This month marks 20 years since 'Don't Tell Me' was commercially released in North America, serving as the second single from 'Music'. Combining the songwriting talent of Madonna's brother-in-law Joe Henry and the unique sonic palette of Mirwais, 'Don't Tell Me' is a glitchy country-meets-electronica track about rejecting the control of others. It received big commercial success, topping the charts in Canada, Italy and New Zealand, and reaching the Top 10 in Australia, US and all over Europe where it completed 2001 as the #1 song on radio. Its country themes were extended to the music video where Madonna, dressed in flannel shirt and dirty jeans, line dances in front of a desert projection; the clip earned Madonna nominations at the Grammys and VMAs.

 

20 years on, what are your thoughts and memories of this song?

 

 

This is one of my absolute favourite Madonna songs (and videos). It's such an effortlessly cool and timeless song that feels both oddly retro and modern. The video is great too in all of its simplicity <3 A total package!

Absolutely agree. This is one of the songs where she achieves perfection for me, there isn't a thing about it or the video I would change.

I really love this song. Madonna does an fantastic performers of this song.

its in my top 20

 

was my old mans fav Madonna song !!

Agreed with all the comments here, it's really climbed its way up my affections in recent years and showed itself to be one of Madonna's finest. The stuttery guitar is so memorable and the dreamy strings that juxtapose with it are divine; signature Mirwais. I love the outro and the way it nearly fades into 'What It Feel Like for a Girl' on the album is perfect.

 

The song seems perfect for Madonna in a live setting; the mash-up with 'Bittersweet Symphony' on the Re-invention Tour was a particularly great move.

I'm another one of those who appreciates it SO much more these days, even though I did really like it at the time too!

 

It's definitely a unique and fascinating piece of music.

This is the song that made me fall in love with Mirwais — the production is close to perfect. Actually, everything surrounding this song is close to pop perfection. Effortless.

 

 

I liked it more at the time, but it was never a favourite of mine tbh.

My ears were blessed that day.

 

+ what Hotlady said