I Don't Care

Album: Only Human (2014)
Charted: 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This sweary single finds Cheryl singing: "I don't care, and it feels so f--king good to say, I swear that I don't care." She told Capital FM: "It sums up pretty much how I feel right now. [It's] very pop, but fun pop!"
  • Cheryl co-wrote the song with Katy Perry's frequent songwriting partner Bonnie McKee, along with Joakim Ahlund, who collaborated with Chrissie Hynde on her 2014 debut solo album Stockholm and "Love Me Again" singer John Newman.
  • Cheryl said about the feisty lyrics: "I'm a woman now; I'm at that age that things don't bother me like they used to. I still care about things, but I've discovered what's important to care about, and what's most definitely not."
  • The music video, directed by Colin Tilley, finds Cheryl lounging on the beaches of Spain. Tilley formerly collaborated with the singer on the video for the album's lead single "Crazy Stupid Love," which was shot at The Underground Club in London.
  • Cheryl became the first British female solo artist to have five #1 singles in the UK when this entered the Official Charts at the summit. The singer overtook Geri Halliwell and Rita Ora who both had clocked up four chart-toppers.
  • Bonnie McKee was less than impressed with how the track turned out. "That was my 10th #1, so I'm grateful for it but I didn't want to give it up," she told The Idolator. "It was a song I had written for myself. They tweaked a couple lyrics and changed the title."

    "The original title was 'Waking Up Diagonal.' It's the first line of the song," McKee continued. "I just thought it was more interesting than 'I Don't Care,' which is such a boring title to me. When I hear that song it breaks my heart a little bit because it's my story."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Sam Phillips

Sam PhillipsSongwriter Interviews

Collaborating with T Bone Burnett, Leslie Phillips changed her name and left her Christian label behind - Robert Plant, who recorded one of her songs on Raising Sand, is a fan.