Why? (Bronski Beat song)

"Why?" is a single by British synth-pop band Bronski Beat and appeared on their 1984 album The Age of Consent.

"Why?"
Single by Bronski Beat
from the album The Age of Consent
Released	1984
Genre	Synth-pop[1] new wave[2] Hi-NRG[3]
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
Songwriter(s)	Steve Bronski, Jimmy Somerville, Larry Steinbachek
Producer(s)	Mike Thorne
Bronski Beat singles chronology
"Smalltown Boy" (1984) "Why?" (1984) "It Ain't Necessarily So" (1984)

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, throughout Europe and in Australia and is today considered a popular gay anthem.

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.

Track and format listing

12" Vinyl US release - MCA Records MCA-23538

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Why?" (Extended Mix)	7:45
2.	"Why?" (Radio Edit)	4:04
3.	"Cadillac Car"	7:35

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (1984–85) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 10 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 3 Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[6] 3 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 31 France (SNEP)[8] 8 Ireland (IRMA)[9] 6 Italy (FIMI)[10] 13 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[11] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 6 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 11 Poland (LP3)[14] 27 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[15] 7 Spain (AFYVE)[16] 10 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 7 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[18] 6 US Hot Dance Club Play[19] 27 US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales[19] 20 West Germany (Official German Charts)[20] 5

Year-end charts Chart (1984) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[21] 23 Italy (FIMI)[10] 51 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22] 22 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 26 Chart (1985) Position France (IFOP)[24] 46

Cover versions

• In 2006, Supermode released "Tell Me Why", containing lyrics from "Why?" and melodic samples from another Bronski Beat track entitled "Smalltown Boy".
• British electronic musician Andi Fraggs has been performing "Why?" on his live shows and has named it his "favourite gay anthem".[25]

References

1. Vivinetto, Gina (9 March 2015). "Pop Icon Jimmy Somerville: A Career Overview". The Advocate. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
2. Phares, Heather. "Original Soundtrack – Edge of 17". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
3. Olsen, Eric (15 August 2003). "Bronski Beat: The Age of Consent". Blogcritics. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
5. "Ultratop.be – Bronski Beat – Why?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
6. "Radio 2 Top 30 : 20 oktobber 1984" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
7. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0524." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
8. "Lescharts.com – Bronski Beat – Why?" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
9. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Why?". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
10. "I singoli più venduti del 1984" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
11. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Bronski Beat - Why" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
12. "Dutchcharts.nl – Bronski Beat – Why?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
13. "Charts.nz – Bronski Beat – Why?". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
14. "WHY? – Bronski Beat" (in Polish). LP3. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
15. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
16. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
17. "Swisscharts.com – Bronski Beat – Why?". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
19. "Bronski Beat – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
20. "Offiziellecharts.de – Bronski Beat – Why?". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
21. "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
22. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
23. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1984" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
24. "TOP – 1985" (in French). Top-france.fr. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
25. "Looking forward to..." Facebook. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012.