"Don't Call Me" is a song by South Korean boy band Shinee. It was released on February 22, 2021, through SM Entertainment and served as the lead single for the album of the same name. "Don't Call Me" was composed by Kenzie, Dem Jointz and Rodnae "Chikk" Bell, and arranged by Dem Jointz, Yoo Young-jin, Kenzie, Ryan S. Jhun and Robbin, with the lyrics was written by Kenzie. It was the group's first single since members Onew, Key and Minho returned from the military.
Background
Following the release of Shinee's sixth studio album, The Story of Light, in 2018, the group took a three-year hiatus as members Onew, Key and Minho enlisted in the military to complete their mandatory service. Upon their return, SM Entertainment announced that Shinee would release a new album, titled Don't Call Me, fronted by the single of the same name.[1] The song was originally intended for their labelmate BoA and favoured by company founder Lee Soo-man, who provided the group with guidance throughout the production process.[2] Shinee considered a number of songs as lead single, but selected "Don't Call Me" because they felt it was different from what they had done before and left a strong impact.[2][3] They also wanted a more performance-driven song.[4]
Composition
"Don't Call Me" is a hip hop-inspired dance song which warns an ex-lover against calling following a betrayal.[3] The lyrics, penned by Kenzie, express deep contempt towards their obsessive behaviour. The song incorporates 808 bass sounds, dark synths and heavy beats.[5] In the latter part of the song, there is a piano section.[6]
Release and promotion
Teaser images and videos were released beginning February 9, 2021.[7] The group also set up a hotline where fans could listen to messages recorded by the members and leave their own messages in turn; however, the server crashed due to the overwhelming number of calls.[2] Shinee previewed the song on the variety show Knowing Bros ahead of its release.[8] "Don't Call Me" was released on February 22, 2021, alongside its music video and album.[1] Shinee performed the song for the first time on M Countdown on February 25.[9] Two remixes of "Don't Call Me" by Fox Stevenson and ESAI were released on March 27 through ScreaM Records.[10] A Japanese version of the song was later included on Shinee's first Japanese extended play, Superstar.[11]
^Ji, Min-kyung (February 6, 2021). '컴백' 샤이니, 정규 7집 'Don't Call Me' 티저 타임 테이블 공개 ['Comeback': The teaser timetable for Shinee's seventh studio album 'Don't Call Me' has been released]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, I-jin (February 20, 2021). 샤이니, 3년 만에 완전체 출격…신곡 '돈 콜 미' 최초 공개 (아는 형님) [종합] [Shinee's first group comeback in three years... New song 'Don't Call Me' is revealed for the first time (Knowing Bros)]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Naver.
^Jang, Woo-young (February 25, 2021). '엠카' 강다니엘, 청하 꺾고 1위 "다니티 덕분"…샤이니·선미 컴백 [종합] ['M Countdown': Kang Daniel beats Chungha to first place, "thanks to Danity"... Shinee and Sunmi come back]. Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
^ abLee, Jae-hoon (March 27, 2021). 샤이니 '돈트 콜 미', EDM 리믹스로 재탄생 [Shinee's 'Don't Call Me' reborn as EDM remix]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^"SHINeeが会見場に乗り込む!? 新作『SUPERSTAR』ジャケ写&収録内容公開" [Shinee enters the press conference hall!? New 'Superstar' jacket photo and contents released]. Oricon (in Japanese). June 24, 2021. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
^Hwang, Mi-hyun (January 27, 2022). 샤이니, 2021년 2월 올해의가수상 수상 "팬들 고마워" [가온차트뮤직어워즈] [Shinee won the February 2021 Artist of the Year Award. "Thanks to the fans." [Gaon Chart Music Awards]]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Naver.
^Ha, Ji-won (March 3, 2021). '샤이니, 컴백 후 영광의 1위…온앤오프·위아이·원호 컴백 (쇼챔피언) [종합] [Shinee wins first place after their comeback...ONF, WEi and Wonho have comebacks (Show Champion)]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
^Kang, Min-kyung (March 10, 2021). '쇼챔' 샤이니, 출연 없이 1위+음악방송 5관왕 달성 [종합] [Shinee wins first place on 'Show Champion' without appearing and takes fifth win on music shows overall]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
^Jung, Ji-hyun (March 4, 2021). '엠카' 샤이니, 1위 등극…故 종현 언급 "아직 빈자리 커, 보고 싶고 그립다" 뭉클 [종합] [Shinee wins first place on 'M Countdown', mentions the late Jonghyun, "The empty spot is still enormous, we miss you"]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jin, Ju-hee (March 11, 2021). '쇼챔' 샤이니, 출연 없이 1위+음악방송 5관왕 달성 [종합] ['M Countdown': Shinee wins first place without broadcast appearance]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved January 9, 2022.
^Kang, Min-kyung (March 6, 2021). '음악중심' 샤이니, 1위 3관왕 "샤이니 월드, 사랑하고 감사해요" [★밤TView] ['Music Core': Shinee takes third win, "Shinee World, I love you and thank you" [★Night TView]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (March 7, 2021). '인기가요' 샤이니 1위→4관왕 유종의 미 "샤이니월드 고마워요"(종합) ['Inkigayo': Shinee wins first place, fourth trophy overall, "Shinee World, thank you"]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 9, 2022.