Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
Few songs demonstrate Aswad’s ability to blend reggae with accessible pop quite as effectively as “Don’t Turn Around”. Written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren, the song had already been recorded by other artists before Aswad gave it their own distinctive interpretation in 1988. Their version appeared on the album Distant Thunder and marked a move towards a brighter, more contemporary reggae sound.
The song tells the story of someone trying to remain strong as a relationship falls apart. The narrator insists that their departing lover should keep walking and not look back, even though beneath the confident words there is obvious heartbreak. That contrast between outward composure and inner vulnerability gives the song much of its emotional appeal.
Aswad reshaped the material around a light, rolling reggae rhythm, combining deep bass, crisp percussion, keyboards and subtle brass with a polished pop production. Drummie Zeb’s vocal brings warmth and emotional restraint to the performance, allowing the sadness in the lyrics to sit comfortably alongside the song’s upbeat musical setting. Chris Porter produced the recording, working with the band to create its crossover-friendly sound.
The result is both soulful and infectious, retaining Aswad’s reggae identity while giving the song a broader pop appeal. “Don’t Turn Around” remains one of the band’s best-known recordings and a fine example of their ability to make emotionally bittersweet material sound effortlessly uplifting.
The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK singles chart on 26th March 1988.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | Don’t Turn Around (3:20) (Warren, Hammond) Produced By Chris Porter |
| B-Side | Woman (4:28) (Forde, Gaye, Robinson) Produced By Glen Skinner |
CHART PERFORMANCE
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [9 Weeks] – 5th March 1988 – 30th April 1988 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- Don’t Turn Around (Single Version) (3:20)
- Don’t Turn Around (Album Version) (3:40)
- Don’t Turn Around (12″ Mix) (5:48)
- Don’t Turn Around (Remix) (7:02)
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OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
Woah, woah, woah, boy
If you wanna leave, baby
I won’t beg you to stay
And if you wanna go, darlin’
Maybe it’s better that way
I’m gonna be strong
I’m gonna be fine
Don’t worry about this heart of mine
Walk out the door
See if I care
Go on and go now
But don’t turn around
‘Cause you’re gonna see my heart breakin’
Don’t turn around
I don’t want you seein’ me cryin’
Just walk away
It’s tearin’ me apart that you’re leavin’
I’m lettin’ you go
And I won’t let you know
I won’t miss your arms around me
Holdin’ me tight
And if you ever think about me
Just know that I’m gonna be alright
(Be alright, be alright)
I’m gonna be strong
I’m gonna do fine
Don’t worry about this heart of mine
I know I’ll survive
I’ll make it through
And I’ll learn to live without you
But don’t turn around
‘Cause you’re gonna see my heart breakin’
Don’t turn around
I don’t want you seein’ me cryin’
Just walk away
It’s tearin’ me apart that you’re leavin’
I’m lettin’ you go
And I won’t let you know
I wish I could scream out loud that I love you
I wish I could say to you, “Don’t go, don’t go, don’t go”
Don’t turn around, girl, ooh-hoo
Don’t turn around
I don’t want you seein’ me cryin’
Just walk away
It’s tearin’ me apart that you’re leavin’
I’m lettin’ you go
And I won’t let you know
Don’t turn around
‘Cause you’re gonna see my heart breakin’
Don’t turn around
I don’t want you seein’ me cry
Just walk away
It’s tearin’ me apart that you’re leavin’
I’m lettin’ you go
But don’t you turn around
I’m cryin’, I don’t want you to see when I’m crying
(Don’t turn around)
Eh-hey, don’t you turn around when you’re leavin’
(Don’t turn around)
Bye-bye, I don’t want you to see when I’m crying
(Don’t turn around)
No-no, I don’t want you to turn when you’re leavin’
Don’t you turn around
Don’t turn around, girl
(I don’t want you to see me cryin’)
Don’t want you to see me cry
Written By Warren / Hammond
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