Don't Tell Me

Madonna

About Don't Tell Me

"Don't Tell Me" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her eighth studio album, Music (2000). It was released as the second single from the album on November 21, 2000 by Maverick Records. Madonna co-wrote and co-produced the track with Mirwais Ahmadzaï, with additional writing from her brother-in-law, Joe Henry. Henry originally conceived it as a tango-styled torch song called "Stop"; the demo was later sent to Madonna, who then proceeded to change its musical composition, turning it into a country-dance song. Lyrically, Madonna asks her lover not to control her. "Don't Tell Me" received positive reviews from music critics, who cited the song as one of the album's standouts and praised Madonna's vocals. It was also compared to the work of singer Sheryl Crow. The song attained commercial success, reaching the top of the record charts in Canada, Italy and New Zealand, as well as the top five in several regions. It also became Europe's biggest radio hit of 2001. In the United States, "Don't Tell Me" reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100, tying her with the Beatles as the artist with the second-most top-ten singles in the Hot 100 history. 


Year:
2000
4:40
84 
#3

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Don't tell me to stop
Tell the rain not to drop
Tell the wind not to blow
'Cause you said so

Tell the sun not to shine
Not to get up this time, no, no
Let it fall by the way
But don't leave me where I lay down

Tell me love isn't true
It's just something that we do
Tell me everything I'm not
But please don't tell me to stop

Tell the leaves not to turn
But don't ever tell me I'll learn, no, no
Take the black off a crow
But don't tell me I have to go

Tell the bed not to lay
Like the open mouth of a grave, yeah
Not to stare up at me
Like a calf down on its knees

Tell me love isn't true
It's just something that we do
Tell me everything I'm not
But don't ever tell me to stop

(Don't you ever tell)
Tell me love isn't true
It's just something that we do
(Don't you ever tell)
Tell me everything I'm not
But don't ever tell me to stop

(Don't you ever) Please don't
Please don't
Please don't tell me to stop

(Don't you ever tell me)
Don't you ever
Don't ever tell me to stop

(Tell the rain not to drop)
Tell the bed not to lay
Like a open mouth of a grave, yeah
Not to stare up at me
Like a calf down on its knees

(Like a open mouth of a grave, yeah
Not to stare up at me)

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Madonna

Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone /tʃɪˈkoʊneɪ/ chi-KOH-nay; August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, director, dancer and entrepreneur. She has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and is recognized as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. Considered to be one of the "25 Most Powerful Women of the Past Century" by Time for being an influential figure in contemporary music, she is known for continuously reinventing both her music and image, and for retaining a standard of autonomy within the recording industry. Critics have praised her diverse musical productions which have also been known to induce controversy. more »

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Written by: Mirwais Ahmadzai, Joseph Henry Lee, Madonna Louise Ciccone

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Information
"Don't Tell Me" was released as the second single from Madonna's eighth studio album, "Music," in November 2000.
Chart Performance
The song was a great success. It reached number one in Canada, Italy, and New Zealand, and peaked within the top ten in several other countries, including number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Song Inspiration
The song was inspired by Madonna’s sister, Melanie, telling her to stop seeing the man who was causing her heartache.
Song Composition
This song was a mix of folk music and dance-pop. It was a significant departure from Madonna's earlier dance tracks, featuring a guitar riff and lyrics about self-identity and forbidden love.
Songwriting and Production
The song was written by Madonna, Mirwais Ahmadzaï, and Joe Henry. Madonna's brother-in-law, Joe Henry, originally wrote "Don't Tell Me" under the title "Stop." Madonna heard the demo and loved it so much she re-wrote it and changed its name.
Music Video
The music video for "Don't Tell Me" was directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. It features Madonna as a cowgirl dancing in front of a video projection. This Western motif was a reflection of the song's folk influences.
Critical Reception
The song received critical praise with many critics hailing it as an innovative and mature effort from Madonna. Rolling Stone listed it among the best songs of the 2000s.
Awards and Nominations
The song received a nomination for Best Short Form Music Video at the 2002 Grammy Awards. And, it won the Best Video award at the International Dance Music Awards in 2001.
Live Performances
Madonna performed "Don't Tell Me" on her Drowned World Tour in 2001, Confessions Tour in 2006, MDNA Tour in 2012, and Rebel Heart Tour in 2015-2016.
Covers and Samples
Several artists have covered this song. It was performed by Glee’s New Directions girls in the eighth episode of season one and American Idol season 11 contestant, Hollie Cavanagh, also did a cover in 2012.

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    Don't Tell Me

    7,141
    73     1

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2001

    Billboard #4


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