Don't You
Simple Minds Lyrics


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Hey, hey, hey, hey
Ooh, woah

Won't you come see about me?
I'll be alone, dancing, you know it, baby

Tell me your troubles and doubts
Giving everything inside and out and
Love's strange, so real in the dark
Think of the tender things that we were working on

Slow change may pull us apart
When the light gets into your heart, baby

Don't you, forget about me
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't you, forget about me

Will you stand above me?
Look my way, never love me
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down

Will you recognize me?
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Down, down, down, down

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Ooh, woah

Don't you try and pretend
It's my feeling we'll win in the end
I won't harm you or touch your defenses
Vanity and security, ah

Don't you forget about me
I'll be alone, dancing, you know it, baby
Going to take you apart
I'll put us back together at heart, baby

Don't you, forget about me
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't you, forget about me

As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
When you walk away

Or will you walk away?
Will you walk on by?
Come on, call my name
Will you call my name?

I say
La, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
When you walk on by




And you call my name
When you walk on by

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Simple Mind’s “Don’t You” speak about the fear of separation and the risk of being forgotten. The song is addressed to someone who is considered special but unsure about the future of their relationship. The lead singer invites this special person to come and see him when they feel alone, indicating that he is always available for support. He acknowledges that relationships have difficulties and asks his partner to share their problems with him, so they can face them together. The singer calls love “strange” and “real in the dark,” hinting that even at the edge of separation, love can continue to thrive, especially if both partners recall the good times they shared. He tells his partner not to forget about him, as he will always be there, continuing to care for them even when things look bleak.


The song’s lyrics also touch on the fear of being rejected by someone who was once close. The singer asks if his partner will recognize him if they bump into each other on the street or if they’ll walk past him without acknowledging his existence. He talks about how rain keeps falling down, symbolizing the sadness and loneliness that come with a broken relationship. He implores his partner to remember him, even if they choose to go their separate ways.


In summary, the song’s lyrics are about the fear of separation and being forgotten by someone you love. The singer invites his partner to share their troubles with him and asks not to be forgotten, despite the challenges they may face in their relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Casual greeting


Ooh, woah
Expressing emotion


Won't you come see about me?
Can you please check in on me?


I'll be alone, dancing, you know it, baby
I'll be alone, but dancing to keep myself company


Tell me your troubles and doubts
Please confide in me with your problems and uncertainties


Giving everything inside and out and
I'm offering all of myself to you


Love's strange, so real in the dark
Love can be a mystery, but is palpable in intimate moments


Think of the tender things that we were working on
Let's reminisce on the sweet moments we shared


Slow change may pull us apart
As time passes, we could grow apart


When the light gets into your heart, baby
When you feel full of hope and optimism


Don't you, forget about me
Please don't forget about me


Don't, don't, don't, don't
Reiterating the previous line


Will you stand above me?
Will you be there to support me?


Look my way, never love me
Acknowledge me, but don't necessarily love me


Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling
Metaphor for difficulty and hardship persisting


Down, down, down
Unsettling feeling conveyed through repetition


Will you recognize me?
Will you remember me?


Call my name or walk on by
Acknowledge me or ignore me


Hey, hey, hey, hey
Casual greeting


Ooh, woah
Expressing emotion


Don't you try and pretend
Don't act like everything is okay


It's my feeling we'll win in the end
I believe our love will triumph in the end


I won't harm you or touch your defenses
I won't cause you harm or invade your personal boundaries


Vanity and security, ah
Reference to the fleeting nature of superficialities and self-protection


Going to take you apart
Going to deconstruct our problems


I'll put us back together at heart, baby
I'll work to put us back together with love and care


Don't you, forget about me
Please don't forget about me


Don't, don't, don't, don't
Reiterating the previous line


As you walk on by
As you pass me by


Will you call my name?
Will you remember me by calling my name?


When you walk away
When you leave me behind


Or will you walk away?
Are you going to leave me behind?


Will you walk on by?
Will you ignore me and walk past me?


Come on, call my name
Urging the listener to remember and acknowledge them


I say
Adding emphasis


La, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Nonsense syllables added for effect


La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Continuation of previous line


La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Continuation of previous line


When you walk on by
When you pass me by


And you call my name
When you remember me by calling my name




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Keith Forsey, Steve W. Schiff

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@andersonnkw

1985 - Back to The Future
2020 - Back to The Past

@cristiansaucedo4707

Hmm. How about "2020: Forward to the Past"?

@houstonbred3930

@@cristiansaucedo4707 yes if you think about it we’re really going towards the past

@cristiansaucedo4707

@@houstonbred3930 Yeah. That's what I meant :)

@dominicwood3451

"When this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're gonna see some serious... do'oh!!! Can't get up to '88 because of the traffic? Oh wait a minute? Is that Mr Strickland out for a sunday drive??? I sense you are part of a generation who feels that the last 30 years may have been better to live in the the next 30. I was due to see Simple Minds this year but couldn't for obvious reasons, I am hoping for 2021 to be better. No disrespect to modern artists, but when you listen to most of what is on the radio, it is total toilet. Most best new music is not being given the airtime it deserves. I yearn for simpler times, chiefly because at heart, I am not ashamed to admit... I have a simple mind....

@AnaRamos-bm9ck

35 anos nem parece que é a música. Música não tem idade

21 More Replies...

@billducas

The song reminds me when I bought a new car. January 15th 1985. An '85 Camaro. It had 12 miles on it. When I turn on the radio, this was the first song that was playing. I'll never forget that.

@MisiaMon

I believe you, interested history.

@felixrivas9673

Great Car! Wonderful memory.

@jaycrack1559

Good times.

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