Don't Look Back (Fine Young Cannibals song) explained

Don't Look Back
Cover:Fine Young Cannibals - Don't Look Back.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Fine Young Cannibals
Album:The Raw & the Cooked
B-Side:You Never Know
Released:25 August 1989
Genre:Pop, rock
Length:3:43
Label:I.R.S.
Producer:Fine Young Cannibals
Prev Title:Good Thing
Prev Year:1989
Next Title:I'm Not the Man I Used to Be
Next Year:1989

"Don't Look Back" is a song by British pop-rock band Fine Young Cannibals. It was released as the third single from the band's 1988 album The Raw & the Cooked. The song reached the top 40 charts in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Music and lyrics

Written by lead vocalist Roland Gift and bassist David Steele, the lyrics of "Don't Look Back" are mostly pessimistic, and depict someone who tries desperately to leave their difficult past behind them without looking back.[1] While the band's previous two hits, the US number ones "She Drives Me Crazy" and "Good Thing", were influenced by American rhythm and blues, "Don't Look Back" features guitar riffs that are more reminiscent of The Byrds and The Beatles.

Release and reception

Released in August 1989, "Don't Look Back" hit number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart, [2] number eight on the Singles Sales chart, number 18 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, number nine on the Modern Rock chart[3] and number 10 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart.[4] The song peaked at number 10 on the Canadian Singles Chart in October.[5] It also reached number 34 in the UK,[6] number 23 in New Zealand, and number 38 in Australia.[7]

Track listing

7" vinyl (Europe, Australasia)
  1. "Don't Look Back" - 3:43
  2. "You Never Know" - 4:27
7" vinyl (US, Canada)
  1. "Don't Look Back" - 3:36
  2. "As Hard As It Is" - 3:10
12" vinyl, CD maxi-single
  1. "Don't Look Back" (12" mix) - 5:50
  2. "You Never Know" - 4:27
  3. "Don't Look Back" (7" mix) - 3:43

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1989)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart34
Australian ARIA Singles Chart38
Canadian Singles Chart 10
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart23
U.S. Billboard Hot 10011
US Dance Music/Club Play26
U.S. Album Rock Tracks38
US Billboard Alternative Rock Tracks9
U.S. Cash Box10

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thompson. Dave. [{{Allmusic|class=song|id=t2371927|pure_url=yes}} "Don't Look Back" - Song Review ]. Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). 2010-01-16.
  2. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Top Pop Singles 1955–2010 (13th Ed.). 2011. Prometheus Global Media. 978-0-89820-188-8.
  3. Web site: [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p4247|pure_url=yes}} Fine Young Cannibals - Charts & Awards - ''Billboard'' Singles ]. Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). 2010-01-16.
  4. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. 2014. Sheridan Books, Inc.. 978-0-89820-209-0.
  5. 1989-10-02. RPM 100 Singles. RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd.. 50. 23. 2010-01-16. 0315-5994.
  6. Book: Strong , Martin Charles . The Great Rock Discography. 6th . Canongate Books. Edinburgh. 2002 . 978-1-84195-312-0.
  7. Web site: Fine Young Cannibals - 'Don't Look Back'. Ultratop. 2010-01-16.
  8. Web site: Top Singles - Volume 51, No. 8, December 23, 1989. RPM. December 23, 1999. November 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170907032648/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6684&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062. September 7, 2017. dead.