Don't Say Love

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"Don't Say Love"
Single by Leigh-Anne
Released16 June 2023 (2023-06-16)
Genre
Length3:01
LabelWarner
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jon Bellion
  • Jimmie Gutch
  • Pete Nappi
Leigh-Anne singles chronology
"Don't Say Love"
(2023) 		"My Love"
(2023)
Music video
"Don't Say Love" on YouTube

"Don't Say Love" is the debut solo single by British singer and songwriter Leigh-Anne, released on 16 June 2023 by Warner Records. It is her first solo endeavour after Little Mix began their hiatus in 2022. Leigh-Anne, alongside Gregory Aldae Hein wrote the lyrics whereas Jon Bellion, Jimmie Gutch and Pete Nappi participated in the composition and production of the track.

Described as a UK garage and dance-pop track, the lyrics were inspired by Leigh-Anne's frustration that came with feeling invisible in her career. The music video was released the same day as the single and represents the singers rebirth in life and music, as she embarks on a quest to find herself. Upon release, it was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised the song's production and vocals.[3]

The song topped the UK Singles Sales Chart, while reaching number two on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. It entered at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart, and was named the second most purchased physical single in the UK during the summer.[4] It also entered the charts inside Ireland, Latvia, Hungary, Croatia, New Zealand, and Nigeria.

Background[edit]

Pinnock signed a solo record contract with Warner Records in February 2022.[5] In May, following their Confetti Tour, Little Mix announced an extended hiatus in order to pursue solo careers.[6] In March 2023, Pinnock shared that she had been working with producer Kuk Harrell.[7] In May, her manager stated that a music video, as well as "photos and trailers", were being worked on.[8] The single's artwork was inspired by Pinnock paying homage to Mariah Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi album cover.[9]

Release and promotion[edit]

On 5 June 2023, Pinnock initiated speculations about her debut, tweeting the hashtag "#LeighAnneIsComing" and encouraging fans to join her Discord server.[10] She wiped her Instagram profile and posted a 26-second teaser video of the song, then titled "DSL";[10][11] the video, described as "futuristic", shows Pinnock dressed in an "sparkling sequinned leotard".[10][12][13]

On 8 June, she announced the single and posted the cover art, revealing that she had waited an "incredibly long time" to do so. The song was made available to pre-order and pre-save on streaming platforms.[8] In an interview with British Vogue, Pinnock shared an exclusive 16 second preview of the music video.[14] Leigh-Anne continued to tease the song and the music video with daily uploads featuring behind the scene footage and visuals teasers of the music video.[15] The single and its music video were released on 16 June 2023.[16]

The song had its debut performance at Capital's Up Close with Lucozade Zero.[17] It was later performed at Vevo's London Studios.[18] In October the song was performed at KISS Haunted House Party and in November at S&C presents Hugo Nights.[19][20]

On 21 July 2023 a remix of "Don't Say Love" by Mas Tiempo featuring rapper Skepta and grime MC Jammer was released.[21] An R&B remix of the song was released on 4 August 2023.[22]

Composition[edit]

Carl Smith of the Official Charts Company described "Don't Say Love" as a song that "fuses elements of dance with a hint of nostalgic UK garage".[1] Leigh-Anne described the track as a mixture of R&B, amapiano, UK garage, afrobeats, and pop, and stated that, lyrically, it is about wanting to be loved,[14] "[expressing] the pain and frustration that came with feeling invisible and unheard for so much of [her] career."[2]

Billboard's Lars Brandle described the track as a "beats-heavy nugget with lashings of UK garage", with lyrics about someone who "no longer seeks external validation and who seeks to regain back their confidence after feeling unheard misunderstood".[16] Rolling Stone's Tomás Mier described it "as an upbeat dance-pop track."[2] Charlotte Manning from Attitude, described "Don't say Love". "as the track opens with thumping beats, which give off an uber cool garage vibe."[23]

Music video[edit]

The music video for "Don't Say Love" was directed by Emil Nava.[24] Leigh-Anne said that the video is about "trying to escape the feeling of being overlooked and undervalued", adding that she wanted to get across emotions of "frustration, sadness, [and] anger" through the video.[14] Jenke Ahmed styled the video; there are eight different "looks" in the video.[14] She further noted that the music video is a visual representation of her "finding [her] voice".[16]

At the end of the music video Leigh-Anne teased the second single release with a teaser of the next song titled "My Love".[25]

Critical reception[edit]

Following its release, Harrison Brocklehurst from The Tab included "Don't Say Love" in his list of the best solo singles from former girl group members, describing it as "absolutely astounding [...] fresh, chic, [and] effortlessly cool."[26] Gay Times' Lewis Corner described it as an "infectious new song with a cinematic visual that positions [Leigh-Anne] as an exciting force in pop in her own right."[24]

