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I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)

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"I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" is a 1931 popular song.

The music was written by Fred E. Ahlert, the lyrics by Roy Turk. The song was published in 1931. It had three periods of great popularity: in 1931, right after its publication; in 1946; and in 1961[1] into 1962.

In 1931, the biggest-selling version was either by Russ Columbo[1] or by Wayne King;[2] both versions and recordings by Benny Krueger's orchestra (with a vocal by Smith Ballew) and by Kate Smith all had significant popularity.[1]

In September 1943, Frank Sinatra sang this song on the radio series A Date with Judy.

In 1946, three versions, by Tommy Dorsey's orchestra (with a vocal by Stuart Foster), by Frank Sinatra, and by Skinnay Ennis, all contended for popularity.[1]

In 1961, a US hit recording was issued by Linda Scott. It reached a peak position #12 in 8 weeks on the Billboard chart;[3][4] The song has been recorded by many artists (ranging from country-blues legends like Moon Mullican and Jerry Lee Lewis to Dean Martin) and is now a standard.

Recorded versions

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Translations

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It was translated into French and performed as "Je ne sais pas pourquoi" by Georges Beauchemin in 1932, and Charles Trenet in 1946.[37]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Gardner, Edward Foote (2000). Popular Songs of the 20th Century: Chart Detail & Encyclopedia, 1900-1949. St. Paul, Minnesota: Paragon House. ISBN 1-55778-789-1.
  2. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (1999). Joel Whitburn Presents a Century of Pop Music. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. ISBN 0-89820-135-7.
  3. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2000-11-01). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (7th Rev. ed.). New York: Watson-Guptill Publications. ISBN 978-0-8230-7690-1.
  4. ^ a b Lonergan, David (2004-01-28). Hit Records 1950-1975. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5129-0.
  5. ^ Decca Records in the 18500 to 18999 series
  6. ^ Romeo Records in the 1500 to 1999 series
  7. ^ Musicraft Records in the 15000 to 15130 series
  8. ^ ARA Records in the 100 to 162 series
  9. ^ Cosmo Records listing
  10. ^ a b Capitol Records in the 1000 to 1499 series
  11. ^ a b Victor Records in the 22500 to 22999 series
  12. ^ King Records in the 4100 to 4997 series
  13. ^ Decca Records in the 29000 to 29499 series
  14. ^ Top Rank Records listing
  15. ^ Roulette Records listing
  16. ^ Majestic Records listing
  17. ^ Supertone Records in the 2500 to 2839 series
  18. ^ RCA Victor Records in the 20-1500 to 20-1999 series
  19. ^ Signature Records listing
  20. ^ a b Columbia Records in the 39000 to 39499 series
  21. ^ Columbia Records in the 40000 to 40499 series
  22. ^ Harmony Records in the 1000-H to 1428-H series
  23. ^ Decca Records in the 23500 to 23999 series
  24. ^ "officialcharts.com". Official Charts. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
  25. ^ Clarion Records in various series
  26. ^ Brunswick Records in the 6000 to 6499 series
  27. ^ a b Mercury Records in the 3000 to 3072 series
  28. ^ a b Mercury Records in the 5000 to 5497 series
  29. ^ Specialty Records listing
  30. ^ "The Platters – Volume Two (1956, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1956.
  31. ^ a b Columbia Records in the 2500-D to 2999-D series
  32. ^ National Records listing
  33. ^ Capitol Records in the 100 to 499 series
  34. ^ a b Columbia Records in the 36500 to 36999 series
  35. ^ Hit Records in the 8001 to 8090 series
  36. ^ Mercury Records in the 70000 to 71696 series
  37. ^ Trenet