She was born in Chicago, Illinois. She sang gospel music in churches in her teens, and spent 11 years as part of an a cappella choir. Turning to jazz, she worked the local Chicago club scene before linking up with arranger King Fleming and recording several albums for King Records between 1957 and 1959, including some with pianist Ramsey Lewis.
She moved to Los Angeles in 1962 to further her career. She continued to record, and appeared in clubs and on television. She remains best known for her album Alexandria the Great (Impulse! Records, 1964), which featured her in a variety of contexts ranging from big bands to small groups, including several tracks with the Wynton Kelly Trio. Other musicians she recorded with included Howard McGhee, Gildo Mahones, Toots Camarata and Houston Person. After several years without a recording contract in the late 1960s and early 1970s, she re-emerged to record for labels such as Discovery and Muse. She continued to record until the mid 1990s, without ever making a major commercial breakthrough.
She died in 2001 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 71, having suffered a stroke several years earlier.
Don't Explain
Lorez Alexandria Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just say you'll remain
I'm led, your bed
Don't explain
Quiet, don't explain
What is there to gain
Skip that, lipstick
You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I'm so completely yours
Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right around don't matter
When I'm with you sweet
Hush now, don't explain
Your my joy and pain
My lies, yours love
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
Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right around don't matter
When you with me sweet
Hush now, don't explain
Your my joy and pain
My lies, yours love
Don't explain
In "Don't Explain," Lorez Alexandria expresses a request to her lover not to explain or defend their actions. She asks them to simply stay with her and assure her that they are there to stay. The main theme of the song is unconditional love and forgiveness, regardless of any wrongdoing. Both the lyrics and melody of the song are plaintive and mournful, evoking heartache and longing.
Through the lyrics, Lorez Alexandria highlights her enduring love for her partner and how, regardless of any mistakes her partner may have made, or any gossip that circulates in their circles, she forgives them for their transgressions. She begs her partner not to explain, to keep their secrets safe, and to hold onto their moments together.
The lines "you know that I love you / and what love endures / all my thoughts are of you / for I'm so completely yours" highlight the depth of Lorez Alexandria's love for her partner, despite their flaws. The last line of the song, "my lies, yours love, don't explain," reinforces the idea that love is complex and multifaceted and can encompass both pain and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush now, don't explain
Please be silent and don't give an explanation
Just say you'll remain
Promise that you will stay
I'm led, your bed
Where you go, I'll follow
Don't explain
Don't try to justify yourself
Quiet, don't explain
Please be quiet and do not try to justify yourself
What is there to gain
What purpose would it serve?
Skip that, lipstick
Don't bother with your appearance
Don't explain
Don't try to justify yourself
You know that I love you
You are aware of my feelings for you
And what love endures
Love can withstand anything
All my thoughts are of you
I'm constantly thinking about you
For I'm so completely yours
I belong completely to you
Cry to hear folks chatter
It hurts me to hear others talking about us
And I know you cheat
I am aware that you are unfaithful
Right around don't matter
Their opinions do not matter
When I'm with you sweet
Being with you makes everything okay
Your my joy and pain
You bring me both happiness and pain
My lies, yours love
I am dishonest, but your love is true
Don't explain
Don't try to justify yourself
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Jr. Herzog, Billie Holiday
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind