Don't Ask Me Why
Encyclopedia
"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
.
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 anymore / 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, peaking at number forty (and twelve on the US Modern Rock Chart
).
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
duo Eurythmics
Eurythmics
Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
. It was written by bandmembers Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
and David A. Stewart
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
and produced by Stewart with Jimmy Iovine
Jimmy Iovine
James "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
. The song was featured on Eurythmics' album We Too Are One
We Too Are One
-Personnel:Eurythmics*Annie Lennox - vocals*Dave Stewart - guitar, vocalsAdditional personnel*Olle Romo - drums*Pat Seymour - keyboard*Charlie Wilson - background vocals*Chucho Merchan - bass-Production:*Producers: Dave Stewart, Jimmy Iovine...
.
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 anymore / I don't think I ever did".
The song's music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, directed by Sophie Muller
Sophie Muller
Sophie Muller is a British music video director, noted for her long-time collaborations with artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, No Doubt, Sade, Shakira, Shakespears Sister, Garbage, Blur, Annie Lennox and Eurythmics.-Background:...
, 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
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
's film Blue Velvet.
"Don't Ask Me Why" peaked at number twenty-five in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and became Eurythmics' last U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit, peaking at number forty (and twelve on the US Modern Rock Chart
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
).
7" (UK, GER, FR, SPA, AUS, USA, CAN) & K7 Single (UK, AUS, USA, CAN) & CD Single (JAP)
- "Don't Ask Me Why" – 4:21
- "Rich Girl" – 4:09
12" (UK, GER) & CD Single (UK, GER)
- "Don't Ask Me Why" – 4:21
- "Sylvia" – 4:35
- "Rich Girl" – 4:09
Limited 12" (UK) & Limited CD Single Box-Set (UK)
- "Don't Ask Me Why" – 4:21
- "Rich Girl" – 4:09
- "When the day goes down" (Acoustic) – 3:47
- "Don't Ask Me Why" (Acoustic) – 3:58
Chart performance
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 35 |
| Belgian Singles Chart | 24 |
| Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart | 1 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 21 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 45 |
| French Singles Chart | 45 |
| German Singles Chart | 56 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 17 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 16 |
| Japanese Singles Chart | 16 |
| Polish Singles Chart | 39 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 30 |
| UK Singles Chart | 25 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 40 |
| U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs Chart | 12 |