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Why (Frankie Avalon song)
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Wikipedia article
"'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.
The song was covered by Donny Osmond, and this version reached No. 3 on the UK Singles chart.
Background
"Why" was written and produced by Avalon's manager and record producer Robert "Bob" Marcucci and Peter De Angelis. The melody is based on an Italian song. The Avalon version features an uncredited female singer (alleged to be Fran Lori), 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 published on the week of December 28, 1959 for the week ending January 2, 1960, 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. Despite the song's success, Avalon could not take full advantage of its success as he was away filming on location in Texas, and his concentration on his acting career detracted from his recording career, and "Why" would become Avalon's 7th and final top 10 hit.
Charts
Donny Osmond version
Donny Osmond recorded "Why" in 1972, and it was released as a single from the album 'Too Young'. It peaked at No. 3 in the United Kingdom. In the U.S., the song reached No. 13 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and No. 19 on the Easy Listening chart. Osmonds version also reached No. 13 in the New Zealand.
Charts
Other versions
*The French cover by Dalida in 1960 became very popular as Bras Dessus Bras Dessous. Instead of being featured on her 1960 album 'Les enfants du Pire', it was released only on EP with three more songs that appeared on her following 1961 year album 'Garde-moi la dernire danse'.
*Anthony Newley covered the song shortly after Avalon, and his version went to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1960.
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
Category:1959 songs
Category:1959 singles
Category:1960 singles
Category:1972 singles
Category:Songs written by Bob Marcucci
Category:Frankie Avalon songs
Category:Donny Osmond songs
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
Category:UK Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Curb
Category:Chancellor Records singles
Category:Songs written by Peter De Angelis
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