Better Not Tell Her

Last updated
"Better Not Tell Her"
CarlysimonBetternottellher.jpg
CD Single cover
Single by Carly Simon
from the album Have You Seen Me Lately
B-side "Happy Birthday"
Released1990
Recorded1990
Genre Pop
Rock
Length5:13 (Album version)
4:49 (Single version)
Label Arista
Songwriter(s) Carly Simon
Producer(s) Frank Filipetti
Paul Samwell-Smith
Carly Simon singles chronology
"Let the River Run"
(1989)
"Better Not Tell Her"
(1990)
"Love of My Life"
(1992)

"Better Not Tell Her" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, and produced by Frank Filipetti and Paul Samwell-Smith. The opening track from Simon's 15th studio album, Have You Seen Me Lately (1990), the song also served as the album's lead single. [1]

Contents

A salsa-infused track, the song features a Spanish guitar solo by Jay Berliner. Entertainment Weekly called it a "mildly bittersweet love song" that sounds "firm, tender, and genuine" with a "pointed melody" and "an airy outdoor aura." [2] The single was a huge Adult Contemporary hit, remaining on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for 21 weeks, peaking at No. 4, and becoming Simon's biggest hit of the entire decade. [3] The second single from the album, "Holding Me Tonight", was also successful on this chart, peaking at No. 36. [3] Simon released music videos for both singles, and they each received airplay on VH1.

The song is one of Simon's biggest Adult contemporary hits, and has been included on multiple compilations of her work, such as the three-disc box set Clouds in My Coffee (1995), the UK release The Very Best of Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better (1998), the two-disc retrospective Anthology (2002), the single-disc Reflections: Carly Simon's Greatest Hits (2004), and Sony Music's Playlist: The Very Best of Carly Simon (2014).

Formats and track listings

7" single [4]
CD single [5]

Charts

Chart (1990)Peak
position
Canada (RPM)30
Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) [6] 3
US Billboard Adult Contemporary 4

Music video

Simon filmed a sensual music video for the track, which was shot on a beach on Martha's Vineyard in July 1990 - at the estate of Jackie Onassis. The video alternates between clips of Simon on the beachfront in the day, during the evening in the same sitting, and at night with a roaring bonfire while she and company dance around and play guitars. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Have You Seen Me Lately</i> 1990 studio album by Carly Simon

Have You Seen Me Lately is the 15th studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Arista Records, on September 25, 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devoted to You (song)</span>

"Devoted to You" is a song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change the World</span> 1996 song by Wynonna Judd

"Change the World" is a song written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick and recorded by country music artist Wynonna Judd. A later version was recorded by English singer Eric Clapton for the soundtrack of the 1996 film Phenomenon. Clapton's version was produced by R&B record producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Kiss (Faith Hill song)</span> 1998 song by Faith Hill

"This Kiss" is a song by American country music singer Faith Hill from her third studio album Faith. It was written by Beth Nielsen Chapman, Robin Lerner and Annie Roboff, and produced by Hill and Byron Gallimore. It was released on February 23, 1998, as the album's first single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mouth (Merril Bainbridge song)</span> 1994 single by Merril Bainbridge

"Mouth" is a song written by Australian singer-songwriter Merril Bainbridge and produced by Siew for Bainbridge's debut album, The Garden (1995). It was released as the album's first single in October 1994 in Australia, then was re-issued in 1995. "Mouth" became her biggest hit, peaking at number one on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart for six consecutive weeks and in Canada for one week. The song also became a top-five hit in Iceland and the United States and reached number 17 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carly Simon discography</span>

The discography of Carly Simon, an American singer and songwriter, consists of 23 studio albums, two live albums, 10 compilation albums, four soundtrack albums, two audiobooks, and 41 singles, on Elektra Records, Warner Bros. Records, Epic Records, Arista Records, Rhino Entertainment, Columbia Records, Hear Music, and Iris Records, with special releases on Qwest Records, Angel Records, Walt Disney Records, and Macmillan Audio. These lists include all live and studio albums, and the motion picture soundtracks list includes albums containing more than 50% of music by Simon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Have I Told You Lately</span> 1989 single by Van Morrison

"Have I Told You Lately" is a song written and recorded by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison for his nineteenth studio album, Avalon Sunset (1989). It is a romantic ballad that is often played at weddings, although it was originally written as a prayer. The opening line is from the song "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" by William Bell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let the River Run</span> 1989 single by Carly Simon

"Let the River Run" is a song written, composed, and performed by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, and the theme to the 1988 Mike Nichols film Working Girl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me One Reason</span> 1995 single by Tracy Chapman

"Give Me One Reason" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. It was included on her fourth studio album, New Beginning (1995), and was released as a single in various territories between November 1995 and March 1997, her first since 1992's "Dreaming on a World". The song is Chapman's biggest US hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number three as well, and it topped the charts of Canada and Iceland. Elsewhere, the song reached number 16 in New Zealand, but it underperformed in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 95 in March 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wynonna Judd discography</span> Discography

