Studio Album · No. 9
Stronger with Each Tear Songwriting Credits by Mary J. Blige
Produced by Stargate, Rodney Jerkins, The Runners, Ron Fair
Holds writing credit on 10 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 12 documented
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Mary J. Blige carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Stronger with Each Tear keeps Blige co-writing across a pop-leaning production team: Stargate, Rodney Jerkins, and Ne-Yo share the credits on most songs. 'Good Love' is written by Ne-Yo and the Stereotypes rather than Blige, the clearest example of a song handed to her, while the rest carry her name beside the producers who built them.
Stronger with Each Tear is the ninth studio album by Mary J. Blige, released in December 2009. Leaning into a sleek, contemporary R&B and pop sound, it carried the hits 'The One' with Drake and 'I Am,' and worked with producers including Stargate, Rodney Jerkins, and the Runners. Blige co-wrote most of the album, which closed with 'I Can See in Color' from the film Precious. The record went gold and continued her run of polished, radio-friendly albums while keeping her signature emotional delivery. It found her balancing chart ambition with the resilience that has always defined her music.
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Tonight
|
Mary J. BligeAkonEdwin BirdsongAndrew HarrJermaine JacksonKevin Cossom | Mary Jane BligeAliaune Damala Badara ThiamEdwin BirdsongAndrew HarrJermaine JacksonKevin Cossom | The RunnersAkon | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
The One
#46
|
Mary J. BligeDrakeEster DeanRodney Jerkins | Mary Jane BligeAubrey Drake GrahamEster Renay DeanRodney Roy Jerkins | Rodney Jerkins | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Drake (Featured Artist) |
| 3 |
Said and Done
|
Mary J. BligeRyan Leslie | Mary Jane BligeRyan Anthony Leslie | Ryan Leslie | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Good Love
|
Ne-YoJeremy ReevesRay RomulusJonathan Yip | Shaffer Chimere SmithJeremy ReevesRay RomulusJonathan Yip | StereotypesNe-Yo | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)T.I. (Featured Artist) |
| 5 |
I Feel Good
|
Ne-YoTor Erik HermansenMikkel Eriksen | Shaffer Chimere SmithTor Erik HermansenMikkel Storleer Eriksen | StargateNe-Yo | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
I Am
#64
|
Mary J. BligeJohntá AustinEster DeanTor Erik HermansenMikkel Eriksen | Mary Jane BligeJohntá AustinEster Renay DeanTor Erik HermansenMikkel Storleer Eriksen | StargateRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Each Tear
|
Mary J. BligeMitchum ChinSupa Dups | Mary Jane BligeMitchum ChinDwayne Chin-Quee | Supa DupsRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
I Love U (Yes I Du)
|
Mary J. BligePolow da DonEster DeanDevon ReedDonald LevelBilly Williams | Mary Jane BligeJamal JonesEster Renay DeanDevon ReedDonald LevelBilly Williams | Polow da Don | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
We Got Hood Love
|
Mary J. BligeBryan-Michael CoxKendrick DeanJohntá Austin | Mary Jane BligeBryan-Michael CoxKendrick DeanJohntá Austin | Bryan-Michael CoxWyldCardRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals)Trey Songz (Featured Artist) |
| 10 |
Kitchen
|
Mary J. BligeThe-DreamTricky Stewart | Mary Jane BligeTerius Youngdell NashChristopher Alan Stewart | Tricky StewartThe-DreamKuk Harrell | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
In the Morning
|
Mary J. BligeAnesha BirchettAntea Birchett | Mary Jane BligeAnesha BirchettAntea Birchett | D'MileRon Fair | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
I Can See in Color
|
Mary J. BligeRaphael SaadiqLaNeah Menzies | Mary Jane BligeCharlie Ray WigginsLaNeah Menzies | Raphael Saadiq | Mary J. Blige (Lead Vocals) |