don't speak

The breakup between lead singer Gwen Stefani and bassist Tony Kanal led to a commerical breakthrough for No Doubt. 'Don't Speak' was originally written as a love song by Gwen and her brother Eric before he left the band; and it was rewritten several times, most significantly after Tony broke up with Gwen after seven years together. Gwen says, "I'd never envisaged moving on after breaking up with Tony; [but now] I'm grateful to have him as a friend." Matthew Wilder produced the sessions for their new album 'Tragic Kingdom', much of which was inspired by Gwen and Tony's relationship. Eric Stefani did not like having an outside producer and eventually left the band. The first two singles from the album enjoyed some moderate success internationally; but it was 'Don't Speak' that catapaulted them to number one. In the US, the song broke records by remaining on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart for sixteen weeks. It didn't chart on the pop chart because an official single had not been released; but it went to number one in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK, making it the band's biggest hit. 'Don't Speak' was nominated for Grammys for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The video addresses the media focus on Gwen while ignoring the rest of the band. Kanal says, "We didn't want it to be about a normal break-up. So we thought: 'What would be the saddest thing that could happen? The band splitting up?' So that's what the video's about."

You and me
We used to be together
Every day together always

I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe
This could be the end

It looks as though you're letting go
And if it's real,
Well I don't want to know

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts

Our memories
They can be inviting
But some are altogether
Mighty frightening

As we die, both you and I
With my head in my hands
I sit and cry

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts

It's all ending
I gotta stop pretending who we are,
You and me
I can see us dying, are we?

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts