Don't Explain
Billie Holiday
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Hush now, don't explain Just say you'll remain I'm glad you're back, don't explain Quiet, don't explain What is there to gain Skip that lipstick Don't explain You know that I love you And what love endures All my thoughts of you For I'm so completely yours Cry to hear folks chatter And I know you cheat Right or wrong, don't matter When you're with me, sweet Hush now, don't explain You're my joy and pain My life's yours, love Don't explain You know that I love you And what love endures Nothing rates above you For I'm so completely yours Cry to hear folks chatter And I know you cheat Right or wrong, don't matter When you're with me, sweet Hush now, don't explain You're my joy and pain My life's yours, love Don't explain
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_(LOC)_(5020400274)_(cropped).jpg/269px-(Portrait_of_Billie_Holiday_and_Mister,_Downbeat,_New_York,_N.Y.,_ca._Feb._1947)_(LOC)_(5020400274)_(cropped).jpg "Billie Holiday")
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Written by: Arthur Jr. Herzog, Billie Holiday
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song's Authorship"Don't Explain" is a jazz song written by the legendary singer Billie Holiday herself, alongside Arthur Herzog Jr.
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The InspirationThe song was reportedly penned by Holiday after she caught her then-husband Jimmy Monroe with lipstick on his collar, a suggested hint of infidelity. Holiday's response was to say, "Don't Explain," and then she went on to create this iconic jazz piece.
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Release Date"Don't Explain" was first recorded on March 22, 1944.
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Album InclusionThe song is featured on multiple albums by Billie Holiday, most notably on 'The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945 - 1959' and 'Lady in Satin.'
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Musical StyleThe song exudes a blend of blues and jazz, which was characteristic of Holiday's music. It is often revered for its melancholic eloquence and powerful lyrical clarity.
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Cover VersionsVarious artists, including Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, and Diana Ross, have covered 'Don't Explain.' It's reflective of the song's enduring appeal and influence on different musical generations.
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Popular CultureThe song was also used in the 2005 movie "Lackawanna Blues." It has appeared in multiple other movies and TV shows, which speaks to its cultural resonance.
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Social Theme"Don't Explain" is considered an anthem of forgiveness and acceptance in the face of betrayal, which resonates strongly with audiences even today. This has contributed to its lasting impact.
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LegacyIt is often considered one of the stronger emotional works of Holiday's illustrious career, showcasing her vulnerability and strength simultaneously.
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Critic ReviewsOn its release, "Don't Explain" was critically lauded for its raw emotion, thematic depth, and Billie Holiday's intricate, soul-baring vocal delivery, cementing it as a classic in the jazz canon.
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Citation
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"Don't Explain Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/30530846/Billie+Holiday/Don%27t+Explain>.
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