Don't Speak – English Lyrics

• By: No Doubt

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the powerful emotions of No Doubt's "Don't Speak," a timeless breakup anthem that offers a window into expressing heartbreak and navigating difficult goodbyes. Through its poignant lyrics and Gwen Stefani's evocative vocals, this song teaches listeners about vulnerability and the universal pain of losing a loved one. Its widespread global success and relatable themes make it a perfect piece to explore the nuances of English lyrical expression, particularly in conveying deep sorrow and resilience.

[English]

[night animals calling]

[INSECTS BUZZING]

[fly buzzes]

[music begins]

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Well, 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 ♪

♪ No, no, no ♪

♪ Don't speak ♪

♪ I know what you're thinking ♪

♪ And I don't need Your reasons ♪

♪ Don't tell me 'Cause it hurts ♪

♪ It's all ending ♪

♪ I gotta stop pretending Who we are ♪

♪♪♪

[classical guitar playing]

♪ 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 ♪

♪ No, no ♪

♪ Don't speak ♪

♪ I know what you're thinking ♪

♪ And I don't need Your reasons ♪

♪ Don't tell me 'Cause it hurts ♪

♪ Don't tell me 'Cause it hurts ♪

♪ I know what you're saying ♪

♪ So please stop explaining ♪

♪ Don't speak ♪

♪ Don't speak ♪

♪ Don't speak ♪

♪ Oh, I know What you're thinking ♪

♪ And I don't need Your reasons ♪

♪ I know you're good I know you're good ♪

♪ I know you're real good ♪

♪ Oh, la la la la ♪

♪ La la la la ♪

♪ Don't, don't ♪

♪ Oooh, oooh Hush, hush darlin' ♪

♪ Hush, hush darlin' ♪

♪ Hush, hush ♪

♪ Don't tell me 'Cause it hurts ♪

♪ Hush, hush darlin' ♪

♪ Hush, hush, darlin' ♪

♪ Hush, hush ♪

♪ Don't tell me 'Cause it hurts ♪

♪ Oh, hush, hush, darlin' ♪

[night animals calling]

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
friend /frɛnd/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
end /ɛnd/ A1	noun - the final part of something
real /riːəl/ A1	adjective - actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact
speak /spiːk/ A1	verb - say something in order to convey information or express a feeling
hurt /hɜːrt/ A1	verb - cause pain or injury to
memories /ˈmɛməriz/ B1	noun - something remembered from the past
frightening /ˈfraɪtnɪŋ/ B2	adjective - causing fear
die /daɪ/ A2	verb - stop living
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - shed tears
ending /ˈɛndɪŋ/ B1	noun - the way in which something ends
pretending /prɪˈtɛndɪŋ/ B1	verb - behaving as if something is true when it is not
dying /ˈdaɪɪŋ/ B1	verb - being in the process of ceasing to live
reason /ˈriːzən/ A2	noun - a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - accept that something is true, especially without proof
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - to be desired or approved of

Key Grammar Structures

• We used to be together

  ➔ Past Simple with 'used to'

  ➔ 'Used to' indicates a past habit or state that is no longer true. It describes something that regularly happened in the past but doesn't anymore. In this sentence, "used to be" together signifies they were in a relationship or close friendship in the past but are no longer.

• I'm losing my best friend

  ➔ Present Continuous for an action happening now or around now, expressing a feeling of something happening.

  ➔ The use of "I'm losing" emphasizes the speaker's feeling of the loss happening in the present moment. It suggests the gradual process of losing a friendship, rather than a single event.

• I can't believe this could be the end

  ➔ Modal verb 'could' expressing possibility in the future.

  ➔ 'Could' here doesn't refer to past ability but rather a possibility or a softer way of expressing a potential outcome that the speaker is reluctant to accept. It implies uncertainty.

• It looks as though you're letting go

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'looks as though' to express an observation or inference based on appearance.

  ➔ 'Looks as though' suggests the speaker is drawing a conclusion based on the other person's behavior or demeanor. The use of the Present Continuous "you're letting go" emphasizes the ongoing nature of this process.

• If it's real, well, I don't want to know

  ➔ Conditional sentence type 1 (Zero Conditional variation) expressing a possible future condition and its likely result. Use of 'well' as an interjection.

  ➔ This is a Type 1 conditional because it discusses a *possible* (but unwanted) reality and its effect. "Well" is used as an interjection here, softening the statement and adding a moment of hesitation or reflection. While grammatically resembling a zero conditional, the speaker is discussing a *specific* possible instance rather than a general truth.

• Just what you're saying

  ➔ Use of "what" as a relative pronoun introducing a noun clause functioning as the object of the preposition.

  ➔ "What" functions as a relative pronoun, connecting the main clause to a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause "you're saying" acts as a noun clause, specifically the object of the speaker's knowing ('I know'). The full phrase indicates a complete understanding of the other person's implied message, even without explicit words.

• So please stop explaining

  ➔ Imperative mood with 'please' for politeness, used to give a direct command or request.

  ➔ The imperative "stop explaining" is softened by the addition of "please," making it a polite request rather than a harsh command. It implies the speaker is already aware of the explanation and doesn't wish to hear more.