Wonder Why (song)

"Wonder Why" is a song written by Nicholas Brodszky (music) and Sammy Cahn (lyrics), published in 1951.[1]

Brodszky and Cahn wrote for "Wonder Why" for the film Rich, Young and Pretty (1951, directed by Norman Taurog). In the film, the song is sung by Vic Damone, Jane Powell and The Four Freshmen.[2] The song was nominated for an Oscar in 1952 in the category Best Song.

The first few lines of the song are as follows:

Wonder why I'm not myself off late
I'm feeling strangely great, I wonder why
I suppose some changes Could explain
Why I walk in the rain, just let him try.

Vic Damones recording of the song was issued by Mercury Records and reached #21 on the US charts in September 1951.[3] "Wonder Why" was covered in the 1950s by numerous musicians, including Billy Eckstine, Tex Beneke, Milt Jackson, Maynard Ferguson, the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Tyree Glenn, Sam Donahue, Tal Farlow, Melba Liston, Shelly Manne and Red Garland in the U.S., and Sonya Hedenbratt in Europe. Tom Lord lists 85 cover versions of the song.[4] In later years, Wonder Why was recorded by Alan Broadbent, Cedar Walton and Bill Evans (The Secret Sessions).[5]

References

  1. ↑ The song appears in the New York music publisher Robbins Music Corp. National Library of Australia
  2. ↑ Rich, Young and Pretty at the Internet Movie Database
  3. ↑ David F. Lonergan: Hit Records, 1950-1975
  4. ↑ Tom Lord The Jazz Discography (online, accessed January 7, 2014)
  5. ↑ Information about the song on Jazzstandards.com