"
Big Girls Don't Cry" (also known as "
Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)") is a song recorded by American singer
Fergie for her debut studio album,
The Dutchess (2006). It was written by Fergie and Toby Gad while the production was helmed by
will.i.am. The song was released as the fourth single from the album on May 22, 2007. "Big Girls Don't Cry" deviates from the
hip-hop and
urban music of Fergie's previous singles and opts for a more simplistic pop sound that incorporates
acoustic and
classical elements. It features credits from about thirty instrumentalists, many of which play the
violins,
violas and
celli on the track. It is one of the few songs on the album that does not sample any other songs. Lyrically, the song talks about moving on from the pain of divorce.