Can't Tell Me Nothing

Album: Graduation (2007)
Charted: 41
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This features vocal samples from Jeezy's 2006 album track "I Got Money."
  • Kanye West told Concrete Loop about what he feels is the wide appeal of this song: "I hear records that are super hot for two months, but the records won't last in people's minds. I set out not to just make records that could hop off the radio instantly, but stuff that will speak to people. People still bring up 'Spaceships' to me. And people compare 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' to 'Spaceships' saying that's a song that inspires them when they going to work. But the chords itself, is like a Led Zeppelin, rock melody. Yeah, you thinking it's made for the car and you thinking it's made for the club, and it works in the arena because DJ Toomp did the drums and all that, but the actual melody is made to rock 50,000 people."
  • Two music videos were made. The first was directed by Hype Williams and shows West rapping in the middle of the desert. The second was directed by Michael Blieden, and features comedian Zach Galifianakis and folk singer Will Oldham lip-syncing the tune at Galifianakis' North Carolina farm.

Comments: 2

  • Matt from Boston, MaThat line is also in the song "School of Hard Knocks" by P.O.D.
  • Mikey from San Jose, CaThe line "Your homies lookin' like "Why God?", when they reminisce over you, my God", is a reference to the song "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" by Pete Rock and CL Smooth.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.