Tell Me Why (Genesis song)
Encyclopedia
"Tell Me Why" is a rock song by Genesis
. It first appeared as the seventh track on their 1991 album We Can't Dance
, and was later issued as a single
in Europe (in November 1992) and Britain (in February 1993). It was the last Genesis single featuring Phil Collins on vocals.
and Red Cross
charities. This was in keeping with the lyric of the song, which expressed disdain for hypocrisy about food and shelter ("You say there's nothing you can do / Is there one rule for them and one for you?").
Reflecting the emerging trend for CD singles, "Tell Me Why" was issued as two separate discs in the UK. Both editions came in digipak
s with identical artwork, and were backed by a live version of "Dreaming While You Sleep". The first CD featured a 1992 version of "Turn It On Again" as an exclusive track, while the second included a full performance of "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" from the video, Live at Wembley Stadium
(this song segued into "Invisible Touch
" on the We Can't Dance tour).
In Europe the live B-sides were "Mama", "The Brazilian" (both from the Invisible Touch
tour) and the single version of "Invisible Touch".
Keyboardist Tony Banks
regarded the song as worthy of single release (much like "Anything She Does
" five years before), so its release as the fifth single can be seen as belated. Unlike its four predecessors, however, it was not a commercial success, barely breaching the UK Top 40.
The working title of "Tell Me Why" was originally "Rickenbacker" after the 12-string Rickenbacker
guitar used by Mike Rutherford on the song. Rickenbackers are known for their distinct "ringing" sound.
7" single
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
. It first appeared as the seventh track on their 1991 album We Can't Dance
We Can't Dance
Rolling Stone chiefly commented on the album's lyrics. They criticized "Tell Me Why" and "Way of the World" for being soulless and impersonal social commentaries, but regarded most of songs as outstanding, and summarized "Although We Can't Dance doesn't quite achieve the vulnerable grace of Duke or...
, and was later issued as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in Europe (in November 1992) and Britain (in February 1993). It was the last Genesis single featuring Phil Collins on vocals.
Background
A royalty from the single was donated to the Bosnian Save the ChildrenSave the Children
Save the Children is an internationally active non-governmental organization that enforces children's rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries...
and Red Cross
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
charities. This was in keeping with the lyric of the song, which expressed disdain for hypocrisy about food and shelter ("You say there's nothing you can do / Is there one rule for them and one for you?").
Reflecting the emerging trend for CD singles, "Tell Me Why" was issued as two separate discs in the UK. Both editions came in digipak
Digipak
Digipak is a patented style of CD, DVD or BD packaging, and is a registered trademark of AGI World Ltd., an Atlas Holdings company.-Features:...
s with identical artwork, and were backed by a live version of "Dreaming While You Sleep". The first CD featured a 1992 version of "Turn It On Again" as an exclusive track, while the second included a full performance of "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" from the video, Live at Wembley Stadium
Genesis Live at Wembley Stadium
Live at Wembley Stadium is a 2003 DVD featuring concert footage from a sold out Genesis concert at the titular London venue on 4 July 1987. It was first released in 1988 as The Invisible Touch Tour....
(this song segued into "Invisible Touch
Invisible Touch (song)
"Invisible Touch" is the title track of the 1986 Genesis album of the same name. It is the most successful single in the band's lengthy history and was their first and only #1 single in the United States. It went to number four in Canada, but only reached number 15 in the United Kingdom.Its B-side...
" on the We Can't Dance tour).
In Europe the live B-sides were "Mama", "The Brazilian" (both from the Invisible Touch
Invisible Touch
Invisible Touch is the 13th studio album by the band Genesis, released in 1986. It reached No.1 in the UK where it remained in the charts for 96 weeks, making it by far the most commercially successful album of their career, eventually selling over 15 million copies worldwide...
tour) and the single version of "Invisible Touch".
Keyboardist Tony Banks
Tony Banks (musician)
This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
regarded the song as worthy of single release (much like "Anything She Does
Anything She Does
"Anything She Does" is a song by the British band Genesis. It appears as the fifth track on their highly successful 1986 album Invisible Touch, opening the second side of the vinyl and cassette editions. The lyrics were written by keyboard player Tony Banks....
" five years before), so its release as the fifth single can be seen as belated. Unlike its four predecessors, however, it was not a commercial success, barely breaching the UK Top 40.
The working title of "Tell Me Why" was originally "Rickenbacker" after the 12-string Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
guitar used by Mike Rutherford on the song. Rickenbackers are known for their distinct "ringing" sound.
Track listings
CD single- "Tell Me Why" — 4:58
- "Dreaming While You Sleep" (live) — 7:55
- "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" (full version live - Wembley, July 4, 1987) — 9:33
7" single
- "Tell Me Why" — 4:58
- "Invisible Touch" (live) — 5:18
Charts
| Chart (1992–1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 27 |
| German Singles Chart | 51 |
| UK Singles Chart | 40 |