Story Behind The Song
It's easier to be dumped by someone who is a jerk about it than someone who is kind and sympathetic (don't ask me how I know). That lead to the idea that "Don't be Cruel" might have been the wrong thing to beg for.
Song Description
A song that wishes a lost love would stop being perfect so the singer could blame him for their failure. Interesting chromatic chord progression; lyrics do a turn-around on "Don't be cruel"
| Song Length |
3:31 |
Genre |
Jazz - Standards, Jazz - Lounge |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Moving |
Subject |
Sorrow, Lost Love |
| Similar Artists |
K.D. Lang, Shawn Colvin |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Don?t Be Nice
A fella named Elvis had a heart that was true
When he said to his woman ?don?t you be cruel?
But you?ve coated your goodbye with sugar and spice
It?s so hard to hate you when you act so damn nice
Don?t be nice, say something viscious
Don?t be nice, please don?t send your best wishes
Don?t be nice
You can love me tender if you still feel the part
But don?t leave me tender cause you make it oh so hard
Well I want to be friendly but it?s just too soon
So please don?t pour your honey on these open wounds
Don?t be nice, don?t reassure me
Don?t be nice, only venom will cure me
Don?t be nice.
Why don?t you tell me it was somebody new
So I can stop blaming me and start blaming you
Say something bad, let me begin to hope
Something good will come from seeing you go
Don?t be nice, spare me your pity
Don?t be nice, don?t try to say something witty
Don?t be nice.
It?s so hard to hate you when you act so damn nice.
©Greg Beattie 2000