Don't Explain (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “Don't Explain” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single by Billie Holiday | ||
| B-side | What Is This Thing Called Love? | |
| Released | 1946 | |
| Format | 78 rpm | |
| Recorded | November 8, 1944 | |
| Genre | Jazz | |
| Length | 2:53 | |
| Label | Decca | |
| Writer(s) | Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr. | |
"Don't Explain" is a song written by jazz singer Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Overview
It is said Billie wrote "Don't Explain" after her husband, Jimmy Monroe, who came home one night with lipstick’s traces on his collar.[2]
Hush now, don't explain
Just say you'll remain
Unless you're mad, don't explain
My love, don't explain
What is there to gain
Skip that lipstick
Don't explain
Hush now, don't explain
You're my love and pain
My life's your love
Don't explain
[edit] Recording Session
Session #52: New York, November 8, 1944, Decca, Toots Camarata and His Orchestra, with Russ Case (trumpet), Hymie Schertzer, Jack Cressey (alto saxophone), Larry Binyon and Dave Harris (tenor saxophone), Dave Bowman (piano), Carl Kress (guitar), Haig Stephens (bass), George Wettling (drums), Billie Holiday (vocals), and six strings.[3]
[edit] Notable cover versions
- George Shearing (1956)
- John Coltrane (1957)
- Charlie Byrd (1958)
- Wes Montgomery (1959)
- Dinah Washington (1961)
- Nina Simone (1964)
- Carmen McRae (1965)
- Lou Rawls (1966)
- Diana Ross (1972)
- Grover Washington (1973)
- Rosemary Conney (1978)
- Natalie Cole (1993)
- Etta James (1994)
- Regina Carter (1995)
- Dakota Staton (1996)
- Sarah Vaughan (2001)
- Herbie Hancock (2005)
- Nnenna Freelon (2007)
- Others[4]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Jacobs, Dick & Harriet. Who Wrote That Song?, Writers Digest Books (1994), page 57 - ISBN 0898796393
- ^ Alagna, Magdalena. Billie Holiday, The Rosen Publishing Group (2003), page 61 - ISBN 0823936406
- ^ Billie Holiday Songs
- ^ All Music: Don't Explain Artist List
