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Don't
Words & Music:
Jerry Leiber/ Mike StollerDon't, don't, that's what you say
Each time that I hold you this way,
When I feel like this and I want to hold you,
baby, don't say don't.
Don't, don't leave my embrace
For here in my arms is your place
When the night grows cold and I want to hold you,
baby, don't say don't.
If you think that this is just a game
I'm playing
If you think that I don't mean
ev'ry word I'm saying
Don't, don't, don't, don't,
Don't feel that way
I'm your love and yours I will stay
This you can believe
I will never leave you
Heave knows I won't
Baby, don't say don't Recorded:
1957/09/06, first released on
singleReactions
Leiber & Stoller wrote this one for Elvis behinds Parker's back. The Colonel was not amused. Elvis should have kicked that Dutch mother...... right there out of his sight. A top ballad.
Very good, but not his best.Those were made in the 70's. 4 stars.
Leiber and Stoller gold * * * * *
Don't and Love Me must be the two best 50s ballads ever.
A classic that is basically unknown. I mean, when was the last time you heard this on the radio or being discussed when Elvis is the topic of discussion? Its criminally ignored, and part of the blame must go to Elvis. In the Lost Perfomance video he is rehearsing this with the band. Its the best part of the video to me. Why oh why then didnt he do it in concert instead yest again turing to cover other people's songs?
Probably would have been a lot better known if he had sung it in concert a few more times. A song classic that has an intensity and deep feeling about it, showing that Mr P. could actually sing pretty well and had the vocal capability to rival the classic balladeers of those years.
This is such a brilliant song and Elvis easily has the very best rendition of it. It rightfully was a #1 hit for Elvis here in the United States. With that said, this song should be way better known than it actually is.
Any doubts about his singing ability on ballads should have completely been put to rest with this single release in 1958. Elvis doesn't just sing it, he feels it and the listener is treated to more than just another weepy ballad, they hear a classic. A song that despite spending five weeks at number one, seems to take second place to "Can't Help Falling In Love", "Are You Lonesome Tonight" and a few other ballads. It shouldn't, this is a five star track from beginning to end.
My favorite Elvis ballad of all time. Its perfect in every way. Despite being a number 1 hit , it is little known by the masses and that amazes me.
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