Why (Carly Simon song)
Encyclopedia
"Why", by Carly Simon
, was one of a string of film-inspired singles from a less successful period in her career (specifically in the US). Following her much publicized break-down on stage in 1980, it was recorded for the movie Soup For One
in 1982. The movie flopped but the soundtrack
was a success.
The song, like all of the soundtrack; was produced by Edwards & Rodgers of Chic
fame. This was a move away from the usual guitar-based hits of Simon's past, and many saw it as an ill-fated attempt at disco as musical tastes changed in the 80's. However, the bittersweet reggae-tinged ballad became quite a huge hit in Europe, hitting #10 in the UK, staying on the British charts for 18 weeks. The song stalled at No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
The song is centered around the phrase "Why does your love, hurt so much?", and Simon sings perhaps, one of her most heartfelt and yearning vocals to date on the track. However, despite this sad subject matter, the song also became well known for its catchy refrain "La di-da, di-da".
In 1989, the song re-surfaced on the Ibiza
"Hacienda" scene, and cemented its status as a mellow classic. 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, 7 years after the original release. The song re-entered the UK charts the same year, charting at #56.
Carly Simon
Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work...
, was one of a string of film-inspired singles from a less successful period in her career (specifically in the US). Following her much publicized break-down on stage in 1980, it was recorded for the movie Soup For One
Soup For One (film)
Soup For One is a 1982 sexually-themed romantic comedy that was directed and written by Jonathan Kaufer and produced by Marvin Worth. The R-rated film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures...
in 1982. The movie flopped but the soundtrack
Soup for One (soundtrack)
Soup For One is a soundtrack album to the movie Soup For One by American R&B band Chic et al., released on the label WEA in 1982, the first Chic album not to be issued on Atlantic Records...
was a success.
The song, like all of the soundtrack; was produced by Edwards & Rodgers of Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
fame. This was a move away from the usual guitar-based hits of Simon's past, and many saw it as an ill-fated attempt at disco as musical tastes changed in the 80's. However, the bittersweet reggae-tinged ballad became quite a huge hit in Europe, hitting #10 in the UK, staying on the British charts for 18 weeks. The song stalled at No. 74 on the 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...
.
The song is centered around the phrase "Why does your love, hurt so much?", and Simon sings perhaps, one of her most heartfelt and yearning vocals to date on the track. However, despite this sad subject matter, the song also became well known for its catchy refrain "La di-da, di-da".
In 1989, the song re-surfaced on the Ibiza
Ibiza
Ibiza or Eivissa is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain. With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza...
"Hacienda" scene, and cemented its status as a mellow classic. 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, 7 years after the original release. The song re-entered the UK charts the same year, charting at #56.
Cover versions and samples
- An extremely rare version of the song performed by Chic circulates in Ibiza. In fact, the Chic version appears as the Side 2 of the WEA 12" single pictured here on this page.
- In 1990, A Tribe Called QuestA Tribe Called QuestA Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
sampled the whole instrumental version of the song for their hit "Bonita ApplebumBonita Applebum"Bonita Applebum" was the second single from A Tribe Called Quest's debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. It is believed to be based on an actual young woman from the group's high school...
". - In 1999, UK reggae artist Glamma KidGlamma KidIyael Iyases Tafari Constable better known as Glamma Kid, is a British ragga and dancehall toaster and former Royal Air Force trainee of part Jamaican descent.-Career:...
covered most of the song, interspersed with rap, taking it back up to #10 on the UK charts. - Danish artist Natasha ThomasNatasha ThomasNatasha Thomas is a Danish pop singer-songwriter.-Career:In 2003, at the age of sixteen, Thomas released her debut single "Why ", which reached number forty in the German Chart ."Save Your Kisses For Me" was released at the beginning of June 2004, meeting great success, while her...
covered the song in 2003, using the title "Why (Does Your Love Hurt So Much)". - The Memory BandThe Memory BandThe Memory Band is an English folk group founded by Stephen Cracknell. The Memory Band has a rolling cast of collaborators from across the musical spectrum...
included a version of the song on their 2006 album Apron Strings. - SoundGirlSoundGirlSoundGirl is a London-based band that consists of Olivia Redmond, Izzy Beardshaw, and Nicole Shortland. Their debut single "I'm the Fool" was released features UK rapper Twizzle...
released their version of the song on 19 June 2011. - AlpinesAlpinesAlpines are a UK act based in Kingston upon Thames in South London, made up of Bob Matthews and Catherine Pockson. Since forming in 2010 the band have supported The Naked and Famous and their track Drive was used by Rankin in a video for fashion designer Hannah Marshall-TV:A clip of Alpines track...
+ Maya Jane Coles released a cover version November 18th, 2011. - Kuedo samples the 'La Di-da Di-da' melody in the song Scissors released 2011.