48. Don’t Explain
Billie Holiday & Arthur Herzog Jr.
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1944 | MT | 178 | Complete on Decca v.1 | 5 | 2’53” |
(Toots Camarata Orchestra version)
Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explainQuiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explainYou know that I love you
And what love endures
Nothing rates above you
When I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right or wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me sweetHush now don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explainYou know that I love you
And what love endures
Nothing rates above you
When I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right or wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain
2nd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1944 | MT | 180 | Complete on Decca v.1 | 7 | 3’21” |
(Bob Haggart Orchestra version)
Hush now, don’t explain
Just say you’ll remain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explainQuiet, don’t explain
What is there to gain
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explainYou know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right or wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explainYou know that I love you
And what love endures
Nothing rates above you
For I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right or wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain
3rd version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1947 | LR | 42 | Perfect Complete Collection v.2 | 13 | 2’34” |
(BH self intro:
“Thank you very much, Ladies and Gentlemen,
and now I’d like to sing a song that I wrote
its title is Don’t Explain”)
Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explainQuiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explainYou should know I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain
4th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1954 | LR | 114 | Perfect Complete Collection v.7 | 5 | 2’40” |
(BH self intro:
“Thank you very much, Ladies and Gentlemen,
and now I’d like trying sing for you a song that I wrote,
its title is Don’t Explain”)
Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explainQuiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explainYou know I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain
5th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1956 | LR | 157 | Perfect Complete Collection v.9 | 18 | 2’41” |
(BH introduces next song:
“Thank you very much.
And now, another little tune I wrote
its title Don’t Explain. I do hope you like it”)
Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explainQuiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explainYou know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain
6th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1956 | LR | 167 | Complete on Verve v.8 | 9 | 2’26” |
Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explainQuiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explainYou know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain
7th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1958 | LR | 200 | Perfect Complete Collection v.12 | 5 | 2’50” |
Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
But I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explainQuiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explainYou know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain
8th version
| rec date | type | # | discography | tk | rec time |
| 1958 | LR | 204 | Perfect Complete Collection v.12 | 8 | 2’47” |
[stereo recording]
Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
But I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explainQuiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explainYou know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yoursCry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweetHush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain(applauses)
Notes |