Tell Me Why (M.I.A. song)

"Tell Me Why" is a song by British recording artist M.I.A. from her third studio album, Maya (2010). It was written by Maya "M.I.A." Arulpragasam, and Diplo, and production was handled by the latter.[1] The song was recorded at Red Bull Studios in Santa Monica, California on Diplo's birthday in 2009.[2] The producer admitted that "Tell Me Why" is his favorite song on the album, likening the track's sound to Wall of Sound and Motown.[3] The song incorporates elements of Sarah Lancaster's "The Last Words of Copernicus" as performed by the Alabama Sacred Harp Singers.[4] It was released worldwide as a digital download, under license to XL Recordings and N.E.E.T. Recordings, on 6 July 2010, as the fifth single from the album. No music video was made for the single, and M.I.A. has never performed it live.

"Tell Me Why"
Single by M.I.A.
from the album Maya
Released6 July 2010 (2010-07-06)
Recorded10 November 2009 (2009-11-10)
Genre
Length4:10
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Diplo
M.I.A. singles chronology
"Teqkilla"
(2010)		 "Tell Me Why"
(2010)		 "It Takes a Muscle"
(2010)

Critical reception

The track was met with mixed reviews from music critics. While some called it an "absolute beauty"[5] with a "super slick" production,[6] others were very critical towards the use of Auto-Tune.[7][8] Rap-Up and AllMusic picked the song as one of their highlights on the album.[9][10]

Track listing
Digital download[11]
  1. "Tell Me Why" – 4:10

Release history
Region Date Format Label
Worldwide 6 July 2010 Digital download, streaming XL Recordings, N.E.E.T. Recordings

References
  1. Maya (deluxe edition liner notes). M.I.A. N.E.E.T Recordings. 2010. XLCD497X.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Lynn Hirschberg (25 May 2010). "M.I.A.'s Agitprop Pop - NYTimes.com". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  3. James Montgomery (23 March 2010). "M.I.A.'s New Album Is 'Weird' And 'Heavy,' Says Diplo - MTV". www.mtv.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  4. Chris Tinkham (22 March 2012). "Bruce Springsteen: Wrecking Ball (Columbia) | Under the Radar - Music Magazine". www.undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  5. "Track by Track: M.I.A.'s // / Y / - FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". www.factmag.com. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  6. Dave Ruby Howe (8 July 2010). "M.I.A - // / Y /". fasterlouder.junkee.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  7. Emily Bick (13 July 2010). "The Quietus | Reviews | MIA". thequietus.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  8. Matthew Perpetua (12 July 2010). "M.I.A.: / \ / \ / \ Y / \ Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  9. "Review Roundup: M.I.A. – '/\/\/\Y/\' | Rap-Up". www.rap-up.com. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  10. Andy Kellman. "MAYA - M.I.A. | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  11. "Tell Me Why - Single". iTunes. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
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