Just Don’t Do It Songs | Playlist 🎧

The ‘Just Don’t Do It Songs’ is comprised of 12 songs where the artists encourage others NOT to do something.

JUST DON’T DO IT! Ah, another playlist! The criteria for the Just Don’t Do It playlist is that the song title must have an action that the respective artist encourages others NOT to do.  An example of an action-don’t song would be the Michael Jackson classic “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (Off the Wall, 1979) which isn’t included on this more contemporary-minded playlist. 12 songs deep, without further ado, here is the Just ‘Don’t’ Do It Songs.

1. X Ambassadors, “Don’t Stay”

“Don’t Stay” • Interscope • 2018

“Don’t Stay” is chocked-full of soul.  It starts with the production, particularly the groove led by the cymbal accent.  Even with a sense of energy from the get-go, the pacing of “Don’t Stay” is great.  It’s mysterious and somewhat restrained on the first verse, while gradually adding more instruments and sounds. Frontman Sam Harris is on autopilot early on, dropping electrifying vocals from start to finish.  The biggest selling point of his vocal performance is his masterful falsetto, specifically on the chorus.

The chorus, it’s incredibly catchy – the crowning achievement of the record.

“But don’t stay for me
Don’t stay for me
If you got to leave
Do what you need
But don’t stay for me
Don’t stay for me.”

Continuing to sing the praises of Harris, the layering of his head voice (falsetto) and chest voice is brilliant. In essence, ole boy lets loose.  Also, worth mentioning is the theme of “Don’t Stay” – love.  Harris takes the blame because of his deficiencies, urging his bae NOT to stay because of him.

2. Panic! At the Disco, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”

Death of a Bachelor • Fueled by Ramen • 2015

“Alright, alright, it’s a hell of a feeling though!” Brendon Urie is turned-up to the nth degree on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time,” one of numerous highlights from the Grammy-nominated Death of a Bachelor album.  Urie exudes exuberant spirit on the infectious chorus, excerpted above. Lyrically, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” is incredibly zany. “Champagne, cocaine, gasoline / And most things in between / I roam the city in a shopping cart / A pack of camels and a smoke alarm.”  Furthermore, the narrative is wild.

3. N.E.R.D, “Don’t Don’t Do It!”

Ft. Kendrick Lamar

No Ever Really Dies • Columbia • 2017

“They tell you pull over, tell you get out the car / Don’t do it, don’t-don’t do it.” “Don’t Don’t Do It!” features a ‘left of center’ sound, but more notable is its message of social justice.  “Don’t Don’t Do It!” was inspired by the shooting of Keith Scott. Williams also cites other examples resulting in the death of black men: “Whoa Ferguson, oh Baltimore / Raleigh, North Carolina / But you know, you’re gonna do it anyway.” Kendrick Lamar drops a thrilling guest verse.

4. Taylor Swift, “Don’t Blame Me”

Reputation • Big Machine • 2017

It’s easy to let the superb production work of “Don’t Blame Me”  steal the show.  Shellback and Max Martin always soundly stitch up a track.  Still, as great as the wobbling synths and robust sounds are, Taylor Swift exhibits some terrific vocal moments.  When discussing Swift, we rarely discuss her voice as much as her songwriting and ability to infuse personality into those songs. Here, she has some truly awesome, legit moments, which are aided by vocal production, but the vocal production doesn’t solely get the credit.  The ad-libs, particularly the ‘high E’ she hits are a selling point. The backgrounds don’t hurt either.

5. Shawn Mendes, “Don’t Be a Fool”

Illuminate • Island • 2016

Shawn Mendes showcases maturity beyond his 18-years of age on “Don’t Be a Fool”. Vocally, Mendes sounds fantastic, showcasing the sheer radiance of his instrument. He infuses every ounce of passion, which is shown through the rasp and earnestness of his voice. An old-school record chocked full of blues, Mendes makes it sound ripe and relevant.

6. Bleachers, “Don’t Take the Money”

Gone Now • RCA • 2017

“Somebody broke me once / Love was a currency / A shimmering balance act / I think that I laughed at that.” Throughout highlight “Don’t Take the Money”, Bleachers (Jack Antonoff) depicts elements of his relationship.  Some parts of the relationships are good, while others aren’t. According to him, “don’t take the money” is a phrase he says to himself regarding a gut feeling.  On the first verse, Antonoff takes issue with love. Similarly, on the second verse, Antonoff continues to describe the plight of love.

