Don't Explain (song)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2016) |
| "Don't Explain" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Billie Holiday | ||||
| B-side | "What Is This Thing Called Love?" | |||
| Released | 1946 | |||
| Recorded | November 8, 1944 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 2:53 | |||
| Label | Decca | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr. | |||
| Billie Holiday singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Don't Explain" is a song written by jazz singer Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. It was Holiday's final song.[1]
Overview
[edit]In her 1956 autobiography, Holiday cites the infidelity of her first husband, Jimmy Monroe, as the inspiration for this song—specifically, an instance in which Monroe's woeful attempt to explain away lipstick on his collar elicits Holiday's disgusted response: "Take a bath, man; don't explain."[2]
Recording session
[edit]Session #52: New York City, November 8, 1944, Decca, Toots Camarata and His Orchestra, with Russ Case (trumpet), Hymie Schertzer, Jack Cressey (alto saxophone), Larry Binyon and Dave Harris (tenor saxophone), Dave Bowman (piano), Carl Kress (guitar), Haig Stephens (bass), George Wettling (drums), Billie Holiday (vocals), and six strings.[3]
Notable cover versions
[edit] | This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2016) |
- Helen Merrill - on her album Helen Merrill (1954)[4]
- John Coltrane (1957)
- Abbey Lincoln - on her album That's Him! (1957)[5]
- Charlie Byrd - on the album Byrd's Word! (1958)
- Wes Montgomery (1959)
- Anita O'Day – for her album Trav'lin' Light (1961)[6]
- Dinah Washington – I Wanna Be Loved (1962)[7]
- Dexter Gordon - on his A Swingin' Affair (1962)
- Nina Simone – in her album Let It All Out (1966)
- Carmen McRae – included in her album Woman Talk (1966)
- Lou Rawls - on his album Soulin' (1966)
- Diana Ross – for the album Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
- Natalie Cole – for her album Take a Look (1993)
- Gabrielle Goodman with Kevin Eubanks - on Travelin' Light (1993)
- Malia (2012)[8]
- Xiu Xiu - Nina (2013)
- Nancy Kelly (2014)[9]
- Cassandra Wilson - Coming Forth by Day (2015)[10]
Trivia
[edit]Lyrics from "Don't Explain" were sung by Carlo Marx (portrayed by actor Tom Sturridge) in the 2012 film adaptation by Walter Salles of the 1957 novel by Jack Kerouac, On the Road, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Jacobs, Dick & Harriet. Who Wrote That Song?, Writers Digest Books (1994), page 57 – ISBN 0-89879-639-3.
- ^ Holiday. Billie (1956; 2006). "Mother's Son-in-Law". Lady Sings the Blues. New York: Harlem Moon, Broadway Books (Random House). p. 119. ISBN 978-0-7679-2386-6.
- ^ "Billie Holiday Studio Songs". Archived from the original on September 10, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ "Discogs.com". discogs. 1962. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^ Christopher Loudon (December 13, 2012). "Malia: Black Orchid". JazzTimes. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ C. Michael Baitley (November 8, 2014). "Nancy Kelly: B That Way". All About Jazz. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ Alagna, Magdalena. Billie Holiday, The Rosen Publishing Group (2003), page 61 – ISBN 0-8239-3640-6
