Format CD single, 12" Label Blackground | Length 5:01 | |
Released May 20, 2003 (UK CD)June 17, 2003 (German CD)August 25, 2003 (U.S. 12") Recorded 2001; Manhattan Center(New York City, New York) | ||
"Don't Know What to Tell Ya" is a song by American recording artist Aaliyah. It was initially written by Static Major and Timbaland for the singer's third studio album Aaliyah (2001). While it failed to make the final cut, it was eventually included on the singer's first posthumous compilation album, I Care 4 U (2002).
Contents
Released in mid-2003 in European and Asian market, the song was the second and final single from Aaliyah's in North America & Asia, the final single off the album was "Come Over".
Background
"Don't Know What to Tell Ya" is about a broken relationship. The song contains uncredited samples of "Batwannis Beek" by Algerian singer Warda Al-Jazairia and "No Respect" by Kool Moe Dee for a drum pattern. In the song, Aaliyah expresses her view on how a man cannot trust his girlfriend and keeps on comparing her to his previous lover, "Don't compare me to your last one/I can't help that she was a fast one, a sassy one/I'm a classy one". "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" was another hit single for Aaliyah in Europe and Asia, peaking in the top forty in countries such as China, Ireland, and Israel.
Music video
The music video for "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" was directed by Bill Schacht for Aesheticom and incorporates different scenes from most of Aaliyah's music videos synced to the beat. It went top 5 on MTV Base and MTV Germany. There were two versions of the video - one for the UK and one for Germany.
Cover versions and interpolations
In 2012, Danny! incorporated the drum pattern from "Don't Know What to Tell Ya", as well as vocals from Aaliyah, into the bridge for "Evil" as homage to the late singer. A sample from the aforementioned "Batwannis Beek" was also utilized.
Track listing
- "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" (edit version) – 3:03
- "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" (Handcuff Remix) – 5:18
- "Miss You" (music video)
- "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" (radio edit) – 3:35
- "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" (Thomas Eriksen Mix) – 5:18
- "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" (Intenso Project Remix) – 6:58
- "Don't Know What to Tell Ya" (album version) – 5:02