"Why" is a song by British music producer and remixer D Mob featuring singer-songwriter Cathy Dennis. It was released by FFRR as the fourth single from Dennis's second album, Into the Skyline (1992), a full year after her previous single from the album. In the UK, it reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, number seven on the UK Dance Singles Chart and number one on the UK Club Chart, making it the most successful single from the album. "Why" was dedicated in memory of Philip Hall, who died in December 1993.
| "Why" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by D Mob featuring Cathy Dennis | ||||
| from the album Into the Skyline | ||||
| Released | 31 January 1994[1] | |||
| Length | 4:54 | |||
| Label | FFRR | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | D Mob | |||
| Cathy Dennis singles chronology | ||||
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Critical reception
Peter Paphides from Melody Maker said, "This time around, he's twiddling the knobs while Cathy Dennis sings things like "baby, baby, baby" and this ace piano motif ascends through the chorus bearing a torch for every Detroit stomper since 'Love Can't Turn Around'."[2] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave the song five out of five, writing, "'Why?' is a catchy song delivered in a variety of strong club mixes, ranging from swing to house."[3] Sam Wood from Philadelphia Inquirer felt that it "do recall the bouncy ebullience" of 'Just Another Dream', which was Dennis' breakthrough hit.[4] Tim Jeffery from the Record Mirror Dance Update complimented it as a "bright, chirpy pop garage number that chugs along nicely." He concluded that Dennis' voice "is so distinctive that everyone will think this is her own single."[5] Another editor, James Hamilton, called it a "plaintively insistent lurching jiggly ditty".[6]
Track listing
- UK CD single
- "Why" (Radio Edit)
- "Why" (Tee's Radio Edit)
- "Why" (R&B Edit)
- "Why" (Monster Club Mix)
- "Why" (Tee's Club Mix)
- "Why" (Dean Street mix)
Charts
| Chart (1994) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] | 63 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[8] | 23 |
| UK Dance (Music Week)[9] | 7 |
| UK Club Chart (Music Week)[10] | 1 |