Don't Ask Me Why (Eurythmics song)

"Don't Ask Me Why" is a 1989 song recorded by the British pop music duo Eurythmics. It was written by bandmembers Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and produced by Stewart with Jimmy Iovine. The song was featured on Eurythmics' album We Too Are One.

This article is about the Eurythmics single. For the Billy Joel single, see Don't Ask Me Why (Billy Joel song).

"Don't Ask Me Why"
Single by Eurythmics
from the album We Too Are One
B-side"Rich Girl"
ReleasedOctober 1989
Recorded1988/89
GenrePop rock
Length4:23
LabelRCA Records
Songwriter(s)Annie Lennox
David A. Stewart
Producer(s)David A. Stewart
Jimmy Iovine
Eurythmics singles chronology
"Revival"
(1989)		 "Don't Ask Me Why"
(1989)		 "The King and Queen of America"
(1990)
Alternative cover
US edition
Music video
"Don't Ask Me Why" on YouTube

The song was released as the second single from the album in the UK and the first in the United States. It is a lush pop song with melancholy and bitter lyrics which describe the ending of a love relationship. In it Lennox tells the subject "don't ask me why / I don't love you any more / I don't think I ever did".

The song's music video, directed by Sophie Muller, features a performance by Eurythmics with various members of a backing band. Filmed in bright, saturated colors the finished clip drew comparisons to nightclub scenes in David Lynch's film Blue Velvet.

"Don't Ask Me Why" peaked at number twenty-five in the UK singles chart and became Eurythmics' last U.S. Billboard Hot 100 hit (and last top 40 hit), peaking at number forty (and twelve on the U.S. Modern Rock Chart).

Critical reception

Upon its release, Music & Media felt the song's appeal stemmed from the "poignant contrast between [the] enchanting harmonies and sad lyrics".[1] Mick Williams of the Lennox Herald gave the song a 9.5 out of 10 rating and commented: "If there ever was any doubt that Annie Lennox's voice was a gift from heaven, "Don't Ask Me Why" confirms it."[2] Billboard described the song as a "subdued midtempo number". They added: "Lennox's vocal shines on a track that's not as immediate as prior releases but could easily be a sleeper."[3]

Track listings

7" (UK, GER, FR, SPA, AUS, USA, CAN) & K7 Single (UK, AUS, USA, CAN) & CD single (JAP)
  1. "Don't Ask Me Why" (LP Version) – 4:21
  2. "Rich Girl" (Non-LP Track) – 4:09

12" (UK, GER) & CD single (UK, GER)
  1. "Don't Ask Me Why" (LP Version) – 4:21
  2. "Sylvia" (LP Version) – 4:35
  3. "Rich Girl" (Non-LP Track) – 4:09

Limited 12" (UK) & Limited CD single Box-Set (UK)
  1. "Don't Ask Me Why" (LP Version) – 4:21
  2. "Rich Girl" (Non-LP Track) – 4:09
  3. "When The Day Goes Down" (Acoustic Version) – 3:47
  4. "Don't Ask Me Why" (Acoustic Version) – 3:58

Charts
Chart (1989–1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[4] 35
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 31
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[6] 13
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[7] 1
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[8] 61
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] 45
Netherlands (Tipparade)[11] 2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] 30
UK Singles (OCC)[13] 25
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 40
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[15] 12
US Cash Box Top 100[16] 37
West Germany (Official German Charts)[17] 56

References
  1. "Previews: Singles". Music & Media. 18 November 1989.
  2. Williams, Mick (18 November 1989). "Entertainment". Lennox Herald.
  3. "Single reviews". Billboard. 7 October 1989.
  4. "Australian-charts.com – Eurythmics – Don't Ask Me Why". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  5. "Ultratop.be – Eurythmics – Don't Ask Me Why" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  6. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6617." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  7. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6560." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  8. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6 no. 48. 2 December 1989. p. V. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 3 June 2020 – via World Radio History.
  9. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Don't Ask Me Why". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  10. "Dutchcharts.nl – Eurythmics – Don't Ask Me Why" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  11. "Eurythmics – Don't Ask Me Why" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  12. "Swisscharts.com – Eurythmics – Don't Ask Me Why". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  13. "Eurythmics: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  14. "Eurythmics Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  15. "Eurythmics Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  16. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending November 11, 1989". Cash Box. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  17. "Offiziellecharts.de – Eurythmics – Don't Ask Me Why". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
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