Why (Carly Simon song)

"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.

"Why"
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)Nile Rodgers
Bernard Edwards
Producer(s)Chic
Carly Simon singles chronology
"Jesse"
(1980)		 "Why"
(1982)		 "You Know What to Do"
(1983)

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. "Forgotten Treasure: Carly Simon "Why" (1981)". Musicismysanctuary.com. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  2. "Soup For One". carlysimonmusic.com. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  3. "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. 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.
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