Don't Tell Me No

"Don't Tell Me No"
Single by the Cars
from the album Panorama
B-side	"Don't Go to Pieces"
Released	November 10, 1980
Genre	New wave
Length	4:00
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	Ric Ocasek
Producer(s)	Roy Thomas Baker
The Cars singles chronology
"Touch and Go" (1980) "Don't Tell Me No" (1980) "Gimme Some Slack" (1980)
Panorama track listing
10 tracks Side one "Panorama" "Touch and Go" "Gimme Some Slack" "Don't Tell Me No" "Getting Through" Side two "Misfit Kid" "Down Boys" "You Wear Those Eyes" "Running To You" "Up and Down"

"Don't Tell Me No" is a song by the American New wave band, the Cars. The song, written by Ric Ocasek, appeared on the band's third studio album, Panorama.

Background

Classic Rock History critic Emily Fagan described the lyrics as a "series of declarations" such as "It’s my party, you can come" and "It’s my life, have a half." To Fagan, the song is about personal freedom and rejecting conformity, and the line "Don’t tell me no" which is repeated throughout the song "is more than a catchy hook; it’s a powerful statement of independence." Fagan described the music as combining the new wave sound of the Cars' earlier albums with a "more experimental, almost avant-garde approach."

"Don't Tell Me No" was recorded in April and May of 1980 with Roy Thomas Baker producer. Benjamin Orr sings lead vocals and plays bass guitar, Ocasek plays rhythm guitar, Elliot Easton plays lead guitar, Greg Hawkes plays synthesizer and David Robinson plays drums.

Release and reception

"Don't Tell Me No" first saw release on the Panorama album in August 1980, but in November of that same year, the song was released as the follow-up single to the marginally successful "Touch and Go" single in America. However, unlike its predecessor, it failed to chart at all in said country.

AllMusic critic Greg Prato noted the track as an album highlight from Panorama, and went on to call it "strong, just not as well known as some of the other material [on the album]". Though Benjamin Orr sings lead vocals on "Don't Tell Me No," Record World said that "A steamroller rhythm section has its own way here while steaming guitars and Ric Ocasek's trademark vocal detachment ride high." Classic Rock History critic Emily Fagan rated it as the Cars 8th best song sung by Orr, saying that it "captures Benjamin Orr at his most assertive and nuanced, delivering a performance that combines melodic appeal with a defiant edge." Billboard chose it as a "recommended" pick.

B-side

The song's B-side titled "Don't Go to Pieces", which was also the B-side to "Gimme Some Slack", includes rare backing vocals from lead guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes singing "You can make the switch, you can have your wish", followed by the band joining and singing the chorus "don't go to pieces, b-b-b-baby."