Don't Explain
Billie Holiday Bob Haggart Orchestra Lyrics
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Just say you'll remain
I'm glad you're back, don't explain
Quiet, don't explain
What is there to gain
Skip that lipstick
Don't explain
You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts of you
For I'm so completely yours
Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right or wrong, don't matter
When you're with me, sweet
Hush now, don't explain
You're my joy and pain
My life's yours, love
Don't explain
You know that I love you
And what love endures
Nothing rates above you
For I'm so completely yours
Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right or wrong, don't matter
When you're with me, sweet
Hush now, don't explain
You're my joy and pain
My life's yours, love
Don't explain
The lyrics of "Don't Explain" by Billie Holiday with Bob Haggart and His Orchestra seem to be addressing a lover who has returned after being away for some time. The singer is happy to see this person back in their life and urges them not to explain themselves, to skip the details and just stay. The singer knows that their lover has cheated on them but chooses to look past that, as they are so completely devoted to this person. This is a song about the raw emotions of love, the kind that can prompt people to forgive the seemingly unforgivable.
Throughout the song, the lyrics show the conflict between the singer's heart and their rational thoughts. While they may be hurt by their lover's infidelity, the love that they feel enables them to look past that and believe in their relationship. The lyrics are evocative in their simplicity, speaking to the directness with which love can overwhelm people.
Overall, the message of the song is that sometimes love is not rational, but that doesn't mean it can't be true or fulfilling. Despite the difficulties that come with loving someone, the singer chooses to embrace the love they have rather than push it away or question it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush now, don't explain
Remain silent, don't justify your actions.
Just say you'll remain
Promise that you'll stay with me.
I'm glad you're back, don't explain
I'm happy you're back with me, no need to explain why you left.
Quiet, don't explain
Stay silent, no need to clarify anything.
What is there to gain
What benefit can you get from explaining things?
Skip that lipstick
Don't bother putting on a facade, just be honest.
You know that I love you
I am deeply in love with you.
And what love endures
Our love can withstand anything.
All my thoughts of you
You occupy all my thoughts.
For I'm so completely yours
I am completely devoted to you.
Cry to hear folks chatter
It hurts me to hear people gossip about us.
And I know you cheat
I am aware that you are unfaithful.
Right or wrong, don't matter
The morality of your actions is irrelevant to me.
When you're with me, sweet
As long as you're with me, everything is fine.
You're my joy and pain
You are both my happiness and my suffering.
My life's yours, love
I belong to you completely.
Nothing rates above you
You are the most important thing in my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARTHUR JR. HERZOG, BILLIE HOLIDAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind