Don't (Billy Currington song)
Encyclopedia
"Don't" is the title of a song written by Jim Beavers
and Jonathan Singleton
, and recorded by American country music
artist Billy Currington
. It is the first single from his third studio album, 2008's Little Bit of Everything
. The song is Currington's fifth Top Ten entry on the Hot Country Songs
charts, having entered Top Ten on the chart week of December 13, 2008.
The song is part of the tracklist for Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2
.
, Beavers "started it with the groove and vibe, which had the kind of sexy R&B feel to it, with the idea of a guy begging his girl not to leave." Singleton said that he considered it "unusual" for the chorus to begin with "baby, baby, don't", and after realizing that the word "don't" appeared several times in the lyric, they decided to name the song "Don't".
of Allmusic described it as having a "sleek '80s sheen". Jessica Phillips of Country Standard Time
said that it had a "suggestive R&B strut and pleading chorus."
, directed by "The Brads", was shot in downtown Nashville. It shows Currington carrying two cups of coffee, one of which is intended for his female partner. Upon entering her apartment, he finds that she has left in a cab. He then runs down a fire escape and jumps into an alleyway, before driving off to catch up with the cab. Currington performed all of the video's stunts himself.
Jim Beavers
-Life and career:Jim Beavers grew up in Texas. His educational background includes a BBA from Baylor University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. Beavers moved to Nashville, TN in 1991 to pursue a career on the business side of music...
and Jonathan Singleton
Jonathan Singleton
Jonathan Singleton is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is known for co-writing the songs "Don't" by Billy Currington, "Watching Airplanes" by Gary Allan, "Red Light" and "Let It Rain" by David Nail and "Why Don't We Just Dance" by Josh Turner...
, and recorded by American country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Billy Currington
Billy Currington
William Matthew "Billy" Currington is an American country music artist. Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2003, he has released four studio albums for the label: 2003's Billy Currington, 2005's Doin' Somethin' Right, 2008's Little Bit of Everything, and 2010's Enjoy Yourself...
. It is the first single from his third studio album, 2008's Little Bit of Everything
Little Bit of Everything
-Album:-End of year charts:-Singles:-Certifications:- External links :*...
. The song is Currington's fifth Top Ten entry on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts, having entered Top Ten on the chart week of December 13, 2008.
The song is part of the tracklist for Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2
Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2
Now That's What I Call Country Volume 2 is the second country music compilation album from the Now! series, released on August 25, 2009....
.
Content
In the lyric, the male narrator asks that his lover stay with him after a sexual encounter the night before. Jonathan Singleton and Jim Beavers were inspired to write "Don't" after spending a day listening to R&B music. According to Country WeeklyCountry Weekly
Country Weekly is an American tabloid style weekly magazine established in 1994. The magazine focuses on country music stars and events, and regularly features exclusive interviews with recording artists and country music news...
, Beavers "started it with the groove and vibe, which had the kind of sexy R&B feel to it, with the idea of a guy begging his girl not to leave." Singleton said that he considered it "unusual" for the chorus to begin with "baby, baby, don't", and after realizing that the word "don't" appeared several times in the lyric, they decided to name the song "Don't".
Critical reception
Stephen Thomas ErlewineStephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
of Allmusic described it as having a "sleek '80s sheen". Jessica Phillips of Country Standard Time
Country Standard Time
Country Standard Time is a website dedicated to country music and related genres such as Bluegrass and Rockabilly. It provides news and musical reviews pertaining to the genre. It was established in 1992 by Jeffrey B. Remz as a print magazine, which was first published only in New England but went...
said that it had a "suggestive R&B strut and pleading chorus."
Music video
The song's music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, directed by "The Brads", was shot in downtown Nashville. It shows Currington carrying two cups of coffee, one of which is intended for his female partner. Upon entering her apartment, he finds that she has left in a cab. He then runs down a fire escape and jumps into an alleyway, before driving off to catch up with the cab. Currington performed all of the video's stunts himself.
Chart performance
| Chart (2008-2009) | Peak position |
|---|