Why (Frankie Avalon song)
"Why" | ||||
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Single by Frankie Avalon | ||||
B-side | "Swingin' on a Rainbow" | |||
Released | November 9, 1959 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:30 | |||
Label | Chancellor 1045 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Peter De Angelis, Bob Marcucci | |||
Frankie Avalon singles chronology | ||||
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"Why" is a hit song recorded by Frankie Avalon in 1959. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart published on the week of December 28, 1959. It was Avalon's second and final No. 1 hit.[1]
The song was covered by
Background
"Why" was written and produced by Avalon's manager and record producer Robert "Bob" Marcucci and Peter De Angelis.[2] The melody is based on an Italian song. The Avalon version features an uncredited female singer (alleged to be Fran Lori),[3] heard in the repeat of the first four lines of the first part of the song, with Avalon replying, "Yes, I love you". He concludes the last quarter of the song with a coda, by himself.
The song topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending January 2, 1960, published on the week of December 28, 1959.[4] making it the last No. 1 single of the 1950s, and the first No. 1 single of the 1960s at the same time. It also became the first No. 1 single of the 1960s on the Cashbox magazine charts.
Avalon could not take full advantage of the song's success because he was filming on location in Texas. His concentration on his acting career detracted from his recording career, and "Why" became Avalon's seventh and final top 10 hit.[2]
Charts
Chart (1959–60) | Peak position |
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Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] | 11 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[6] | 18 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] | 11 |
Norway (VG-lista)[8] | 3 |
20 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 1 |
Donny Osmond version
"Why" | ||||
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Single by Donny Osmond | ||||
from the album Too Young | ||||
B-side | "Lonely Boy" | |||
Released | August 12, 1972 | |||
Recorded | 1972 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:44 | |||
Label | MGM | |||
Songwriter(s) | Peter De Angelis, Bob Marcucci | |||
Producer(s) | Mike Curb, Don Costa | |||
Donny Osmond singles chronology | ||||
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Charts
Chart (1972) | Peak position |
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New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)[12] | 13 |
3 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[14] | 13 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] | 19 |
Other versions
- The French cover by Garde-moi la dernière danse.
- Les Compagnons de la chanson also recorded the French version "Bras dessus, bras dessous", which reached No. 8 on the Belgian chart in 1960,[16] and No. 6 in France, with high sales figure in the country.[17][18]
- UK Singles Chart in February 1960.[19]
See also
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1959 (U.S.)
- List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1960
- List of number-one singles from the 1960s (UK)
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 38.
- ^ ISBN 9780823076413.
- ^ ""MR. MUSIC"". Jerryosborne.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "Frankie Avalon – Why" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Frankie Avalon – Why" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Frankie Avalon – Why" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Frankie Avalon – Why". VG-lista.
- ^ "Frankie Avalon: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. December 28, 1959.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 187.
- ^ a b "Donny Osmond". Flavour of New Zealand.
- ^ "Donny Osmond: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Donny Osmond Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Donny Osmond Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ "Les Compagnons De La Chanson – Bras dessus, bras dessous". Ultratop.
- ^ "Les Compagnons de la chanson". infordisc. Select "Les Compagnons de la chanson" from list
- ^ "French Newsnotes". Billboard. February 20, 1961. p. 16.
- ISBN 0-85112-250-7.