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Don't Tell Me is a song by Avril Lavigne. It is the first single from her second studio album, Under My Skin. "Don't Tell Me" was written by Avril and the music by her and Evan Taubenfeld. The track was produced by Butch Walker. The song has been noted for having a "grungy" sound. In an AOL Radio listener's poll, "Don't Tell Me" was voted Lavigne's ninth best song.[1]

Background and composition[]

When asked what "Don't Tell Me" was about, Lavigne said:

It's about being strong. There are a lot of guys out there who just want to take you out to dinner and then, like basically go home and 'unhh' you. That's what a lot of guys are like and I just think girls need to be strong and not let any guy pressure them into doing anything.

[2]

Critical reception[]

In a review of the album Under My Skin, David Browne of Entertainment Weekly said "Lavigne herself sounds more burdened; ... the sk8erboi of the first album has turned out to be a selfish, nasty creep who leaves when she won't go to bed with him" in reference to Don't Tell Me.[3] Blender Music wrote that unlike Sk8er Boi the up-with-abstinence single “Don’t Tell Me” finds her kicking him out of bed.[4] The Guardian was mixed: "Current single Don't Tell Me at least has some relevant advice to impart to her pubescent female fans: it depicts a confused and angry Lavigne fending off an over-eager boyfriend."[5] PopMatters was favorable: "The first single, "Don't Tell Me", is probably the best song on the album, with the kind of wonderfully effusive movement that makes the best pop so damn irresistible. It starts slow and quiet, building to the first chorus, ebbs back, builds to another chorus, drops down into a bridge before coming back with a skull-crunching third chorus that leaves the riff firmly implanted in your skull. One or two reprises and we're out like a light, end of song. At that point you're either convinced or not."[6] Rolling Stone was positive: "The lead single, "Don't Tell Me," might be her most Avril-ish song yet, a petulant kiss-off to a horny boy. As the guitars get revved up behind her, she asks, "Did I not tell you that I'm not like that girl/The one who gives it all away, yeah/Did you think that I was going to give it up to you?" The syntax may be tortured, but the singer sounds just fine: a righteous prude, confidently fending off the creeps."[7] Yahoo Music! liked the song but was angry because there are spelling mistakes in booklet: "we now have a stronger, more confident Avril - forthright in her determination not to lose her cherry on "Don’t Tell Me", which coyly spells ‘ass’ with an ‘a’ and two asterixes on the CD booklet, bitterly writing songs about doomed relationships."[8]

Music video[]

The music video for "Don't Tell Me" was directed by Liz Friedlander and filmed in Los Angeles, California in January 2004. The video tells the story of the song. It opens with Lavigne's boyfriend leaving her apartment. After taking her anger out on her bedroom, she follows him around the city. During the bridge of the song, her boyfriend sees her in many places at once, so it is obvious that he is feeling guilty and her feelings are weighing heavily on his mind. At the end of the video, she decides that he is better off without her and lets him walk away.[9]

The video was nominated for Best Pop Video at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost to No Doubt's video for "It's My Life".[10]

Track listing[]

Australia CD single[]

  1. "Don't Tell Me" (single version) - 3:26
  2. "Don't Tell Me" (acoustic version) - 3:38
  3. "Take Me Away" - 2:57

France, Germany and United Kingdom CD single[]

  1. "Don't Tell Me" (single version) - 3:26
  2. "Don't Tell Me" (acoustic version) - 3:38

Japan CD single[]

  1. "Don't Tell Me" (single version) - 3:26
  2. "Take Me Away" - 2:57

International CD single[]

  1. "Don't Tell Me" (single version) - 3:26
  2. "Don't Tell Me" (acoustic version) - 3:38
  3. "Take Me Away" (album version) - 2:57
  4. "Don't Tell Me" (music video) - 3:23

Brazil, Europe, Japan, Mexico and United States CD promo[]

  1. "Don't Tell Me" (album version) - 3:22

Lyrics[]

You held my hand and walked me home, I know
Why you gave me that kiss
It was something like this and made me go oh, oh

You wiped my tears, got rid of all my fears
Why did you have to go?
Guess it wasn't enough to take up some of my love
Guys are so hard to trust

Did I not tell you that I'm not like that girl?
The one who gives it all away, yeah

Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way, yeah

Don't think that your charm and the fact that your arm
Is now around my neck
Will get you in my pants
I'll have to kick your ass
And make you never forget

I'm gonna ask to you stop
Thought I liked you a lot but I'm really upset
(Really upset)
Get out of my head, get off of my bed
Yeah, that's what I said

Did I not tell you that I'm not like that girl?
The one who throws it all away, yeah

Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way, yeah

This guilt trip that you put me on
Won't mess me up, I've done no wrong
Any thoughts of you and me have gone away

Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you this time?
Did you think that it was somethin' I was gonna do and cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do
Don't try to tell me what to say
You're better off that way, yeah

Better off that way
I'm better off alone anyway

Gallery[]

Avril_Lavigne_-_Don't_Tell_Me

Avril Lavigne - Don't Tell Me

References[]

Navigation[]

Under My Skin
UnderMySkinLogo
  • "My Happy Ending"
  • "Nobody's Home"
  • "Slipped Away"
  • "Take Me Away"
  • "Together"
  • "Who Knows"
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