The discography of American country music artist Wynonna contains nine studio albums, four compilation albums, two video albums, one live album, one extended play (EP), 43 singles, 11 music videos and one other-charting song. She achieved success as one half of the mother-daughter duo, The Judds. In 1991, the duo split and Wynonna signed a solo recording contract with MCA Records that year. In March 1992, her debut studio album entitled Wynonna reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number four on the Billboard 200. The album spawned three number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "She Is His Only Need," "I Saw the Light" and "No One Else on Earth." The album also sold over five million copies. In 1993, it was followed by Tell Me Why, which certified platinum in the United States. It also topped the country albums chart and reached number five on the Billboard 200 It spawned five more top ten country hits, including the title track and "Rock Bottom."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Belong to Me (Carly Simon song)</span> 1978 song by Carly Simon

"You Belong to Me" is a song written by American singer-songwriters Carly Simon and Michael McDonald. The lyrics were written by Simon and the music was composed by McDonald. Originally recorded by McDonald's rock group The Doobie Brothers for their seventh studio album, Livin' on the Fault Line (1977), the song was made famous by Simon when she recorded it for her seventh studio album, Boys in the Trees (1978). A live version of the song from The Doobie Brothers' 1983 album Farewell Tour would later chart on the Pop Singles chart at No. 79 in August 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Right Thing to Do</span> 1973 single by Carly Simon

"The Right Thing to Do" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon that first appeared on her 1972 album No Secrets. The song was recorded at Trident Studios in London's Soho. It was released as the second single to the album, following "You're So Vain" and reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. It also reached No. 20 on the Canada Top Singles chart and No. 9 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart. It also reached No. 17 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coming Around Again (Carly Simon song)</span> 1986 single by Carly Simon

"Coming Around Again" is a song by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, written for the film Heartburn (1986) and later from the album of the same name, Coming Around Again (1987). Released as a single in 1986, it became one of Simon's biggest hits, peaking at No. 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It was also a top-10 hit in Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse (song)</span> 1980 single by Carly Simon

"Jesse" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon. Produced by Mike Mainieri, the song served as the lead single from Simon's ninth studio album, Come Upstairs (1980).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attitude Dancing</span> 1975 single by Carly Simon

"Attitude Dancing" is a song written by Carly Simon and Jacob Brackman, performed by Simon and produced by Richard Perry. The song served as lead single from Simon's fifth studio album, Playing Possum (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be (Edwin McCain song)</span> 1998 single by Edwin McCain

"I'll Be" is a song written and performed by American singer Edwin McCain. The song was serviced to US radio in October 1997 and was commercially released on September 8, 1998, as the first single from his second album, Misguided Roses (1997). McCain recorded an acoustic version of the song for his follow-up album, Messenger. The radio version of "I'll Be", which was released on a CD single with "Grind Me in the Gears" as the B-side, differs from the album version. Its opening melody is played with electric guitar and the vocal and saxophone lines differ. Upon its release, the song reached number five in the United States and number 52 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Want Is You (Carly Simon song)</span> 1987 single by Carly Simon

"All I Want Is You" is the fourth and final single from Carly Simon's 13th studio album Coming Around Again (1987). The song was co-written by Simon, Andy Goldmark, and frequent collaborator Jacob Brackman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me All Night</span> 1987 single by Carly Simon

"Give Me All Night" is the second single from Carly Simon's 13th studio album Coming Around Again (1987). The song was co-written by Simon with Gerard McMahon and produced by Paul Samwell-Smith. An accompanying music video was filmed on Martha's Vineyard and featured drummer Rick Marotta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of (song)</span> 1987 single by Carly Simon

"The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" is the third single from Carly Simon's 13th studio album Coming Around Again (1987). The song was written by Simon and produced by John Boylan. Though no official video was produced for the single, a clip of Simon performing the song at her 1987 HBO concert special, Live from Martha's Vineyard, was released and received moderate airplay on VH1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love of My Life (Carly Simon song)</span> 1992 single by Carly Simon

"Love of My Life" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, featured in 1992 Nora Ephron film This Is My Life, and its accompanying soundtrack album.

References

  1. Fitzharris, Dustin (16 December 2015). "Carly Simon: Still 'Living Like a Flower While the Boys Grow in the Trees.' The Singer Opens Up About Life, Love and Music". Huffington Post . Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  2. Sandow, Greg. "Have You Seen Me Lately". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Carly Simon - Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  4. "Better Not Tell Her 7" single". Discogs . Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  5. "Better Not Tell Her CD single". Discogs . Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  6. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9100." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  7. "Carly Simon - Better Not Tell Her". YouTube . Retrieved April 29, 2014.