"Why" is a song written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards and performed by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon. Recorded for the film Soup for One in 1982, the film was a commercial flop but the soundtrack album was a success. One of many film-inspired singles by Simon, the song became a top 10 hit in the UK, and was successful throughout Europe.[4]
| "Why" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Carly Simon | ||||
| from the album Soup for One (soundtrack) | ||||
| Released | August 1982 | |||
| Recorded | 1981 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:32 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Chic | |||
| Carly Simon singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editThe song, like the rest of the soundtrack, was produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic.[5] 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, and staying on the British charts for 18 weeks.[4] The song peaked at No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 6 weeks.[6]
The song has been included on several of Simon's compilation albums, including the three-disc Clouds in My Coffee (1995), the single-disc The Very Best of Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better (1999), the two-disc Anthology (2002), and the import version of Reflections: Carly Simon's Greatest Hits (2004).[7]
Music video
editSimon released a music video for the song, which was filmed on the streets of New York City in 1982. Simon's daughter, Sally Taylor, also appears in the video, seen pouring a bottle of wine over a man's head.[5]
Reception
editCash Box said that "Simon's vocal and Chic's polyrhythm street groove proves just the right formula."[8]
In 2015, Pitchfork ranked "Why" at No. 188 on their list of the 200 Best Songs of the 1980s.[1]
Later significance
editWham! notably covered the song during their last concert The Final in 1986.[9] In 1989, "Why" re-surfaced on the Ibiza "Hacienda" scene, and cemented its status as a Balearic classic.[2] Known for its bass-line and funky drums, it was then that the growing hip-hop scene in the US 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". In 1999, British dancehall musician Glamma Kid heavily interpolated the song in "Why", which was also a top 10 UK hit.
Track listings and formats
edit- 7" single[10]
- "Why" – 3:33
- "Why" (performed by Chic) – 3:33
- 12" single[10]
- "Why" (extended version) – 8:11
- "Why" (instrumental) – 7:06
Charts
edit| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] | 21 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[12] | 15 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] | 35 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[14] | 10 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 74 |
References
edit- ^ a b c "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s". Pitchfork. August 24, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
But in 1982, Rodgers and his partner Bernard Edwards used it to develop a post-disco pop song performed by Carly Simon, 'Why'.
- ^ a b "Forgotten Treasure: Carly Simon "Why" (1981)". Musicismysanctuary.com. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
- ^ Molanphy, Chris (January 19, 2021). "These Are the Good Times Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ a b "UK Charts > Carly Simon". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ^ a b "Soup For One (Soundtrack)". Carlysimon.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. June 19, 1982. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
- ^ Number One Magazine (5 July 1986; P.24)
- ^ a b Why at Discogs (list of releases)
- ^ "Carly Simon – Why" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Carly Simon". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Carly Simon – Why" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Carly Simon: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 January 2024.