Don't Matter

"Don't Matter" was written by Akon and Anthony "Tony Love" Lawson, and produced by the former.{{cite AV media notes |title=Konvicted |title-link=Konvicted |others=Akon |publisher=Konvict Muzik / UpFront Records / Universal Motown Records / SRC Records |year=2006 |id=B0007972-02 |type=liner notes}} Tony Love and another frequent Akon collaborator, Giorgio Tuinfort, played guitar and additional keyboards, respectively, on the song.

The chorus of "Don't Matter" is partially based on the 1979 Bob Marley and the Wailers song "Zimbabwe",{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/18732-kehlani-undercover/ |title=Kehlani: 'Undercover' Track Review |website=Pitchfork |date=February 1, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |last=Mapes |first=Jill}} with Bob Marley receiving an additional songwriting credit on the Akon track.{{cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/341990412 |title=Don t Matter |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=February 7, 2023}} According to Akon, "Don't Matter" was also influenced by Marley's 1974 song "No Woman, No Cry".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/qa-akon-77485/ |title=Q&A: Akon |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 19, 2007 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |last=Scaggs |first=Austin |author-link=Austin Scaggs}} "The topic matter, lyrically, is sad, but the song just makes you feel happy", Akon said of "No Woman, No Cry" in 2016, noting that he followed a similar approach when writing "Don't Matter"; he explained that its lyrics describe being "in a position when you're trying to hold a relationship together but the people around you don't really want it", but "the record still has a chorus that make you feel good. So I think those attributes probably stem from that subliminal standpoint".{{cite web |url=https://www.shortlist.com/news/akons-ultimate-playlist |title=Akon's Ultimate Playlist |website=ShortList |date=May 17, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |last=Fawbert |first=Dave}} Music critics have also noted the song's melodic similarities with "Ignition (Remix)" (2002) by R. Kelly.{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/culture/2007/04/how-akon-became-a-star.html |title=Lord of the Ringtones |website=Slate |date=April 10, 2007 |access-date=February 7, 2023 |last=Rosen |first=Jody |author-link=Jody Rosen}}

"Don't Matter" was released in the United States in mid-January 2007. The song made its debut at number seventy-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one after ten weeks on the chart, in large part due to its substantial airplay, the song topping the Hot 100 Airplay chart for two weeks. In the United Kingdom, it debuted on the singles chart at number forty-five, based solely upon downloads, and late peaking at number three following a physical release. Following the song's debut inside the top ten on the singles chart in Canada, it peaked at number one for a period of three weeks. As of January 2008, the song has been certified 3 times platinum for 3,000,000 digital sales. Bizzy Bone made a remix with this song, so did Candace Jones, Jadiel and Nivea. As of 2011, the song has sold 5,600,000 copies both in the United States and internationally.

The video was directed by Gil Green and starts with Akon picking up his date at a location. As he leaves with this date, an old man (presumably a relative of the date) is shown both reading a magazine about Akon partying at local clubs and staring at the two with an angry look. The video continues with Akon singing "Don't Matter" throughout the course of his date. It is set in a Caribbean beach style community at social places such as the beach, village market, and a dance. In the video's final scene, the music becomes much more lively, with a Caribbean style rhythm playing under the song's chorus. It has a cameo appearance by Cuban-American rapper Pitbull.

UK CD single and European CD single 1

1. "Don't Matter" – 4:09
2. "Shake Down" (Remix) (Feat. Red Cafe) – 4:28

European CD single 2

1. "Don't Matter" (Konvict Remix) – 5:46
2. "Don't Matter" (Calypso Remix) – 5:38
3. "Don't Matter" (Original Radio Edit) – 4:09
4. "Don't Matter" (Video) – 4:15

Australian CD single

1. "Don't Matter" (Radio Edit) – 3:02
2. "Shake Down" (Remix) (Feat. Red Cafe) – 4:28
3. "Easy Road" – 3:59
4. "Don't Matter" (Video) – 4:15

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{{Certification Table Top}}

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Don't Matter|award=Diamond|relyear=2007|certyear=2023|access-date=September 16, 2023|refname=PROMUSICA1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=ringtone|artist=Akon|title=Don't Matter|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2007|certyear=2007|note=Ringtone|access-date=April 28, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Don't Matter|award=Gold|relyear=2007|relmonth=1|certyear=2008|certref={{cite web|url=http://ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-i-april |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008132354/http://ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-i-april |archive-date=October 8, 2011 |title=Guld og platin i april |language=da |access-date=July 12, 2022 |publisher=IFPI Danmark |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Don't Matter|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2014|certmonth=2|digital=true|access-date=May 20, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Don't Matter|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|id=2007-07-20|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certmonth=7}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Don't Matter|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2023|id=13192-1447-1|access-date=October 13, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Don't Matter|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|digital=true|access-date=August 28, 2020|note=Digital}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=ringtone|artist=Akon|title=Don't Matter|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|access-date=August 28, 2020|note=Mastertone}}

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Fall Out Boy performed a cover of "Don't Matter" for their live album, **** Live in Phoenix. They also performed the song at their June 12, 2007, concert, the night after their bassist Pete Wentz got in a fight with a fan. Canadian singer Lights often covered the song for her live shows. Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte did a cover of "Don't Matter" live in Festival de Verão Salvador with Akon in January 2010.

Brazilian band Bonde do Maluco also did a cover version of "Don't Matter" which has the chorus used by Claudia Leitte on her live version with Akon.

Lauv covered the song on his 2017 release Spotify Singles.

D'Prince and Kehlani interpolate "Don't Matter" in their songs "Bestie" (2015) and "Undercover" (2017), respectively.

• List of Canadian number-one singles of 2001–07
• List of number-one singles of 2007 (Ireland)
• List of number-one singles from the 2000s (New Zealand)
• List of Romanian Top 100 number ones of the 2000s
• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2007 (U.S.)

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Don't Matter}}

Category:2007 singles

Category:Akon songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Canadian Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:Number-one singles in Romania

Category:Reggae fusion songs

Category:Songs written by Akon

Category:Song recordings produced by Akon

Category:Music videos directed by Gil Green

Category:2006 songs

Category:Songs written by Bob Marley

Category:Konvict Muzik singles