"Don't Matter"
Single by Akon
from the album Konvicted
Released	January 18, 2007 (2007-01-18) (see Release history)
Format	CD, Digital download
Genre	Reggae fusion R&B
Length	4:52 (Album/Main Version) 4:09 (Edit) 3:01 (UK Radio Edit)
Label	Konvict/UpFront/SRC/Universal
Writer(s)	Thiam, A./ Lawson, A.
Producer	Akon
Certification	3x Platinum (RIAA) Platinum (RIANZ)
Akon singles chronology
"The Sweet Escape" (2007) "Don't Matter" (2007) "I Tried" (2007) Music video "Don't Matter" at YouTube (requires Adobe Flash)

"Don't Matter" is a pop–R&B song recorded by Akon for his second studio album Konvicted (2006). The song was released as the album's third single in early 2007. In April 2007, it became Akon's first solo U.S. number-one single and second number-one overall. A crucial part of the chorus takes from Bob Marley's 1979 classic "Zimbabwe". This song was #31 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.^[1] This song was also #81 on MTV Asia's list of Top 100 Hits of 2007.^[2]

[edit] Chart performance

"Don't Matter" was released in the U.S. in mid-January 2007. The song made its debut at number seventy-nine on the 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 UK, 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.

[edit] Covers

Fall Out Boy did 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.

[edit] Music video

The music video 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. A scene in the video where Akon photographs his date taking off her bra has led to some controversy.^{[clarification needed]} Notably, in the video's final scene, the music becomes much more lively, with a Caribbean style rhythm playing under the songs chorus. It has a cameo appearance by Cuban-American rapper Pitbull. The music video is one of the most viewed videos on YouTube, so far #9[1], with one "Don't Matter" video having over 60 million views, while others having over 11 million, 11 million and 4 million[2].

[edit] Track listing

[edit] CD1

1. "Don't Matter"
2. "Shakedown (Remix Feat. Red Cafe)"

[edit] CD2

1. "Don't Matter" (Radio Edit)
2. "Shake Down" (Remix Feat. Red Cafe)
3. "Easy Road"
4. "Don't Matter" (Video)
5. "Smack That" (Video)

[edit] Release history

[edit] Charts

[edit] References