Born on the 2nd February 1985 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gardot took up piano and played as a youngster on the nightclub scene of Philadelphia, influenced by jazz, folk, rock, and pop musics. At the age of nineteen she was a fashion student at the Community College of Philadelphia. While cycling in Philadelphia in November 2003 she was hit by a car whose driver had ignored a red traffic light. In the accident she suffered serious head and spinal injuries, and her pelvis was broken in two places. Because of these severe injuries she was confined to her hospital bed for a year. Her musical beginning was prompted by a tending physician who was concerned with her cognitive impairment as a result of head injury sustained in the accident. He believed that music would help her brain injury improve, as it has been known to show remarkable results in improving people's cognitive ability after such trauma.
Following her doctor's suggestion, Gardot made recordings bedside, while still unable to walk, and eventually released the works as an EP: Some Lessons: The Bedroom Sessions (2005). Gardot's desire to be well, combined with a bit of luck, brought her to the attention of a local radio DJ at the AAA station WXPN (known for launching the careers of artists such as Amos Lee and Norah Jones). Her cognitive powers slowly but surely became pronounced, leading to the independent recording and release of her debut CD, Worrisome Heart, which was reissued in 2007 by Verve records.
Gardot is hypersensitive to light and noise, so wears dark glasses; she also uses a cane to walk. Onstage she requires a special seating unit, and wears a Transcutaneous Electro-Nerve Stimulator, a TENS device, to assist in alleviating her neuralgic muscle pain. Though touring is difficult, she has been performing in major cities on the East Coast of the U.S. to support her recordings. In 2009, working with producer Larry Klein and arranger Vince Mendoza - both known for their work with Joni Mitchell - Gardot followed up her Verve debut with My One and Only Thrill.
In 2012, she released the album The Absence.
Don't Talk
Melody Gardot Lyrics
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Don't care 'bout what you done
Don't care 'bout who you knew
Don't make you anyone
Don't care how much you got
Don't care how much you make
Don't talk 'bout what you're not
No need to put a front
No need to lay it on
Say people are too hard, tryin' to get it
Tryin' to get it wrong
You say you got a ride
You got a stack of bills
You say you got your pride
You got your happy pills
You say you got your gold
You say you're rich and well
You say your body's old
But you got the magic spell
No need to put a front
No need to lay it on
Say people are too hard, tryin' to get it
Tryin' to get it wrong
People are too hard, tryin' to get it
Tryin' to get it wrong
Well he who got the money, man
Say he who make the rules
He who got the money, man
He say all of us are fools
He who got the money, man
He ain't got it right
He who got the money, man
Won't sleep alone at night
Now, he gonna sleep alone at night
He gonna sleep alone at night
He gonna sleep alone
No need to put a front
No need to lay it on
Say people are too hard, tryin' to get it
Tryin' to get it wrong
People are too hard, tryin' to get it
Tryin' to get it wrong
Don't talk 'bout what you do
Don't talk 'bout what you done
Don't you tell me 'bout who you knew
It don't make you anyone, now
It don't make you anyone, now
It don't make you, it don't make you
Don't make you anyone
Don't make you anyone, now
Melody Gardot's song "Don't Talk" is about the emptiness of materialistic pursuits and societal pressures to present a façade of success and happiness, rather than focusing on genuine connection and authenticity. The lyrics suggest that people should not define themselves by their wealth, status or accomplishments, as these things do not make them better or more significant than others. Instead, the song encourages listeners to be honest, authentic, and not try to impress others or gain their approval by pretending to be someone they're not.
The song's message is particularly relevant in a world where social media and consumer culture often encourage people to compare themselves to others and create an idealized version of themselves for others to see. Gardot challenges this narrative, suggesting that real happiness and fulfillment come from being true to oneself and not getting caught up in the game of presenting a façade.
Overall, "Don't Talk" is a powerful reminder to focus on what truly matters in life and avoid the temptation to define oneself by superficial measures of success and value.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't care 'bout what you do
I am not concerned with your actions
Don't care 'bout what you done
I am not concerned with what you have accomplished
Don't care 'bout who you knew
The people you associate with do not define you
Don't make you anyone
Your past and present do not define your worth as a person
Don't care how much you got
The amount of wealth you possess is irrelevant to me
Don't care how much you make
Your income is of no significance to me
Don't talk 'bout what you're not
Do not lie about who you are
Don't play the record straight
Avoid being predictable and repetitive
No need to put a front
There is no need to lie or be insincere
No need to lay it on
Do not exaggerate or fabricate stories
Say people are too hard, tryin' to get it
People can be harsh and judgmental
Tryin' to get it wrong
They often make incorrect assumptions about others
You say you got a ride
You claim to have transportation
You got a stack of bills
You have a pile of unpaid debts
You say you got your pride
You claim to have self-respect
You got your happy pills
You use medication to mask your emotional pain
You say you got your gold
You claim to have a significant amount of money
You say you're rich and well
You present yourself as a wealthy and successful individual
You say your body's old
You claim to be aged
But you got the magic spell
You have an aura of charisma
Well he who got the money, man
The person who possesses money
Say he who make the rules
They are the ones who create rules and regulations
He who got the money, man
The individual with wealth
He say all of us are fools
They hold a disdainful attitude towards others
He who got the money, man
The person with money
He ain't got it right
Their wealth does not equate to them being informed or right
He who got the money, man
The wealthy individual
Won't sleep alone at night
They will not find peace even with their money
Don't you tell me 'bout who you knew
The people you know do not make you a better person
It don't make you anyone, now
Your connections do not define your worth as an individual
It don't make you, it don't make you
Your social status is unrelated to your identity
Don't make you anyone
Your past and present do not define your worth as a person
Don't make you anyone, now
Your background and social connections do not define you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MELODY GARDOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind