I Don't Need You

Kenny Rogers

About I Don't Need You

"I Don't Need You" is a song written by Rick Christian, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in June 1981 as the lead single from Rogers album Share Your Love. The song was first recorded and released as a single in 1978 by Rick Christian himself (the song's writer) at Shoe Productions, a recording studio/production company in Memphis, TN, but it failed to chart. Harry Nilsson recorded it in 1979 and released it on his Flash Harry album in 1980, but he did not release it as a single. Madeleine Marks also recorded it for her Self Titled album in early 1981, but did not release it as a single Kenny Rogers had collaborated with R&B/pop singer-songwriter Lionel Richie in 1980 with the song "Lady". After the success of that record, Rogers asked Richie to produce his next album, Share Your Love. Although the original plan was for Richie to write all the songs for Rogers' forthcoming album, the two men agreed to accept songs they both liked for the project which had been written by others. "I Don't Need You", written by Rick Christian, was one of those songs. Chosen as the lead single, "I Don't Need You" spent two weeks at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1981. The song also rose to number 1 on two other Billboard music charts, the country chart as well as the adult contemporary chart. It remained atop the latter chart for six weeks in July and August of that year. 


Year:
2006
3:25
53 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

I don't need you.
I don't need friendship.
I don't need flowers in the Spring.
I don't need you.
And you surely don't want me.

I don't need love and affection.
I don't peace and harmony.
I don't need you.
And you surely don't need me.

[Chorus]
But we both want it bad enough.
Yes, we both want it.  Don't we?
I don't need you baby.
And I know you don't need me.

I don't need your loving arms around me.
All I need is to be free.
That's what I keep telling myself.
And I tell you, you don't need me.

I don't need children in my old age.
No more cluttered leaves around the tree.
And I don't need you baby.
And I know you don't need me.

[Chorus]

And we don't need each other, baby.
We don't need each other, baby.
Or do we?

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Kenny Rogers

Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers (born August 21, 1938) is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, entrepreneur and author. Though he has been most successful with country audiences, he has charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres and topping the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone. more »

5 fans

Written by: EVAN BOGART, FRANKIE STORM, MELVIN WATSON, LARRY SUMMERVILLE

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Album Origin
"I Don't Need You" by Kenny Rogers is one of the tracks in his album "Share Your Love" which was released in 1981.
Chart Performance
The song was highly successful, reaching number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, as well as number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Singles chart.
Genre Classification
This song is usually categorized under Country Pop genre.
Artist Background
Kenny Rogers was an established country and pop artist, known for his distinctive husky voice and several hits before he released "I Don't Need You."
Song Theme
"I Don't Need You" is a love song that discusses the complex emotions of needing someone yet pretending not to for the sake of pride.
Notable Recognition
The song's success contributed to Rogers receiving the Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist award at the American Music Awards in 1982.
Song Duration
The runtime of "I Don't Need You" is approximately three minutes and twenty-nine seconds.
Producer
It was produced by Lionel Richie of the Commodores, marking one of the instances where he ventured into producing country music.
Song Creation
The song was written by Rick Christian, an American songwriter.
Album Sales
"I Don't Need You" might have boosted the album's sales as "Share Your Love" was certified platinum in the United States.
Crossover Appeal
"I Don't Need You”, aside from being a country pop song, is versatile as it found audiences in diverse genres such as country, pop, and adult contemporary.
Record Label
"I Don't Need You" was released under the Liberty Records label.
TV Performance
Kenny Rogers performed this song live on an episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1981.
Jukebox Success
The song was successfully inserted in multiple jukeboxes across the US during its peak, reflecting its popularity.
Iconic Lines
One of the most notable lines from the song is, "I don't need you, I don't need friendship... and when I'm alone, I don't need you." Which represents the song's overarching theme of love denial.

Discuss the I Don't Need You Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

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

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "I Don't Need You Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8619179/Kenny+Rogers/I+Don%27t+Need+You>.

    Missing lyrics by Kenny Rogers?

    Know any other songs by Kenny Rogers? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    I Don't Need You

    1.2M
    2,709     142

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1981

    Billboard #3


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    How do you pronounce the name of the American indie band MGMT?
    A migemt
    B migmit
    C em gee em tee
    D managment

    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!

    Kenny Rogers tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    I Don't Need You

    »
    • American Made