Why? (Bronski Beat song)

"Why?"
"Why?"
Single by Bronski Beat
from the album The Age of Consent
B-side	"Cadillac Car"
Released	14 September 1984
Genre	Disco; hi-NRG; synth-pop; dance-pop; Eurodisco; new wave;
Length	4:04 (album version); 3:55 (7" version); 7:46 (12" version); 5:11 (12" version, remixed by Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek); 6:19 (remix);
Label	London
Songwriters	Steve Bronski; Jimmy Somerville; Larry Steinbachek;
Producer	Mike Thorne
Bronski Beat singles chronology
Music video
	"Why?" on YouTube

"Why?" is a song by British synth-pop band Bronski Beat, released as the second single from their 1984 album The Age of Consent.

The song, recorded at RPM Studio in New York City and mixed at Townhouse Studios in 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^{[clarification needed]} with the band at the time.

Reception

Reviewing the song for Melody Maker, Adam Sweeting described it as "all rather twisted and tragic, especially when sung by those painfully keening vocals (the song is dedicated to murdered gay playwright Drew Griffiths). Like Soft Cell before them, the Bronskingtons suit this frugal format better than most, basically because they've had the guts to go the whole hog". Sweeting adds that "what would be predictable electroboredom in more ineffectual outfits here takes on the status of obsession, building busily towards a tense and involving climax".^[9]

Reviewing for Smash Hits, Dave Rimmer wrote "this was written for Martin, a friend of the Bronskis who was hounded out of the country by his boyfriend's irate and violent parents" and described it as "a worthy follow-up to "Smalltown Boy"".^[10] Dave Ling for Number One agreed with this last point and wrote that the song "could almost be a sequel to their debut, continuing the tale of a young gay suffering humiliation and animosity as he tries to live his life".^[11]

In Record Mirror, the song was described as "flowing with unchained melodies, and dealing a deadly double blow to your heart and (shoe) souls" and that "it sounds something akin to Sylvester meets Pigbag in a battle for dancefloor supremacy".^[12] John Leland of Spin agreed, "another slice of aerobics bounce music that goes for a burn Jane Fonda never heard of. This cut glistens with the hip smoothness that made Bronski Beat, along with Sade, the most important new act in dance music."^[13]

Track 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

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1984–1985)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[14]	10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[15]	3
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[16]	31
Europe (Airplay Top 50)^[17]	4
Europe (Europarade Top 40)^[18]	4
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[19]	5
France (SNEP)^[20]	8
Germany Airplay Top 15^[21]	10
Ireland (IRMA)^[22]	6
Italy (Musica e dischi)^[23]	5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[24]	2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[25]	6
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[26]	11
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[27]	7
Spain Airplay^[28]	2
Spain (AFYVE)^[29]	10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[30]	7
UK Airplay Top 20^[31]	1
UK Singles (OCC)^[32]	6
US Hot Dance Club Play^[33]	27
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales^[33]	20
West Germany (GfK)^[34]	5

Year-end charts

Chart (1984)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[35]	23
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[36]	22
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[37]	26
UK Singles (Gallup)^[38]	67
West Germany (Media Control)^[39]	72

Chart (1985)	Position
France^[40]	46

Certifications and sales

In France, the single reportedly sold at least 300,000 copies.^[40]

Cover versions

In 2006, Steve Angello and Axwell as Supermode released "Tell Me Why", containing lyrics from "Why?" and melodic samples from another Bronski Beat track, "Smalltown Boy".
British electronic musician Andi Fraggs performed "Why?" in his live shows and named it his "favourite gay anthem".^[41]

References

^ ^a ^b "News". Record Mirror. 8 September 1984. p. 4. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via Flickr.
^ ^a ^b Flynn, Paul (28 September 2023). "Only one kind of music makes clubbers dress up like this". Evening Standard.
^ Olsen, Eric (15 August 2003). "Bronski Beat: The Age of Consent". Blogcritics. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
^ Vivinetto, Gina (9 March 2015). "Pop Icon Jimmy Somerville: A Career Overview". The Advocate. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
^ ^a ^b Molanphy, Chris (16 September 2024). "What's 1984 Got to Do with It Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
^ Cromelin, Richard (17 February 1985). "BRONSKI BEATEN BY FALSETTO OVERKILL". Los Angeles Times.
^ Chin, Brian (6 October 1984). "Dance Trax". Billboard. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
^ Phares, Heather. "Original Soundtrack – Edge of 17". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ Sweeting, Adam (15 September 1984). "Singles" (PDF). Melody Maker. p. 27. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^ Rimmer, Dave (13–26 September 1984). "Singles". Smash Hits. p. 25. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via Google Sites.
^ "Singles". Number One. 15 September 1984. p. 36. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via Flickr.
^ "Singles". Record Mirror. 15 September 1984. p. 14. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via Flickr.
^ John Leland (July 1985). "Singles". Spin. No. 3. p. 32.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Bronski Beat – Why?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0524." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
^ European Playlist Reports
^ Europarade
^ Eurochart Top 100 Singles
^ "Bronski Beat – Why?" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ EUROPEAN PLAYLIST REPORTS
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Why?". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Bronski Beat".
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 42, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ "Bronski Beat – Why?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ "Bronski Beat – Why?". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ EUROPEAN PLAYLIST REPORTS
^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ "Bronski Beat – Why?". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ EUROPEAN PLAYLIST REPORTS
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Bronski Beat – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Bronski Beat – Why?" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1984" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
^ "Top 100 Singles 1984" (PDF). Music Week. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1984". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
^ ^a ^b "TOP – 1985". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 4 July 2014.
^ "Looking forward to..." 3 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012 – via Facebook.

