Don't (Ed Sheeran song)

"Don't"
Single by Ed Sheeran
from the album ×
B-side"Friends"
Released24 August 2014 (2014-08-24)
Recorded2013–14
Genre
Length3:42
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ed Sheeran singles chronology
"Sing"
(2014) 		"Don't"
(2014) 		"Thinking Out Loud"
(2014)
Music video
"Don't" on YouTube

"Don't" is a song by English singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, for his second studio album, × (2014). Written by Sheeran and Benny Blanco and produced by Blanco and Rick Rubin, the song samples "Don't Mess with My Man" by Lucy Pearl.[1] It was initially planned as the album's lead single, but was passed over in favour of "Sing". It was instead released to iTunes on 13 June 2014 as the second "instant grat" promotional single from ×. "Don't" officially impacted US contemporary hit radio on 15 July 2014 as the album's second single.

"Don't" peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, it became Sheeran's first top 10 single. It also made the top 10 in eight other countries.

Background and composition

[edit]

The song developed from a riff which Sheeran had on his phone for a year.[2] Sheeran first recorded the track with producer Benny Blanco,[3] who was also credited as co-writer under his real name, Benjamin Levin. Sheeran recorded it again with Rick Rubin. The two producers produced the final cut. "Don't" is an R&B song[4][5] with a "blue-eyed soul hymn".[6]

The lyrics consist of three verses, about which Sheeran elaborated: "The first verse is the setup, the second explains the situation, and the third is the outcome, with a chorus in between each."[7] A lyrical screed, it alludes a short-lived relationship Sheeran had with another singer.[8] He sings: "For me and her, we make money the same way/ Four cities, two planes in the same day."[9] Sheeran scorned the former girl for having sex with another guy, and used an expletive in the line "Don't fuck with my love".[6] Sheeran revealed he wrote the song out of frustration, and, story-wise, the lyrics are self-explanatory. He recalled the events that inspired his writing: "[...] it was one of those situations where someone comes across as a very, very sweet, innocent person, and you take that for granted, then stuff unravels and you see a different side to them."[2] The song was therapeutic because writing it made him feel better afterwards.[9]

About his other songs, Sheeran has openly stated who inspired the lyrical content.[10] But since the release of "Don't", he has remained silent about the subject of the song.[11] On 31 October 2015, Fuse posted an interview in which Sheeran says, "'Don't' is just a song that’s close to the bone and definitely opened up a door that I probably shouldn't have opened up. [...] I just won't say who it's about because... I mean everyone, everyone fucking knows anyway. But like I just won't say who it's about cause it's quite a negative song." It has been rumored to be about English singer Ellie Goulding, but Goulding has denied these rumors and stated that she and Sheeran were never in a relationship.[10]

"Don't" is written in the key of F minor with a tempo of 92 beats per minute.[12]

Release and reception

[edit]

Sheeran did not intend to release the song on the album, because the lyrics were therapeutic and personal.[9][11] He was however persuaded by those who had heard the song to release it, as it was "an alright song".[9] He revealed that "the more [he] listened back [he] thought this is an alright song".[11]

"Don't" was planned to be released as the first single from the album until March 2014, when "Sing" was chosen.[13] Billboard speculated that the provocative, "Don't fuck with my love", chorus prompted the change.[3] Sheeran debuted a snippet of the song in a commercial for Beats by Dr. Dre in May 2014.[13]

On 13 June 2014, "Don't" was made available to customers, who pre-ordered ×, as the second "instant grat" promotional single,[14] following "One", and an official audio stream was released on Sheeran's YouTube page.[5] An extended play accompanied the release of the single, featuring a remix by Rick Ross, a live cover of Nina Simone's "Be My Husband", and a non-album song, "Everything You Are". Notably, Sheeran's lyrics aren't censored on the Rick Ross remix, but are on the album version. "Don't" officially impacted US contemporary hit radio on 15 July 2014.[15]

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard wrote: "[...] 'Don't' shows that Sheeran is not afraid to be dangerous, or even explicit, on his sophomore set."[6]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the UK, the song reached No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart on its ninth week on the chart.[16] As of September 2017, the song sold 399,000 copies in actual sales, and it also has 67 million streams, giving a total of 1,073,000 combined units in the UK.[17]

In the US, "Don't" reached No. 9 on the all-encompassing Billboard Hot 100 chart; it marked Sheeran's first single to reach the top 10 on that chart.[18] As of January 2015, the single sold 1,464,000 digital copies in the US.[19]

Music video

[edit]

An accompanying music video was released on YouTube on 4 August 2014. The video was directed by Emil Nava and follows a dancer (Phillip Chbeeb from I.aM.mE) going from poverty to wealth.[20] Sheeran makes a brief drive-by cameo appearance. 4Music called it a "compelling watch".[21]

Live performances

[edit]

On 12 April 2014, Sheeran performed "Don't" on Saturday Night Live.[22] On 17 September 2014, Sheeran sang it during the season 9 finale of America's Got Talent.[23] On 6 February 2015, Sheeran performed the song on The Late Late Show; he was accompanied by John Mayer on the guitar.[24]

Formats and track listings

[edit]
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Don't"3:39
CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Don't"3:39
2."Friends"3:10
Digital download – extended play
No.TitleLength
1."Don't" (Rick Ross Remix)4:17
2."Be My Husband" (Live from Glastonbury)7:50
3."Everything You Are"3:58
4."Friends"3:10
Digital download – UK extended play
No.TitleLength
1."Don't" (Rick Ross Remix)4:17
2."Be My Husband" (Live from Glastonbury)7:50
3."Everything You Are"3:58

