During the spring of 1990, before her debut album was released, Mariah did a promotional tour throughout the US accompanied by Richard Tee on piano and three background singers. During the shows, Mariah performed a cover of Aretha Franklin's “Don't Play That Song.” One of the performances was included on the 1991 The First Vision home video as well as on the The Live Debut EP, released in 2020. “I was doing some showcases with just piano and background singers and I needed an extra song, so I added ‘Don't Play That Song For Me’ by Aretha Franklin,” Mariah explains on The First Vision home video. “I do it in concert and I say to the people, ‘This is originally recorded by the incomparable Aretha Franklin.’ And I just say it so they know I don't think I'm even coming close to the way Aretha sang it, but this is my tribute to her.”
Don't play that song for me
'Cause it brings back memories
Of days that I once knew
Those days that I spent with you
Oh no, don't let 'em play it (Oh no)
'Cause it fills up my heart with pain (It hurts)
So please, stop it right away
'Cause I remember just what he said
He said darling (Darling I love you)
But I know that he lied (Darling I need you)
Know that you lied (Darling I love you)
Darling, you lied, lied, you lied (To me)
Hey mister, don't play it no more
Don't play it no more
I can't stand it
Don't play it no more (No more, no more)
No more (I can't stand it)
I remember on our first date
He kissed me and he walked away
I was only seventeen
I never dreamed he'd be so mean
He told me darling (Darling I love you)
But baby, baby, you lied (Darling I need you)
Ooh you lied (Darling I love you)
Darling, you lied, lied, you lied (To me)
Oh… darling (Darling I love you)
You know that you lied (Darling I need you)
Hey baby, I know that you lied (Darling I love you)
Darling, you lied, lied, you lied and hurt me (To me)
Don't play it no more, no baby
Don't play it no more, don't do it
Don't play it no more
'Cause I can't stand it no more
Written by Ahmet Ertegun and Betty Nelson.
