 | This article needs additional citations for
verification. (September 2011) |
| "Why" | |
|---|---|
 US picture sleeve | |
| Single by The Beatles with Tony Sheridan | |
| A-side | " Cry for a Shadow" |
| Released | 27 March 1964 |
| Recorded | 22 June 1961 |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 2:55 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | Bill Crompton, Tony Sheridan |
| Producer(s) | Bert Kaempfert |
"Why" is one of the early songs performed by the Beatles when they were backing Tony Sheridan. It was first issued on Sheridan's French extended play called " Mister Twist" in 1962. [1] In the UK, it is the B-side of the instrumental rock tune " Cry for a Shadow". Although it was originally intended to be the A-side, the record label Polydor chose not to release it (at that time). When the Beatles were gaining popularity by 1964, the record label decided to release it with "Cry for a Shadow" as the A-side and "Why" as its B-side. In the US and Canada, it was released as originally intended, by the North American record label MGM with "Why" as the A-side and "Cry for a Shadow" as the B-side, due to it being an instrumental. Both were included on the German compilation album The Beatles' First! in 1964 and on all its other reissues worldwide in subsequent years. [2]
"Why" reached number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100 the week ending April 18, 1964. It spent only one week on the chart. [3]
Personnel
- Tony Sheridan – lead vocals
- John Lennon – rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney – bass guitar
- George Harrison – lead guitar
- Pete Best – drums
- Karl Hinze – engineer
References
- ^ "Virtua Beatles Music: Polydor 21914: Mister Twist - Tony Sheridan". 27 October 2010.
- ^ "The Beatles Collection » the Beatles' First, Polydor Special MCPS 236201".
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
