Why (Carly Simon song)

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"Why"
Carlysimonwhy.jpg
Single by Carly Simon
from the album Soup for One (soundtrack)
ReleasedAugust 1982
Recorded1981
GenreDisco-funk,[1] reggae fusion
Length3:32
LabelMirage Records
WEA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Chic
Carly Simon singles chronology
"Jesse"
(1980) 		"Why"
(1982) 		"You Know What to Do"
(1983)

"Why" is a song performed by Carly Simon, recorded for the film Soup for One in 1982. The movie flopped but the soundtrack was a success. The song is one of many film-inspired singles by Simon.

Background[]

The song, like the rest of the soundtrack, was produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic.[2] This was a move away from the usual guitar-based hits of Simon's past. The bittersweet reggae-tinged ballad became a hit in Europe, hitting No. 10 in the UK,[3] and staying on the British charts for 18 weeks. The song peaked at No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 6 weeks.[4] Simon included the song on her compilation albums Clouds in My Coffee (1995), The Very Best of Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better (1999), and Anthology (2002).[5]

Later significance[]

In 1989, the song re-surfaced on the Ibiza "Hacienda" scene, and cemented its status as a Balearic classic.[1] Known for its bass-line and funky drums, it was then that the growing hip-hop scene in the USA began to pick it up seven years after its original release. The song re-entered the UK charts the same year, reaching No. 56. In 1990, A Tribe Called Quest would heavily sample the song for a remix of their hit single, "Bonita Applebum".

Track listings and formats[]

7" single[6]
  • "Why" – 3:33
  • "Why" (performed by Chic) – 3:33
12" single[6]
  • "Why" (Extended Version) – 8:11
  • "Why" (Instrumental) – 7:06

Charts[]

Chart (1982) Peak
Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50)[7] 21
Ireland[8] 15
Netherlands[9] 35
UK (Official Chart Company)[3] 10
US (Billboard Hot 100) 74

Cover versions and samples[]

  • In 1986, Wham! performed it at their The Final concert.
  • In 1989, Japanese pop singer EPO covered the song on her album Supernatural. Subsequently she re-covered it on the international release of Fire and Snow in 1991.
  • In 1991, British-Jamaican singer, JC Lodge covered the song on her album Tropic of Love.
  • In 1993, A Tribe Called Quest sampled the whole instrumental version of the song for a remix of their earlier hit "Bonita Applebum".
  • In 1999, UK reggae artist Glamma Kid covered most of the song, interspersed with rap, taking it back up to #10 on the UK charts.
  • Danish artist Natasha Thomas covered the song in 2003, using the title "Why (Does Your Love Hurt So Much)".
  • The Memory Band included a version of the song on their 2006 album, Apron Strings.
  • SoundGirl released their version of the song on June 19, 2011.
  • Alpines and Maya Jane Coles released a cover version on November 18, 2011.
  • Mothlite covered the song as the B-side to their single "Something in the Sky", released in 2012.
  • M.I.A. samples a part of the song in "Unbreak My Mixtape", released in 2013.
  • Lion Babe released a cover of the song on December 13, 2018.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Forgotten Treasure: Carly Simon "Why" (1981)". Musicismysanctuary.com. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  2. ^ "Soup For One". carlysimonmusic.com. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Carly Simon". The Official Chart Company. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  4. ^ "Carly Simon - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
  5. ^ "Carly Simon Official Website - Why lyrics". April 14, 2005. Archived from the original on April 14, 2005. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Why at Discogs (list of releases)
  7. ^ "Carly Simon – "Why"" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  8. ^ "The Irish Charts". Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  9. ^ "Carly Simon – "Why"" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2013-06-06.

External links[]

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