Tell Me Why (Karla Bonoff song)

Last updated
"Tell Me Why"
Wynonna Tell Me Why single.png
Single by Wynonna
from the album Tell Me Why
B-side "A Little Bit of Love (Goes a Long, Long Way)" [1]
ReleasedApril 3, 1993
Genre Country
Length3:50
Label MCA/Curb
Songwriter(s) Karla Bonoff
Producer(s) Tony Brown
Wynonna singles chronology
"My Strongest Weakness"
(1992)
"Tell Me Why"
(1993)
"A Bad Goodbye"
(1993)

"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 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]

Contents

Background

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]

Cover

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 performance

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

Year-end charts

Chart (1993)Position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [10] 5
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [11] 27

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wynonna Judd</span> American country singer (born 1964)

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. Her solo albums and singles are all credited to—and performed under—the singular stage name, Wynonna. 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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karla Bonoff</span> American singer-songwriter

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Judds</span> American country music duo

The Judds were an American country music duo composed of lead vocalist Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd. The duo signed to RCA Nashville in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. The Judds were one of the most successful acts in country music history, winning five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and nine Country Music Association awards. They also charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including fourteen that went to number one. After eight years as a duo, the Judds disbanded in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Wynonna began a solo career soon after, although she and her mother reunited on multiple occasions.

"I Saw the Light" is a song written by Andrew Gold and Lisa Angelle, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna. 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.

<i>Why Not Me</i> (album) 1984 studio album by The Judds

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."

<i>Tell Me Why</i> (Wynonna Judd album) 1993 studio album by Wynonna

Tell Me Why is the second solo studio album by American country music artist Wynonna, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Judds discography</span> Band discography

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 Nashville 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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wynonna discography</span> Discography

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."

<i>Wynonna & Naomi</i> 1984 EP by The Judds

Wynonna & Naomi is the first extended play by American country duo The Judds. It was released in February 1984 by RCA Nashville 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.

<i>Collection</i> (Wynonna Judd album) 1997 compilation album by Wynonna Judd

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.

"She Is His Only Need" is a song written by Dave Loggins, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna. It was Wynonna's first solo single, after spending nine years alongside her mother, Naomi Judd, as The Judds. It was released in January 1992 as the first single from Wynonna's self-titled debut album. The song was her first Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts.

"No One Else on Earth" is a song written by Jill Colucci, Stewart Harris and Sam Lorber, recorded by American country music artist Wynonna. It was released in August 1992 as the third single from Wynonna's self-titled debut album. It was also that album's third Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. It was remixed for release in the UK in 1994, titled "No One Else on Earth '94". It was released on cassette, vinyl, and CD formats. This version was released internationally on Wynonna's first solo compilation album, Collection, in 1997, labeled as "No One Else on Earth ". This version was used for the music video for the song.

"My Strongest Weakness" is a song written by Naomi Judd and Mike Reid, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Love (Wynonna Judd song)</span> 1993 single by Wynonna

"Only Love" is a song written by Roger Murrah and Marcus Hummon, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna. 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. 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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls with Guitars</span> 1994 single by Wynonna Judd

"Girls with Guitars" is a song written by Mary Chapin Carpenter, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna. 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. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personally (Karla Bonoff song)</span> 1982 pop song

"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 the same year.

References

  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 480. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.
  2. Wynonna Judd Chart History
  3. RPM Country Tracks
  4. Bonoff, Karla. "Lyrics". Karla Bonoff. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  5. "Tell Me Why Credits". ALLMUSIC. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  6. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 0984." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. June 19, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  7. "Wynonna Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  8. "Wynonna Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  9. "Wynonna Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  10. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1993". RPM . December 18, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  11. "Best of 1993: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.