Don't Ask Out Loud Explained

Don't Ask Out Loud
Cover:Martha Davis Don't Ask Out Loud 1988 single cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Martha Davis
Album:Policy
B-Side:Rebecca
Released:1988
Length:4:14
Label:Capitol
Producer:Richie Zito
Prev Title:Just Like You
Prev Year:1988
Next Title:What Money Might Buy
Next Year:1988

"Don't Ask Out Loud" is a song by American singer-songwriter Martha Davis, which was released in 1988 as the fourth single from her debut solo studio album Policy (1987). The song was written by Davis, Roger Bruno and Ellen Schwartz, and produced by Richie Zito. Released in Australia only, "Don't Tell Me the Time" peaked at number 90 on the Music Report chart.

Background

Davis cowrote "Don't Ask Out Loud" with the songwriting couple Roger Bruno and Ellen Schwartz during a period when she was meeting different songwriters to potentially collaborate with. Davis recalled in 1987, "Ellen and Roger came over to my house one day. Ellen sat down at the keyboard and started playing this wonderful music."[1]

Davis was inspired to write the song's lyrics after having recently watched the British dystopian science fiction film Nineteen Eighty-Four on cable, which Davis described as "devastating", "very dark" and "beautifully shot". She commented, "The song is my interpretation of a Nineteen Eighty-Four situation. You know, don't ask out loud, someone might hear you... keeping the children huddled under your arm and telling them to be quiet because you can't be found doing this or being here."[1]

Critical reception

In a review of Policy, Hugh Wyatt of the Daily News described "Don't Ask Out Loud" as a "sultry" track which "recall[s] Quarterflash".[2] Greg Burliuk of The Whig-Standard commented that "Kenny G's mournful saxophone provides a bluesy background for Davis's sad vocals".[3] Randal Smathers, writing for the University of Alberta's student paper The Gateway noted Kenny G's appearance on the track and added that "although it does not weaken the knees the way great sax work can, the instrument provides a nice counterpoint to Davis's throaty vocals".[4] In Australia, Amanda Lynch of The Canberra Times noted that the song, along with "Tell It to the Moon", provides "an emotionally-charged showcase for Davis' passionate voice and considerable songwriting talents".[5]

Track listing

7–inch single (Australia)[6]

  1. "Don't Ask Out Loud" – 4:14
  2. "Rebecca" – 3:20

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Policy CD liner notes and the 7-inch single sleeve notes.[7] [6]

"Don't Ask Out Loud"

Production

Other

Notes and References

  1. Policy: Radio Star Audio Cue Card (Track-by-track run thru with Martha Davis of her debut album, 'Policy') . . 1987 . US promotional vinyl LP . . SPRO-79197, CLT-48054.
  2. News: Wyatt . Hugh . October 16, 1987 . New Wave Could Crest as High Note in Modern Music History . . 72.
  3. News: Burliuk . Greg . January 30, 1988 . Popular Records . . 21.
  4. News: Smathers . Randal . March 24, 1988 . Music - Martha misses the mark . . 7.
  5. News: Lynch . Amanda . July 14, 1988 . Martha Davis regains total control . . 21.
  6. Don't Ask Out Loud . . 1988 . Australia 7-inch single sleeve . . CP 2108.
  7. Policy . Policy (Martha Davis album) . . 1987 . US CD liner notes . . CDP 7 48054 2.
  8. Book: Kent, David . David Kent (historian)

    . David Kent (historian) . Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . illustrated . Australian Chart Book . St Ives, N.S.W. . 1993 . 0-646-11917-6 . 209.

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