Carly Simon - Why (1982)

"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 and Germany and staying on the British charts for 18 weeks. By contrast, the song stalled at a dismal No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

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.
Released a short time later, the extended 12" remix - featuring additional vocals by Chic's Alfa Anderson and Luci Martin - became something of an underground club classic in the US. Along with "You're So Vain", "Nobody Does It Better", "Coming Around Again" and "Let The River Run", "Why" is in fact one of the biggest commercial successes of Simon's career and regularly included on 'greatest hits' compilations with the singer.



audio link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyXLUvB-QHA&feature=related