Don't (Ed Sheeran song)

"Don't"
Single by Ed Sheeran
from the album ×
Released 24 August 2014 (2014-08-24)
Format
Recorded 2013–14
Genre
Length 3:39
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Ed Sheeran singles chronology
"Sing"
(2014)		 "Don't"
(2014)		 "Thinking Out Loud"
(2014)

"Don't" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, for his second studio album, × (2014). Written by Sheeran and Benny Blanco and produced by Blanco and Rick Rubin, the song samples "Don't Mess with My Man" by Lucy Pearl.[1] It was initially planned as the album's lead single, but was passed over in favour of "Sing". It was instead released to iTunes on 13 June 2014 as the second "instant grat" promotional single from ×. "Don't" officially impacted US contemporary hit radio on 15 July 2014 and was released independently on 24 August 2014 as the album's second single.

"Don't" peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, it became Sheeran's first top 10 single. It also made the top 10 in eight other countries.

Background and composition

The song developed from a riff, which Sheeran had on his phone for a year.[2] Sheeran first recorded the track with producer, Benny Blanco,[3] who was also credited as co-writer under his real name, Benjamin Levin. Sheeran recorded it again with Rick Rubin. The two producers coming together to produce the final cut. "Don't" has R&B[4][5] and blue-eyed soul influences.[6]

The lyrics consist of three verses, which Sheeran elaborated: "The first verse is the setup, the second explains the situation, and the third is the outcome, with a chorus in between each."[7] A lyrical screed, it alludes to events attendant to the short-lived relationship Sheeran had with another singer.[8] He sings: "For me and her, we make money the same way/ Four cities, two planes in the same day."[9] Sheeran scorned the former girl for having sex with another guy, and expressed an expletive such as in the line "Don't fuck with my love".[6] Sheeran revealed he wrote the song out of frustration, and, story-wise, the lyrics are self-explanatory. He recalled the events that inspired his writing: "[...] it was one of those situations where someone comes across as a very, very sweet, innocent person, and you take that for granted, then stuff unravels and you see a different side to them."[2] The song was therapeutic because writing it made him feel better afterwards.[9]

Tabloids linked singer, Ellie Goulding (pictured), to Sheeran

About his other songs, Sheeran has openly stated who inspired the lyrical content.[10] But since the release of "Don't", he had remained silent to whom the song is directed to.[11] In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Sheeran articulated that he had dated a few singers, but friend, Taylor Swift, was not among them, and in fact, he played the track to her. Tabloids linked the singers, Selena Gomez and Ellie Goulding, to Sheeran.[8] On October 31, 2015, Fuse posted an interview in which Sheeran says, "'Don't' is just a song that’s close to the bone and definitely opened up a door that I probably shouldn't have opened up. [...] I just won't say who it's about because... I mean everyone, everyone fucking knows anyway. But like I just won't say who it's about cause it's quite a negative song."[10]

In 2015, Ellie Goulding released "On My Mind" for her third studio album, Delirium. The song was described by many critics as an answer song to "Don't", an allegation Goulding had denied.[12][13][14][15][16][17]

Release and reception

Sheeran did not intend to release the song on the album, because the lyrics were therapeutic and personal.[9][11] He was however persuaded by those who had heard the song to release it, as it was "an alright song".[9] He revealed that "the more [he] listened back [he] thought this is an alright song".[11]

"Don't" was planned to be released as the first single from the album until March 2014, when "Sing" was chosen.[18] Billboard speculated that the provocative, "Don't fuck with my love", chorus prompted the change.[3] Sheeran debuted a snippet of the song in a commercial for Beats by Dr. Dre in May 2014.[18]

On 13 June 2014, "Don't" was made available to customers, who pre-ordered ×, as the second "instant grat" promotional single,[19] following "One", and an official audio stream was released on Sheeran's YouTube page.[5] An extended play accompanied the release of the single, featuring a remix by Rick Ross, a live cover of Nina Simone's "Be My Husband", and a non-album song, "Everything You Are". Notably, Sheeran's lyrics aren't censored on the Rick Ross remix, but are on the album version. "Don't" officially impacted US contemporary hit radio on 15 July 2014.[20]

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard wrote: "[...] 'Don't' shows that Sheeran is not afraid to be dangerous, or even explicit, on his sophomore set."[6]

In the US, "Don't" reached No. 9 on the all-encompassing Billboard Hot 100 chart; it marked Sheeran's first single to reach the top 10 on that chart.[21] The single has, as of January 2015, sold 1,464,000 digital copies in the US.[22]

