’s unmistakable voice helped introduce a much wider audience to The Mavericks.
The 1993 Single: Songwriters, Producer, and Original Record
MCA released “What a Crying Shame” in November 1993, ahead of the album bearing the same name. A contemporary review in Billboard’s November 6, 1993 issue identifies the writers as Malo and Kostas and the producer as Don Cook. Those credits also appear on the original U.S. single label shown below.
The 7-inch record carries the catalog number MCAS7 54748 and pairs the title song with “The Things You Said to Me.” The label even announces the forthcoming album’s February 1, 1994 arrival, neatly connecting the single’s release to the next chapter of the band’s career.
What Is “What a Crying Shame” About?
The song looks back at a relationship that has fallen apart. The narrator struggles to reconcile the love he believed in with the hurt he now feels. The title works as both a lament and a judgment: something precious has been lost, and he cannot simply shrug it off.
What makes the performance so appealing is the tension between that sadness and the movement of the music. The melody stays buoyant while Malo gives the words emotional weight. It is the kind of country record that can fill a dance floor without making the heartbreak disappear.
The What a Crying Shame Album
The album arrived on February 1, 1994, through MCA Nashville. It was The Mavericks’ third studio album and their second for MCA. The original artwork appears in the band’s official discography, while UMG’s uDiscover Music retrospective documents the release date and Don Cook’s production role.
The 11-song album also includes “There Goes My Heart,” “I Should Have Been True,” and covers of Jesse Winchester’s “O What a Thrill” and Bruce Springsteen’s “All That Heaven Will Allow.” Together, they give the title track a fitting home: country feeling with room for sounds and influences beyond one narrow style.
A Breakthrough That Took Time
“What a Crying Shame” ultimately reached No. 25 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Billboard’s June 11, 1994 report describes the sustained radio campaign behind its climb. Its success helped turn a promising band into a recognizable presence on country radio.
For more country music from that period, explore Patty Loveless’ “Blame It on Your Heart”. For an earlier, very different expression of romantic regret, revisit Merle Haggard’s “I Threw Away the Rose.”
Watch The Mavericks — “What a Crying Shame”
Watch the official music video from The Mavericks’ VEVO channel below.