Don't
Sheryl Crow Lyrics


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Don't hold me and tell me that everything's gonna be fine
Don't tell me how my love for you will grow deeper in time
Here as I stand in the light of day
I move my lips but no one hears one word I say
So don't carry my suitcase and tell me how lovely I look
Don't dream of me ironing the sheets or learning to cook
Yesterday was a long time ago
If only I knew then what it is I now know
Is anybody out there?
Doesn't anybody understand?
Love is not a contract made between a woman and a man

Don't tell me that dreams are devised for the young and for fools
Don't kiss me and tell me that we can rewrite all the rules
Here as I stand in the light of day
I move my lips but no one hears one word I say
Is anybody out there?
Doesn't anybody understand?
Love is not a handshake made between a woman and a man





Don't whisper I love you and tell me it's all for the best
Don't tell me I'm tired, I'll feel better once I get some rest

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sheryl Crow's song "Don't" are a message of empowerment for women who have been in relationships where they were not heard, seen or respected. The song opens with a powerful statement, "Don't hold me and tell me that everything's gonna be fine." This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is a direct plea to her partner to stop making assumptions about her and to start listening to what she has to say. She goes on to say that she is standing in the light of day, but no one is hearing her, emphasizing her frustration and loneliness.


Crow then moves on to challenge the societal expectations that women are meant to be homemakers and to prioritize their partners above all else. She rails against the idea that love is a contract between a man and a woman, and demands to be seen as an individual with her own dreams and desires, not just as a caregiver and homemaker. She rejects the idea that her partner can simply tell her what's best for her and commands that he stop kissing her and telling her things will be okay.


Throughout the song, Crow's frustration is palpable, and she is demanding to be heard and seen as she truly is, not as someone submissive or weak. The overall message of the song is that love should be a partnership of equals, not a power dynamic where one person always holds the cards.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't hold me and tell me that everything's gonna be fine
Don't offer empty reassurance when my troubles run so deep that words alone can't fix them


Don't tell me how my love for you will grow deeper in time
Don't assume my love for you has a guaranteed outcome; it takes time and effort to foster a relationship


Here as I stand in the light of day
Facing the reality of my situation without illusions or excuses


I move my lips but no one hears one word I say
Feeling invisible and unheard despite my efforts to communicate


So don't carry my suitcase and tell me how lovely I look
Don't attempt to distract me from my issues with shallow compliments and gestures


Don't dream of me ironing the sheets or learning to cook
Don't place unrealistic expectations on me or assume traditional gender roles for our relationship


Yesterday was a long time ago
The past is past and cannot be changed, so focus on the present and what can be done now


If only I knew then what it is I now know
Hindsight is 20/20 and it's easy to regret past mistakes with knowledge gained over time


Is anybody out there?
Feeling alone and isolated in my struggles, wondering if anyone can relate or help


Doesn't anybody understand?
Frustration and despair that no one seems to grasp the depth of my problems


Love is not a contract made between a woman and a man
Love is not a transactional agreement or societal norm dictated by gender roles


Don't tell me that dreams are devised for the young and for fools
Don't diminish my aspirations or dismiss my ambitions as foolish or unrealistic


Don't kiss me and tell me that we can rewrite all the rules
Don't promise me a perfect, unconventional relationship that defies societal norms and expectations


Don't whisper I love you and tell me it's all for the best
Don't use superficial affection to mask deeper issues or justify negative situations


Don't tell me I'm tired, I'll feel better once I get some rest
Don't minimize my exhaustion or fatigue; it's not just a temporary problem that will solve itself




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Sheryl Crow

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@CatherineSTodd

"Don't" Sheryl Crow (feat. Lucius)
Don't
Hold me and tell me that everything's gonna be fine
Don't
Tell me how my love for you will grow deeper in time

Here as I stand in the light of day
I move my lips but no one hears one word I say

So don't
Carry my suitcase and tell me how lovely I look
Don't
Dream of me ironing the sheets or learning to cook

Yesterday was a long time ago
If only I knew then what it is I now know

Is anybody out there?
Doesn't anybody understand?
Love is not a contract
Made between a woman and a man

Don't
Tell me that dreams are devised for the young and for fools
Don't
Kiss me and tell me that we can rewrite all the rules

Here as I stand in the light of day
I move my lips but no one hears one word I say

Is anybody out there?
Doesn't anybody understand?
Love is not a handshake
Made between a woman and a man

Don't
Whisper I love you and tell me it's all for the best
Don't
Tell me I'm tired, I'll feel better once I get some rest

Writer(s): Sheryl Suzanne Crow, Jeffrey Robert Trott



All comments from YouTube:

@mbrand19971

After hearing the passing of Burt Bacharach I need to post this song which to me Ms Crow did her homework which she studied the great tunesmith of all the writers of the Brill Building among those were Burt Bacharach and she nailed this one. You made Burt Proud Sheryl he's smiling down.

@tonykunz3290

Sheryl is such a sweet, lovely, beautiful lady and a talented singer with a kind heart. She's truly a gift to this world, and she's still going strong in her 60's. She is pure girl power!

@CatherineSTodd

Those singers in Lucius sure can sing - what a difference they make. Wow!

@sandramcgehee8620

All I can say is WOW !!!!!
This amazing song gave me chills
Sheryl nailed this one ☝️
I love her music and all of the music and talented people last night were awesome 👏🏽
Thank you Sheryl
Crossroads this was a winner

@Chuckychazza

This is the best 60's song I have heard for 50 years!

@bearforce187

Sheryl's voice is amazing, she has a gift that must be Heaven sent.

@breno3787

Amazing!!!! LOVE THREADS!!!!!

@raymondmcmenemy303

Yes. Great album with some wonderful duets on it. Live Wire with Bonnie Raitt and Nobodys Perfect with Emmylou Harris are my favourites.

@ChriTur

Lucius takes this to another level.

@DENIEL381

SIMPLY AMAZING...................

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