Don't

Don't

(Jerry Leiber - Mike Stoller)

Don't, don't, that's what you say
Each time that I hold you this way,
When I feel like this and I want to hold you,
baby, don't say don't.

Don't, don't leave my embrace
For here in my arms is your place
When the night grows cold and I want to hold you,
baby, don't say don't.

If you think that this is just a game
I'm playing
If you think that I don't mean
ev'ry word I'm saying
Don't, don't, don't, don't,
Don't feel that way
I'm your love and yours I will stay

This you can believe
I will never leave you
Heaven knows I won't
Baby, don't say don't

First Lp Release:

50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong, Elvis' Gold Records, Vol. 2 -- December 1959 --



First Single Release:

Don't/I Beg Of You -- January 1958 --




Discographies & Chart Info

Did You Know?

"Don't" was recorded on September 6, 1957, at Radio Records, Just after Elvis finished recording "Silent Night".
This was the first session that featured a female voice (Millie Kirkham)
Twenty-six takes were recorded; Take #7 was the one released.
Reportedly, the last take was taped with the studio lights turned off and Elvis lying on the floor.

On the set of 'Jailhouse Rock' Elvis asked Mike Stoller (who played the role as Elvis' piano player) if he and Jerry Leiber would write a love song for him.
They wrote "Don't" on the weekend and on Monday when it was played for Elvis he smiled and said, "that's real pretty, that's just what I wanted".
Advance orders for the record were over a million.


Takes:

H2PB 5529 September 6 1957

Take 01

Take 02

Take 03

Take 04

Take 05

Take 06

Take 07 M 2:54

Take 08

Take 09

Take 10

Take 11

Take 12

Take 13

Take 14

Take 15

Take 16

Take 17

Take 18

Take 19

Take 20

Take 21

Take 22

Take 23

Take 24

Take 25

Take 26


Musicians:

Guitar :
Scotty Moore

Guitar :
Elvis Presley

Bass :
Bill Black

Drums :
D.J. Fontana

Piano :
Dudley Brooks

Backup Vocals :
Millie Kirkham

Backup Vocals :
The Jordanaires: Gordon Stoker, Hoyt Hawkins, Neal Matthews and Hugh Jarrett

Studio :
Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California,

Producer :
Steve Sholes

Engineer :
Thorne Nogar

To me this is a brilliant song. Elvis' voice sounds so soft and tender, just great to listen to. btw, great work on this section Steve !

Indeed....a terrific 50's ballad. They didn't come much better than Don't. Being on one of my all time Elvis albums...Golden Records Volume 2...it is amongst my favourites.....nice info as always Steve [img]style_emoticons/default/cheers.gif[/img]

One of the best ballads of Elvis' career, IMO.........A Leiber/Stoller Pedigree, and Elvis' vocals are just PERFECT!!!

Wish he would have been willing to bring this to his live set in '69 and after..........

[img]style_emoticons/default/woohoo.gif[/img] This is my favorite Elvis ballad bar none Always has been since the first time I heard it. Tjhere's something magical about it. Wish thee were some alternates Would have been a great replacement for Love Me Tender in the 70s in my opinion [img]style_emoticons/default/woohoo.gif[/img]

Jon

It would have been nice to hear this song performed in the later years '76 or '77 i think that would have been something interesting and neat to hear.

I love this song. Thanks for the info [img]style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]

Elvis also sang it in a rehearsal to "That's The Way It Is", it sounded great too

This song doesn't get played often on any radio show including Kings Court Radio Show.
One of my favourite 50's Elvis ballad. Another number 2 song for Elvis in the UK.
Great lyrics.


[img]style_emoticons/default/king.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/default/taz.gif[/img]

the only other version was rehearsed 29 july 1970 and available on Platinum - A life in music.

colonel snow

And not a bad version....but is such a shame that it never graced the Live stage on a regular basis...would have been cool [img]style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif[/img]

Nice one Steve! [img]style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif[/img]

This song was written for women...
It has all the things we want to hear a man say, especially if you haven't "blossomed" yet.
The words are soft and tender, reassuring and loving.

No doubt this one would melt any woman.......especially with Elvis singing it. [img]style_emoticons/default/blush.gif[/img]

D.J Fontana said this was his favourite song
he recorded with Elvis.

I remember him saying it,when he came to one
of the Elvis weeks,here in the UK.


TCE
Lorraine

I'm a sucker for Elvis ballads .........

And this is yet another one i like..........who couldnt like it........

Sure makes me melt.......especially when Mr Nightrider sings it to me

A great song that Elvis puts over very sincerely.And a great lesson in vocal control one second he's soft and quiet the next strong and powerful.

Originally recorded by Eddie Boyd in 1956

Don't was written by Leiber and Stoller in 1957.
Apparently Elvis asked them to write a special love song just for him.

the song was copy righted in 1957 (see music sheet) and written in 1957;
" Don't" by Eddie Boyd (1956) must be another song with the same title.
I have not found anything that the song was previous recorded by another artist.

colonel snow

A very nice ballad, when i was much younger this was one of m favorite Elvis songs.. I still like it very much.

Much younger....Nappies you mean.....

Well it would not be a long time for a ol' fossile like you.

Fossil...why i outta...

Don't is a beautiful ballad which was on my first Elvis LP and I still love listening to it now

I always fall inlove with this song every single time I hear it! It's so beautiful and so romantic...And since I'm such a BIG sucker for all things romantic...the conclusion is explosive! I adore this song and I truly agree with you Steve, he really does show us that he has amazing voice control and amazing pitching as well....I remember sleeping to this when I have a sleepless nights....Truly a song made for women... Stoller and Leiber really considered the women and so did Elvis...ofcourse... Such a beautiful ballad....Sigh...where are the men that know what a woman wants to hear?? Come Back Elvis!!

hi im a new member in just looking around and spotted this subject haveto say this song is one of my favorites his voice is fantastic on this song [as usual]

Welcome to The Kings Court.........!!! Glad to have you with us!

You're right about this song, is truly a Leiber/Stoller Elvis CLASSIC!!!

Wish he'd have included it in his act when he returned to live performances in 69......I know he fooled around with it during rehearsals in TTWII, but sure wish he would have been more serious about it and included it in his show.

A GORGEOUS SONG AND ONE I NEVER GROW TIRED OF HEARING,WISH WE COULD HEAR THE OUTAKES ONE DAY.

When I was a kid, I liked I BEG OF YOU, but did not like Don't. I had to grow up some to appreciate DON'T.

Guessing I just haven't grown up yet

You shocketh me Donna

So i am guessing you don't want it requested at the next radio show

No

and just incase you didn't get that the first time No

That a "no" then ?

Whats a no ?

derivative from two latin phrases

N = for Not in this lifetime
O = Over my dead body



(temp is way too slow - sounds vampirish to me - 'vhen I feel like dis, unt I vant to kizz you'.... pooof - dracula appears)

With Leiber and Stoller as lyricists, it's not surprising that this is one of my all-time favourite songs by Elvis. It's such a shame that Colonel was so against their way of working with him.. they were such a beautiful trio.