Don't You Know I Care
Duke Ellington; Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra Lyrics


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Don't you know I care
Or don't you care to know?
If you know I care,
How can you hurt me so.
Darling, you are part of ev'ry breath I take
Will you break my heart
Or give my heart a break?
I can't figure out what love's all about,
and where I fit into your scheme.
Am I wasting time, please tell me
'Cause I'm down to my last dream.
Won't you please be fair,
Love me or let me go




Don't you know I care
Or don't you care to know?

Overall Meaning

In "Don't You Know I Care," Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra express the deep feelings of a brokenhearted lover who is confused about their relationship. The lyrics reveal a sense of desperation and pleading for clarity about his partner's intentions. The singer asks whether their partner understands the depth of their love and how they could be hurt so badly despite caring so deeply.


The singer expresses how their love is an integral part of their being, and they wonder whether their partner will end up breaking their heart or give them a chance. The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, depicting the vulnerability that comes with being in love. The singer confesses that they cannot figure out the complexities of love and where they stand in their partner's life. They are seeking confirmation of their relationship status and assurance that they are not wasting their time. The song ends with an impassioned plea for fairness and a request for the partner to reciprocate the love or let the singer go.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't you know I care
I have deep feelings for you.


Or don't you care to know?
Do you care about my feelings at all?


If you know I care
Assuming you're aware of my feelings,


How could you hurt me so?
Why would you do something to hurt me then?


Darling, you are part
My feelings for you are such,


Of every breath I take
That you are present in my thoughts every moment.


Will you break my heart
Are you going to hurt me emotionally?


Or give my heart a break?
Or treat me with kindness and compassion?


I can't figure out what love's all about
I'm confused about the nature of love.


And where I fit into your scheme
And how I fit into your life.


Am I wasting time? Please tell me
I don't know if the time I'm spending is worthwhile or not.


'Cause I'm down to my last dream
As my hopes and dreams for us are dwindling.


Won't you please be fair?
Can you treat me with honesty and respect?


Love me or let me go
Either love me as I love you, or let me move on from this relationship.


Don't you know I care
My feelings for you are sincere.


Or don't you care to know?
Do you even care about how I feel?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@funkycatglasses01

Beautiful band. Beautifu voice <3

@tacoandpie

amazing

@angelabryant8808

Gorgeous song. je t aime a la folie.

@FireypepperCP

12/1/2020





Duke - Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care to Know)

@lorismonthoux1761

Nice voice, all right, but I definitely think that the crooner was not necessary.

@erforderlich5274

I tend to agree - mainly because he keeps missing the half step in the first bar. (Hodges plays it...) It's an extraordinary composition, especially the bridge.

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