"I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" is a 1964 song written by Randy Newman. It was first recorded by Jerry Butler in 1964 and released as a single by him (under the title "I Don't Want to Hear Anymore").[2]
| "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Dusty Springfield | ||||
| B-side | "The Windmills of Your Mind" | |||
| Released | May 1969 | |||
| Recorded | 1969 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Label | Atlantic 45-2623[1] | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Randy Newman | |||
| Dusty Springfield singles chronology | ||||
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Writer Kevin Courrier, in his 2005 book Randy Newman's American Dreams, describes the song as about the "ambiguities of romance" with the singer the protagonist in an "ill-fated love affair".[3]
In April 1969 "I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" was announced as the third A-side release from Dusty Springfield's album Dusty in Memphis with "The Windmills of Your Mind" as the B-side. The producer of Dusty in Memphis, Jerry Wexler, was prepared to promote "The Windmills of Your Mind" as the A-side if it won the Academy Award for Best Song, which it duly did. It was subsequently issued as a double-sided promo single.[4][5][6] String arranger Arif Mardin described the background vocalists on the song as resembling a Greek chorus in their interactions with Springfield's protagonist.[7] In his 2003 book, Dusty in Memphis, critic Warren Zanes describes the idiosyncratic songwriting of Newman as "reinforcing the backbone of the story that gives [the album] its special shape".[7]
Lorez Alexandria released a 7" single of the song in 1969 with "Hey Jude" as its B-side.[8] Scott Walker recorded a promo single of the song in 1969 with "You're All Around Me" as its B-side.[9]
Melissa Manchester recorded it on her 1975 hit album Melissa.[10] Shelby Lynne recorded the song on her 2008 tribute album to Dusty Springfield, Just a Little Lovin'.[11]