Don't Ask Out Loud

"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.[1]

"Don't Ask Out Loud"
Single by Martha Davis
from the album Policy
B-side"Rebecca"
Released1988
Length4:14
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
  • Martha Davis
  • Roger Bruno
  • Ellen Schwartz
Producer(s)Richie Zito
Martha Davis singles chronology
"Just Like You"
(1988)		 "Don't Ask Out Loud"
(1988)		 "What Money Might Buy"
(1988)

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."[2]

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."[2]

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".[3] Greg Burliuk of The Whig-Standard commented that "Kenny G's mournful saxophone provides a bluesy background for Davis's sad vocals".[4] 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".[5] 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".[6]

Track listing

7–inch single (Australia)[7]

  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.[8][7]

"Don't Ask Out Loud"

Production

Other

  • Bobby Woods for Significorp – art direction
  • Ron Derhacopian – photography

Charts
Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australia (Music Report)[1] 90

References
  1. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 209. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  2. Policy: Radio Star Audio Cue Card (Track-by-track run thru with Martha Davis of her debut album, 'Policy') (US promotional vinyl LP). Martha Davis. Capitol Records. 1987. SPRO-79197, CLT-48054.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. Wyatt, Hugh (October 16, 1987). "New Wave Could Crest as High Note in Modern Music History". Daily News. p. 72.
  4. Burliuk, Greg (January 30, 1988). "Popular Records". The Whig-Standard. p. 21.
  5. Smathers, Randal (March 24, 1988). "Music - Martha misses the mark". The Gateway. p. 7.
  6. Lynch, Amanda (July 14, 1988). "Martha Davis regains total control". The Canberra Times. p. 21.
  7. Don't Ask Out Loud (Australia 7-inch single sleeve). Martha Davis. Capitol Records. 1988. CP 2108.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Policy (US CD liner notes). Martha Davis. Capitol Records. 1987. CDP 7 48054 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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