"Don't Tell Me That It's Over" is the first single released from Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald's second studio album, A Curious Thing, released on 26 February 2010 in Germany and on 1 March 2010 in the United Kingdom. The single was released internationally via Mercury Records, and was a commercial success for Macdonald across European music markets, particularly in Belgium, Germany and Austria where it reached the top ten. In her native Scotland, it reached number twenty one on the official Scottish Singles Chart, and reached number forty eight in the United Kingdom. The song was re–recorded by Macdonald for inclusion on her 2022 extended play release, Don't Tell Me That It's Over.

Background

Macdonald began writing songs for her second album in spring 2009, in a brief break from her touring commitments. For the first time she began poring through her old notebooks, looking at song ideas, unlike her debut which consists mainly of songs that she wrote straight away. Many of the tracks were inspired by real-life personalities or events from her daily life. The tracks were recorded at Weller's BlackBarn Studios in Surrey. The song showcased a new musical style for Amy Macdonald, with a much heavier rock and less folk rock influenced sound than previous singles. It features a distorted electric guitar sound.

Release

The song was released as the lead single from Macdonald's second studio album, A Curious Thing (2010). Macdonald began writing songs for her second album in spring 2009, in a brief break from her touring commitments. For the first time she began poring through her old notebooks, looking at song ideas, unlike her debut which consists mainly of songs that she wrote straight away. "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" was released in two phases – 26 February 2010 in Germany and 1 March 2010 in the United Kingdom. Internationally, the song was released under the contract between Macdonald and Mercury Records.

Commercial performance

Upon its release, "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" continued the European success that Macdonald had achieved with her previous single releases from her debut studio album This is the Life (2007). It performed particularly strongly in continental European markets, reaching the top ten in both the Belgium Flanders and Wallonia Singles Charts, Austria and Germany. It spent a total of 22 weeks within the Top 100 of the German Singles Charts between March–August 2010. In Austria, it spent a total of ten weeks within the Austrian Top 100 singles charts, and in the Netherlands, it peaked at number twenty nine and again spent on a total of ten weeks in the Dutch singles charts. In Macdonald's native Scotland, the song had moderate success, peaking at number twenty one on the official Scottish Singles Charts. In the United Kingdom, it missed the top forty of the UK Singles Charts, debuting at number forty eight, spending a total of two weeks within the UK Top 100. In Spain, it debuted at number forty two before falling out of the top 100 of the Spanish Singles Charts after one week. It peaked at number sixteen in Finland, and spent a total of seven weeks on that chart. As of March 2024, "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" has been streamed over 10 million times on streaming service Spotify.

Critical reception

Website Digital Spy commented on the song saying: "'Don't Tell Me That It's Over' is a glossier, rockier effort laced with strings that wouldn't shame a stadium-filler from Take That or Coldplay. As ever though, it's Macdonald's knack for a proper pop chorus and that irresistible Gaelic lilt that catch your ear, and her pointed lyrics that hold it. "Tell me what I'm meant to see, why are you preaching at me?" she asks popstars with A Worthy Cause fetish. Oh Bono, are you listening?"

Track listing

German CD single

European CD single° / iTunes - EP

UK CD single

Music video

The music video shows Macdonald singing and playing the guitar in a kind of band room. The video also features scenes from nature and city life.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Personnel

Credits