Why (Carly Simon song)
| "Why" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Carly Simon | ||||
| from the album Soup for One (soundtrack) | ||||
| Released | August 1982 | |||
| Recorded | 1981 | |||
| Genre | Disco-funk,[1] reggae fusion | |||
| Length | 3:32 | |||
| Label | Mirage Records WEA | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Nile Rodgers Bernard Edwards | |||
| Producer(s) | Chic | |||
| Carly Simon singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"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.
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 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
- ^ a b "Forgotten Treasure: Carly Simon "Why" (1981)". Musicismysanctuary.com. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
- ^ "Soup For One". carlysimonmusic.com. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ^ a b "Carly Simon". The Official Chart Company. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
- ^ "Carly Simon - Chart history | Billboard". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ^ "Carly Simon Official Website - Why lyrics". April 14, 2005. Archived from the original on April 14, 2005. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- ^ a b Why at Discogs (list of releases)
- ^ "Carly Simon – "Why"" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
- ^ "The Irish Charts". Retrieved 2013-06-17.
- ^ "Carly Simon – "Why"" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2013-06-06.