Music video

An accompanying music video was released on YouTube on 4 August 2014. The video was directed by Emil Nava and follows a dancer (Philiph Chbeeb from I.aM.mE) going from poverty to wealth.[23] Sheeran makes a brief drive-by cameo appearance. 4Music called it a "compelling watch".[24]

Live performances

On 12 April 2014, Sheeran performed "Don't" on Saturday Night Live.[25] On 17 September 2014, Sheeran sang it during the season 9 finale of America's Got Talent.[26] On 6 February 2015, Sheeran performed the song on The Late Late Show; he was accompanied by John Mayer on the guitar.[27]

Track listing

Digital download – single
No. Title Length
1. "Don't"   3:39
CD single
No. Title Length
1. "Don't"   3:39
2. "Friends"   3:10
Digital download – extended play
No. Title Length
1. "Don't" (Rick Ross Remix) 4:17
2. "Be My Husband" (Live from Glastonbury) 7:50
3. "Everything You Are"   3:58
4. "Friends"   3:10
Digital download – UK extended play
No. Title Length
1. "Don't" (Rick Ross Remix) 4:17
2. "Be My Husband" (Live from Glastonbury) 7:50
3. "Everything You Are"   3:58

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[28] 4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[29] 30
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[30] 43
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[31] 48
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[32] 7
Canada AC (Billboard)[33] 24
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[34] 3
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[35] 2
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[36] 10
Denmark (Tracklisten)[37] 8
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[38] 17
France (SNEP)[39] 41
Germany (Official German Charts)[40] 17
Ireland (IRMA)[41] 11
Israel (Media Forest)[42] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[43] 20
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[44] 6
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[45] 15
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[46] 15
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[47] 13
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[48] 46
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 22
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] 7
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[51] 8
US Billboard Hot 100[52] 9
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[53] 24
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[54] 3
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[55] 59
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[56] 4
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[57] 2
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[58] 24

Year-end charts

Chart (2014) Position
Australia (ARIA)[59] 42
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[60] 56
Germany (Official German Charts)[61] 50
Italy (FIMI)[62] 66
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[63] 34
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[64] 27
US Billboard Hot 100[65] 52
Chart (2015) Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[66] 72
US Billboard Hot 100[67] 92

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[68] 2× Platinum 140,000
Canada (Music Canada)[69] 2× Platinum 160,000
Germany (BVMI)[70] Gold 200,000
Italy (FIMI)[71] Platinum 30,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[72] Platinum 15,000
Sweden (GLF)[73] Platinum 40,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[74] Gold 15,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[75] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[76] Platinum 1,464,000[22]
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[77] Platinum 2,600,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date Format
United Kingdom[78] 14 August 2014 Contemporary hit radio

