Why? (Bronski Beat song)

"Why?"
Single by Bronski Beat
from the album The Age of Consent
Released 1984
Format
Genre
Length 4:04 (album version)
3:55 (7" version)
7:46 (12" version)
5:11 (12" version, remixed by Steve Bronski & Larry Steinbachek)
6:19 (remix)
Label London Records
Producer(s) Mike Thorne
Bronski Beat singles chronology
"Smalltown Boy"
(1984)		 "Why?"
(1984)		 "It Ain't Necessarily So"
(1984)

"Why?" is a single from the British synthpop trio Bronski Beat and appeared on their 1984 album The Age of Consent.

The song, recorded at RPM Studios, NYC and mixed at Townhouse Studio, London, pursued an energetic musical formula, while the lyrics focused more centrally on anti-gay prejudice. The song opens with a questioning vocal by frontman and vocalist Jimmy Somerville and the shattering of breaking glass. It was the trio's second Top 10 success in the UK, peaking at #6, also reaching the Top 10 throughout Europe and in Australia and is today considered a popular gay anthem.

Cover versions

Single cover

The drawing for the single cover, of a man with his head in his hands, was drawn for the band by Glasgow artist Robert McAulay, who was associated with the band at the time.

In media

The song was utilized as a soundtrack by Peugeot for French language advertisements of the Peugeot 205 hatchback range. The recording itself was in English. "Why?" was also featured in the soundtrack of the 1986 Bill Sherwood sleeper hit film Parting Glances starring John Bolger. It was featured in the soundtrack of the 2014 film Pride.

Track and format listing

12" Vinyl US release - MCA Records MCA-23538
No. Title Length
1. "Why?" (Extended Mix) 7:45
2. "Cadillac Car"   7:35

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1984–1985) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] 3
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[7] 3
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] 31
France (SNEP)[9] 8
Germany (Media Control Charts)[10] 5
Ireland (IRMA)[11] 6
Italy (FIMI)[12] 13
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 6
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 11
Poland (LP3)[16] 27
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[17] 7
Spain (AFYVE)[18] 10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 7
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[20] 6
US Hot Dance Club Play[21] 27
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales[21] 20

Year-end charts

Chart (1984) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] 23
Italy (FIMI)[12] 51
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[23] 22
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 26
Chart (1985) Position
France (IFOP)[25] 46

References

  1. ↑ Andrews, Marc; Isaac, Claire; Nichols, David (2011). Pop Life: Inside Smash Hits Australia 1984 – 2007. Affirm Press. pp. 39–40. ISBN 978-0-9871-3267-3.
  2. ↑ Phares, Heather. "Original Soundtrack – Edge of 17". All Media Network. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Walters, Barry (20 June 2000). "His beat goes on". The Advocate (Here Publishing): 115. ISSN 0001-8996. As Bronski Beat's falsetto leader, Somerville made gay politics a hot pop topic with such hi-NRG dance floor staples as "Why?" and "Smalltown Boy"
  4. ↑ "Looking forward to...". Facebook. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  5. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Bronski Beat – Why?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "Why – BRONSKI BEAT" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved 26 July 2013. Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 3
  8. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0524." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Bronski Beat – Why?" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Bronski Beat – Why?". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  11. ↑ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "I singoli più venduti del 1984" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  13. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Bronski Beat - Why search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bronski Beat – Why?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Bronski Beat – Why?". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "WHY? – Bronski Beat" (in Polish). LP3. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  18. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  19. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Bronski Beat – Why?". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "Archive Chart: 1984-10-06" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Bronski Beat – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  22. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "Single Top 100 over 1984" (PDF) (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1984" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  25. ↑ "TOP – 1985" (in French). Top-france.fr. Retrieved 4 July 2014.