[2][1] Chuck Taylor of Billboard described the song as a ballad about "dealing with lost love.

Specifically, "Don't Tell Me" was cut at the House of Gain and Javelina recording studios, both of which were located in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her heart-in-throat vocals are reminiscent of the glory days of Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette," he stated.

[2] It spent eight weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart before reaching number 56 in December 1999.

[2] It is also Womack's lowest-charting single on the Canadian RPM country chart, reaching the top 70 in 1999.