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

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.