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Don't"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[81] 5× Platinum 350,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[82] Platinum 30,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[83] 6× Platinum 480,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[84] 2× Platinum 180,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[85] Platinum 400,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[86] 2× Platinum 100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[87] Platinum 15,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[88] Gold 30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[89] Platinum 40,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[90] Platinum 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[91] 3× Platinum 1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[92] 5× Platinum 5,000,000‡
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[93] Platinum 2,600,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates for "Don't"
Region Date Format
United Kingdom[94] 14 August 2014 Contemporary hit radio

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Asilo, Rito P. (5 July 2014). "Ed Sheeran slinks out of his comfort zone". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Entertainment. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Ed Sheeran talks through new album". Music-News. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  3. ^ a b Willman, Chris (7 April 2014). "Ed Sheeran Un-Zipped: On His Pharrell-Produced Single, Being a Sex Symbol and Turning Betrayal Into Song (Cover Story)". Billboard. p. 2. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  4. ^ Lee, Ashley (30 May 2014). "Ed Sheeran Debuts Cheating Song 'Don't' in Beats by Dre Ad (Watch)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. ^ a b Menyes, Carolyn. "Ed Sheeran New Single 'Don't' Probably Touches on Ellie Goulding Cheating in the Most Grooving Way Possible". Music Times. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason. "Ed Sheeran, 'x': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  7. ^ Graff, Gary (14 October 2014). "Ed Sheeran Talks New Album, Jamming With Usher & Skrillex and His 90s Hip-Hop Jam 'Don't'". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  8. ^ Doyle, Patrick (7 April 2014). "Ed Sheeran's Heartache and Wildest Nights: Behind His Raw LP 'X' | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d Garibaldi, Christina (16 May 2014). "Don't Get Ed Sheeran Mad - He Might Write A Song About You". MTV. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Revealed: Ed Sheeran Won't Say Who "Don't" Is About". Fuse. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  11. ^ a b c Kennedy, John (23 June 2014). "VIBE Summer 2014 Cover Story: Ed Sheeran". Vibe. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  12. ^ Ed Sheeran "Don't" Sheet Music musicnotes.com
  13. ^ a b Carter, Caitlin. "Ed Sheeran Debuts New Song 'Don't' In Beats By Dre Commercial [WATCH]". Music Times. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  14. ^ "Show Clip - Sheerios Rejoice! Ed Sheeran Will Release A Few Songs Before The New Album Hits Stores - MTV". MTV. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  16. ^ "Don't". The Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ Copsey, Rob (19 September 2017). "The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed". The Official Charts Company.
  18. ^ Trust, Gary (22 October 2014). "Meghan Trainor Rules Hot 100, Ed Sheeran Hits Top 10, Glen Campbell Returns". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  19. ^ Grein, Paul (7 January 2015). "Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars Jump to #1 on Hot 100". Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  20. ^ "Watch Ed Sheeran's Inspirational, Dance-Centric New Video 'Don't'". Rolling Stone. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  21. ^ "This Week's Fresh Music Top 20". 10 August 2014. 4Music. {{cite episode}}: Missing or empty |series= (help)
  22. ^ Coleman, Miriam (13 April 2014). "Ed Sheeran Debuts New 'X' Song on 'SNL'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  23. ^ Chau, Thomas (17 September 2014). "Ed Sheeran Sings 'Don't' on 'America's Got Talent' Finale [VIDEO]". Popcrush. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  24. ^ Tan, Emily (7 February 2015). "John Mayer and Ed Sheeran Get Tattoos and Perform 'Don't' on 'Late Late Show' [Video]". Popcrush. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  26. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  27. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  28. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  29. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  30. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  31. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  32. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  33. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 43. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  34. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 27. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  35. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't". Tracklisten. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  36. ^ "Euro Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  37. ^ "Ed Sheeran: Don't" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  38. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  39. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  40. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  41. ^ "Chart Track: Week 1, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  42. ^ "Media Forest Week 37, 2014". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  43. ^ "Ed Sheeran Lebanese Chart Top 20 History". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  44. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 31, 2014" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  45. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  46. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  47. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  48. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  49. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201438 into search. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  50. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201435 into search. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  51. ^ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  52. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  53. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  54. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Don't". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  55. ^ "Ed Sheeran: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  56. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  57. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  58. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  59. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  60. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  61. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  62. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  63. ^ "End of Year Charts – ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  64. ^ "2014 Year End Charts – Top Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  65. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  66. ^ "MAHASZ Stream TOP 100 - 2014" (in Hungarian). Association of Hungarian Record Companies. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  67. ^ "FIMI - Classifiche Annuali 2014 "TOP OF THE MUSIC" FIMI-GfK: un anno di musica italiana" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  68. ^ "Jaarlijsten 2014" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  69. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 2014". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  70. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2014". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  71. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2014" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  72. ^ "Swiss Year-end Charts 2014". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  73. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2014". Official Charts. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  74. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  75. ^ "Adult Pop Songs Year End 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Media Group. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  76. ^ "Pop Songs Year End 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Media Group. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  77. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  78. ^ "Hot 100: Year End 2015". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  79. ^ "Adult Pop Songs Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Media Group. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  80. ^ "Pop Songs Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Media Group. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  81. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  82. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  83. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Music Canada. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  84. ^ "Danish single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  85. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ed Sheeran; 'Don´t')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  86. ^ "Italian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  87. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  88. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  89. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 48, 2014 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 23 August 2022. Scroll to position 36 to view certification.
  90. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Don't')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  91. ^ "British single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  92. ^ "American single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  93. ^ "Danish single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  94. ^ "BBC Radio 1". BBC. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Don%27t_(Ed_Sheeran_song)&oldid=1258665072"