Do Nothing till You Hear From Me

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, Duke Ellington

About Do Nothing till You Hear From Me

"Do Nothing till You Hear from Me" (also written as "Do Nothin' Til You Hear From Me") is a song with music by Duke Ellington and lyrics by Bob Russell. It originated as a 1940 instrumental ("Concerto for Cootie") that was designed to highlight the playing of Ellington's lead trumpeter, Cootie Williams. Russell's words were added later. In 1944, Ellington's own recording of the song was a number one hit R&B chart for eight non-consecutive weeks and number six on the pop chart. Other recordings to reach the Billboard charts in 1944 were by Woody Herman and by Stan Kenton (vocal: Red Dorris)."Do Nothing till You Hear from Me" has since been performed by many other famous musical artists, including: Nat King Cole, 1944, with The King Cole Trio Billie Holiday, 1944 - Live, 1955, Studio, Stay With Me Lena Horne, 1944, appears on her 2002 compilation album The Young Star Patti Page, 1949, released in 1986 on The Uncollected Patti Page (1949): Patti Page with Lou Stein's Music Hampton Hawes, 1956 - All Night Session! Vol. 3 


Year:
2011
2:13
39 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Someone told someone and someone told you
But they wouldn't hurt you, not much
Since everyone spread the story 
With his own little personal touch

[Chorus]
Do nothin' till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what's said
Why people tear the seam of anyone's dream
Is over my head
Do nothin' till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you've heard
I haven't a chance

True, I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue?
When we're apart, the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But, please, do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will
Do nothin' till you hear from me
 
[Chorus]

True, I've been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I'm untrue?
When we're apart, the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you
Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But, please, do nothin' till you hear it from me
And you never will

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Duke Ellington

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American composer, pianist, and big-band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions. In the opinion of Bob Blumenthal of The Boston Globe, "[i]n the century since his birth, there has been no greater composer, American or otherwise, than Edward Kennedy Ellington." A major figure in the history of jazz, Ellington's music stretched into various other genres, including blues, gospel, film scores, popular, and classical. His career spanned more than 50 years and included leading his orchestra, composing an inexhaustible songbook, scoring for movies, composing stage musicals, and world tours. Several of his instrumental works were adapted into songs that became standards. Due to his invent… more »

5 fans

Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, BOB RUSSELL

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Composer Facts
"Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me" is a song composed by Duke Ellington, a prominent American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra. - Another key person who helped with its creation is Cootie Williams, a prominent trumpeter who was a longtime member of Duke Ellington’s orchestra.
Lyrics Facts
The lyrics of the song were written by Bob Russell, an American songwriter who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 1970.
Date of First Recording
The song was first recorded and released by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra with singer Al Hibbler on January 4, 1944, during the big band and swing era of music.
Historical Context Facts
The song's title supposedly comes from a phrase often said by Ellington to his musicians when they were on the road, indicating they should refrain from making major decisions until hearing from him.
Artist Variation Facts
Carmen McRae, an American jazz singer and pianist, known for her behind-the-beat phrasing, and ironic interpretation of lyrics, included a cover of the song in a number of her albums. - Ella Fitzgerald, often referred to as the First Lady of Song or the Queen of Jazz, sung this song as part of her two-disc set "The Duke Ellington Songbook" released in 1957. - Nina Simone, one of the foremost singers and civil rights activists of her time, also did a rendition of this song, making it part of her legacy. - Patti Page, a traditional pop and country singer, added the melody to her repertoire of songs during her career.
Genre Facts
The song "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me" is categorised as a Jazz standard, indicating its recognition and performing significance within the jazz music tradition.
Recognition Facts
Over the years, "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me" has become a signature standard in the genre, performed by numerous artists and featured in various film and television soundtracks.
Interesting Cover Versions Facts
One of the most popular versions was performed by Robbie Williams, a British pop singer, for his 2001 album "Swing When You're Winning", further adding to the song's cross-generational appeal.

Discuss the Do Nothing till You Hear From Me Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Do Nothing till You Hear From Me Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/24442785/Duke+Ellington/Do+Nothing+till+You+Hear+From+Me>.

    Missing lyrics by Duke Ellington?

    Know any other songs by Duke Ellington? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Do Nothing till You Hear From Me

    783
    9     0

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Faithfully" is the title of what band?
    A Journey
    B Kiss
    C Train
    D REO Speedwagon

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Duke Ellington tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!