"Cry for Help" is the first single taken from British dance-pop singer Rick Astley's third studio album, Free. It was written by Rick Astley and Rob Fisher. The Andraé Crouch Choir provided backing vocals. The song is a ballad, unlike Astley's other more dance-oriented hit singles such as "Never Gonna Give You Up" (1987). It was co-written by British singer Rob Fisher, formerly one half of the 1980s pop outfits Naked Eyes and Climie Fisher.