Don't Hold Your Breath

Album: Killer Love (2011)
Charted: 1 86
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This empowering pop jam is the second single from the former Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger's debut solo album, Killer Love. The song was originally leaked as an early demo in June 2010, featuring vocals from Timbaland and Keri Hilson. A second demo then leaked on January 13, 2011 with uncredited female vocals before Rap-Up posted the final single version with Scherzinger's vocals on January 14, 2011.
  • Toby Gad, the man behind hits for Beyoncé, The Veronicas and Colbie Caillat, produced the song. His co-helmsman was the DJ Dave Audé, whom Scherzinger has previously collaborated with, on remixed singles for The Pussycat Dolls.
  • The song was penned by Billy Steinberg and his songwriting partner Josh Alexander. Steinberg has written several US #1 hits dating back to the mid-1980s, mostly with Tom Kelly composing the music. They include "Eternal Flame," "Like A Virgin" and "True Colors."
  • The song is an empowering anthem in which the female protagonist tells her man that their relationship is over and she is not going to return to what used to be. "You can't touch me now, there's no feeling left/ If you think I'm comin' back, don't hold your breath/ What you did to me, boy I can't forget," sings Scherzinger.
  • The song was Scherzinger's first UK chart-topper as a solo artist. She previously reached #1 as Pussycat Dolls' lead singer with "Don't Cha"and "Stickwitu."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New York

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New YorkSong Writing

Our chat with Barney Hoskyns, who covers the wild years of Woodstock - the town, not the festival - in his book Small Town Talk.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.