“Don’t Tell Me What to Do” is co-written by Harlan Howard, so that pretty much tells you right from the beginning that it’s a good song.
A man has apparently told his ex- to move on, that he has, and she is informing him in no uncertain terms that he no longer has any right to tell her what to do.
...
[Verse 1]
We tried and we tried but it's over
Guess I didn't fit the image in your mind
Now you tell me to find another lover
Oh but baby aren't you getting out of line
[Chorus]
Don't tell me what to do
You've already said we are through
I'm a page that you have turned
I'm no longer your concern
So don't tell me what to do
I'll love you forever if I want to
[Verse 2]
You're no longer in charge of my thinking
You're already in love with someone else
So if I'm into all night honkytonking
Well I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself
[Chorus]
So don't tell me what to do
You've already said we are through
I'm a page that you have turned
I'm no longer your concern
So don't tell me what to do
I'll love you forever if I want to
[Chorus]
So don't tell me what to do
You've already said we are through
I'm a page that you have turned
I'm no longer your concern
So don't tell me what to do
I'll love you forever if I want to
Don’t Tell Me What to Do was written by Mark Barnes & Harlan Howard.
Don’t Tell Me What to Do was produced by Paul Worley & Ed Seay.
Pam Tillis released Don’t Tell Me What to Do on Sat Dec 01 1990.