About Don't Start Now

"Don't Start Now" is a song recorded by English singer Dua Lipa, released as the lead single from her upcoming second studio album, Future Nostalgia (2020). The song was written by Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren, its producer Ian Kirkpatrick and Lipa, who chose "Don't Start Now" as the "natural first song choice" from Future Nostalgia to allow her to start a new chapter in her life. It was then released on 1 November 2019 through Warner Records on digital platforms globally and contemporary hit radio in the United Kingdom. The song impacted the same format in the United States on 5 November. "Don't Start Now" is a nu-disco song with influences of Eurodance. The lyrics of the song involve Lipa addressing an ex-lover about moving on from a relationship.

Upon its release, "Don't Start Now" received favourable reviews from music critics, with many complimenting the disco influences and Lipa's vocals. The song was a commercial success, topping the charts in Croatia, Israel and Ireland, her fourth number one in the latter country. "Don't Start Now" also reached the top ten in numerous countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It became her seventh top 10 entry on the UK Singles Chart and her second highest top 20 entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 14. "Don't Start Now" was certified gold in Brazil, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

An accompanying music video for "Don't Start Now" premiered through Lipa's official YouTube channel on 1 November. It was directed by Nabil and depicts the singer passing through both a basement club and a masked ball. In promotion of the single, Lipa has performed "Don't Start Now" on The Graham Norton Show and Sunrise, as well as at awards ceremonies such as the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards, the American Music Awards of 2019 and the ARIA Music Awards of 2019.

Following the release of the expanded edition of her debut album, Dua Lipa: The Complete Edition (2018), Lipa announced a new single titled "Swan Song". The song was released on 24 January 2019, in support of the film Alita: Battle Angel (2019), and achieved moderate commercial success. Lipa stated at the time that she was in the writing process for an upcoming second studio album.

"Don't Start Now" was written by Lipa, Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren and its producer Ian Kirkpatrick. The group had previously worked together on "New Rules", the sixth single from her eponymous debut studio album (2017). Lipa felt that the release of the song was a "natural" choice that would allow her to start a new chapter in her life, and chose it to be the lead single from Future Nostalgia.