“Don't Go” is song by Skrillex, Justin Bieber and Don Toliver. It was released on August 20, 2021. Skrillex and Harv produced the song and Bieber and Toliver handled vocals.
Background[]
It was a live jam that turned into this track. The drum fills were recorded on an iPhone that were done on a wooden table in the studio.[2]
Harv explained that the song was supposed to appear on Bieber's album, Justice, but didn't end up making the final cut.[3]
Bieber first teased a lyric from the song on January 18, 2021, through a post on Instagram, as its caption. It serves as the second direct collaboration between Bieber and Skrillex, following 2015's "Where Are Ü Now", but Skrillex has produced many songs for Bieber. It also serves as the first time that both have worked with Don Toliver.
Music video[]
Performances[]
- Made In America (w/ Don Toliver) (September 5, 2021)
- Justin Bieber & Friends (October 10, 2021)
- Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Gran Prix Concert (December 5, 2021)
- Justice World Tour (2022)
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Justin Bieber]
Don't go, don't—
Don't go, don't go
Don't go, don't—
Don't go
[Verse 1: Justin Bieber]
My Mona Lisa, baby, my masterpiece, bae (My masterpiece)
When I'm in pieces, baby, you give me peace of mind
You tell me, "We'll be fine," you always get me right
When it's dark, you're my light
Baby, that's why I need you on the regular (Baby, that's why I need you on the regular)
And if it wasn't you, no, it would never work (No, it would never work)
Got me goin' out my way to show you what you're worth
Don't go (Don't go)
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
I put in the work to hear you say (Don't go, don't—)
Misery missin' your company (Don't go, don't go)
See 'em pullin' at you that way (Don't go, don't—)
Ooh, if this is where you're supposed to be (Don't go)
[Verse 2: Justin Bieber & Don Toliver]
I woke up in the city, I ain't seen your face
Almost lost my mind, medication (Woah)
Five stars for participation (Yeah), it's a COVID operation (Woo)
Hope you hear this where your stationed (Stationed)
I lost my Bonnie, by that time, you already banged it (Banged it)
She armed and dangerous, that long hair got me tangled up
You are my Topanga, stood your ground, even when they aimed at us (Yeah, yeah)
Even through all of that pain, none of it was in vain (None of it was in vain, yeah)
And I'm proud of who you've become, hope you feel the same (The same, yeah)
Frozen, don't let me go (Don't go, don't—), but let it go, please
We've been so close, don't go ghostin' me (Don't go, don't go)
My vital OG, that's all on the record, you make me better (Don't go)
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
I put in the work to hear you say (Don't go, don't—)
Misery missin' your company (Don't go, don't go)
See 'em pullin' at you that way (Don't go, don't—)
Ooh, if this is where you're supposed to be (Don't go)
[Verse 3: Don Toliver & Justin Bieber]
Peace and love (Peace and love, don't go, don't—)
You talk about him like he's decent enough (Decent enough, don't go, don't go)
I see you moving, is he keeping up? (Keeping up, don't go, don't—)
Don't know what you're doing but you're needing love (Needing love, don't go, don't—)
Needing love (Needing love, don't go, don't—), how far can you get, girl?
You know I've been in love with you since the beginning, girl (Don't go, don't go)
Talking out of tone to me, gotta be kidding, girl (Don't go, don't—)
Get you all alone with me, gotta be committed, yeah (Don't go)
[Bridge: Justin Bieber & Don Toliver]
Girl, I need to see your face, hit the gas to win the race (Yeah, yeah)
Thirty pounds of loaded bass, move it, babe, I love the chase
Do your dirt, I keep the taste (Yeah), pop that shit and make me wait (Yeah, yeah)
Shorty like that (Shorty like that), she call me up but I might be late (Yeah, yeah)
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
I put in the work to hear you say (Don't go, don't—)
Misery missin' your company (Don't go, don't go)
See 'em pullin' at you that way (Don't go, don't—)
Ooh, if this is where you're supposed to be (Don't go)
[Outro: Justin Bieber]
Don't go, don't—
Don't go, don't go
Don't go, don't—
Don't go
Cover[]
A few covers were made but only one could get selected, below one that didn't make it into the final.
Credits[]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[4]
- Producer: Harv / Skrillex
- Additional Vocals: Gregory "Aldae" Hein
- All Instruments: Harv / Skrillex
- Guitar: Carlton McDowell / Harv
- Masterer: Mike Bozzi
- Mixer: Manny Marroquin / Skrillex
- Programming: Harv / Skrillex
- Recorded by: Derek "206derek" Anderson / Drew Gold / Josh Gudwin
- Vocal Producer: Josh Gudwin
- Whistle: Carlton McDowell
- Writer: Bernard "HARV" Harvey / Caleb Toliver / Carlton Thomas McDowell Jr / Drew Gold / Gregory Aldae Hein / Jason Boyd / Jordan Douglas / Justin Bieber / Sonny Moore / Tyshane Thompson
Another version with some new vocals at the end of Don's verse and without some background vocals in Bieber's verse was leaked on January 4, 2023.[5]
References[]
- ↑ Bieber, Justin (January 18, 2021). "Thats on the record you make me betterrrrrrrrrrrrrr.. 📷: @rorykramer". Instagram.
- ↑ "Skrillex: Exploring New Sound on "Don’t Go" with Justin Bieber and Don Toliver". YouTube. August 20, 2021.
- ↑ Amter, Charlie (October 20, 2021). "Hitmaker of the Month: Justin Bieber Collaborator Harv Has Enough Juice to Go Around After ‘Peaches’ Powers 2021". Variety.
- ↑ "Credits / Don't Go / Skrillex – TIDAL". Tidal.
- ↑ "DEMO Skrillex - Don't Go (feat. Justin Bieber & Don Toliver". LEAKED. January 4, 2022.