Charlotte Manning from Attitude, described "Don't Say Love" as a "pop anthem", giving praise to the song's lyrics and to Leigh-Anne vocals.[23] NME's Kyann-Sian Williams described the track as "dance–pop" with influences track of garage and house-inspired that "sees the star deal in the complexities of love".[27] Steffanee Wang from Nylon described it as a "00s, breakbeat pop banger."[28]

Track listings[edit]

  • Streaming/digital download
  1. "Don't Say Love" – 3:00
  • Streaming/digital download – Mas Tiempo remix
  1. "Don't Say Love" (Mas Tiempo remix) – 2:32
  • Streaming/digital download – R&B version
  1. "Don't Say Love" (R&B version) – 3:00

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Don't Say Love"
Chart (2023–2024) Peak
position
Croatia (HRT)[29] 85
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[30] 5
Hungary (Single Top 40)[31] 6
Ireland (IRMA)[32] 45
Latvia (EHR)[33] 33
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[34] 18
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[35] 99
UK Singles (OCC)[36] 11

Release history[edit]

"Don't Say Love" release history
Region Date Version Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 16 June 2023 Original
Warner [16]
United Kingdom CD [37]
Various 21 July 2023 Mas Tiempo remix
  • Digital download
  • streaming
[38]
4 August 2023 R&B version
[22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Check out this week's new releases". Official Charts Company. 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Mier, Tomás (16 June 2023). "Leigh-Anne Exudes a 'Newfound Confidence' on First Solo Single Since Little Mix's Hiatus". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Leigh-Anne – Don't Say Love". www.euphoriazine.com. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Don't Say Love is this summer's second most-purchased physical single in the UK". Official Charts. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  5. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (3 February 2022). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock signs solo deal with Warner Records". Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  6. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (7 June 2023). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock announces debut solo single, "DSL"". Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Leigh-Anne Pinnock has recorded with Beyonce collaborator". Music-News.com. 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  8. ^ a b Smith, Carl (8 June 2023). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock announces debut solo song Don't Say Love with teaser". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Little Mix star Leigh-Anne pays homage to Mariah Carey in artwork for debut solo single". Retropop Magazine. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Denis, Kyle (6 June 2023). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock Announces Debut Solo Single 'DSL'". Billboard. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  11. ^ Machin, Jennifer (8 June 2023). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock announces she's releasing her debut solo single, "DSL"". Hypebae. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Little Mix Leigh-Anne teases debut single". The Guardian (Nigeria). 7 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  13. ^ Magliola, Anna Sky; Roszko, Charlotte (7 June 2023). "Leigh-Anne Pinnock announces debut solo song". Planet Radio UK. Bauer Media Group. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d Mukhtar, Amel (12 June 2023). "Leigh-Anne Pinnock On Motherhood, Finding Her Confidence And Her First Solo Album". British Vogue. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Watch: Leigh-Anne Pinnock Unlocks First Look at 'Don't Say Love' Music Video - That Grape Juice". thatgrapejuice.net. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d Brandle, Lars (16 June 2023). "Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Drops First Solo Single 'Don't Say Love': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Leigh-Anne Pinnock To Play Exclusive Gig For Capital Listeners". Capital. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  18. ^ Magazine, FAULT (15 September 2023). "Leigh-Anne FAULTLess "Don't Say Love" & "My Love" Live Performances on Vevo". FAULT Magazine. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  19. ^ "VOXI Presents Kiss Haunted House Party 2023: everything you need to know". Heatworld. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  20. ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; Soormally, Sabrina (9 November 2023). "S&C Presents HUGO Nights: Leigh-Anne and AntsLive | Live". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 10 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "Más Tiempo, AKA Skepta and Jammer, share remix of Leigh-Anne's "Dont Say Love"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Don't Say Love (R&B Version) by Leigh-Anne". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  23. ^ a b Manning, Charlotte (16 June 2023). "Leigh-Anne Pinnock drops debut solo single Don't Say Love - and it's a banger". Attitude. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Leigh-Anne releases infectious debut single Don't Say Love". Gay Times. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Leigh-Anne on life after Little Mix". The Face. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  26. ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (16 June 2023). "From Cheryl to Jesy: The best and worst of girlband members' solo singles". The Tab. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  27. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (16 June 2023). "Listen to Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock's debut solo single, 'Don't Say Love'". NME. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Leigh-Anne's "Don't Say Love" & 9 Other New Songs Out This Week". Nylon. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  29. ^ "ARC 100 - date: 14. August 2023" (PDF). HRT. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  30. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 20245 into search. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  31. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  32. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  33. ^ "EHR TOP 40 - 2022.07.14". European Hit Radio. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  34. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  35. ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: 30 June 2023 – 6 July 2023". TurnTable. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  36. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  37. ^ "Signed Don't Say Love CD Single (Plus Personal Message)". Leigh-Anne Official Shop. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  38. ^ "Don't Say Love (Mas Tiempo Remix) by Leigh-Anne". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
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