As opposed to the tag female vocalists which should represent plural, female vocalists as in a group (more than one sings the vocals), such examples include Sleater-Kinney or t.A.T.u.)
Don't Speak
No Doubt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every day together, always
I really feel that I'm losin' my best friend
I can't believe this could be the end
It looks as though you're lettin' go
And if it's real, well, I don't want to know
Don't speak, I know just what you're sayin'
So please stop explainin'
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't speak, I know what you're thinkin'
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Our memories, well, they can be inviting
But some are altogether mighty frightening
As we die, both you and I
With my head in my hands, I sit and cry
Don't speak, I know just what you're sayin'
So please stop explainin'
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts, no, no, no
Don't speak, I know what you're thinkin'
And I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
It's all ending
We gotta stop pretending
Who we are
You and me
I can see us dyin'
Aren't we?
Don't speak, I know just what you're sayin'
So please stop explainin'
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
No, no, don't speak, I know what you're thinkin'
And I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
I know what you're sayin'
So please stop explainin'
Don't speak, don't speak
Don't speak, no
I know what you're thinkin'
And I don't need your reasons
I know you're good, I know you're good
I know you're real good, oh
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
Don't, don't, ooh, ooh
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Oh, hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, darling
The lyrics to No Doubt's song Don't Speak describe the end of a relationship where one partner is breaking up with the other, causing the singer to lose their best friend. The singer knows exactly what their partner is saying and they do not need any explanation or reasons as they know it will only hurt them more. Memories of their time together may be inviting, but they are also frightening. The chorus "Don't speak, I know what you're thinking" appears to be the singer's attempt to protect themselves from further pain by avoiding any discussion or explanation of the situation. Furthermore, the lyrics point to the inevitability of the relationship ending with the line "I can see us dying," reinforcing the sense of helplessness and despair of the singer.
The chorus of "Don't Speak" became an anthem of sorts in the late 1990s and early 2000s when it was played extensively on the airwaves. The song was written by No Doubt band members Eric Stefani and Gwen Stefani, and it was released in 1996, two years after it was originally written. Its popularity and the band's success helped cement their place as one of the most iconic groups of their time. Here are some interesting facts about the song:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me, we used to be together
We were once in a relationship.
Every day together, always
We were together every single day.
I really feel that I'm losin' my best friend
I feel like I'm losing the person who was my best friend.
I can't believe this could be the end
I never thought our relationship would end like this.
It looks as though you're lettin' go
You seem to be moving away from our relationship.
And if it's real, well, I don't want to know
If this is really happening, I don't want to know.
Don't speak, I know just what you're sayin'
I understand what you're trying to say, so don't say it out loud.
So please stop explainin'
I don't want to hear your explanation.
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
I already know the truth, so telling me will only make it worse.
Don't speak, I know what you're thinkin'
I can tell what you're thinking even without you saying it.
I don't need your reasons
I don't need to know why this is happening.
Our memories, well, they can be inviting
Our memories can be comforting and tempting to hold on to.
But some are altogether mighty frightening
Some memories are too scary to think about.
As we die, both you and I
Our relationship is dying slowly.
With my head in my hands, I sit and cry
I can't bear the pain of losing you.
It's all ending
Our relationship is coming to an end.
We gotta stop pretending
We need to stop pretending that everything is okay.
Who we are
We need to accept who we are and move on.
You and me
We were once together.
I can see us dyin'
I can see our relationship ending.
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts, no, no, no
I don't want to hear the painful truth.
It hurts
The truth is painful and hurts me deeply.
I know you're good
I know you're a good person, but that isn't enough to save our relationship.
I know you're real good, oh
I know you're really great, but it doesn't change the fact that our relationship is ending.
Hush, hush, darling
Please don't say anything that will cause us more pain.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eric Stefani, Gwen Stefani
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Limits98
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You and me
We used to be together
Every day together, always
I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe this could be the end
[Pre-Chorus]
It looks as though
You're letting go
And if it's real, well, I don't want to know
[Chorus]
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
[Verse 2]
Our memories
They can be inviting
But some are altogether mighty frightening
[Pre-Chorus]
As we die
Both you and I
With my head in my hands, I sit and cry
[Chorus]
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts, no, no, no
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
[Bridge]
It's all ending
I gotta stop pretending
Who we are
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
You and me
I can see us dying
Are we?
[Chorus]
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
No, no, don't speak
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
[Chorus]
I know what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't speak, don't speak
Don't speak, no
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
I know you're good
I know you're good
I know you're real good, oh
[Post-Chorus]
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
Don't, don't, ooh, ooh
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, don't tell me 'cause it hurts
[Outro]
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Oh, hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, darling
Mia Mitten
Call me crazy, but Don’t Speak is one of the best songs of all time. Genuinely ageless. Plus I love the guitar solo.
LeonL47
Way better than the stuff we have today, hip hop about shaking ass and drugging men 🤣.
Maria Gutierrez
Sounds like a classic Spanish guitar rift
Johnathon Garcia
@LeonL47 you can enjoy all types of music, brotha.
Евгения Ненашева
Согласна!!!! I love this song too!!!
LeonL47
@Johnathon Garcia No I cant. Only good music.
Split Dimension
The choice of lyrics, changes in melody and tone, and how it changes throughout the song makes this a masterpiece both written and sung and performed. This is a timeless song. I don't think any other song brings out more range out of a singer and band than a song like this.
There is none Good but God John 3:16, Rev 3:16
All Humans need to repent & Believe in Jesus as their God. Why? Because all Humans have sinned (lied, lusted sexually, stolen, dishonoured parents etc). Avoid the fires of Hell (justice of God) and choose Heaven today. Jesus defeated death by rising from the dead. GOD IS HOLY
ppppl
@There is none Good but God John 3:16, Rev 3:16 God its a lie
Márcio Braz Santana
Nossa, ouvi demais na minha adolescência. Muito. Vocês não tem noção. Uma das melhores canções da música pop.