DontGetIt

Album: Tha Carter III (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This 10-minute album cut takes on civil rights and Wayne's arrests, and finishes with a rant against the Reverend Al Sharpton and others who have protested against hip-hop music.
  • This samples Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" from her 1964 album Broadway-Blues-Ballads . It is not the first rap track to borrow from it, "Misunderstood" from Common's Finding Forever album also samples this song. English R&B act The Animals recorded the best known version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" in 1965.
  • This was produced by Rodnae & Mousa. Rodnae spoke to Rhapsody about producing this track: "Nobody else ever heard it. It was made for Wayne. I took my time because most of the music sampled was played live so it's not necessarily all the way on beat. I had to make sure everything lined up to where it was one tempo."

    Mousa added: "I listen to Nina Simone a lot. We got the sample from her song 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.' By the time we sent it, [Wayne] was about to leave to go to Europe for this tour, and the album was going to be turned in before he got back. I sent the song three days before he was leaving. He recorded it and while he was in Europe, Baby was calling for the files [for mixing and mastering]. When I first heard it, I felt like I wished [Wayne] had rapped more. But then I realized that if he's talking, consumers are going to listen more."

Comments: 1

  • Alejandro from Sacramento, CaI like 99.99% of tha songz on THA CARTER III and this song is included! But who sings the intro to this song?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

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.