Wilson's repertoire includes both jazz and blues standards and renditions of pop and rock songs. Her contralto voice has been described as bluesy and sultry, and the style of her music ranges from swing to funk to bossa nova. Many of the songs she covers are by artists who usually record in other genres.
Wilson counts the late Miles Davis as one of her greatest influences. In 1989 she performed as the opening act for Davis at the JVC Jazz Festival in Chicago. In 1999 she produced Traveling Miles as a tribute to Davis. The album developed from a series of jazz concerts that she performed at Lincoln Center in November 1997 in Davis's honor and includes three selections based on Davis's own compositions, in which Wilson adapted the original themes.
A Brief Discography
Point of View (1986, JMT)
Days Aweigh (1987, JMT)
Blue Skies (1988, JMT)
Jumpworld (1989, JMT)
She Who Weeps (1990, JMT)
Live (1991, JMT)
After the Beginning Again (1992, JMT)
Dance to the Drums Again (1992, DIW/Columbia)
Blue Light 'til Dawn (1993, Blue Note)
New Moon Daughter (1995, Blue Note)
Rendezvous (with Jacky Terrasson) (1998, Blue Note)
Traveling Miles (1999, Blue Note)
Belly of the Sun (2002, Blue Note)
Glamoured (2003, Blue Note)
Thunderbird (2006, Blue Note)
Loverly (2008, Blue Note)
Silver Pony (2010, Blue Note)
Another Country (2012, eOne)
Official website: www.cassandrawilson.com
Don't Explain
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is there to gain
I'm glad I′m back
Don't explain
Quiet, don't explain
I said what is there to gain?
I see lipstick
You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I′m so completely yours
Don't want to hear folks chatter
About you trying to cheat
Right or wrong, it matters
If you want my sweets
Hush now, don′t explain
You're my joy and my pain
My lips on yours dear
Don′t explain
You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I'm so completely yours
Don′t want to hear folks chatter
About you trying to cheat
Right or wrong, it matters
If you want my sweets
Hush now, don't explain
You're my joy and my pain
My lips on yours dear
Don′t explain
Cassandra Wilson's "Don't Explain" is a powerful ballad about unconditional love and acceptance, even in the face of betrayal. The song begins with the lines, "Hush now, don't explain. What is there to gain? I'm glad I'm back. Don't explain." These lyrics suggest that the singer has been away for some time, only to return to find that their partner has been unfaithful. The singer urges their partner not to explain, perhaps because they already know what happened or because they simply don't want to hear it.
As the song continues, the singer makes it clear that their love for their partner is unwavering, despite the infidelity. They say, "All my thoughts are of you. For I'm so completely yours." The singer also acknowledges the potential gossip and judgment from outsiders, but insists that it doesn't matter as long as their partner is faithful going forward. The song ends with the lines, "Hush now, don't explain. You're my joy and my pain. My lips on yours dear. Don't explain." These lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to forgive their partner and move forward with their relationship, without dwelling on the past.
Overall, "Don't Explain" is a powerful testament to the complexity of love and relationships. While many songs focus on the initial stages of a romance or the pain of a breakup, this song chooses to focus on the messy, difficult middle ground where forgiveness and acceptance are necessary for a relationship to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush now, don't explain
Be quiet and do not try to justify your actions or words.
What is there to gain?
There is no benefit in trying to explain things now.
I'm glad I'm back, Don't explain
I am happy to be with you again, so let's not dwell on the past.
Quiet, don't explain
Please be quiet, I do not want to hear your explanations.
I see lipstick, Don't explain
I have noticed evidence of your infidelity, but I do not want to hear about it.
You know that I love you
Despite everything, my love for you remains strong.
And what love endures
True love can overcome any obstacle.
All my thoughts are of you
You are constantly on my mind.
For I'm so completely yours
I belong to you and you alone.
Don't want to hear folks chatter
I do not want to hear rumors or gossip about our relationship.
About you trying to cheat
In particular, I do not want to hear about your infidelities.
Right or wrong, it matters
Regardless of whether you were right or wrong, your actions have consequences.
If you want my sweets
If you want to be with me, you must remain faithful.
You're my joy and my pain
You bring me both happiness and sadness.
My lips on yours dear
Despite everything, I still desire physical intimacy with you.
Don't explain
It is better to say nothing at all than to try and explain the situation.
Writer(s): Billie Holiday, Arthur Jr. Herzog
Contributed by Matthew W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anthony Newlon
She expresses of the pitch and melody of brown brush colored with autumn hues slowly moving towards its desired destiny. She's truly a jewel of African artistry. BEAUTIFUL SISTA SING
Kent Hewitt
Worked a gig w/ Cassandra, in Hartford, circa 1981, and we were very impressed, and thought she was extraordinary, and we're so happy she made it big. The experience was unforgettable, ....like her. The first song she sang was Duke's "In a Mellow Tone" and she did a unique scat chorus that I used in a jazz vocal class at Berklee later. Thank you for this wonderful post.
momo Monique
WOW. This is superb, joyful, and real singing.
canale2303
I bought this cd today. Musicians are top notch, and her voice makes my bones vibrate. One of the most beautiful record I own.
Reid Whitton
I bought about 8 or 9 of her CDs this year. Cassandra is a artist!
Orutra Sajevan
Cassandra como siempre. Una verdadera Maravilla!!!! los músicos no se quedan atrás.
Walter Houston
When real royalty walks into a room they don’t have to be announced. You already know who they are. Beyond royalty Cassandra is the goddess Oshun!!
The Gifted Marki
Ase
zanahorias07
I was wondering how she was going to interpret Billie, but it works!! Ms Wilson uses some complex transposition to achieve that unique sound...'Traveling Miles' remains her magnum opus.
Наташа Сальвадора
Thank you, Cassandra - ты прекрасна, я очень рад, что ты есть !!! 🙂💔👏‼