"Tell Me Why" | ||||
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Single by Wynonna Judd | ||||
from the album Tell Me Why | ||||
B-side | "A Little Bit of Love (Goes a Long, Long Way)" [1] | |||
Released | April 3, 1993 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 3:50 | |||
Label | MCA/Curb | |||
Songwriter(s) | Karla Bonoff | |||
Producer(s) | Tony Brown | |||
Wynonna Judd singles chronology | ||||
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"Tell Me Why" is a song written and recorded by Karla Bonoff for her 1988 studio album New World . In 1993, the song was covered by American country music artist Wynonna Judd and released in April 1993 as the first single and title track from her album Tell Me Why . The song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in May 1993 [2] and number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada the following month. [3]
The song was written by Karla Bonoff and makes its first appearance on her 1988 studio album "New World". It reappears on her 1999 album "All My Life -The Best of Karla Bonoff," and again on her 2007 Live album. The song is about being heartbroken over an old flame. The verses dive into the feeling of still being in love with someone who has moved on; one lyric describes it as "a fool in love with a fool that never cared." The chorus then laments the desire but inability to let go with the lyric, "So won't you tell me why I can't say goodbye." [4]
In 1993, country music artist Wynonna Judd released the album Tell Me Why, which featured "Tell Me Why" as the title track. Composer Bonoff appears on the track as a guitarist and backing vocalist. The album went on to reach number 1 on U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums. [5]
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [6] | 1 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [7] | 77 |
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [8] | 24 |
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [9] | 3 |
Chart (1993) | Position |
---|---|
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [10] | 5 |
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [11] | 27 |
Wynonna Ellen Judd, known simply as Wynonna, is an American country music singer. She is one of the most widely recognized and awarded female country musicians in history. In all, she has had 19 No. 1 singles, including those with The Judds. She first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother, Naomi, in their mother-daughter country music duo, The Judds. They released seven albums on Curb Records, in addition to 26 singles, of which 14 were No. 1 hits. In 2023 Wynonna was named the best country music artist, picking up the "country champion" award at the "People's Choice Country Awards".
Karla Bonoff is an American singer-songwriter. While Bonoff has released a number of albums, she is primarily known for her songwriting. Bonoff's songs include "Home," covered by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, and "Isn't It Always Love" by Lynn Anderson.
"I Saw the Light" is a song written by Andrew Gold and Lisa Angelle, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. It was released in May 1992 as the second single from Wynonna's self-titled debut album, and was also the album's second Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. It was also ranked by Billboard as the Number One country hit for 1992.
Why Not Me is the debut studio album by American country music duo the Judds. It was released on October 15, 1984, by RCA Records and was produced by Brent Maher. Why Not Me was recorded in a traditional acoustic format using only a handful of musicians. It contained a collection of ten tracks, including their previously released single, "Mama He's Crazy." It also included three singles that would become number one hits: the title track, "Girls' Night Out" and "Love Is Alive."
Tell Me Why is the second solo studio album by American country music artist Wynonna Judd, released on Curb / MCA Records in 1993. It produced the hit singles "Only Love", "Is It Over Yet", "Rock Bottom", "Girls with Guitars", and the title track, all top ten hits on the Billboard country music charts. "Let's Make a Baby King" also charted at #61 based on unsolicited airplay. The title song also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.
American country music duo The Judds released six studio albums, three live albums, 18 compilation albums, five video albums, two extended plays, one box set, five music videos, 29 singles and 1 album appearance. The duo consisted of mother, Naomi Judd, and her daughter, Wynonna Judd. The pair signed a recording contract with RCA Records and Curb Records in 1983. Later that year, their debut single was released called "Had a Dream ". Their next release, "Mama He's Crazy", became their first number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song's success led to the release of their debut EP in 1984. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. In October 1984, their debut studio album was released entitled Why Not Me. It peaked at number one on the country albums chart and number 71 on the Billboard 200. Why Not Me would sell over two million copies. It also spawned three number one country hits: the title track, "Girls' Night Out" and "Love Is Alive".
The discography of American country music artist Wynonna contains nine studio albums, four compilation albums, two video albums, one live album, one extended play (EP), 43 singles, 11 music videos and one other-charting song. She achieved success as one half of the mother-daughter duo, The Judds. In 1991, the duo split and Wynonna signed a solo recording contract with MCA Records that year. In March 1992, her debut studio album entitled Wynonna reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number four on the Billboard 200. The album spawned three number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "She Is His Only Need," "I Saw the Light" and "No One Else on Earth." The album also sold over five million copies. In 1993, it was followed by Tell Me Why, which certified platinum in the United States. It also topped the country albums chart and reached number five on the Billboard 200 It spawned five more top ten country hits, including the title track and "Rock Bottom."
Wynonna & Naomi is the first extended play by American country duo The Judds. It was released in February 1984 by RCA Records and was produced by Brent Maher. It was the duo's first album release in their career and would be followed later in the year by their first full-length album, Why Not Me. The album was part of a "mini-album" marketing strategy designed by RCA to promote up-and-coming acts on their roster.
Collection is the first compilation album by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. The standard version of the album reprised 11 tracks from her first three studio albums: her 1992 self-titled debut, 1993's Tell Me Why, and 1996's Revelations. The standard edition of the album contained no new tracks, but a number of the songs were presented in remixed versions.
Her Story: Scenes from a Lifetime is a two-disc live compilation album released in 2005 by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. The album was recorded live at the Grand Ole Opry house on February 1, 2005. It features a mix of Wynonna's solo songs, songs that she originally recorded as one-half of The Judds, and some other cover songs. Also included is a bonus studio track, "Attitude", which was released as a single and peaked at No. 40 on the Hot Country Songs chart in late 2005. A DVD of this same concert was also released.
"No One Else on Earth" is a song by American country music artist Wynonna Judd, released as the third single from her eponymous solo debut album on August 25, 1992. The track was written by Jill Colucci, Stewart Harris, and Sam Lorber and was produced by Tony Brown.
"My Strongest Weakness" is a song written by Naomi Judd and Mike Reid, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. It was released in December 1992 as the fourth and final single from Wynonna's self-titled debut album. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts.
"Only Love" is a song written by Roger Murrah and Marcus Hummon, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. It was released in July 1993 as the second single from the album Tell Me Why. The song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
"Is It Over Yet" is a song written by Billy Kirsch, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. It was released in October 1993 as the third single from the album Tell Me Why. The song reached number six on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. R&B singer Tamia covered the song for her album Beautiful Surprise (2012).
"Rock Bottom" is a song written by J.R. Cobb and Buddy Buie, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. It was released in February 1994 as the fourth single from the album Tell Me Why. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
"Girls with Guitars" is a song written by Mary Chapin Carpenter, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. It was released in June 1994 as the fifth single from the album Tell Me Why. The song reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Judd's mother, Naomi Judd, and Lyle Lovett sing background vocals on the song.
"Woman to Woman" is a song written by Billy Sherrill, and recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in July 1974 as the only single from her album of the same name. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also reached number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada.
"Come Some Rainy Day" is a song written by Billy Kirsch and Bat McGrath, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. It was released in December 1997 as the second single from her album The Other Side. The song reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March 1998.
"Personally" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff which was released as the lead single from her 1982 album Wild Heart of the Young. The song is Bonoff's only top 40 hit single.
"Isn't It Always Love" is a song written by Karla Bonoff. It was originally recorded by Bonoff as well for her debut studio album. The song went unreleased as a single until American country music artist Lynn Anderson recorded the track in 1979. The song became a top ten hit for Anderson the same year.