While reading chapter four of Mark Abley’s recent book “Numb” he talks about a song by U2 called “Numb” that has the directive “Don’t…” and hypnotically lists off all the the things not to do… here is a brief excerpt of the lyric:

"Don't take it on board
Don't fall on your sword
Just play another chord
If you feel you're getting bored

I feel numb
I feel numb
Too much is not enough
Gimme some more of that stuff love
Too much is not enough"

Believe it or not, I never heard this song before today(2026). I am not particularly fond of U2’s music. I think this song is effective, however. Not having Bono sing it reduces the probability of recognizing it immediately as U2. I can relate to the numbness and general overload as a response to over stimulation from the onslaught of shit spewed at us daily. Mark Abley says there are 30 “Don’t”s before the example I just showed. I didn’t verify. A lot of doom and gloom.

My mind went to a song I wrote in the earl 2000’s and recorded ten years ago called “Don’t” which is about all the things that get in the way when trying to meditate or do anything calm and beautiful. The song is built on an ostinato chorus of the word “Don’t” sung by a choir. I thought I’d already written a blog about it, so I searched my blog for the title and realized I hadn’t. I never counted the Don’ts either….

Don’t
By: Ian G. Hanchet

Don’t think, don’t talk,
don’t look don’t do it

we hurry too much
we worry too much
it get’s blurry too much
it all gets in the way

We delay too much
Throw away too much
Say “no way!” too much
It all gets in the way

Don’t think, don’t talk,
don’t look don’t do it

We ignore too much
Want more too much
Ask “what for?” too much
It all gets in the way

We bite too much
We fight too much
Think we’re right too much
It all gets in the way

Don’t think, don’t talk,
don’t look don’t do it

We call too much
We fall too much
Drop the ball too much
It all gets in the way

We ache too much
Don’t take a break too much
Lie awake too much
It all gets in the way

Don’t think, don’t talk,
don’t look don’t do it

We dilute too much
Pollute too much
Things Go kaput too much
It all gets in the way

We slave too much
We crave too much
Rant and rave too much
It all gets in the way

Don’t think, don’t talk,
don’t look don’t do it

We don’t love too much
We don’t love too much
We don’t love too much
It all gets in the way

My intention in writing Don’t is to remind ourselves to isolate from the things that distract, but it is coming from the place that it is achievable. Personal serenity is an achievable and desirable goal. I feel the song is positive which is contrary to my mother’s first impression of it which was… and I quote…. Pretty negative song!