"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. 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. 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. They also wanted a more performance-driven song.
Composition "Don't Call Me" is a hip hop-inspired dance song which warns an ex-lover against calling following a betrayal. The lyrics, penned by Kenzie, express deep contempt towards their obsessive behaviour. The song incorporates 808 bass sounds, dark synths and heavy beats. In the latter part of the song, there is a piano section.
Release and promotion Teaser images and videos were released beginning February 9, 2021. 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. Shinee previewed the song on the variety show Knowing Bros ahead of its release. "Don't Call Me" was released on February 22, 2021, alongside its music video and album. Shinee performed the song for the first time on M Countdown on February 25. Two remixes of "Don't Call Me" by Fox Stevenson and ESAI were released on March 27 through ScreaM Records. A Japanese version of the song was later included on Shinee's first Japanese extended play, Superstar.
Reception + "Don't Call Me" on critic lists Publication List Rank Paper The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 12 PhilStar Life 21 K-pop title tracks that defined 2021 18 Rolling Stone Korea The 10 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 9 The National The best K-pop songs of 2021 Teen Vogue The 54 Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 Young Post 15 Best K-pop Songs of 2021 4
Accolades + Awards and nominations for "Don't Call Me" Ceremony Year Category Result Gaon Chart Music Awards 2022 Song of the Year – February Golden Disc Awards 2022 Digital Bonsang Mnet Asian Music Awards 2021 Song of the Year Best Dance Performance – Male Group
+ Music program awards for "Don't Call Me" ProgramDate Show Champion March 3, 2021 March 10, 2021 M Countdown March 4, 2021 March 11, 2021 Show! Music Core March 6, 2021 Inkigayo March 7, 2021
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of Don't Call Me.
Recording Recorded and mixed at SM Blue Cup Studio Recorded, digitally edited and engineered for mix at SM Big Shot Studio Mastered at 821 Sound Mastering
Personnel Shinee – vocals, background vocals Kenzie – lyrics, composition, arrangement, directing Dem Jointz – composition, arrangement Rodnae "Chikk" Bell – composition Yoo Young-jin – arrangement, background vocals Ryan S. Jhun – arrangement Robbin – arrangement Jeong Eui-seok – recording, mixing Lee Min-gyu – recording, digital editing, engineering for mix Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
Charts + Chart performance for "Don't Call Me" Chart (2021) Peakposition Japan (Japan Hot 100) 98 South Korea (Gaon) 3 South Korea (K-pop Hot 100) 7 US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 8
Release history + Release dates and formats for "Don't Call Me" Region Date Format Version Label Various February 22, 2021 Korean March 27, 2021 Remixes June 28, 2021 Japanese EMI
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