References

  1. ↑ Asilo, Rito P. (5 July 2015). "Ed Sheeran slinks out of his comfort zone". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Entertainment. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Ed Sheeran talks through new album". Music-News. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 Willman, Chris (7 April 2014). "Ed Sheeran Un-Zipped: On His Pharrell-Produced Single, Being a Sex Symbol and Turning Betrayal Into Song (Cover Story)". Billboard. p. 2. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  4. ↑ Lee, Ashley (30 May 2014). "Ed Sheeran Debuts Cheating Song 'Don't' in Beats by Dre Ad (Watch)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. 1 2 Menyes, Carolyn. "Ed Sheeran New Single 'Don't' Probably Touches on Ellie Goulding Cheating in the Most Grooving Way Possible". Music Times. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 Lipshutz, Jason. "Ed Sheeran, 'x': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Graff, Gary (14 October 2014). "Ed Sheeran Talks New Album, Jamming With Usher & Skrillex and His 90s Hip-Hop Jam' 'Don't'". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  8. 1 2 Doyle, Patrick (7 April 2014). "Ed Sheeran's Heartache and Wildest Nights: Behind His Raw LP 'X' | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Garibaldi, Christina (16 May 2014). "Don't Get Ed Sheeran Mad - He Might Write A Song About You". MTV. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Revealed: Ed Sheeran Won't Say Who "Don't" Is About". Fuse. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Kennedy, John (23 June 2014). "VIBE Summer 2014 Cover Story: Ed Sheeran". Vibe. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  12. ↑ Horton, Matthew (17 September 2015). "Ellie Goulding Takes Aim At Former Lover With Hyperactive R&B Single 'On My Mind' – Track Review". NME. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  13. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (24 September 2015). "Is Ellie Goulding's Max Martin-Produced 'On My Mind' Memorable? Plus More of the Week's Best and Worst Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  14. ↑ Daw, Robbie (17 September 2015). "Ellie Goulding’s "On My Mind" Vs. Ed Sheeran’s "Don’t": The 10 Best Disses From Each Song". Idolator. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  15. ↑ Corner, Lewis (17 September 2015). "6 ways Ellie Goulding's new single takes a swing at Ed Sheeran: A lyrical breakdown". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  16. ↑ Hodgson, Claire (18 September 2015). "Is Ellie Goulding's new song On My Mind about Ed Sheeran?". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  17. ↑ Garibaldi, Christina (17 September 2015). "Is Ellie Goulding’s ‘On My Mind’ Her Response To Ed Sheeran’s ‘Don’t?’". MTV News. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  18. 1 2 Carter, Caitlin. "Ed Sheeran Debuts New Song 'Don't' In Beats By Dre Commercial [WATCH]". Music Times. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  19. ↑ "Show Clip - Sheerios Rejoice! Ed Sheeran Will Release A Few Songs Before The New Album Hits Stores - MTV". MTV.
  20. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  21. ↑ Trust, Gary (22 October 2014). "Meghan Trainor Rules Hot 100, Ed Sheeran Hits Top 10, Glen Campbell Returns". Billboard. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  22. 1 2 Grein, Paul (7 January 2015). "Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars Jump to #1 on Hot 100". Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  23. ↑ "Watch Ed Sheeran's Inspirational, Dance-Centric New Video 'Don't'". Rolling Stone. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  24. ↑ "This Week's Fresh Music Top 20". 10 August 2014. 4Music. Missing or empty |series= (help)
  25. ↑ Coleman, Miriam (13 April 2014). "Ed Sheeran Debuts New 'X' Song on 'SNL'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  26. ↑ Chau, Thomas (17 September 2014). "Ed Sheeran Sings ‘Don’t’ on ‘America’s Got Talent’ Finale [VIDEO]". Popcrush. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  27. ↑ Tan, Emily (7 February 2015). "John Mayer and Ed Sheeran Get Tattoos and Perform ‘Don’t’ on ‘Late Late Show’ [Video]". Popcrush. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  28. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Ed Sheeran – Don't". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  29. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  30. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  31. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  32. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Ed Sheeran.
  33. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Canada AC for Ed Sheeran.
  34. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Ed Sheeran.
  35. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Canada Hot AC for Ed Sheeran.
  36. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201427 into search. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  37. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Tracklisten.
  38. ↑ "Ed Sheeran: Don't" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  39. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in French). Les classement single.
  40. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Ed Sheeran – Don't". GfK Entertainment.
  41. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 1, 2015". Irish Singles Chart.
  42. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Don't Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  44. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Top 40 Singles.
  45. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Archive Chart: 5 July 2014". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  47. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201435 into search. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Ed Sheeran – Don't" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  49. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Singles Top 100.
  50. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Swiss Singles Chart.
  51. ↑ "August 2014/ Archive Chart: 30 August 2014" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  52. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Ed Sheeran.
  53. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Ed Sheeran.
  54. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Ed Sheeran.
  55. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Country Airplay for Ed Sheeran.
  56. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay for Ed Sheeran. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  57. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Ed Sheeran.
  58. ↑ "Ed Sheeran – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Ed Sheeran.
  59. ↑ "End of Year Charts – ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  60. ↑ "2014 Year End Charts – Top Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  61. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  62. ↑ "FIMI - Classifiche Annuali 2014 "TOP OF THE MUSIC" FIMI-GfK: un anno di musica italiana" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  63. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 2014". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  64. ↑ Copsey, Rob (31 December 2014). "The Official Top 100 Biggest Songs of 2014 revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  65. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  66. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  67. ↑ "Hot 100: Year End 2015". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  68. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  69. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Music Canada. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  70. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ed Sheeran; 'Don´t')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  71. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 30 December 2014. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Ed Sheeran in the field Filtra. Select 2014 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
  72. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  73. ↑ "Ed Sheeran - Don't" (in Swedish). Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  74. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Ed Sheeran; 'Don't')". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  75. ↑ "British single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 November 2014. Enter Don't in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  76. ↑ "American single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Don't". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 4 July 2014. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  77. ↑ "Certificeringer – Ed Sheeran – Don't" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  78. ↑ "BBC Radio 1". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014.

External links

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