Composer

:

Billie Holiday

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

3:46

"Don't Explain" is a jazz standard composed by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. in 1944. The song was first recorded by Billie Holiday in 1946 and was released as a single. It has since been covered by numerous artists, including Nina Simone, Diana Ross, and Etta James. The song is a slow, bluesy ballad that tells the story of a woman who is trying to explain her infidelity to her lover. The lyrics are deeply emotional and raw, with lines like "Hush now, don't explain / You're my joy and pain / My life's yours, love / Don't explain." The song is composed in the key of F minor and has a 4/4 time signature. It features a simple, repetitive melody that is carried by the piano and saxophone. The song is divided into two verses, each with a chorus that repeats the title phrase "Don't explain." The first verse sets the scene, with the woman telling her lover that she has been seen with another man. The chorus then follows, with the woman pleading with her lover not to ask for an explanation. The second verse delves deeper into the woman's emotions, with lines like "I'm glad that you're wise / But don't realize / That our love's a prize / Don't explain." Overall, "Don't Explain" is a powerful and emotional song that showcases Billie Holiday's incredible vocal range and ability to convey deep emotion through her music. It has become a jazz standard and is still widely performed and recorded today.

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