In the context of the chorus, he embraces the push and pull of love.

“You steal the air out of my lungs, you make me feel it
I pray for everything we lost, buy back the secrets
Your hand forever’s all I want
Don’t take the money
Don’t take the money.”

On the bridge, he gives advice about facing similar situations and decisions regarding love.

7. Solange, “Don’t Touch My Hair”

A Seat at the Table • Columbia • 2016

“Don’t touch my hair / When it’s the feelings I wear / Don’t touch my soul / When it’s the rhythm I know.” While “Cranes in the Sky” deservingly earned Solange her first Grammy award, “Don’t Touch My Hair” is another of many highlights from her third studio album, A Seat at the Table.  Solange is assisted by British musician Sampha.  “Don’t Touch My Hair” plays on stereotypes and naivety. Even so, it’s metaphorical as well, transcending any stereotypes. The jazzy neo-soul record tackles invasiveness, racial profiling, and pride.

“You know this hair is my shit
Rolled the rod, I gave it time
But this here is mine.”

8. Ty Dolla $ign, “Don’t Judge Me”

Ft. Swae Lee & Future

Beach House 3 • Atlantic • 2017

“Don’t Judge Me” has ample pros.  First of all, the production work is great.  Hard drums and lush, urban contemporary sounds make for superb palette of sounds.  Following the brief intro by the ubiquitous Swae Lee, Ty Dolla $ign properly kicks things off with the hook. He follows that up with a short verse, and the reiteration of the hook, before Future steps to the mic on the second verse.  Future quotes the hook, references a threesome as well as various drugs. The ever-distinct Swae Lee, like his colleagues, “can’t be touched.” Don’t judge them.

9. Russ, “Don’t Lie”

There’s Really a Wolf • Columbia • 2017

“Everythin’ you thought about the power that your pussy holds / ‘Cause I got what they want, if I fuck you, your pussy’s gold / You’re used to these tier twos, I know what you got pierced too / I thought that shit was between you and me.” Okay, Russ, okay… The ‘do-it-all’ rapper-producer-mixer-mastering engineer takes an unapologetic shot on the second verse of “Don’t Lie.” He shuts down a girl, who remains nameless.  Clearly, There’s Really a Wolf, and he’s not afraid to bite.

“Baby, don’t lie to me
I don’t know why you need
To just lie, lie, lie
Tell me why, why, why
Ooh yeah.”

10. Bryson Tiller, “Don’t Get Too High”

True to Self • RCA • 2017 

According to Bryson Tiller on “Don’t Get Too High,” he’s “…not trying to kill your vibe, kill your buzz.”  No, he’s not trying to rehabilitate her, at least in the most literal sense. Rather, Tiller wants to be with her, and feels he’s “the only drug” she needs.  This is cliché to an extent – he just wants to hold her down. K.

11. The Chainsmokers, “Don’t Let Me Down”

Ft. Daya

Collage – EP • Columbia • 2016

“Crashing, hit a wall / Right now I need a miracle… / I can call your name but you’re not around / I say your name but you’re not around.” “Don’t Let Me Down” is quite the decorated The Chainsmokers record. Assisted by teen-pop up-and-comer Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down” was a top-five Billboard Hot 100 hit.  Furthermore, the record won a Grammy at the 59^th Annual Grammy Awards.  The music video alone has accumulated nearly one billion views. That’s huge.  Safe to say, “Don’t Let Me Down” hasn’t let The Chainsmokers or Daya down in the least.  Ultimately, it concludes Collage (EP) delightfully.

“I need you, I need you, I need you right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me down.”

12. Sigrid, “Don’t Kill My Vibe”

Don’t Kill My Vibe – EP • Island • 2017

“You think you’re so important to me, don’t you? / But I wanted you to know that you don’t belong here / You think you’re so important to me, don’t you? / Don’t kill my vibe.” 21-year old Norwegian pop artist Sigrid shines on soaring pop single “Don’t Kill My Vibe.” “Don’t Kill My Vibe” latches from a first listen with its exuberant vocals and compelling production to match.  Who would dare kill this girl’s vibe?

“I tried to play it nice but
Oh-oh-oh, ooh, ooh
Don't kill my vibe
Oh-oh-oh, ooh, ooh
Don't break my stride
I tried to play it nice but.”

Photo Credits: Atlantic, Big Machine, Columbia, Def Jam, Fueled by Ramen, Interscope, Island, RCA