Tell Me Why (1951 song) explained

Tell Me Why
Type:	single
Artist:	Jerry Gray and His Orchestra
Released:	1951
Label:	Decca
Composer:	Marty Gold
Lyricist:	Al Alberts

"Tell Me Why" is a popular song written by Marty Gold with the lyrics by Al Alberts. The song was published in 1951.

The first version of the song released was a recording by Jerry Gray and his orchestra, released by Decca company in 1951, as catalog number 27621, with the flip side "Restringing the Pearls", by Skeets McDonald (released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1957, with the flip side "Be My Life's Companion").^[1]

Renditions

• A successful version of the song was recorded by Al Alberts' group, the Four Aces, on October 23, 1951, and released later the same year by Decca Records as catalog number 27860.^[2] It first reached the Billboard charts on November 30, 1951, and lasted 24 weeks on the chart, peaking at number two.^[3] The flip side was "A Garden in the Rain," also a success for the Aces.
• It was also recorded a brief time later by Eddie Fisher in a version that scored the Top 10. This version was recorded on December 5, 1951, and released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-4444.^[4] It first reached the Billboard charts on December 28, 1951 and lasted 19 weeks on the chart, peaking at number seven.^[3] The flip side featured the song "Trust in Me."

Tell Me Why
Type:	single
Artist:	Bobby Vinton
Album:	Tell Me Why
B-Side:	Remembering
Released:	May 8, 1964
Recorded:	February 12, 1964
Genre:	Pop
Label:	Epic
Composer:	Marty Gold
Lyricist:	Al Alberts
Producer:	Bob Morgan
Prev Title:	My Heart Belongs to Only You
Prev Year:	1964
Next Title:	Clinging Vine
Next Year:	1964

• Bobby Vinton released "Tell Me Why" in 1964. Vinton's version spent eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 13,^[5] while reaching number three on Billboard's Pop-Standards Singles chart,^{[6] [7]} and number 11 on the Cash Box Top 100.^[8] In Canada, Vinton's version debuted at number 11 in the first issue of the RPM "Top Forty-5s" chart.^[9] Vinton's version was ranked number 63 on Cash Boxs "Top 100 Chart Hits of 1964".^[10]
• A version was recorded by Dinah Washington (recorded January 1952, released by Mercury Records as catalog number 8267, with the flip side "Wheel of Fortune").^[11]
• Alberto Semprini with Rhythm Acc. recorded it in London on March 26, 1952 as the third song of the medley "Part 2. Hit Medley of Foxtrots" along with "The Little White Cloud That Cried" and "I'm Lucky to Have You". It was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10263.
• The Mastertouch Piano Roll Company of Australia released the song on a piano roll, catalogue number AD 4657, in 1951.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Capitol 1500 - 2000, 78rpm numerical listing discography. 78discography.com. 3 May 2021.
2. Web site: DECCA (USA) numerical listing discography: 27500 - 27999. 78discography.com. 3 May 2021.
3. Book: Whitburn , Joel . Joel Whitburn . Top Pop Records 1940-1955 . Record Research . 1973 .
4. Web site: RCA Victor 20-4000 - 4500 78rpm numerical listing discography. 78discography.com. 3 May 2021.
5. http://www.billboard.com/artist/295525/bobby-vinton/chart?page=3&f=379 Bobby Vinton - Chart History - The Hot 100
6. http://www.billboard.com/artist/295525/bobby-vinton/chart?page=3&f=341 Bobby Vinton - Chart History - Adult Contemporary
7. "Pop-Standard Singles", Billboard, June 27, 1964. p. 17. Accessed October 12, 2015
8. "Cash Box Top 100", Cash Box, June 27, 1964. p. 4. Accessed July 28, 2016.
9. "Top Forty-5s", RPM Weekly, Volume 1, Ed. 18, June 22, 1964. Accessed October 12, 2015
10. "Top 100 Chart Hits of 1964", Cash Box, December 26, 1964. p. 14. Accessed July 28, 2016.
11. Web site: MERCURY 8000 series 78rpm numerical listing discography. 78discography.com. 3 May 2021.