Don't Explain
Peggy Lee Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hush now don't explain
I know you raise Cain
I'm glad you're back
Don't explain

Quiet, don't explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
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
But right and wrong don't matter when you're with me sleep

Hush now, don't explain
You're my joy and pain





My life's yours love
Don't explain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Peggy Lee's "Don't Explain" are a plea to a lover to spare her the details of his recent escapades. The singer expresses an understanding of his infidelity - "I know you raise Cain" - and gratitude for his return despite the temptation he found elsewhere - "I'm glad you're back." The repeated request to "hush" and "quiet" is an admonition to avoid any explanation of his absence or dalliances. In the second verse, the singer implies that the lover was with another woman - "You mixed with some dame" - but again requests that he spare her any further information about his indiscretions - "Skip that lipstick, don't explain." The singer's resolve to overlook his flaws stems from her unwavering love for him - "You know that I love you and what love endures" - and a sense of ownership over the lover's life - "My life's yours love, don't explain."


Line by Line Meaning

Hush now don't explain
Please be quiet and do not try to justify or explain your actions.


I know you raise Cain
I am aware that you cause trouble and behave recklessly.


I'm glad you're back
I am happy to have you by my side once again.


Don't explain
I do not need to hear your excuses or reasons for your actions.


Quiet, don't explain
Please remain quiet and do not try to explain your behavior.


You mixed with some dame
You have been seen with another woman.


Skip that lipstick
Please do not try to cover up your actions with lies or excuses.


Don't explain
I do not want or need to hear your explanation or justification.


You know that I love you and what love endures
I love you despite your faults and I am willing to endure any hardships that come with it.


All my thoughts are of you
I constantly think about you and only you.


For I'm so completely yours
I belong to you completely and only you.


Cry to hear folks chatter, and I know you cheat
It pains me to hear others talk about your infidelity.


But right and wrong don't matter when you're with me sleep
When we are together, nothing else matters, not even societal standards of right and wrong.


Hush now, don't explain
Please remain quiet and do not try to justify your actions.


You're my joy and pain
You bring me both happiness and pain, but I love you nonetheless.


My life's yours love
My life belongs to you, my love for you is all-consuming.


Don't explain
I do not need or want to hear your justifications or excuses for your actions.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Jr. Herzog, Billie Holiday

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Anonymous


on Why Don't You Do Right (Get Me Some Money Too)

Why Don't You Do Right - Casey Abrams - Lyrics
You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too?
You're sitting there wondering what it's all about
You ain't got no money, they will throw you out
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?

Musical Interlude

You had plenty money 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too?
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?