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Why I Love You So Much

"Why I Love You So Much" is a song by American R&B singer Monica. It was written and produced by Daryl Simmons and recorded for her debut studio album, Miss Thang (1995). A downtempo love song about a partner hitting all the right notes, the tender R&B ballad has Moncia singing over a warm bass and soaring keyboard chords. "Why I Love You So Much" was released as the album's fourth and final single on a double A-side with "Ain't Nobody" during the second quarter of 1996.

"Why I Love You So Much"
Single by Monica
from the album Miss Thang
ReleasedMay 21, 1996 (1996-05-21)
GenreR&B
Length4:30
Label
Songwriter(s)Daryl Simmons
Producer(s)Daryl Simmons
Monica singles chronology
"Before You Walk Out of My Life" / "Like This and Like That"
(1995) 		"Why I Love You So Much" / "Ain't Nobody"
(1996) 		"For You I Will"
(1997)

The song earned largely positive review from music critics. It became Monica's third consecutive top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number nine, while also peaking at number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In July 1996, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Elsewhere, it peaked at number 22 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. A music video for "Why I Love You So Much," shot with Kevin Bray in San Francisco, was released in April 1996.

Background

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"Why I Love You So Much" was written and produced by Daryl Simmons.[1] While not specifically written for Miss Thang (1995), the song was brought in by Dallas Austin to be recorded by Monica for her debut album.[2] In 2016, Simmons commented on how "Why I Love You So Much" was recorded: "I [...] got a call from Dallas (Austin). His studio was next door. He said, “Hey man, you got a song for Monica?” I’m like, “Yeah, I think I got something.” He came over and I played him “Why I Love You So Much.” He said, “I love it. Can you cut it on her?” I said “Yeah,” and I cut that on Monica."[2] Monica later revealed that due to her young age, she used her father as a point of reference while recording her vocals for the song.[3]

Critical reception

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In a retrospective review of the song, Andrea Castillo from The Boombox wrote: "It was the perfect R&B sound of the time, which was a little mature for Monica at her age, but just a beautiful track."[4] Her colleagues, Suzanne Biello and Elena Bergeron, cited the song among her favorite tracks on the album, with Bergeron commenting: "At the end of that one she was basically singing like Denise Lasalle but as a 15-year-old."[4] In 2023, Singersroom editor Erica Henderson felt that "the track’s gentle piano melody and simple yet effective production allow Monica’s voice to take center stage, making for a powerful and emotional listening experience [...] The song’s timeless sentiment and beautiful execution have made it a classic of 90s R&B, and it remains a beloved track among Monica’s fans."[5]

Music video

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A music video for the song was filmed in San Francisco.[6]

Monica reteamed with Kevin Bray, director of the video for her previous single "Before You Walk Out of My Life" (1995) to film the visuals for "Why I Love You So Much" in early 1996.[6] Filming took place in various locations throughout San Francisco, particularly the North Beach neighborhood, including Italian shop Bohemian Cigar Store and Cafe on Columbus Avenue, where shots of Monica were filmed in the corner of the shop window.[6] The video begins with clips of city streets and Monica walking a dalmatian. She sings as she hugs him against an all black background.[6] The music video "Why I Love You So Much" premiered on video stations such as BET and The Box on the week ending April 14, 1996.[7]

Track listing

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CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Why I Love You So Much" (Album Version)Daryl SimmonsSimmons4:30
2."Why I Love You So Much" (Soulpower Remix)Simmons
4:30
3."Ain't Nobody" (Main Mix featuring Naughty by Nature)
4:49
4."Ain't Nobody" (No Rap)
  • Austin
  • Criss
  • Warren
  • Austin
  • KayGee[A]
4:49
5."Ain't Nobody" (Quiet Storm Mix)
  • Austin
  • Criss
  • Warren
  • Austin
  • KayGee[A]
4:50

Notes

  • ^[A] denotes additional producer

Sample credits

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Miss Thang.[1]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Why I Love You So Much"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[18] Gold 700,000[17]

References

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  1. ^ a b Miss Thang (Media notes). Monica. Arista Records. 1995.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ a b Kawashima, Dale (August 24, 2016). "Special Interview With Daryl Simmons, Co-Writer Of 18 Top 10 Pop Hit Songs For Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Bobby Brown, Babyface and TLC". songwriteruniverse.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  3. ^ "Monica Wrote "Why I Love You So Much" About her Father". June 25, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ a b "20 Years Later: Monica's 'Miss Thang' Album Remembered". July 18, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via theboombox.com.
  5. ^ Henderson, Erica (February 27, 2023). "10 Best Monica R&B Songs of All Time". singersroom.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d "Monica: Why I Love You So Much". IMDb. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  7. ^ Video Monitor. Billboard. 1996-04-27. p. 90.
  8. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 11 Aug 1996". ARIA. Archived from the original on 2020-11-20. Retrieved April 18, 2020 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The HP column displays the highest position reached.
  9. ^ "Monica – Why I Love You So Much". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  10. ^ "Monica Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  11. ^ "Monica Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  12. ^ "Monica Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  13. ^ "Monica Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  14. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1996". Archived from the original on 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  15. ^ "1996 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  16. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs Of 1996" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  17. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 3. BPI Communications Inc. January 18, 1997. p. 61. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  18. ^ "American single certifications – Monica – Why I Love You So Much". Recording Industry Association of America.
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