I Don't Mind
Ivie Anderson Duke Ellington and his Orchestra Lyrics
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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,
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?
In the lyrics of "I Don't Mind," Ivie Anderson sings about the confusion and pain she feels in a romantic relationship. She questions whether the person she loves is aware of her feelings for them or if they simply choose not to acknowledge them. Anderson wonders how they can hurt her when they know she cares deeply for them. She sees her beloved as an integral part of her existence, as important as the air she breathes. She pleads for them not to break her heart but to show her some kindness.
The lyrics reflect Anderson's uncertainty about love and where she fits into her partner's life. She acknowledges that she cannot comprehend the complexities of love and how she fits into her lover's plans. She questions if she is wasting her time, as she feels that her dreams of a fulfilling relationship are dwindling. She implores her partner to be fair to her, to either love her or let her go. The song is a plea for clarity and understanding, as Anderson yearns to know if her love is reciprocated or if it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know I care
Do you not realize that I deeply care for you?
Or don't you care to know?
Or perhaps you simply do not want to acknowledge my feelings?
If you know I care
If you are aware of the depth of my affection
How can you hurt me so.
Why then, would you intentionally inflict pain upon me?
Darling, you are part of ev'ry breath I take
My dear, you are an inseparable component of each and every breath I inhale
Will you break my heart
Are you going to shatter my heart into pieces
Or give my heart a break?
Or will you grant my heart a respite from sorrow?
I can't figure out what love's all about,
I'm unable to comprehend the complexities and true nature of love
and where I fit into your scheme.
Or where exactly I fit into your plans and desires
Am I wasting time, please tell me
Am I investing my time in futile pursuits? I beseech you to inform me
'Cause I'm down to my last dream.
Because I am left with only one remaining aspiration
Won't you please be fair,
I implore you, can you not treat me with fairness?
Love me or let me go
Either embrace my love wholeheartedly or allow me to depart freely
Don't you know I care
Have you not comprehended the depths of my affection?
Or don't you care to know?
Or do you simply choose to remain ignorant of my feelings?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Henri de Lagardère
Beautiful song that had the makings of an Ellington standard. Duke's right-hand piano line heard in the intro and then at 2:28 resurfaced many years later as Looking Glass, a delicate and quite wistful piano piece. It's the kind of song that suited Ivie best of all singers, really tailor-made for her. Imagine the luxury when the tailors are none other than Duke & Strays! This is a particularly rich arrangement, just listen at those splendid harmonies the clarinets play, or Sonny Greer subtly driving the band.
jeanmariejuf1
I was just about to post the same comment about "Looking Glass". I'm glad someone else noticed this !