It was released in June 1981 as the lead single from Rogers album Share Your Love.

American country music artist Kenny Rogers had collaborated with R&B/pop singer-songwriter Lionel Richie in 1980 with the song "Lady".

After the success of that record, Rogers asked Richie to produce his next album, Share Your Love.

"[3] Selected as the lead single, "I Don't Need You" spent two weeks at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1981.

[3] It remained atop the latter chart for six weeks in July and August of that year.