What is the difference between He doesn't and He don't (see the description, please) ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

In the "Shape Of My Heart" by Sting, there are lines:
He doesn't play for the money he wins
He don't play for respect

Why "he don't"? Is it correct? Could you explain the the difference between "he doesn't" and "he don't" in this lines?
Thank you in advance.

Answers

cornucopiadm1

28 January

English (US)

"he doesn't" is grammatically correct/proper.
"he don't" is NOT. it is common slang, though. in some regional dialects, it is more common than the correct form.

but there are plenty of examples in music and poetry where grammar is stretched, played with.

Highly-rated answerer

eug26

28 January

Russian

@cornucopiadm1 Thank you! Do you feel any difference between "he doesn't play for respect" and "he don't play for respect"? I'm trying to understand the reason of using slang here.

AaliyahOrtega

28 January

English (US)

@eug26 it’s just a different play on words to add diversity. Don’t isn’t grammatically correct but it still gets the overall message across without repeating the same word “doesn’t”. When writing music, poems, or creating anything you can play with the words and even if they aren’t grammatically correct it still fits well or even better.

eug26

28 January

Russian

@AaliyahOrtega Some time ago I heard the version that "he don't" adds a nuance here, like "he definitely doesn't play for respect". Is it true? Can you feel this nuance as a native speaker?