Tell Me Why (M.I.A. song) explained

Tell Me Why
Cover:M.I.A. - Tell Me Why.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:M.I.A.
Album:Maya
Producer:Diplo
Prev Title:Teqkilla
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:It Takes a Muscle
Next Year:2010

"Tell Me Why" is a song by British recording artist M.I.A. from her third studio album, Maya (2010). It was written by Maya "M.I.A." Arulpragasam, and Diplo, and production was handled by the latter.[1] The song was recorded at Red Bull Studios in Santa Monica, California on Diplo's birthday in 2009.[2] The producer admitted that "Tell Me Why" is his favorite song on the album, likening the track's sound to Wall of Sound and Motown.[3] The song incorporates elements of Sarah Lancaster's "The Last Words of Copernicus" as performed by the Alabama Sacred Harp Singers.[4] It was released worldwide as a digital download, under license to XL Recordings and N.E.E.T. Recordings, on 6 July 2010, as the fifth single from the album. No music video was made for the single, and M.I.A. has never performed it live.

Critical reception

The track was met with mixed reviews from music critics. While some called it an "absolute beauty"[5] with a "super slick" production,[6] others were very critical towards the use of Auto-Tune.[7] [8] Rap-Up and AllMusic picked the song as one of their highlights on the album.[9] [10]

Track listing

Digital download[11]
  1. "Tell Me Why" – 4:10

Notes and References

  1. Maya . deluxe edition liner notes . . 2010 . . XLCD497X.
  2. Web site: M.I.A.'s Agitprop Pop - NYTimes.com . Lynn Hirschberg . www.nytimes.com . May 25, 2010 . August 10, 2016.
  3. Web site: M.I.A.'s New Album Is 'Weird' And 'Heavy,' Says Diplo - MTV . https://web.archive.org/web/20160811091946/http://www.mtv.com/news/1634509/mias-new-album-is-weird-and-heavy-says-diplo/ . dead . 11 August 2016 . James Montgomery . www.mtv.com . March 23, 2010 . August 10, 2016.
  4. Web site: Bruce Springsteen: Wrecking Ball (Columbia) | Under the Radar - Music Magazine . Chris Tinkham . www.undertheradarmag.com . March 22, 2012 . August 10, 2016.
  5. Web site: Track by Track: M.I.A.'s // / Y / - FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. . June 23, 2010 . www.factmag.com . August 4, 2016.
  6. Web site: M.I.A - // / Y / . https://web.archive.org/web/20160822112514/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/m-i-a-y/812703 . dead . 22 August 2016 . Dave Ruby Howe . fasterlouder.junkee.com . July 8, 2010 . August 10, 2016.
  7. Web site: The Quietus | Reviews | MIA . Emily Bick . July 13, 2010 . thequietus.com . August 3, 2016.
  8. Web site: M.I.A.: / \ / \ / \ Y / \ Album Review | Pitchfork . Matthew Perpetua . July 12, 2010 . pitchfork.com . August 3, 2016.
  9. Web site: Review Roundup: M.I.A. – '/\/\/\Y/\' | Rap-Up . www.rap-up.com . July 13, 2010 . August 10, 2016.
  10. Web site: MAYA - M.I.A. | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic . Andy Kellman . www.allmusic.com . August 10, 2016.
  11. Web site: Tell Me Why - Single. iTunes. July 6, 2010. July 22, 2016.

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