[rm-1] "News". Record Mirror. 8 September 1984. p. 4. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via Flickr.

[80s_disco-2] Flynn, Paul (28 September 2023). "Only one kind of music makes clubbers dress up like this". Evening Standard.

[3] Olsen, Eric (15 August 2003). "Bronski Beat: The Age of Consent". Blogcritics. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.

[4] Vivinetto, Gina (9 March 2015). "Pop Icon Jimmy Somerville: A Career Overview". The Advocate. Retrieved 9 May 2015.

[Molanphy_2024-5] Molanphy, Chris (16 September 2024). "What's 1984 Got to Do with It Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved 11 January 2025.

[6] Cromelin, Richard (17 February 1985). "BRONSKI BEATEN BY FALSETTO OVERKILL". Los Angeles Times.

[7] Chin, Brian (6 October 1984). "Dance Trax". Billboard. Retrieved 2 August 2023.

[8] Phares, Heather. "Original Soundtrack – Edge of 17". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[9] Sweeting, Adam (15 September 1984). "Singles" (PDF). Melody Maker. p. 27. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

[10] Rimmer, Dave (13–26 September 1984). "Singles". Smash Hits. p. 25. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via Google Sites.

[11] "Singles". Number One. 15 September 1984. p. 36. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via Flickr.

[12] "Singles". Record Mirror. 15 September 1984. p. 14. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via Flickr.

[13] John Leland (July 1985). "Singles". Spin. No. 3. p. 32.

[14] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Flanders_Bronski_Beat-15] "Bronski Beat – Why?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-16] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0524." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 May 2013.

[17] European Playlist Reports

[18] Europarade

[19] Eurochart Top 100 Singles

[sc_France_Bronski_Beat-20] "Bronski Beat – Why?" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[21] EUROPEAN PLAYLIST REPORTS

[sc_Ireland2_-22] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Why?". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[23] "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Bronski Beat".

[sc_Dutch40_-24] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 42, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[sc_Dutch100_Bronski_Beat-25] "Bronski Beat – Why?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[sc_New_Zealand_Bronski_Beat-26] "Bronski Beat – Why?". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[27] "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[28] EUROPEAN PLAYLIST REPORTS

[29] Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[sc_Switzerland_Bronski_Beat-30] "Bronski Beat – Why?". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[31] EUROPEAN PLAYLIST REPORTS

[sc_UK_-32] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2013.

[awards-33] "Bronski Beat – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 May 2013.

[sc_West_Germany_Bronski_Beat-34] "Offiziellecharts.de – Bronski Beat – Why?" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

[35] "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 July 2014.

[36] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 July 2014.

[37] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1984" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 July 2014.

[38] "Top 100 Singles 1984" (PDF). Music Week. Retrieved 18 September 2022.

[39] "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1984". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.

[top-france-40] "TOP – 1985". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 4 July 2014.

[41] "Looking forward to..." 3 July 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012 – via Facebook.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

v t e Bronski Beat
Steve Bronski Jimmy Somerville Larry Steinbachek Ian Donaldson Stephen Granville Richard Coles John Foster Jonathan Hellyer Manoush
Albums	The Age of Consent Hundreds & Thousands Truthdare Doubledare
Compilations	The Singles Collection 1984/1990 The Very Best Of For a Friend: The Best Of
Singles	"Smalltown Boy" "Why?" "It Ain't Necessarily So" "I Feel Love" "Hit That Perfect Beat" "C'mon! C'mon!"
Related	Bronski Beat discography

v t e Jimmy Somerville
Discography
Studio albums	Read My Lips Dare to Love Manage the Damage Home Again Homage
Remix albums	Club Homage
Compilations	The Singles Collection 1984/1990 Master Series The Very Best Of For a Friend: The Best Of
Singles	"Suspicious Minds" "Comment te dire adieu" "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" "Read My Lips (Enough Is Enough)" "To Love Somebody" "Smalltown Boy ('91 Remix)" "Gimme Shelter" "Heartbeat" "Hurt So Good" "By Your Side" "The Number One Song in Heaven" "Why? (Almighty Mix)" "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
Other songs	"Love to Love You Baby" "Johnny Remember Me" "Lover Man" "Do They Know It's Christmas?" "From This Moment On" "Someday We'll Be Together" "But Not Tonight" "I Was Born This Way" "Tell Me Why"
Related articles	Bronski Beat The Communards Red Wedge

Why? (Bronski Beat song)

Hub talks

Why? (Bronski Beat song)

Why? (Bronski Beat song)

Why? (Bronski Beat song)

Hub overview

Add your contribution

Inside this hub

Media Collections

Timelines

Articles

Notes collections

Notes

Days in Chronicle

Root Wikipedia Article

Why? (Bronski Beat song)

Single cover

Reception

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

Cover versions

References

Add your contribution

Related Hubs

Why? (Bronski Beat song)

Hub talks

Welcome to #editors!